When the City Never Sleeps: Urban Climate Vulnerabilities in Ghana’s Shift to a 24-Hour Economy

Ghana’s 24H+ Programme proposes a transition toward a 24-hour economy as a strategy to expand employment, strengthen productivity, and modernize national development. While the policy outlines economic and infrastructural priorities, its implications for urban climate risks and resilience have not been examined. This study assesses how continuous economic activity may influence climate-related vulnerabilities in Ghanaian cities, with attention to energy demand, nighttime heat exposure, emissions, mobility systems, and services that already face stress under current climate conditions. Using a policy-focused analytical approach, the paper evaluates the 24H+ Programme through established urban climate and resilience frameworks, including IPCC risk concepts and research on climate impacts in rapidly growing African cities. The analysis suggests that a 24-hour economy could intensify existing pressures, especially heat, energy use, and exposure risks, unless supported by deliberate adaptation measures and climate-responsive urban planning. The paper highlights the need for integrated governance, resilient infrastructure, and equitable protection for low-income communities that are often more exposed to climate risks. It concludes by proposing planning and policy actions that align the 24H+ economic transition with Ghana’s climate commitments and the broader goal of building resilient urban systems.