Volta Lake to Anchor Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy—Mahama Outlines Bold Infrastructure Vision

Volta Lake to Anchor Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy—Mahama Outlines Bold Infrastructure Vision

In a landmark policy direction aimed at reengineering Ghana’s economic landscape, former President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the Volta Lake will be developed into a central inland transport corridor. This move is part of the broader 24-hour economy initiative, which seeks to energize national productivity, reduce logistical costs, and drive equitable industrial growth.

Speaking during the unveiling of the Volta Economic Corridor project in Accra, Mahama described the lake as a sleeping giant whose full economic potential remains untapped. “Volta Lake will not just power hydroelectricity; it will power logistics, agriculture, and industry,” he said.

Turning a Natural Resource into a National Artery

The new plan will transform the vast inland water body into a 24/7 transport and logistics highway, connecting food-producing zones in the northern regions with southern processing hubs and export ports. The strategy includes investments in modern port infrastructure along the lake, public-private partnerships to introduce floating cargo transport fleets, and an overhaul of lakeside logistics hubs.

Mahama emphasized the strategic role of the Volta River Authority (VRA) in facilitating these plans through concessions and development agreements that open the lake to commercial activity.

Economic Decentralization and Regional Growth

Beyond transportation, the Volta Lake initiative is set to become the nucleus of a larger economic ecosystem—dubbed the Volta Economic Corridor. More than two million hectares of arable land along the lake will be developed for commercial agriculture, aquaculture, and agro-processing. Industrial parks will be set up to house manufacturing activities that operate around the clock under the 24-hour economy vision.

“The corridor will rebalance Ghana’s industrial geography,” Mahama explained, noting that the initiative aims to reduce the economic overdependence on coastal cities like Accra and Tema.

Policy Rollout and Governance

The 24-hour economy policy will formally launch on July 1, 2025—Republic Day—with the creation of an independent 24-Hour Economy Secretariat under the Office of the President. The Secretariat will oversee execution, coordinate ministries and agencies, and work with local governments to establish district-level task forces.

Other supporting pillars of the initiative include skills training through the ASPIRE24 program, special-purpose financial vehicles managed by the Development Bank of Ghana, and fast-tracked land titling to facilitate investment.

Looking Ahead

The Volta Lake transformation marks a pivotal step in Ghana’s push toward sustainable and inclusive development. As the country prepares for this ambitious rollout, the spotlight now shifts to execution, stakeholder collaboration, and the environmental and social safeguards that will guide this bold shift in national development strategy.

If successful, Mahama’s vision will not only reposition the lake as a logistics lifeline but also lay the groundwork for a decentralized, industrially active, and economically vibrant Ghana—running efficiently, 24 hours a day.