By Lord Fiifi Quayle.

As Ghana moves into 2026 under President John Dramani Mahama, the year stands composed as one of testing ambitions. A decisive period that will determine whether the government’s promises of reform can be translated into real and measurable change.

From the rollout of the 24 Hour Economy, through rural agricultural reengineering under the Akoko Nkitikiti Project, to the government’s aggressive stance on corruption with Operation Recover All, 2026 is expected to mark the moment Ghana moves from rhetoric to results.

But this will not be without turbulence. Fiscal pressures, regional instability, and infrastructure gaps may complicate the shaping up to be one of the most transformative years in Ghana’s history.

The 24-Hour Economy: Ghana’s Grand Economic Experiment

At the heart of Mahama’s 2026 vision lies the 24 Hour Economy a structural shift designed to make Ghana productive across all hours of the day.

Launched mid 2025, the policy aims to turn idle hours into productive ones by incentivising industries, public institutions, and service providers to operate multiple shifts. It is projected to create 1.7 million new jobs and unlock up to $4 billion in productive value by expanding industrial utilisation, logistics efficiency, and public service access.

By early 2026, Ghana’s major industrial hubs Tema, Dawa, Kumasi, and Takoradi are expected to have several pilot firms running continuous production. State institutions such as ports, customs, and select hospitals are also extending operational hours to match the shift culture.

Still, implementation remains uneven. Many firms lack clarity on incentives, and labour unions are still negotiating compensation frameworks for night work. Security, transport logistics, and power reliability also remain constraints.

Economists see 2026 as a transition year, where the concept moves from policy paper to practice. If power and logistics keep pace, Ghana could see early benefits in manufacturing, exports, and job creation. But if costs and coordination falter, the policy risks becoming symbolic rather than structural.

The Volta Basin Development Initiative : Ghana’s Next Industrial Spine

Complementing the 24 Hour Economy is the Volta Basin Development Initiative, which seeks to transform the Volta Lake corridor into an integrated economic zone connecting inland agrarian regions to ports and industrial parks.

Government planners envision industrial enclaves, agro processing hubs, and transport terminals stretching from the north to the south, powered by new roads, lake transport systems, and renewable energy.

By 2026, preparatory work land mapping, feasibility studies, and early infrastructure will be underway. If managed effectively, this basin could evolve into Ghana’s industrial backbone, linking rural productivity with export-driven manufacturing.

However, the fiscal burden will be significant. With Mahama declaring 2026 as the “Year of Construction,” public capital spending is set to rise sharply.

Economists warn that unless the government balances expenditure with revenue, inflationary pressures could return, threatening the recent macroeconomic stability that saw inflation fall below 10% by late 2025.

Akoko Nkitikiti: Rural Empowerment Through Poultry

Perhaps the most socially transformative policy of the year will be the Akoko Nkitikiti Project an agricultural empowerment initiative aimed at making Ghana self sufficient in poultry while generating millions of rural jobs.

Under the programme, each household is to receive day old chicks, feed, and basic training to rear poultry either for household nutrition or commercial resale. The Ministry of Agriculture expects over one million households to be enrolled by the end of 2026.

The project is both symbolic and strategic. It embodies Mahama’s belief that national productivity begins at the household level, while also tackling the $600 million annual poultry import bill that drains foreign reserves.

If successful, Akoko Nkitikiti could reshape rural economies, increase protein consumption, and strengthen food security. However, logistical challenges including veterinary services, feed supply chains, and market access will determine whether the project delivers on its vast promise or becomes another well intentioned policy constrained by scale.

Operation Recover All: The War on Corruption Reignited

One of the most closely watched developments in 2026 will be the government’s Operation Recover All an anti corruption and asset recovery initiative targeting funds and properties lost through graft, mismanagement, and illicit enrichment.

After months of investigations without convictions, the Attorney General is expected to accelerate prosecutions in 2026. The president, in consultation with the Judiciary, has reportedly supported the creation of fast-track courts to handle corruption and recovery cases swiftly.

Political observers predict that 2026 could mark the first major convictions under the initiative, signalling a decisive break from years of impunity. The expectation is not only recovery of stolen assets but also restoration of public confidence in governance.

Yet, challenges remain. Legal bottlenecks, evidentiary gaps, and political sensitivities around high profile figures could complicate early trials. Analysts say the credibility of Operation Recover All will hinge not on the number of arrests, but on successful prosecutions and actual recoveries.

Galamsey and NAIMOS: Fighting for Ghana’s Rivers

The battle against illegal mining galamsey continues to dominate Ghana’s environmental and governance agenda.

The National Anti Illegal Mining Operations Squadron (NAIMOS), restructured in 2025, is expected to intensify enforcement across key mining zones in 2026. Supported by the Green Water Team, the operation seeks to reclaim degraded lands and restore heavily polluted rivers like Pra, Ankobra, and Offin.

The environmental toll of galamsey remains catastrophic mercury contamination, deforestation, and the loss of potable water sources. The Ghana Water Company has already warned that treatment costs are rising sharply due to persistent pollution.

In 2026, NAIMOS plans to deploy aerial surveillance, drone mapping, and digital tracking of gold exports to stem illegal operations. However, without alternative livelihoods, experts fear the cycle may persist. Integrating small-scale miners into regulated frameworks and linking them to value chains in refining and jewellery remains a more sustainable approach.

Energy and Industrial Power

Energy security will be one of the determining factors for Ghana’s 2026 economic outlook.

The Second Gas Processing Plant (GPP II) and multiple solar projects including the 1,000 MW Dawa Industrial Solar Farm are scheduled to boost generation capacity. Independent Power Producer (IPP) agreements have been renegotiated to stabilise tariffs and reduce arrears.

If all planned projects materialise, Ghana’s total generation could exceed 6,000 MW by late 2026, enough to support industrial expansion and 24 hour operations. However, distribution losses and legacy debts still pose operational risks.

The government’s challenge will be maintaining reliability without returning to the dreaded “dumsor” cycle. Energy planners note that a 24-hour economy demands not just more power, but consistent, affordable, and sustainable energy delivery.

Security and Regional Stability

In northern Ghana, longstanding flashpoints Bawku, Bole, and parts of the Savannah Region remain under security watch. The administration is expected to combine dialogue and development, linking peacebuilding with economic inclusion through the Volta Development Basin and local job programmes.

Regionally, Ghana’s relative calm contrasts sharply with turbulence in Burkina Faso and Mali, where military juntas continue to grapple with insurgency. Cross border movements and refugee inflows could test Ghana’s northern resilience.

On the international front, Accra is recalibrating its diplomacy. With Western aid flows uncertain particularly amid a potential Trump return in the U.S. Ghana is deepening ties with Asia, the Gulf, and the broader Global South. This diversification reflects a pragmatic attempt to hedge against global volatility and funding shocks.

Economic Climate: Balancing Growth and Discipline

After sharp macroeconomic swings earlier in the decade, Ghana’s economy entered 2026 with renewed optimism. Inflation fell to 8.0%, the cedi stabilised, and investor sentiment improved following partial debt restructuring.

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre (GIPC) has embarked on nationwide investment mapping, identifying over 200 district-level projects for private partnership. If realised, these could accelerate regional industrialisation.

However, rising public investment under the “Year of Construction” will widen the fiscal deficit. The key question for 2026 is whether growth from the 24-Hour Economy, Akoko Nkitikiti, and infrastructure expansion can outpace borrowing costs.

Failure to maintain fiscal discipline could reawaken inflation and pressure the cedi. Success, on the other hand, could position Ghana as a mid-tier emerging economy within Africa by 2027.

Ghana 2026: Three Scenarios

Scenario GDP Growth Inflation Exchange Rate (₵/USD avg) Core Features Principal Risks

Best Case 6.3% 7–8% ₵13.0–₵13.5 Strong rollout of 24H Economy, high investor confidence, operational energy sector, corruption convictions improve public trust. External shocks; high import costs.

Base Case 5.0% 8–10% ₵14.0–₵14.5 Gradual policy implementation, stable inflation, moderate construction activity, slow but steady job growth. Fiscal overruns; energy bottlenecks.

Downside Case 3.1% 11–13% ₵15.5–₵16.0 Delays in key projects, weak investor inflows, no major corruption convictions, renewed galamsey resurgence. Debt stress; security instability.

The Defining Year

Ghana’s 2026 story will not be one of instant transformation, but of measured movement toward renewal.

The 24 Hour Economy will test the nation’s capacity for structural change; the Volta Development Basin will challenge its commitment to balanced development; Akoko Nkitikiti will gauge its ability to empower households; and Operation Recover All will reveal whether Ghana is finally ready to hold power accountable.

If even half of these ambitions translate into tangible outcomes, 2026 could mark the turning point of Ghana’s post-crisis recovery the year the country begins to operate, quite literally, without sleep.

GHANA MUST WORK AGAIN