The commissioning of the B5 Plus Steel Plant by President John Dramani Mahama has reignited debate over the government’s proposed 24-hour economy policy, following revelations that the company has long operated on a continuous 24-hour production schedule.
Officials of B5 Plus indicated that the steel manufacturing giant runs three eight-hour shifts daily to maximise output and meet market demand, effectively operating around the clock. The disclosure has fueled arguments from critics who contend that the concept of a 24-hour economy is neither new nor a groundbreaking policy innovation.
According to critics, the fact that major private-sector industries such as B5 Plus already operate 24/7 undermines claims that the proposed policy represents a transformative economic strategy. They argue that round-the-clock production in sectors such as manufacturing, mining, healthcare, and hospitality has historically been driven by market forces rather than government directives.
Opposition voices have described the 24-hour economy proposal as “empty propaganda” and a “public relations tool,” suggesting it lacks concrete implementation frameworks and is designed to divert attention from prevailing economic challenges.
They further maintain that many businesses extend operating hours based on profitability and demand considerations, making the government’s emphasis on a 24-hour system appear redundant. Some critics have characterized the narrative as a “lazy cliché,” arguing that industrial productivity hinges more on infrastructure, access to capital, energy reliability, and regulatory efficiency than simply on extended working hours.
On the other hand, government proponents insist that the 24-hour economy agenda is intended to formalize and incentivize continuous production across multiple sectors, create jobs, and enhance industrial output through coordinated policy support.
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