President John Dramani Mahama’s Grow24 initiative forms the cornerstone of his ambitious 24-Hour Economy and Accelerated Export Development Programme, designed to revitalize Ghana’s agricultural sector and propel the nation towards economic transformation. Inspired by the visionary leadership of Ghana’s first president, Kwame Nkrumah, Grow24 aims to irrigate over two million hectares of land, enabling year-round intensive farming and boosting agricultural productivity, agro-processing, and food security. This initiative is not merely about increasing agricultural output; it represents a broader return to integrated national development planning, echoing Nkrumah’s original vision for the Volta River Project, which encompassed not only power generation but also a comprehensive agricultural development plan.
The comprehensive 24-Hour+ Programme is structured around eight targeted subprogrammes, each focusing on a specific pillar of national transformation. These subprogrammes, namely Grow24, Make24, Build24, Show24, Connect24, Fund24, Aspire24 and Go24, work in synergy to create a self-reliant and inclusive economic model. While Grow24 concentrates on agricultural expansion, Make24 focuses on developing agro-industrial parks in key sectors such as textiles, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, adding value to agricultural output and creating new industries. Show24 targets the tourism and creative industries, aiming to harness the cultural and economic potential of areas like the Volta Lake region. Connect24 focuses on upgrading critical infrastructure, including logistics, transportation, energy, and digital connectivity, to facilitate 24-hour economic activity. Build24 addresses the construction of essential public infrastructure and housing to support industrial and social development. Fund24 seeks to unlock innovative financing mechanisms, while Aspire24 prioritizes developing the skills and competencies necessary for a competitive workforce. Finally, Go24 aims to catalyze entrepreneurship and business activation across various sectors.
The Volta Economic Corridor (VEC), encompassing the Volta Lake and its surrounding areas, will serve as the flagship pilot zone for the 24-Hour+ Programme. This region, rich in untapped resources, embodies Nkrumah’s original vision for the Volta River Project, which included a significant agricultural component that remained largely unrealized. By prioritizing the VEC, the Mahama administration aims to finally fulfill Nkrumah’s vision of integrated development centered around the Volta Lake, turning it into a hub for agribusiness and economic activity. This focus on a specific region allows for concentrated efforts and demonstrable results, which can then be replicated across the country.
The 24-Hour+ Programme, envisioned as a nationwide economic reboot, targets the creation of 1.7 million quality jobs over a four-year period. This ambitious goal is to be achieved by extending economic activity beyond traditional working hours and integrating core sectors into a streamlined, export-oriented value chain. By maximizing the utilization of the workforce, the programme strives to enhance productivity, reduce reliance on imports, and significantly expand Ghana’s export base. This shift towards an export-driven economy is crucial for achieving sustainable economic growth and reducing the country’s vulnerability to global economic fluctuations.
The initiative’s comprehensive approach integrates infrastructure development, technological advancement, innovative financing, and human capital development, all geared towards positioning Ghana as a globally competitive economy. By focusing on these interconnected elements, the programme aims to create a virtuous cycle of growth and development. Improved infrastructure facilitates trade and economic activity, technological advancements enhance productivity and efficiency, innovative financing provides the necessary capital for businesses to expand, and human capital development ensures a skilled and adaptable workforce.
In essence, the 24-Hour+ Programme, with Grow24 as its agricultural cornerstone, represents a significant and ambitious effort to transform Ghana’s economy. It draws inspiration from the visionary leadership of Kwame Nkrumah while adapting to the contemporary needs of a globalized world. By focusing on integrated development, increased productivity, export diversification, and comprehensive capacity building, the programme aims to create a more resilient, inclusive, and globally competitive Ghanaian economy, generating significant employment opportunities and improving the lives of its citizens. The choice of the Volta Economic Corridor as the initial pilot zone allows for focused implementation and showcases the programme’s potential for national impact, demonstrating a commitment to realizing Nkrumah’s original vision for the Volta River Project as a catalyst for comprehensive national development.
