President John Mahama has announced a new incentive under his government’s flagship 24-hour economy programme: lower electricity tariffs for businesses operating during off-peak hours.

Addressing the nation on Wednesday, May 7, to mark his first 120 days in office, he revealed that consultations are underway between the Energy Ministry and the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to introduce smart metering and a Time of Use tariff system.

This would allow enterprises working night shifts and around the clock to benefit from reduced electricity costs—a key incentive to boost Ghana’s ambitious 24-hour industrial and service transformation.

“The Minister for Energy and Green Transition is engaging PURC to set up smart metering with a Time of Use tariff system,” President Mahama said.

“This will charge a lesser tariff during off-peak hours—a direct incentive for 24-hour operations.”

The President emphasised that this forms part of his wider agenda to create jobs, stimulate private sector growth, and drive structural economic transformation.

“One of our signature policies for job creation and economic transformation is the 24-hour economy,” he said.

“We promised to commence drafting the needed legal amendments and prepare for their implementation within the first 120 days. The programme roll-out has commenced in earnest.”

President Mahama noted that the cabinet has already approved amendments to both the Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) Act and the Labour Act to integrate clauses specific to 24-hour business operations.

He described these legal changes as essential to “enhance social protection, create an enabling environment for the 24-hour employment policy, and promote conducive business and labour relations.”

The government is collaborating with key institutions to operationalise the initiative, including the Development Bank Ghana and the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund.

According to President Mahama, these bodies are working with the newly established 24-hour Economy Secretariat to activate financing mechanisms.

Several agencies have already started implementing 24-hour services.

The President cited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ new round-the-clock passport services and the DVLA’s successful clearing of an 18-month license backlog through extended operations.

The DVLA is also preparing to open a new 24-hour office in Adenta, he said.

In a move to ensure safety, the President revealed that the Ghana Police Service is establishing a dedicated 24-hour patrol unit.

“We are establishing a 24-hour police unit to improve night patrols and utilise technology supported by nationwide sensitisation,” he said.

On employment, President Mahama said the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) will soon launch the Graduates in Corporate Support (GRICS) programme.

“We’re attaching 20,000 graduates to firms operating 24 hours a day,” he said. The YEA is also working with security agencies to train and deploy 23,000 recruits to safeguard 24-hour firms.

“Ghana cannot transform its economy by doing business eight hours a day,” President Mahama said.

“In fulfilment of our 120-day commitment, we are pursuing new avenues of job creation, expanding employment opportunities—particularly for young graduates—and empowering the private sector as the key driver of sustainable job creation.”