Government has assured that its proposed 24-hour economy initiative will prioritise the growth and sustainability of private businesses as it rolls out measures to boost productivity and job creation.

According to Goosie Tanoh, the Presidential Advisor on the 24-hour Economy Initiative, the policy would not only cover essential public services such as health, transport, and security, but also create an enabling environment for private enterprises to expand operations beyond the traditional working hours.

Speaking at the Central Expo 2025 business forum in Cape Coast, he said the private sector remained the backbone of Ghana’s economy, and its active participation was key to the success of the 24-hour agenda.

“Our focus is to support private businesses, be it small, medium, or large-scale, to take advantage of this new shift. We will work to ensure that the right incentives, infrastructure, and security systems are in place to allow businesses to operate around the clock,” he stated.

The forum was on the theme: “Empowering Women and Youth-led Enterprises to Promote Economic Growth.”

The Central Expo is an annual week-long event designed to attract thousands of exhibitors and investors to tap into the economic potential of the region, accelerating its development trajectory.

This year’s edition on the theme: “Unlocking Business Opportunities in the Central Region,” started on Friday, August 23 and ended on Sunday, August 31, showcasing the region’s vast trade, tourism, and investment opportunities to the world at the Adisadel College Park in Cape Coast.

The expo served to enhance international exposure, foster partnerships and support business development, particularly for SMEs, while highlighting the region’s investment prospects to a broad audience, including financial and corporate sectors.

It was a strategic initiative aligned with the Central Regional Coordinating Council’s (CRCC) Regional Development Strategy and Transformative Agenda to stimulate economic activities and harness the region’s untapped resources.

Facilitating networking opportunities and business forums to explore creative ideas and partnerships, the expo promoted domestic tourism and attracted private sector investments, created employment opportunities and empowered youth entrepreneurship.

Mr Tanoh mentioned that industries such as manufacturing, hospitality, retail, logistics, and digital commerce were expected to see significant gains if they aligned with the initiative.

He called on stakeholders to collaborate and ensure the region became the engine of Ghana’s future.

There was a need for them to turn the expo from just an event to a movement that caused change to boost the local economy, he urged.

Mr Tanoh assured that ongoing consultations between the government and industry players would address some identified concerns, including the cost of power and safety, and ensure that the 24-hour economy would create inclusive opportunities for all businesses.

Some business owners at the forum welcomed the move, citing opportunities to expand production and serve a growing consumer base.

“If power supply and security are guaranteed, we can increase our shifts and employ more people,” said Abigail Hanson, Manager of a hair growth product from Abura Dunkwa.

However, traders and small business operators earlier expressed concerns about the cost of electricity, staffing, and safety at night.

They urged the government to provide targeted support to prevent the initiative from benefiting only large corporations.

In his remarks, Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister, called on all businesses to collaborate with the CRCC to ensure the region moves at an expected pace for their benefit.