By Ernest Arhinful President Mahama
Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Edem Agbana, has announced that the government is targeting the creation of 1.7 million jobs as part of its newly launched 24‑Hour Economy initiative.
Speaking in an interview with Metro TV on Thursday, 3 July—a day after the policy’s official rollout—he emphasised the programme’s potential to rejuvenate the economy.
Mr Agbana explained that while the 24‑Hour Economy transcends simply extending business hours, it centres on strategic, sector-specific interventions designed to boost productivity and create employment.
“We are leveraging agricultural modernisation, industrial development, tourism and logistics through coordinated sub-programmes,” he stated.
This approach mirrors the framework outlined by President Mahama, which aims to stimulate job-rich sectors and expand domestic and export markets.
Highlighting the initiative’s scale, Agbana said the government has pinpointed high-impact projects, including irrigated agro‑industrial parks along Volta Lake, which are expected to fuel jobs and strengthen value chains.
“It’s not just day or night shifts; it’s a comprehensive push into productivity-driven sectors,” he clarified.
Agbana urged stakeholders—from entrepreneurs and labour groups to local authorities—to fully embrace the 24‑Hour model.
He expressed confidence that the policy would absorb Ghana’s expanding workforce and reduce youth unemployment significantly.
The Ketu North MP concluded that with sustained collaboration and execution, Ghana could achieve both economic growth and resilience under the new paradigm.