The Vice-President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, has outlined the country’s bold agenda to create jobs through a 24-hour, inclusive economy at the Africa Growth and Opportunity – Research in Action (AGORA) Conference in Palermo, Italy.

Delivering a keynote address on the theme “Job Creation in Ghana: Building a 24-Hour, Inclusive Economy,” the vice-president reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to economic transformation anchored on productivity, innovation, and equity.

“Job creation is not an afterthought of development; it is at its very heart,” she said.

“Whether we are farmers or policymakers, we ask every day: How does this decision create work, and for whom?”

Prof Opoku-Agyemang commended the World Bank Group, the government of Italy, and the Institute for Economic Development for convening the conference, which aims to translate research into actionable policies and partnerships.

A New Direction: The 24-Hour Economy

Highlighting the government’s flagship policy, the 24-Hour Economy, the vice president explained that the initiative sought to make Ghana’s economy “more productive, competitive, and inclusive”.

“This vision is not about citizens working endlessly, but about reorganising the economy to function continuously and efficiently — powered by stable energy, skilled labour, and digital networks,” she said.

The framework has eight strategic pillars — Grow24, Make24, Build24, Connect24, Fund24, Aspire24, Show24, and Go24 — each focused on a major area of transformation including agriculture, industry, finance, skills, and tourism.

Economic Stability and Early Results

Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted that Ghana’s economy has witnessed strong recovery and stability since early 2025.

Inflation declined to 9.4%, and the Ghana cedi appreciated by over one-third against major currencies — earning recognition from Bloomberg as the best-performing currency in the world in May 2025.

“These are not abstract figures,” she said.

“They mean stable prices, rising investments, and the dependable conditions in which jobs flourish.”

Agriculture at the Core of Job Creation

The vice president described agriculture as “the heart of Ghana’s job strategy,” highlighting the Feed Ghana programme under the Grow24 pillar.

The initiative expands irrigation, strengthens rural infrastructure, and connects farmers to markets through cold-chain logistics and real-time digital platforms. It also places strong emphasis on women and youth, supporting thousands across key value chains.

“Food security and job security are two sides of the same coin,” she emphasised.

Transforming Cocoa from Beans to Brands

Prof Opoku-Agyemang reaffirmed Ghana’s goal to process at least 50% of its cocoa locally by 2030, creating thousands of jobs.

She said new incentives — such as duty exemptions for machinery and accelerated depreciation — have been introduced to attract investment in local processing.

“We are moving from raw exports to refined opportunity,” she said.

“Cocoa is not just an export; it is an ecosystem employing farmers, engineers, and designers alike.”

Infrastructure and the ‘Big Push’ Initiative

The vice president outlined Ghana’s Big Push Initiative, described as the most ambitious infrastructure drive since independence.

Projects under this initiative include expanding national rail lines, upgrading ports, building renewable mini-grids, and executing large-scale public works that directly create employment.

“Infrastructure is not just an asset; it is a job multiplier,” she said.

SME Empowerment and Global Opportunities

Through the BRIDGE Initiative (Building Resilient Industries and Driving Ghanaian Entrepreneurship), the government is connecting micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to finance, training, and markets.

She also announced the Work Abroad Programme, a new initiative enabling Ghanaian youth to access safe, legal employment opportunities in partner countries such as South Korea and the UAE.

Financing Growth and Women’s Empowerment

Prof Opoku-Agyemang noted the expansion of GIRSAL (Ghana Incentive-Based Risk-Sharing System for Agricultural Lending) and the creation of Fund24 to channel blended financing into high-impact sectors.

She highlighted gender-focused initiatives, including the Women in Agricultural Productivity and Enterprise Fund (WAPE-Fund) and plans to establish a Women’s Development Bank to support women entrepreneurs nationwide.

“When a woman gains secure access to land and finance, the whole community harvests stability, nutrition, and education,” she said.

Building Skills, Digital, and Green Jobs

The vice president said government reforms are aligning training programmes with high-growth sectors such as energy, manufacturing, and technology.

Initiatives like the One Million Coders Programme and the Adwumawura Entrepreneurship and Skills Programme are equipping young Ghanaians with digital and business skills to lead innovation and job creation.

The Adwumawura Programme has already received over 120,000 applications, with 10,000 entrepreneurs selected for its first cohort.

A Shared African Future

Concluding her address, Prof Opoku-Agyemang called for stronger Africa-Europe partnerships that go beyond aid toward shared prosperity and innovation.

“Africa does not seek sympathy; it seeks symmetry — in trade, technology, and trust,” she said.

“Come to Ghana not only to do business, but to build the future with us. Together, we can turn work into progress, and progress into hope.”