The Chief Executive of the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Mr. Edudzi Tamakloe, has thrown his full support behind President John Dramani Mahama’s bold 24-hour economy initiative, describing it as a well-planned, transformative game-changer for Ghana’s future.
Speaking as a panellist on TV3’s weekend political affairs programme The Key Points, Mr. Tamakloe dismissed criticism that the policy is uncoordinated, asserting instead that it is well-planned, industry-aligned, and underpinned by deep consultations.
“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 the structures were in place, this time the approach is deliberate and consultative,” he stated.
According to the NPA boss, the 24-hour economy is not just about increasing working hours or creating jobs in isolation. Rather, it forms part of a larger vision to expand Ghana’s productive base, strengthen exports, and transform the structure of the national economy from raw material dependence to value-added industrialisation.
He explained that integrating natural assets like the Volta Lake into the national logistics chain, supported by railway and multimodal transport infrastructure, would enable faster movement of goods and open up new trade opportunities across the subregion.
“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 emphasised.
The NPA, he revealed, has already begun internal preparations for adapting to the 24-hour model. A special advisory team has been established to develop proposals for around-the-clock operations across the downstream petroleum sector, including continuous service at 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 ensure night-time security is enhanced to protect workers and assets,” he said.
Edudzi Tamakloe cited early successes in other sectors that have already adopted 24-hour operations. He mentioned the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), which has started offering full-day services at some centres, and the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, under Brigadier General Tandoh, which already operates round the clock.
“These are the low-hanging fruits that show this policy isn’t just theory—it’s already working,” he added.
The NPA boss also endorsed calls from some legislators and policy thinkers, including former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko, for the establishment of a statutory framework to guide and institutionalise the policy.
He declared, “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 part of the national development machinery, insulated from political cycles.”
He reaffirmed that this well-planned policy, if backed by law and driven by an empowered authority, could become one of the most impactful legacies of the next Mahama administration, adding, This is a legacy policy that can outlive the politics and change the economic future of Ghana for generations. We must support it fully.”