Time is one of our most valuable and irreplaceable assets. In the pursuit of national development, the disciplined use of time is just as essential as sound leadership, effective governance, and robust security.

As Ghana advances its national reset agenda under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, it is crucial that we direct attention to a deeply embedded but often overlooked issue our national attitude toward time. Time, universally acknowledged as a finite and irreplaceable resource, must be treated with the same seriousness as leadership, governance, and national security if Ghana is to realize its developmental aspirations.

It is once again my honour to raise a matter that impacts nearly every sector of our society from economic productivity and institutional efficiency to cultural identity and military readiness. The phenomenon popularly known as “Ghana Time” or in broader terms, “African Time” reflects a troubling societal norm that tolerates chronic lateness, poor scheduling, and an overall lack of time consciousness.

Growing up in Ghana, one could easily identify the distinctions made between “African time,” “military time,” and “Western time.” These concepts are more than just labels they represent contrasting ideologies. Military time embodies precision and discipline. Western time, often lauded in global discourse, symbolizes efficiency and structure. African time, however, has regrettably become synonymous with delay, leniency, and a casual approach to punctuality.

This cultural orientation toward time is not limited to informal gatherings. It permeates state functions, religious institutions, corporate operations, educational settings, and even the military. Public events that are advertised to begin at 9:00 AM routinely start at 10:30 or later. Religious services, especially in churches, frequently exceed their scheduled durations without concern or criticism. Over time, this tendency has morphed into an accepted national trait, unchallenged and unchecked.

What is even more alarming is the gradual erosion of time discipline in sectors that historically upheld stringent standards. Sections of the military once seen as paragons of punctuality and order are now exhibiting signs of compromise, reflecting a broader national decline in time management ethics.

The implications of this casual culture extend far beyond inconvenience. The economic costs are staggering. Businesses lose millions of Ghanaian cedis annually due to late commencements of meetings, inefficient scheduling, and time lost in waiting. At the national level, this time mismanagement translates into reduced productivity, inefficiency in public service delivery, and diminished global competitiveness.

Socially, the ripple effects are equally profound. Ghana and many African countries lose thousands of productive hours each year to delayed events be they weddings, funerals, political engagements, or religious ceremonies. This systemic time indiscipline undermines our collective efforts to achieve economic transformation, efficient governance, and sustainable development.

International comparisons often highlight how Western societies’ advancement is underpinned by strict time management. Their reverence for punctuality forms a bedrock for industrial efficiency, reliable public systems, and effective governance. If Ghana is to match such progress, it must begin by cultivating similar respect for time.

President Mahama’s reset agenda offers a unique opportunity not just to reform policy but to inspire a cultural shift one that redefines national values, including how we perceive and use time. True transformation demands a reset not only of our systems and institutions, but also of our behaviors, attitudes, and priorities. Without a cultural commitment to time consciousness, even the most visionary policies will falter.

Interestingly, the COVID-19 pandemic briefly demonstrated our capacity for time discipline. With government-imposed restrictions, churches conducted services within tight timeframes, and events public and private commenced and ended punctually. This temporary shift proves a powerful point: the problem is not our incapacity, but our unwillingness. With structured enforcement and shared accountability, Ghana has shown it can adhere to time.

To institutionalize this cultural correction, I propose the following actionable recommendation:

Establish Time Compliance Task Forces

Every Municipal and District Assembly, as well as major institutions including religious bodies, schools, public offices, and civil society organizations should form Time Compliance Task Forces. These task forces would be responsible for:

• Monitoring the start and end times of scheduled events;
• Publishing periodic time-use audits;
• Recommending corrective measures for habitual offenders;
• Recognizing and rewarding institutions that consistently observe punctuality.

Such an initiative will not only promote accountability but will help engrain a national culture of efficiency and respect for time critical ingredients for progress in the 21st century.

As we chart a new path for Ghana, let us remember: no nation can develop faster than its cultural values allow. Time discipline is not merely about showing up early it is about respecting others, enhancing productivity, and building a future defined by progress and integrity.