Director of Partnerships at the 24-Hour Economy Authority, Ishmael Nii Amanor Dodoo, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to building a resilient, future-oriented economy, driven by young entrepreneurs.

Speaking at the Ghana Beverage Awards Industry Forum on March 18, 2026, Dodoo said the presence of young people in the sector is a strong indication that Ghana is on the right path toward sustainable development.

He stressed that the country’s economic vision is intentionally designed to outlive current generations.

“What really excites me this morning is to see very young people who are going to be the captains of the industry of this nation,” he said.

Dodoo emphasised that the long-term focus of the policy is to create enduring opportunities that will benefit generations to come.

“It means that we are building a future that is enduring, and a future that will surpass generations…And that, for me, is a very, very powerful vision,” he stated.

He described the young participants as central to Ghana’s economic transformation, noting their potential to create wealth and drive innovation across industries.

“To have all these young people, who I call the millionaires, and the billionaires, and the wealth creators of this nation… for me, this is the take-home,” he added.

Touching on policy direction, Dodoo explained that the 24-hour economy remains a key pillar of government’s transformation agenda, describing it as bold and unprecedented within the African context.

“The 24-hour economy is a very ambitious economic transformation agenda, and in fact, it is something that we have not seen in any African country,” he said.

He further highlighted the structural framework supporting the policy, noting that it has been institutionalised to ensure continuity regardless of political transitions.

“It is backed by an Act of Parliament… so the 24-hour economy is not going away; it’s going to stay through succeeding generations and leadership,” he explained.

Dodoo also pointed out that the initiative creates a stronger voice for the private sector in governance.

“Private sector can have an expression of their interests on an agenda in Cabinet… they have an advocate of their interests in Cabinet,” he noted.

On implementation, he said productivity-driven incentives have been introduced to encourage businesses to expand operations and create jobs.

“The 24-hour economy is anchored on policy… policy to give you an incentive to be able to become very productive,” he said.

He also addressed financing challenges faced by businesses, particularly startups and SMEs, announcing plans for accessible funding solutions.

“We are creating what we call the small-medium enterprise facility… with a very low interest rate… and no collateral,” he revealed.

Dodoo underscored the importance of market access, indicating that government procurement reforms will prioritise local businesses.

“Government agencies will become your first markets to sell your goods to,” he said.

On industrial expansion, he disclosed plans to strengthen the beverage sector through targeted investments, including the development of a dedicated industrial hub.

“The idea is to be able to ramp up production of our made-in-Ghana beverages,” he noted, referencing the broader West African market potential.

He concluded by reiterating that the ultimate goal of the policy is to empower Ghanaians to take control of their economic future.

“The idea is that you will be the one to control that market,” Dodoo said, urging industry players to seize the opportunities being created.



SO/VPO