Africa-Press – Ghana. President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his commitment to creating an enabling environment for private sector-led growth under Ghana’s 24-hour economy agenda.
He said the Ghana Customs Authority had been directed to implement 24-hour operations at the country’s ports to reduce transaction costs and ease business operations.
This was stated in a speech delivered on his behalf by Mr Haruna Iddrisu, Minister of Education, at the 45th Management Day Celebration of the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS) in Accra on Wednesday.
The event, held under the theme “Marketing Innovation and Entrepreneurship as Catalysts for Success in a 24-Hour Economy”, convened academics, policymakers, industry leaders, and students to explore transformative ideas in business and economic development.
President Mahama launched the 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme on 2 July 2025.
Estimated at $4 billion, the initiative includes a government commitment of $300 to $400 million in seed funding to attract further private investment.
It is designed to increase productivity, generate employment, and reduce dependence on imports.
“We should not narrow ourselves to the conventional working hours of 0800 hours and 1700 hours. Productivity, necessarily, should not slow down merely because there is a sunset; after sunset, we still can make meaningful contributions to spur the growth of our socio-economic development,” the President stated.
“The 24-hour economy will work, and we are sure that it will succeed; it requires enormous investment,” he added.
President Mahama emphasised that the initiative sought to cultivate a new entrepreneurial mindset focused not only on product development but also on improved customer engagement.
He stressed the importance of marketing innovation through digital platforms, artificial intelligence, social commerce, and immersive brand experiences.
“The pursuit of the 24-hour economy will need quality human capital, and that will be the progress of this university and other tertiary institutions in Ghana and the private sector,” the President said.
He noted that beyond simply announcing the policy, real success would depend on increasing productivity across all sectors.
Mr Iddrisu commended the University of Ghana for its leadership in digital transformation, which had enhanced teaching and learning, and improved student access to digital technologies.
He also announced plans to pass the Scholarship Authority Bill to promote equity in educational opportunities, and highlighted fulfilled presidential commitments, including the transfer of the University of Ghana Medical School to the University’s management.
“We are looking forward to the three-month period which was given to the transition team to submit this report,” Mr Iddrisu said, adding that the President had also pledged to establish a National Research Fund and committed $50 million towards it.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Ghana, applauded the leadership of UGBS for its achievements and reiterated the institution’s commitment to leveraging technology to enhance education.
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