A Bold Vision: Paving the way for sustainable growth

Ghana’s ambitious move toward a 24-hour economy, encapsulated in the 24H+ Programme, marks a defining national moment. Boldly framed as an "integrated solution" and a "holistic programme of systemic transformation," it promises unprecedented productivity, vast new opportunities, and heightened global competitiveness. This vision of relentless growth aims for businesses that never sleep and industries that evolve into non-stop engines of economic acceleration, purposefully breaking with traditional, piecemeal interventions.

However, for all its promise and sophisticated design, this transformation carries consequences extending beyond the balance sheets. A thriving economy isn't just about numbers; it's fundamentally about the people who sustain it, the infrastructure that upholds it, and the communities within it. If Ghana’s 24-hour economy is to succeed, its vital human and operational dimensions health, safety, and societal well-being must not be sacrificed in the drive for expansion. Indeed, Ghana's existing occupational health and safety (OHS) framework is fragmented and often lacks comprehensive enforcement, posing a significant pre-existing challenge. These areas must be treated as indispensable pillars, robustly built into this new economic model, ensuring 24H+ truly integrates every vital link in the value chain.

The Hidden Strain: A workforce pushed to its limits

Behind every factory, logistics hub, or commercial district operating around the clock, there's a workforce facing unprecedented challenges. While the ASPIRE24 Sub-Programme rightly aims to cultivate a "highly skilled, ethically grounded, digitally fluent workforce" linked to "workplace readiness," this vision must explicitly safeguard the physical and mental health of these invaluable human assets.

The human body isn't designed for indefinite productivity. Fatigue, stress, and irregular sleep patterns are significant health risks with long-term consequences. Occupational hazards multiply in a system demanding more, often with little regard for recuperation. Manufacturing industries face an increase in accidents, transportation sectors see increased human error, and healthcare professionals contending with extended hours grapple with high stress levels directly affecting patient care. Ghana's fragmented OHS framework means these risks are compounded, potentially leading to higher incidences of injury and illness. Psychological burnout looms as employees struggle to maintain work-life balance. The policy’s goal of creating "quality jobs" necessitates a proactive approach to prevent these strains from eroding productivity and well-being.

A city that never sleeps, but at what cost?

Beyond individual workers, the social fabric of Ghanaian communities could face disruption. Families adjusting to unpredictable work schedules may find less time for connection. Essential services like childcare, public transport, and healthcare, often designed for conventional hours, must evolve. Without proactive intervention, gaps will widen, leaving workers stranded. The GO24 Sub-Programme's intent to "mainstream 24H+ across Government" by requiring MDAs and MMDAs to "extend essential public services for round-the-clock productivity" is therefore paramount.

Security presents another critical challenge. A thriving night economy attracts higher crime risks, demanding intensified law enforcement and strengthened worker protection. The GO24 Sub- Programme addresses this by aiming to "revitalise Community Infrastructure by improving lighting, safety, and beautification in public spaces to support evening and night-time commercial activity." Public spaces must be meticulously designed for safety at all hours, with well-lit streets, monitored transit hubs, and continuously operating emergency response systems.

Managing equipment & infrastructure risks in a 24-Hour economy

Continuous operations strain industrial equipment, commercial spaces, and transportation networks. The 24H+ Programme acknowledges that Ghana’s past progress was "undercut by bottlenecks in logistics, finance, or skills," highlighting absent linkages. Sub-programmes like BUILD24 (Built Environment and Infrastructure) and CONNECT24 (Supply Chains, Logistics) are designed to address these foundational constraints.

However, businesses can't solely rely on comprehensive insurance for accelerated wear and tear, as most policies exclude gradual deterioration. The policy’s emphasis on "systemic resilience" demands proactive preventive maintenance, high-grade machinery, and specialized coverage. Industries must implement rigorous scheduled maintenance, leveraging technologies like IoT sensors. Policymakers and private entities, working under BUILD24 and CONNECT24, must collaboratively strengthen Ghana’s electricity grids, transport networks (including Volta Lake activation), and water supply to sustain round-the-clock demand without disruption.

The insurable risks of a 24-Hour economy

Economic expansion necessitates comprehensive risk management. Increased operational hours mean heightened exposure to various risks. Businesses must rethink insurance strategies within this "integrated value chain approach," ensuring they're equipped to absorb financial shocks and maintain operational resilience.

Workplace injury protections: Higher shift rotations demand expanded workers’ compensation and strict enforcement of labor protections to cover increased accident and health risks. Ghana's fragmented OHS framework means specific, enforceable guidelines for continuous operations are critically needed.

Cybersecurity defenses: Digital operations running around the clock face increased cyber-attack exposure. Robust cybersecurity must be complemented by comprehensive cyber insurance as a non-negotiable safeguard.

Security & crime risk mitigation: Late-night business activities heighten crime vulnerabilities. This requires robust commercial property insurance and proactive crime deterrence strategies alongside public safety efforts.

A blueprint for sustainable growth

The success of Ghana’s 24-hour economy depends not just on economic output, but on how well its "integrated solution" protects people, businesses, and public infrastructure. A thoughtful, synchronized policy approach ensures this transformation is sustainable, not merely reactionary.

A robust national OHS policy for a new economy: The GO24 Sub-Programme’s intention to "reform Enabling Regulations, including labour laws," is a crucial opportunity. Ghana must seize this moment to introduce a comprehensive, national Occupational Health and Safety policy—modern, enforceable, and covering all sectors, including the informal economy. This policy should fundamentally reflect extended work cycles, enforcing mandatory rest, intelligent shift management, and mental health support, truly aligning with "quality" job creation. This also necessitates investing in and empowering regulatory and enforcement agencies.

Urban planning for a 24-Hour society: As part of GO24’s community revitalization efforts, public transport, essential services, and residential zoning must proactively adapt to continuous economic activity, ensuring accessibility without unduly disrupting daily life or creating pollution hotspots.

Security & crisis preparedness: Crime prevention, emergency response, and worker protection must evolve—in line with GO24's safety focus—to address unique risks of a non-stop economy, ensuring citizens feel safe and supported at all hours.

Insurance as a safety net: Businesses and employees alike must be protected against financial risks, with customized insurance models reflecting the heightened demands of a round-the-clock operational framework.

Conclusion: Growth must serve the people, not the other way around

Economic expansion is only meaningful if it genuinely enhances the lives of the people who drive it. As the 24H+ Programme strives for a "unified engine of transformation" delivering "compounding gains" including increased jobs and productivity; it cannot exist in isolation from human well-being. Ghana has a unique opportunity not just to lead productivity in the sub- Saharan region but to set a precedent for responsible economic evolution in the region.

If health, safety, security, and infrastructure resilience are truly integrated into the foundational design and ongoing implementation of the 24H+ Programme, Ghana’s economic transformation will not just be impressive; it will be enduring, equitable, and truly sustainable, delivering on its promise of improving living standards "especially at the base of society."