Unlocking potential through 24-hour economy - Land productivity perspective

Ghana’s quest for sustainable economic growth and large-scale job creation, particularly for its youthful population, requires bold and innovative policy direction. 

The proposed 24-hour economy offers such a pathway by redefining productivity, expanding employment, and accelerating industrialisation.

This initiative goes beyond extending working hours.

It is fundamentally about optimising the use of land, labour and capital so that productive assets are not left idle.

Properly designed, it becomes both an employment strategy and a framework for efficient land and resource utilisation.

Recent engagement with the 24-Hour Economy Secretariat in Accra reveals a deliberate attempt to address long-standing structural constraints to investment. Central to this effort is the Participatory Land Access Module (PLAM), which seeks to resolve land access challenges and tenure insecurity.

PLAM integrates landowners into the investment process, ensuring transparency, fair compensation and long-term certainty.

This framework is closely linked to Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), structured investment entities that depend on secure land tenure.

By reducing land-related risks, the model enhances investor confidence and creates a more stable and investable environment.

The Secretariat also highlights the strategic use of river corridors, particularly along the Volta system, to support irrigation and large-scale agricultural development.

Lessons

From a Land Economist’s perspective, SPVs are a proven tool in structured finance. In the United States, institutions, such, as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have transformed housing finance by purchasing mortgages, pooling them and converting them into tradable securities.

This process unlocked long-term capital, distributed risk and expanded access to housing.

The implication for Ghana is clear: when assets are properly structured and legally secured, they can attract investment at scale and drive sector-wide transformation.
Land ownership uncertainty remains a major constraint to investment in Ghana, particularly in agriculture and agro-industry.

Integrating PLAM with SPVs provides a practical solution by transforming land into a bankable asset.

Under this approach, land contributed through participatory arrangements can be pooled into SPVs, enabling structured investment, improved risk management and predictable returns.

It also allows for the aggregation of fragmented landholdings, alignment of stakeholder interests and the development of viable, financeable projects.

A well-structured 24-hour economy enables continuous production, maximises asset utilisation, and expands employment across agro-processing, manufacturing, logistics and services.

Experiences from other countries provide useful lessons.

Vietnam has successfully linked agricultural production with processing zones, reducing post-harvest losses and increasing export value. Malaysia’s industrial clustering and multi-shift systems have improved efficiency and competitiveness.

The United Arab Emirates demonstrates how strong infrastructure, effective regulation, and coordinated systems can sustain round-the-clock economic activity.

These examples highlight key requirements: reliable infrastructure, integrated value chains, strong institutional coordination, and secure land access.

The Jama Traditional Area in the Savannah Region, located near the Bui Dam, presents a strong case as a pilot zone under the 24-hour economy initiative. Its strategic location supports agriculture, fisheries, and agro-processing activities.

The area produces cashew, yams, maize, cassava, tomatoes, and pepper, with additional fisheries potential from the Black Volta River. Under a 24-hour framework, processing activities could include cashew processing, yam flour production, maize milling, cassava processing into gari and starch, vegetable processing, and fish preservation.

The development of cold storage facilities, ice plants, and fish processing centres would reduce post-harvest losses and strengthen local value chains. Multi-shift operations would increase productivity and generate employment.

The initiative presents significant opportunities for youth employment and skills development in agro-processing, fisheries, logistics, and manufacturing.

Traditional authorities will play a critical role. As custodians of land, they facilitate access, mobilise communities, and ensure that development is socially legitimate and economically viable.

To fully realise the benefits of the 24-hour economy, Ghana must prioritise strong legal and institutional frameworks, reliable infrastructure, and effective security provision to safeguard people, assets, and round-the-clock operations.

Additionally, pilot projects in strategic locations, targeted skills development, and coordinated partnerships between government, investors, and traditional authorities will be essential to ensure sustainability and scale.

Conclusion

The 24-Hour Economy Initiative offers Ghana a viable pathway to transform its economic structure. By integrating land access frameworks such as PLAM with SPVs, land can be repositioned as a secure and productive asset capable of attracting long-term investment.

International experience shows that well-structured systems can unlock capital and drive transformation. 

The writer is an Associate Professor, Land Economy, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK; Jama Kooro & Paramount Chief of Jama Traditional Area, Savannah Region; President, Dega (Mo) Paramount Chiefs Council, Nnaa Lanjagor Karley. II.