The Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has called on the government to place manufacturing and industrial development at the centre of its 24-hour economy policy, arguing that the initiative must prioritise sustainable job creation for the country’s growing youth population.
Speaking during a panel discussion on Ahotor 92.3 FM’s Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show, hosted by Nana Dogbe, Mr Koomson said extending working hours at public institutions such as the Passport Office and the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) could improve service delivery but would not achieve the broader economic objectives of the policy.
He maintained that the real benefits of the 24-hour economy would be realised when manufacturing companies operate multiple shifts, increase production and employ more people.
Mr Koomson recalled that Ghana experienced significant industrial activity in the 1970s, when several factories operated three or four shifts, creating jobs and supporting the country’s economy.
He stressed that government must create a conducive business environment that gives investors confidence to establish factories, expand existing industries and employ the growing number of unemployed young people.
He, however, identified smuggling as one of the major challenges undermining local manufacturing, explaining that imported goods entering the country without the payment of appropriate duties enjoy an unfair advantage over locally manufactured products.
According to him, local manufacturers bear significant production costs, including taxes, while smugglers evade these obligations and sell their products at prices that local businesses struggle to compete with.
Mr Koomson commended the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and security personnel for recent efforts to intercept smuggled goods, particularly a truck reportedly loaded with GTP wax prints.
He described the development as encouraging and recalled his previous efforts to collaborate with personnel of the former Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) to expose and fight smuggling activities.
However, he expressed concern that interventions by influential individuals sometimes weaken enforcement efforts, making it difficult for security agencies to effectively deal with those involved in the illegal trade.
He urged the government to sustain the ongoing arrests and strengthen border surveillance to prevent smugglers from undermining local industries.
The GFL Secretary-General also raised concerns about reports of approximately 48 unapproved entry points along the Ghana-Mali border, questioning how effectively authorities were monitoring such routes to prevent the illegal movement of goods.
Mr Koomson cautioned against opening Ghana’s borders indiscriminately in the name of promoting trade, warning that the uncontrolled entry of foreign goods could create further difficulties for local manufacturers.
While acknowledging the importance of facilitating trade and attracting investors, he insisted that government must ensure all entry points are properly monitored and regulated to prevent illegal goods from flooding the domestic market.
On taxation, he acknowledged calls for reductions in taxes to ease the burden on businesses but stressed that government must carefully balance such measures against the need to generate revenue to run the economy.
He explained that taxes remain an important source of government revenue and any decision to reduce them must be carefully considered to avoid undermining public finances while supporting investors and local businesses.
Mr Koomson also cautioned against expectations that the 24-hour economy would transform Ghana’s economy overnight, questioning suggestions that significant results could be achieved within just two years.
He argued that the policy requires careful planning, consultations and effective implementation, given the scale of reforms and investments needed to expand manufacturing and create sustainable employment.
According to him, taking between one and four years to establish the necessary structures would be acceptable, provided the process produces lasting benefits for businesses, investors and the wider economy.
He maintained that government must approach implementation with patience and consistency rather than allow political considerations and competing proposals to undermine the long-term objectives of the initiative.
Mr Koomson concluded that without effective measures to control smuggling, protect local manufacturers and create a conducive investment environment, Ghana’s manufacturing sector would struggle to expand, limiting the country’s ability to generate the jobs the 24-hour economy is expected to deliver.
Story by Stephen Kwaku Owusu Mintah
