The 24-Hour Economy should be judged by its impact on the wider economy rather than solely by the number of organisations adopting the 1:3:3 shift model, the programme’s Chief Programme Officer has said.
Abdul-Nasser Alidu Suglo, of the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme (24H+) Secretariat, said 11 state institutions had introduced the model, including the ports, the Passport Office and the DVLA.
He also said 33 private companies were operating three shifts.
Speaking on Kessben FM on Monday, 9 November 2026, Mr Alidu Suglo said the programme needed to be viewed more broadly.
“We need to be more ambitious, so that we look beyond just the 1:3:3 and look at how we actually grow the whole economy,” he said. “We have it. It’s happening. But it goes beyond just the 1:3:3.”
His comments followed a video played by the presenter featuring President John Dramani Mahama, recorded while he was the NDC presidential candidate, discussing the 24-hour economy and its potential to create jobs.
Mr Alidu Suglo said the activities outlined by the President in the video were now being pursued by the Secretariat. They include agro-processing, manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, demand stimulation, investment and energy, including electricity.
He said production was expected to increase considerably as implementation progressed.
“We need to be ambitious and even go beyond that,” he added.
The Secretariat has also partnered with the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) to introduce 24-hour operations at 268 filling stations operated by 12 oil marketing companies.
Mr Alidu Suglo said the programme had secured $5.5 billion in joint development agreements from an $11.5 billion project pipeline.
That pipeline includes the $1.45 billion Buipe solar and battery project. Its first phase is expected to begin in 2027 and reduce industrial electricity costs from about 23 cents to nine cents per kilowatt-hour.
On the pharmaceutical sector, he said the Food and Drugs Authority had reached WHO Maturity Level 3. This means certified medicines can compete for international tenders.
The Legon Pharmaceutical Innovation Park at Asutsuare is expected to create about 30,000 jobs.
Mr Alidu Suglo said the Secretariat was working with the Ghana Statistical Service on independent research into the programme’s job impact.
“The results will be there for all to see,” he said.
The Secretariat has previously said the 24-Hour Economy is not a law requiring businesses to operate around the clock. Instead, it is intended to reorganise the productive economy so it can support multiple shifts.
