Ghana's 24-Hour Economy stalls as water shortages cripple key businesses

Factories in Ghana's industrial hubs scramble for water at night, jeopardizing the nation's bold economic vision. Can infrastructure keep up with ambition?

, and Administrator

2026 March 6 . 4:13 AM

1 min read

The image shows a poster with a map of the South Coast Hydrologic Region and text detailing... — The image shows a poster with a map of the South Coast Hydrologic Region and text detailing groundwater management plans. The map is detailed and shows the various areas of the region, including rivers, lakes, and other geographical features. The text provides additional information about the plans, such as the type of water used, the amount of water available, and the estimated time it will take to complete them.

Ghana's 24-Hour Economy stalls as water shortages cripple key businesses

Ghana's push for a 24-Hour Economy faces a major hurdle as businesses in Tema and Accra West battle constant water shortages. Factories and industries in these key zones struggle to operate smoothly, with unreliable water access threatening productivity and raising costs.

Many companies in Tema and Accra West spend extra time and money securing water, often searching late at night or paying for expensive tanker deliveries. This unpredictability makes it difficult to maintain round-the-clock production—a core requirement of the 24-Hour Economy policy.

Abraham Koomson, Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, has warned that such infrastructure gaps could undermine the initiative's success. Without steady water supply, manufacturing and industrial processes cannot run efficiently at all hours.

The lack of dependable water also increases operational expenses, potentially discouraging businesses from adopting extended working hours. For the policy to achieve its goals—economic growth and job creation—the government must first address these critical shortages. Stable water, electricity, and sanitation systems are essential to support continuous operations.

The 24-Hour Economy's success hinges on fixing water supply issues in industrial hubs like Tema. Without reliable access, businesses may struggle to sustain extended production, limiting the policy's impact. Investments in infrastructure remain a pressing need for the initiative to move forward.