The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), has thrown his full weight behind President John Dramani Mahama’s 24-hour economy initiative, describing it as a transformative policy that is well-planned and aligned with long-term job creation and economic expansion.
He dismissed suggestions that the policy is haphazard, insisting it is grounded in consultation, industrial alignment and practical planning.
Speaking on TV3’s The Key Points on Saturday, Edudzi Tamakloe explained that the 24-hour economy policy is tied to a broader goal of expanding the productive base of the economy and boosting exports.
He said, “President Mahama is not proceeding with this 24-hour economy policy on an ad hoc basis. Unlike in the past, where policies were announced before seeking the right structures, this time the process is the reverse, deliberate and consultative.”
According to him, the policy isn’t just about job creation, but about transforming Ghana’s entire economic structure and is designed to integrate production, add value to raw materials, and ensure Ghana becomes a hub for exportable finished goods.
He cited the potential use of the Volta Lake, railway infrastructure, and multimodal transport systems as examples of how the policy could boost trade, reduce inefficiencies, and strengthen value chains.
“If we efficiently use our natural assets like the Volta Lake and integrate them into logistics, we can move goods faster and export more. This is how you expand an economy – not just by extraction, but by adding value,” Tamakloe emphasized.
He stressed that several institutions have already started adopting the 24-hour model, including the DVLA, which has implemented 24-hour service at some centres. “The Port Authority, under Brigadier General Tandoh, also operates 24 hours. These are low-hanging fruits that prove this policy is feasible,” he added.
The NPA itself, he revealed, has set up a dedicated team to explore 24-hour operations across the downstream petroleum sector, including fuel stations.
“We’re looking at scenarios where fuel service points can run 24 hours. It means more hands will be needed, and that creates jobs. But we must also address concerns like night-time security to support workers,” he added.
Mr. Tamakloe endorsed proposals from some legislators, including Boakye Agyarko, for the establishment of a legal framework and a statutory authority to drive the policy’s implementation.
“Once we have Parliament’s backing and a 24-Hour Economy Authority with a Director-General, it will no longer be a campaign promise – it becomes institutionalised,” he said.
He stressed that such an approach would ensure that the policy is not derailed by political changes or poor coordination.