By Ebenezer Adu-Gyamfi / Emmanuel Ayiku | Reporting for Ghanaian News Canada | April 30, 2026
Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has highlighted the importance of Ghana’s 24-hour economy policy as a major tool to increase productivity, create jobs, and strengthen the country’s shea industry. She made the remarks while addressing stakeholders at the Shea Conference 2026.
According to the Vice President, Ghana and many African countries must move beyond exporting raw shea nuts and instead focus on value-added production such as processed butter, cosmetics, food ingredients, and industrial products. She said this shift would help generate more income and employment opportunities.
The government’s 24-hour economy policy is designed to encourage businesses and industries to operate in shifts around the clock, allowing factories and enterprises to maximize production capacity while creating more jobs for citizens.
The shea sector is considered one of Ghana’s most promising non-traditional export industries, especially in northern Ghana where many women depend on shea processing for income. Experts believe modernizing the sector could improve livelihoods and boost foreign exchange earnings.
Vice President Opoku-Agyemang stressed that with proper investment, technology, and policy support, Ghana can become a stronger player in the global shea market while empowering local communities.
Industry observers say the success of the plan will depend on access to finance, reliable electricity, transport systems, and market opportunities for small producers and processors. Without those foundations, the benefits of 24-hour operations may be limited.
For many people in northern Ghana, the shea industry is more than business—it is a source of survival and opportunity. A stronger sector could help reduce poverty while opening doors for women and young entrepreneurs.
As government pushes industrial growth through the 24-hour economy agenda, the shea industry may become one of the clearest tests of whether the policy can deliver real jobs and long-term national value.
𝘼𝙗𝙤𝙪𝙩 𝙊𝙪𝙧 𝙍𝙚𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙎𝙩𝘼𝙉𝘿𝘼𝙍𝘿𝙎
𝘛𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘧𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘱𝘶𝘣𝘭𝘪𝘤 𝘳𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘴, 𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘴𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘤𝘦𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵-𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘨𝘰𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘤𝘤𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦, 𝘣𝘢𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘯𝘦𝘸𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳𝘴.
