By Humu Shaibu
The Ministry for Energy and Green Transition has ramped up the implementation of the government’s 24-hour economy policy, directing all its subsidiary agencies to submit comprehensive operational roadmaps by April 15, 2026.
The directive is aimed at transforming the energy sector into a round-the-clock operation to drive economic growth and bridge the unemployment gap.
Speaking at a media engagement following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) and the 24-Hour Economy Authority, Deputy Minister Richard Gyan-Mensah confirmed that formal letters have been dispatched to all relevant heads of agencies.
“The Minister has directed all agencies to submit their roadmap because we strongly support the 24-hour economy and its implementation,” Gyan-Mensah stated. “We deem it fit that all agencies, not just the NPA, come out with a plan to deliver not just economic transformation, but significant job creation.”
Petroleum sector leading the charge
The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) is expected to be a primary driver of this initiative. Under the new MoU, the downstream petroleum sector will expand its continuous operations, ensuring that fuel supply, distribution, and administrative oversight remain active 24/7.
According to the Ministry, several key entities including the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) and the Bulk Oil Storage and Transportation Company (BOST) are already well advanced in their internal preparations to transition to the new model.
Economic impact and job growth
The Deputy Minister noted that moving to a 24-hour cycle in the energy sector would create a “multiplier effect” on the economy. By operating through the night, the sector is expected to create thousands of direct jobs for shift workers, security personnel, and logistics experts, while also supporting indirect jobs in the transport and manufacturing industries that rely on a constant energy supply.
“Most of [the agencies] are actually far advanced with their processes. We want to have these plans officially submitted to us by the middle of next month so we can enforce implementation and identify any gaps,” Gyan-Mensah added.
The April 15 deadline will allow the Ministry to assess the readiness of the various agencies and provide the necessary regulatory support to ensure the transition is seamless and sustainable. Industry experts believe that if successful, the petroleum sector’s move to a 24-hour model could serve as a blueprint for other critical sectors of the Ghanaian economy.
