By Albert A ARHIN
On January 7, 2025, President John Mahama began his second term of office to lead Ghana on its path of prosperity.
A major plank of President Mahama and the National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) is its ambitious 24-hour economy policy, aimed to set a transformative vision for Ghana’s economic future.
Built on the pillars of macroeconomic stabilization and infrastructure development, it promises to enhance enterprise and labour productivity, especially in twelve priority sectors. Yet, for this vision to succeed, an intentional focus on rural development is essential.
Without it, the policy risks exacerbating existing inequalities, leaving rural areas behind, and undermining the potential of rural communities to contribute to—and benefit from—this national transformation.
Rural areas are home to a significant portion of Ghana’s population and are integral to sectors central to the 24-hour economy, such as agro-processing, manufacturing, transportation, sanitation, and health services.
These communities are the bedrock of Ghana’s agricultural output, which not only sustains domestic consumption but also drives exports under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA). Failing to prioritize rural development risks alienating these communities and losing the critical input they provide to the nation’s economy.
A deliberate focus on rural development is also key to ensuring that the infrastructure backbone of the 24-hour economy—roads, stable energy, irrigation systems, and digital networks—reaches every corner of Ghana.
Many rural areas remain plagued by poor road networks, limited access to electricity, unreliable internet connectivity, and insufficient irrigation infrastructure. Addressing these challenges is not just a moral imperative; it is an economic necessity. A 24-hour agro-processing industry, for instance, cannot thrive if the raw materials from rural farms are stuck due to bad roads, or if factories lack reliable electricity.
The argument for rural development extends beyond infrastructure. Rural areas present untapped labour and entrepreneurial potential. When President Mahama’s government becomes intentional in investing in these communities, the government can create jobs, reduce rural-to-urban migration, and stimulate local economies.
This aligns seamlessly with the NDC’s focus on promoting local economic development by linking Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to the 24-hour economy policy. With rural-specific programs, MMDAs can play a strong role in developing agricultural, industrial, and service zones that operate round the clock, providing sustainable livelihoods for rural populations.
Rural development is also crucial for achieving inclusive growth and addressing Ghana’s significant unemployment challenge. The 24-hour economy will thrive only if it harnesses the full productive potential of the nation’s workforce.
Rural Ghana is home to a large pool of young people eager for employment opportunities. Equipping them with skills through technical and vocational training, and creating industries in their communities, will ensure that they are not left behind in this economic transformation.
Moreover, prioritizing rural development is essential for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Goals such as poverty eradication (SDG 1), zero hunger (SDG 2), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10) are deeply intertwined with the well-being of rural communities.
A focus on rural development ensures that the 24-hour economy policy does not merely drive growth in urban centres but also uplifts the rural poor, thereby fostering equitable development across the nation.
Conclusively, rural development must be central to Ghana’s 24-hour economy vision. It is not a peripheral issue but a cornerstone of the policy’s success. By investing intentionally in rural communities, the government will ensure that the benefits of the 24-hour economy reach every Ghanaian, unlocking the full potential of the nation and creating a truly inclusive and sustainable economy.
This is why the recent renaming Ghana’s Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs is a misstep that needs to be corrected to ensure that rural development becomes central, not peripheral, to the President Mahama’s administration. While this decision may seem administrative, it risks sidelining rural development—a cornerstone of Ghana’s socioeconomic progress.
The writer is a Sustainability Consultant and Research Fellow at the Bureau of Integrated Rural Development (BIRD), Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Contact: [email protected]
