24-hour economy will create jobs and improve wages – Rashid Pelpuo

Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, the Minister-Designate for Labour, Jobs, and Employment, has described the National Democratic Congress (NDC) proposed 24-hour economy as a transformative initiative aimed at boosting productivity, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods for Ghana’s workforce.

Speaking during his vetting by Parliament on Thursday, January 30, Pelpuo outlined his vision for how the policy would reshape Ghana’s labour landscape, particularly by tackling youth unemployment and enhancing workers’ remuneration.

The 24-hour economy, championed by former President John Dramani Mahama and the NDC, seeks to extend economic activities beyond the conventional 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. work schedule. The policy framework proposes a three-shift working system across various industries, ensuring round-the-clock economic operations.

Pelpuo explained that implementing this policy would optimise labour efficiency and leverage Ghana’s workforce to drive increased productivity.

He stressed that the initiative is not merely about longer working hours but also about ensuring workers receive fair compensation for their efforts.

“The 24-hour economy is a policy by President John Dramani Mahama proposed to the people of Ghana and it is a commitment to ensure that we engage the Ghanaian worker effectively and to ensure that the 24-hour working arrangement that we have is improved.

“The whole commitment is to increase production by our working class and also earn what they deserve.”