The Member of Parliament for Bekwai in the Ashanti Region, Ralph Poku Adusei, has criticised the establishment of a 24-Hour Economy Secretariat under the newly passed 24-Hour Economy Authority, describing it as unnecessary and potentially wasteful.
Speaking in an interview on Amansie FM, Mr. Adusei argued that national efforts should concentrate on the practical implementation of a 24-hour economy rather than the creation of an additional coordinating body in Accra.
According to him, the success of a 24-hour economic model depends on strengthening existing institutions and expanding operational capacity nationwide, not on setting up a new authority.
“The policy cannot be driven by an additional office in Accra,” he stated. “Ghana can naturally become a 24-hour economy if we manage the country properly.”
The Bekwai legislator pointed to agencies such as the Passport Office and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), noting that their extended working hours were achieved through improved staffing levels and enhanced operational systems rather than through the oversight of a special coordinating authority.
He urged the government to prioritise reinforcing public sector structures and creating sustainable employment opportunities for the youth to drive productivity across sectors.
Mr. Adusei further expressed concern that the proposed authority could create administrative overlaps and confusion, citing what he described as an unclear mandate. He questioned whether the body would possess sufficient legal backing to compel private institutions to operate around the clock, warning that it risks becoming another bureaucratic layer without clearly defined responsibility.
The MP also raised governance concerns, particularly regarding provisions for a Chief Executive Officer and a five-member board appointed by the President. He questioned whether appointments would be strictly based on technical expertise, given that the 24-hour economy concept is still evolving in Ghana’s policy landscape.
Drawing attention to specific clauses in the bill, Mr. Adusei cautioned that provisions allowing the use of information “without authorisation” could expose the system to abuse and weaken accountability frameworks. He called on Parliament to amend such sections to ensure stronger legal safeguards.
He further suggested that funds allocated for the new secretariat could instead be channelled into pressing national obligations, including settling outstanding payments to cocoa farmers.
Despite the concerns raised by the Bekwai MP and other critics, Parliament on Friday, February 6, 2026, passed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill after days of debate between the Majority and Minority caucuses.
The legislation establishes a national coordinating body tasked with overseeing the implementation of Ghana’s 24-hour economy policy across both public and private sectors. The authority is expected to align government agencies, mobilise investment and ensure regulatory and infrastructural systems are adapted to support round-the-clock economic activity.
The 24-hour economy policy forms a central pillar of the economic agenda of John Dramani Mahama. The initiative was officially launched on July 2, 2025, alongside the Accelerated Export Development Programme, with the President describing it as a transformative strategy aimed at boosting productivity, expanding employment and positioning Ghana as a competitive, value-adding industrial economy.
While the government maintains that the authority will provide critical coordination and strategic direction, critics such as Mr. Adusei insist that clearer safeguards, defined responsibilities and robust oversight mechanisms are essential to prevent it from becoming an ineffective bureaucratic structure.