On Saturday, April 4, 2026, President John Dramani Mahama escalated the rollout of his flagship economic policy by announcing that businesses registered under the 24-Hour Economy Authority will be granted a 24-hour fast-track clearing window at Ghana’s ports.
Speaking at the Kwahu Business Forum, the President detailed a new "package of incentives" designed to slash operational delays and costs for companies operating multiple shifts.
The Port Clearing Breakthrough
The President's announcement addresses one of the primary bottlenecks in the Ghanaian supply chain: port congestion and clearing delays.
The 24-Hour Guarantee:
“Any business registered under the 24-hour economy authority will be able to clear its goods within 24 hours at the port.” — President John Mahama.
Fast-Track Priority: Certified firms will be funneled through a "Green Channel" at the ports, ensuring that raw materials and finished goods move round-the-clock without the typical multi-day bureaucratic wait.
Duty-Free Machinery: In addition to fast-tracking, President Mahama announced that firms operating 24/7 will enjoy duty-free importation of plant, machinery, and equipment to encourage rapid industrial scaling.
Institutional Support: The 24-Hour Economy Authority
The legal backbone for these incentives was established on February 19, 2026, when the President signed the 24-Hour Economy Authority Bill into law:
Central Coordination: The newly formed Authority serves as the "Secretariat" that coordinates between the Presidency, the Ministry of Finance, and the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to enforce these 24-hour port standards.
$400M Seed Fund: The government has committed an initial $300 million to $400 million in seed capital to de-risk investments and provide financing support for firms transitioning to three-shift systems.
Electricity Rebates: To further lower costs, participating businesses are being issued modern smart meters calibrated to charge lower tariffs during off-peak hours (night shifts).
Summary of 24-Hour Economy Incentives (2026)
| Incentive Type | Benefit for Registered Businesses |
| Port Clearing | 24-hour maximum turnaround for all goods. |
| Import Duties | 0% Duty on all industrial plant and equipment. |
| Electricity | Time-Of-Use (TOU) tariffs (Cheaper power at night). |
| Security | Dedicated deployment of security agencies for 24/7 safety. |
| Tax Breaks | Tailored corporate tax incentives to reduce operating costs. |
“The business sector is waiting, and they want to see the package of incentives we can afford. By assenting to this Bill, we move from strategy to implementation.” — President Mahama.
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