The Executive Director of Energy News Africa Limited, Michael Crag Afful, has emphasized the urgent need for reliable and sustainable energy infrastructure as Ghana considers rolling out a 24-hour economy. He made the remarks during an interview at the 5th Anniversary Public Lecture of Energy News Africa Limited held in Accra.


Reflecting on the theme of the event, Mr. Afful said the organization decided to focus its anniversary lecture on a topical issue relevant to national development—the feasibility of a 24-hour economy driven by energy availability.


“We asked ourselves what the energy-related issues are that can spark national dialogue. Then we realized that the proposed 24-hour economy and the Rated Export Development Program are heavily dependent on energy,” he said.


Mr. Afful raised critical questions about whether Ghana’s current energy situation can support a full-day operational system across sectors. He cited the country’s installed energy generation capacity, which stands at 4,524 megawatts, against a peak demand of about 3,928 megawatts as of December 2024.


“On paper, it looks like we have enough capacity, but the real question is reliability. Can we ensure uninterrupted power so that industries can operate at night? Can transportation systems run from 6 a.m. to 6 a.m. the next day? Will banks, fuel stations, taxis, and even street lighting be available to support such an economy?” he questioned.


Mr. Afful stressed that unless these infrastructure needs are met, the 24-hour economy will struggle to take off. He noted that consistent power outages, such as load-shedding, would render the policy ineffective and force businesses to rely on costly generators, which is unsustainable.


“The success of a 24-hour economy hinges on three things—reliable power supply, reliable fuel supply, and financial investment into energy infrastructure,” he said.


He welcomed government’s announcement to invest in the energy sector but called for transparency and urgency. “While the assurance of investment is refreshing, we still don’t know how much will be invested. Government must act swiftly, especially with elections just three months away.”


Mr. Afful concluded by urging the next government to prioritize solving the financial challenges crippling the energy sector, insisting that addressing those challenges will automatically solve many of the systemic problems.


“If the finance situation is resolved, all other things will follow. That’s my advice,” he stated.

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