Ghana stands at a critical juncture in its economic development.
As the country explores new strategies to stimulate inclusive growth, job creation, and industrial expansion, the idea of transitioning into a 24-hour economy is receiving considerable attention.
A 24-hour economy promises to expand productivity beyond traditional working hours, offering more opportunities for employment, business growth, and service delivery.
While the concept is bold and forward-thinking, its successful implementation depends significantly on one foundational factor: public transportation.
A functional 24-hour economy cannot exist without a reliable, efficient, and accessible public transportation system that connects people to jobs, goods to markets, and services to communities at all times of the day and night.
Role, mobility
Public transportation is the circulatory system of any modern economy. It provides the physical infrastructure needed for people to participate in economic activity.
In Ghana, over 80 per cent of urban residents rely on public transport for their daily commutes.
Services such as trotros, Metro Mass buses, taxis, and more recently, digital ride-hailing platforms, carry millions of passengers each day.
However, most of these services are limited to daytime operations, typically ending by 10 p.m.
This limited service creates a vacuum that threatens the potential of a 24-hour economy.
Without round-the-clock mobility, many Ghanaians who work or do business outside the traditional eight-to-five window are left stranded.
On night duty, factory workers on late shifts, security guards, delivery drivers, food vendors, and even market women become victims of a system that has not evolved to match their economic aspirations.
The idea of a 24-hour economy is not new.
Several countries have successfully adopted this model by first strengthening their public transportation networks to operate beyond regular hours.
These international examples offer practical lessons for Ghana.
In China, major cities like Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen have introduced extended subway services and night buses, particularly around industrial zones, airports and tech hubs.
These services support workers commuting to factories, logistics centres and hospitals.
In cities like Chengdu and Guangzhou, night-time transport has been pivotal in driving consumer activity.
According to the China Tourism Academy, more than fifty per cent of daily retail revenue in these cities now comes from evening and night-time economic activity, a direct result of improved mobility options after dark.
In the United Kingdom, the introduction of the Night Tube in London has significantly enhanced the city’s night economy.
Transport for London reported that the service contributes over three thousand jobs and injects an estimated three hundred and sixty million pounds annually into the economy.
It provides safe and affordable travel for workers in health care, hospitality, security and other essential services.
Japan, known for its punctual and organised transport systems, uses late-night buses to fill the gap after subway services stop around midnight.
This system ensures that shift workers and night commuters in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagoya continue to participate in economic life during off-peak hours.
Singapore uses digital innovation to offer smart, real-time transport solutions.
The government supports night rider buses and late services that connect densely populated residential areas with commercial zones.
These services are backed by GPS monitoring, integrated fare systems, and route planning apps, which enhance user trust and safety.
These examples demonstrate that a country can only sustain a 24-hour economy when its transportation network functions seamlessly throughout the day and night.
Opportunities
In Ghana, implementing a 24-hour public transportation system could unlock several benefits across sectors.
First, it will enable shift-based employment.
Industries could operate in three shifts, significantly increasing job availability.
Factories, hospitals, call centres, and security companies will benefit from workers arriving and departing reliably at night.
Second, the informal economy will thrive.
Many traders, food vendors, and artisans already work into the night but face limitations due to transport challenges.
Night-time transport will allow them to restock goods, reach more customers, and expand their business operations.
Third, service accessibility will improve.
Hospitals, police stations, fuel stations, and emergency services must be available at all times.
Their staff need transportation that matches their work schedules.
Citizens who need emergency services will also be able to travel without facing mobility risks.
Fourth, urban development and investment attraction will rise.
A city that operates efficiently at all hours sends a strong signal to investors.
With the continuous movement of goods and people, businesses have more operating hours, higher customer volumes, and greater revenue potential.
Safety, technology, urban design
Introducing night-time public transportation must be accompanied by safety and system upgrades.
This includes street lighting in major corridors, security presence at bus stops and terminals, surveillance through CCTV, and clear route information.
Technology should play a central role.
Real-time tracking apps, mobile ticketing systems, and emergency contact features can increase public confidence and attract more users to night services.
Transport personnel, including drivers and conductors working at night, should receive fair compensation, insurance coverage and appropriate rest schedules to reduce fatigue-related risks.
Safety and dignity in the workplace must be central to this transformation.
Strategic steps
To transition into a 24-hour economy supported by efficient public transport, Ghana should consider the following actions:
Pilot selected night bus routes in Accra, Kumasi and Takoradi.
These should focus on industrial parks, hospitals, markets and major transit points.
Develop transport terminals for 24-hour use, equipped with lighting, security, ticketing services and public restrooms. Collaborate with private operators such as GPRTU, Metro Mass Transit, VIP, and ride-hailing companies to offer regulated night services.
Use public-private partnerships to invest in vehicle upgrades, technology platforms and commuter services. Introduce a safe commute programme that combines security patrols, driver verification, and public education campaigns.
Establish a National Night Mobility Task Force, involving the Ministry of Transport, Municipal Assemblies, transport unions, and urban planning agencies, to coordinate the nationwide rollout.
Create incentives for transportation technology startups to design tools that enhance safety, tracking and scheduling for nighttime travel.
Conclusion
Ghana’s pursuit of a 24-hour economy is timely and visionary.
However, its success hinges on the country's ability to keep people moving beyond daytime hours.
Public transportation is not an optional add-on; it is the backbone of the entire vision.
Other countries have shown that when transportation works for all hours, the economy grows, lives improve, and societies become more inclusive.
If Ghana wants to build an economy that never sleeps, then its cities must first stay awake.
That means public transport systems that are safe, affordable, and accessible at any hour.
By investing in night-time transportation, Ghana can unlock new sectors of economic growth, expand employment, and build a future where opportunity is always in motion.
The writer is a Transport Planner/PhD candidate in Supply Chain Decision & Optimisation at Shanghai Maritime University, China.
He previously served with Ghana’s Ministry of Transport and Metro Mass Transit Ltd.
E-mail: Anthonybiri74@gmail.com
