Associate Professor of International Trade at the School of Economics, Finance and Law, Anglia Ruskin University, UK, Professor Evans Akwasi Gyasi, has questioned the necessity of establishing a dedicated 24-Hour Economy Secretariat at the Office of the President.

Speaking on JoyPrime’s News Flash on Tuesday, 8th July, Prof. Gyasi argued that the programme could be more effectively implemented through existing state institutions, rather than creating a new bureaucratic office.

He cautioned that the establishment of a separate secretariat may not guarantee sustainability, especially under future governments.

According to Prof. Gyasi, integrating the 24-hour economy initiative into the mandates of already functioning public agencies would promote continuity, ensure efficient use of resources, and prevent political interference.

"I know we have 24-hour secretariat, i dont think it is neccesary. We have government agencies which are existing that ought to be align to that (the 24-H+). When John Mahama leaves office, the next government may come and decide to scrap the 24H+ secretariat when it comes to the policies and programmes there but when it is align with the agencies that we already have then i think we own it, the civil servants owns it.

He urged the government to adopt a decentralised and institutional approach to the policy’s implementation, highlighting that strong coordination among relevant ministries, departments, and agencies would yield better and more lasting results than relying on a temporary presidential unit.