Accra: Unemployment continues to be one of the biggest challenges facing successive governments, threatening the stability and growth of Ghana's economy. In response, the government has rolled out the 24-Hour Economy policy, aimed at creating jobs and boosting productivity.
According to Ghana Web, the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GNCCI), Mark Badu Aboagye, emphasized that the initiative must go beyond rhetoric. He pointed out that while the 24-Hour Economy is a 'brilliant idea,' it risks becoming a mere political slogan unless the private sector is fully engaged and supported.
Speaking on Joy News' PM Express, Badu Aboagye stressed that the government alone cannot solve the unemployment crisis, noting that it employs only 6% of the labour force, while the private sector absorbs the remaining 94%. He urged the government to create an enabling environment for the private sector to thrive. "There is no way government alone can solve the unemployment problem we have. The government employs just 6% of the total labour. For just 6%, the 94% or so is being employed by the private sector. So just create the right environment.So it's the private sector that we must empower. We must create the right conditions," he said.
He further suggested that the solution should not be reduced to a political slogan by merely announcing a 24-hour economy. Instead, he advocated for active participation from the private sector and attention to investor engagement to effectively address the employment challenge.
On February 19, 2026, President Mahama signed into law the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, providing the legal framework for its rollout. The programme, launched in 2025 as part of the administration's flagship economic strategies, is expected to tackle youth unemployment and drive growth across multiple sectors. The initiative also forms part of the government's broader economic reset agenda, which includes fiscal consolidation, debt restructuring, and measures to restore macroeconomic stability following Ghana's recent economic crisis.