Former Information Minister and Member of Parliament, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, has questioned the relevance of the 24-hour economy bill, arguing that the proposed authority will not deliver the 24-hour economy promised to Ghanaians.
Speaking in Parliament on Wednesday, February 5, 2026, during the Third Sitting of the First Meeting of the Second Session of the Ninth Parliament, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah said Parliament considered the 24-hour economy bill without access to its accompanying policy document. According to him, the bill was laid on December 3, 2025, while the policy document was only presented on February 4, 2026.
He described the process as “building the first floor before laying the foundation,” stressing that proper parliamentary consideration requires bills and their policy frameworks to be examined together.
Despite his concerns, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah clarified that the Minority was not opposed to the 24-hour economy bill. However, he urged the government to ensure that all remaining policy documents are submitted to Parliament before future bills are introduced, to allow for informed and coordinated deliberation.
Addressing the substance of the bill, the Ofoase Ayirebi MP stated that establishing a 24-hour economy authority is unnecessary for achieving a functioning 24-hour economy. He cited major global cities such as New York, Tokyo, London, Bangkok, Dubai, and Berlin, noting that none of them began their 24-hour economies by setting up a dedicated authority.
According to him, the bill does not operationalize a 24-hour economy but rather creates a new bureaucracy, complete with a chief executive, board, internal auditor, staff, and budgetary demands. He argued that such a structure does not translate into extended economic activity.
Kojo Oppong Nkrumah warned that the 24-hour economy bill may mislead young people into believing it delivers immediate economic transformation when, in reality, it only establishes an administrative body.
He further criticized the bill’s justification on export development, stating that Ghana already has the Ghana Export Promotion Authority (GEPA), which is fully funded and actively supporting trade expansion. In his view, the proposed authority duplicates existing institutions rather than strengthening them.
The MP said the 24-hour economy bill neither creates a 24-hour economy nor accelerates exports, adding that Parliament must be cautious about passing laws that expand bureaucracy without clear economic outcomes.
