NPP Parliamentary Candidate Hopeful Questions Viability of Government’s 24-Hour Economy Policy
A Parliamentary Candidate hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Bole Constituency, Hazrat Ashahadu Sulemana, has questioned the feasibility and sustainability of the government’s 24-hour economy policy.
In a statement released on 2nd October, 2026, Mr. Sulemana said extending economic activities beyond the traditional 8am to 5pm working hours could create jobs and increase productivity, but argued that the policy would only work if the country had the infrastructure and demand to support it.
He said a 24-hour economy could not be achieved simply by extending working hours.
“An economy does not stay awake because government says so; it stays awake because economic activity gives it a reason to.”
According to him, businesses would only operate additional shifts if there was enough demand to justify the cost of electricity, transportation, security and wages.
He also raised concerns about the government’s readiness to provide the infrastructure needed to support the policy.
“You cannot build a 24-hour economy on infrastructure that goes to sleep after 10 pm,” he said.
Mr. Sulemana argued that the policy should have been introduced on a pilot basis in economically active cities such as Accra, Kumasi, Tamale, Buipe and Kintampo before being expanded nationwide.
He said different communities had different development needs and should not automatically receive 24-hour markets when they may need schools, health facilities, roads or irrigation projects.
“Development should respond to people’s needs, not force people’s needs to respond to a political programme,” he stated.
The NPP parliamentary candidate hopeful also questioned the government’s eight-pillar approach to the policy, which includes Build 24, Grow 24, Make 24, Connect 24, Fund 24, Aspire 24, Go 24 and Show 24.
He said the government must clearly explain what each pillar would deliver, the cost involved, the implementation period and the measurable results expected.
Mr. Sulemana further suggested that digitalization could provide a more cost-effective way of delivering some public services around the clock.
He cited online passport applications, paperless port operations, digital driver licensing and vehicle registration, online payments for public services and other digital services as examples.
“Before government creates another night shift, it should ask whether technology can do the night shift better,” he said.
On infrastructure, Mr. Sulemana said delays in road projects and concerns over funding for contractors raised questions about the government’s capacity to finance the infrastructure required for the 24-hour economy.
He also criticized what he described as the replacement of the One District, One Factory initiative with 24-hour economy markets.
According to him, an export-driven 24-hour economy requires strong productive enterprises capable of producing goods for the markets.
“Markets distribute goods. Factories produce them. Before asking how long our markets should remain open, perhaps we should first ask what Ghana will produce to keep them busy.”
Mr. Sulemana stressed that his criticism did not mean he opposed the objective of creating jobs, increasing production and promoting exports.
He said the focus should instead be on whether the country had the foundations needed to sustain economic activity around the clock.
“Government can extend the working hours on paper, but it cannot extend demand by decree.”
He concluded by questioning whether the policy was creating a genuine 24-hour economy or simply keeping a political slogan alive.
Story by Sulemana Abubakari Sadiq
