Parliament has approved the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill, 2025, paving the way for the establishment of a dedicated authority to oversee and coordinate the implementation of the government’s flagship 24-hour economy policy.
The Bill, sponsored by Attorney-General and Minister for Justice Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, was laid before the House in late 2025 and progressed through second reading, committee consideration, and debate stages amid sharp divisions between the Majority and Minority sides.
The object of the legislation is to create the 24-Hour Economy Authority as a central body to drive the integrated, sustainable transformation of national systems for economic production, supply chains, marketing, and labour power development.
Majority MPs, including Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, defended the Bill as essential for addressing youth unemployment, empowering the private sector, and providing structured coordination for round-the-clock economic activities.
The Minority, however, opposed it vigorously, describing the proposed Authority as unnecessary bureaucracy, a duplication of existing institutions such as relevant ministries, and failing to deliver on campaign promises like mandatory incentives for extended hours, three-shift systems in public agencies, or direct job creation mechanisms.
Despite the criticisms, the House adopted the motion, considered the Bill clause by clause, and ultimately passed it during proceedings on Friday , February 6, February 2026.
The approval marks a key legislative milestone for President John Dramani Mahama’s administration, which launched the 24-hour economy policy in July 2025 to boost productivity, expand economic output, and tackle joblessness.
The Bill now awaits presidential assent to become law, after which the Authority is expected to replace or absorb functions of the existing 24-Hour Economy Secretariat and begin operationalizing the policy across sectors.
