Since taking office six months ago, Ghanaian President John Mahama has placed a firm focus on reviving the country's economy — a key promise of his campaign.

The new leader is seeking to shift the West African nation away from relying solely on its traditional sectors to establishing a more diversified economy. To this end, Mahama has launched a so-called 24-hour economy designed not only to create job opportunities around the clock but also to transform Ghana from an imports-based economy to self-sufficiency.

"This policy is made for Ghana and the future," said Mahama. "The 24-Hour Plus Program will be the catalyst for Ghana's economic growth, and we are sure it will make Ghana prosper."

Under the plan, various industries will operate in three eight-hour shifts daily, with public and private sectors working together to keep the economy running day and night. The initiative chiefly targets existing key sectors in the country such as agriculture, manufacturing and essential services, but could be expanded to other areas in the long term.

But as promising as it may seem, questions remain about the feasibility of Mahama's pet project.

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Ghana's capital, Accra, can't compare to New York, Dubai or Tokyo when it comes to 24-hour amenities. In the African context, few cities run nonstop services, although Accra and cities in Nigeria, Democratic Republic of Congo, South Africa and

© Deutsche Welle