 has criticised the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy programme, describing its treatment in the 2026 Budget as inadequate and lacking a credible implementation framework.){kind=link}
The Institute of Public Policy and Accountability (IPPA) has criticised the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy programme, describing its treatment in the 2026 Budget as inadequate and lacking a credible implementation framework.
In its latest budget analysis, led by policy analyst Kwasi Nyame-Baafi, the Institute expressed concern that the policy, widely promoted during the 2024 general elections as a transformative job creation strategy, has not been backed by the level of financial commitment and planning required for meaningful execution.
According to the National Coordinator of the 24-Hour Economy Policy, Goosie Tanoh, the initiative requires an estimated US$4 billion (GH¢48 billion) for full nationwide implementation. However, the 2026 Budget allocates only GH¢90 million, representing a mere 0.18% of the required funding.
IPPA said this disproportionate allocation suggests that the programme remains “symbolic rather than substantive,” lacking the essential components of a credible rollout plan.
“There is no operational framework, measurable targets, timelines, institutional arrangements, or sector-based rollout strategy,” the report stated.
Beyond the 24-Hour Economy initiative, the institute raised broader concerns about the credibility of the government’s capital expenditure commitments.
According to the analysis, the government delivered only 34% of its allocated capital expenditure in 2025, disbursing GH¢9 billion out of the GH¢13 billion approved for the Big Push Infrastructure Project.
IPPA warned that this track record casts doubt on the government’s ability to finance ambitious programmes in 2026, including:
• The Big Push Infrastructure Agenda
• The Women’s Development Bank
• Other capital-intensive flagship initiatives
“A budget that under-delivers on capital allocations undermines public confidence and weakens the transformative potential of flagship policies,” the institute added.
The Institute urged government to re-evaluate the 2026 Budget, ensuring it aligns with realistic fiscal projections and execution capacity.
It also called for a comprehensive, fully costed implementation plan for the 24-Hour Economy policy, detailing:
• Financing strategies
• Institutional coordination mechanisms
• Clear timelines
• Measurable outputs and outcomes
IPPA stressed that without these, the government risks undermining one of its signature economic transformation pledges.