{
  "id": 15456526,
  "title": "Power deficits, water pollution, unreliable internet threaten 24-hour economy – Prof Stephen Adei",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/power-deficits-water-pollution-unreliable-internet-threaten-24-hour-15456526",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-18T17:05:55.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Adom Online",
    "slug": "adom-online",
    "url": "https://www.adomonline.com/power-deficits-water-pollution-unreliable-internet-threaten-24-hour-economy-prof-stephen-adei/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Ghana's former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has raised concerns that persistent power shortages, water pollution, and unreliable internet connectivity could jeopardize the government's ambitious 24-hour economy initiative. At the 37th CIMG Annual National Marketing Performance Awards, Prof Adei emphasized the urgent need to address these infrastructure issues before the policy can successfully deliver its intended benefits, especially in an economy increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking at the Labadi Beach Hotel, the professor stated, \"The reality is that if we do not tackle the power deficits, the water pollution, the unreliable internet in an AI economy, you cannot achieve a 24-hour economy.\" Acknowledging the government's efforts to implement the 24-hour economy policy, which consists of eight pillars, Prof Adei highlighted the revival of industrial activity in Akosombo and Juapong, as well as the inauguration of several industrial parks as early signs of progress. However, he expressed doubt about whether certain projects under the initiative are adequately equipped to support continuous operations. Prof Adei pointed out that two proposed 24-hour markets near his village lacked the expected level of activity, suggesting that basic infrastructure constraints currently hinder the implementation of an eight-hour operating model. He urged policymakers to prioritize addressing fundamental infrastructure requirements over merely establishing facilities. \"Let's try to learn to walk before we run,\" he advised. Prof Adei also noted improvements in borrowing costs, crediting the government for reducing lending rates from approximately 27 percent to nearly 16 percent for some borrowers with good standing. However, he cautioned that many businesses and individuals still face interest rates in the 20 percent range, particularly those lacking access to preferential lending conditions. The gap between inflation and interest rates remains a concern, as it impacts the real cost of borrowing for businesses aiming to invest and expand.",
  "summary": "Former Rector of the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA), Professor Stephen Adei, has warned that persistent power deficits, water pollution and unreliable internet connectivity could undermine the government’s 24-hour economy initiative. He said the country’s existing infrastructure and utility challenges must be addressed before the policy can deliver its intended…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "Prof Stephen Adei urges Ghanaian businesses to build brands on quality, trust and innovation",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/18/prof-stephen-adei-urges-ghanaian-businesses-to-build-brands-on",
        "published": "2026-10-18T16:48:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}