24-Hour Economy Policy Will Boost Youth Entrepreneurship – Margaret Ansei
By Praisebell Rosemond Larbi
The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency (GEA), Margaret Ansei, has lauded the government’s 24-hour economy policy as a transformative initiative capable of accelerating youth entrepreneurship and promoting inclusive economic growth, particularly within Ghana’s informal sector.
Speaking at the launch of the Youth in Indigenous Enterprises in the Informal Sector programme and stakeholder engagement in Accra, Madam Margaret said the policy, once fully operational, will serve as a powerful catalyst for job creation and enterprise development among young people.
The event, spearheaded by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economic Research (ISSER) with support from the MasterCard Foundation, brought together key players in business, government, academia, and development circles to explore sustainable pathways for scaling up youth-led indigenous businesses.
“The 24-hour economy policy presents a unique opportunity to unlock the growth potential of our informal sector — a space that has long been dominated by dynamic, young entrepreneurs operating indigenous businesses,” Madam Margaret stated. “This policy will provide the infrastructure, regulatory support, and enabling environment that our young people need to scale their enterprises, access finance, and contribute meaningfully to Ghana’s economic transformation.”
She underscored the importance of prioritizing youth innovation and indigenous knowledge systems, noting that the informal sector remains one of the largest sources of employment and entrepreneurship in Ghana.
“This is where the creativity, resilience, and innovation of our young people shine. From artisans to agro-processors, to digital and creative entrepreneurs — our focus must be on helping them formalize, access markets, and grow,” she said.
The GEA boss called for stronger collaboration among government institutions, academia, and the private sector to create holistic and scalable support systems for youth-led businesses.
“It is time for coordinated, evidence-based policy and intervention. Institutions like ISSER are vital in helping us understand what works, where the gaps are, and how we can build resilient, youth-focused enterprise ecosystems,” she noted.
She also highlighted the GEA’s ongoing initiatives such as the YouStart programme, training and mentoring for SMEs, and partnerships with development partners to provide technical and financial support to youth entrepreneurs across the country.
She further encouraged young business owners to take advantage of emerging opportunities under the AfCFTA and government digitisation efforts to expand their reach and competitiveness.
“This is your time,” she said. “Let us seize the momentum created by the 24-hour economy vision and ensure that no young entrepreneur is left behind.”
Stakeholders at the event echoed similar sentiments, with ISSER researchers presenting findings on the potential impact of the 24-hour policy on enterprise development, and MasterCard Foundation officials reaffirming their commitment to advancing dignified and fulfilling work for Ghanaian youth. The Youth in Indigenous Enterprises initiative aims to strengthen policy dialogue, generate data-driven insights, and build multi-sector partnerships to support sustainable livelihoods for young people in informal economies.
