24-Hour Economy not compulsory - Goosie Tanoh explains logic behind policy

Presidential Advisor on the 24-Hour Economy, Goosie Tanoh, has clarified that the government’s flagship policy is designed to stimulate voluntary private sector expansion rather than mandate continuous operations.

Speaking on GTV’s Talking Point on Sunday, February 22, 2026, Tanoh emphasised that the transition to a multi-shift system will be driven by 'economic logic' and favourable market conditions created by the state.

Addressing concerns about the practical implementation of the policy, Tanoh noted that businesses are rational actors that respond to profitability, not administrative orders.

“If an economy is operating at full capacity, nobody is going to tell industry to do shifts,” he explained.

“It is a function of capacity, the investment regime, and the incentive regime that allows companies to take that decision,” he added.

Tanoh broke down the policy using fundamental economic principles, stating that firms will only increase production shifts when the marginal revenue of the next unit of output exceeds the marginal cost of hiring additional labour and running utilities.

FULL TEXT: Goosie Tanoh's speech at the 24-Hour Economy policy launch

“Companies operate on the marginal... You can’t force anybody to do a 1-3-3 [shift system]. What you need to do is to create an incentive and the environment that allows them to do that,” he explained.

His comments come after President John Dramani Mahama gave his executive assent to the 24-Hour Economy Bill.

Now a law, the legislation provides a formal framework to coordinate the program’s rollout.

The government maintains that the policy will transform Ghana’s landscape by boosting industrial productivity and export capacity and generating sustainable employment through multi-shift systems.

The policy is also expected to provide specific incentives for industries and service providers to extend operating hours.

Tanoh emphasised that the success of the 24-Hour Economy rests on a supportive investment climate that makes it naturally attractive for the private sector to scale up.

MRA/VPO

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