Actual cost of 24-Hour Economy likely to exceed US$4bn – Dr. Sarkodie

The Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Scrutiny, Dr. Adu Owusu Sarkodie, has cautioned that the estimated US$4 billion cost of implementing the government’s 24-Hour Economy Plus (24H+) initiative may be significantly underestimated.

Presenting a paper on the 24-Hour Economy Policy in Accra on Tuesday, October 21, Dr. Sarkodie said the programme’s fiscal commitments go far beyond the current headline figure, warning that a narrow cost estimate could mislead policymakers and weaken public confidence in the initiative.

“The overall cost of the programme is likely to be underestimated. It is widely reported that the 24H+ will cost US$4 billion to implement,” he said. “However, the 24H+ entails a wide range of fiscal commitments that extend beyond the headline cost estimate of US$4 billion.”

Dr. Sarkodie explained that the US$4 billion projection represents only one of several financing targets expected to be achieved by 2030, and does not capture all the direct and indirect costs associated with the initiative.

“Once these components are fully costed and appraised, the actual financial requirement of the 24H+ programme is likely to significantly exceed the initial US$4 billion estimate,” he added.

He warned that presenting only a partial view of the programme’s cost could “undermine its credibility and weaken the basis for informed decision-making,” urging the government to ensure a transparent and comprehensive financial appraisal before full implementation.