The government is preparing to expand the 1-3-3 shift system to more public institutions as part of efforts to extend working hours and improve access to government services under the 24-hour economy agenda.
Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Gaming Commission of Ghana, Lamtiig Apanga, said reviews were underway across various sectors and public agencies to identify institutions capable of operating the shift arrangement effectively.
He said a formal announcement on the additional agencies expected to adopt the system was likely to be made before the end of 2026.
Speaking on Breakfast Daily on Channel One TV on Wednesday, September 16, Mr Apanga said the government was assessing the operational requirements of different institutions before extending the system more widely.
“There are reviews of certain sectors of the economy, and particular agencies, that can accommodate the 1-3-3 shift system. In no time, government will announce that,” he said.
He explained that although he could not provide a specific timeline, he was confident that the government would make a pronouncement by the close of the year.
“It’s difficult for me to give specific timelines, but I can assure you that hopefully, by the close of the year, government will make a specific pronouncement,” he added.
Existing implementation
According to Mr Apanga, the shift arrangement is already being used in some public institutions, demonstrating its potential to extend service availability beyond conventional working hours.
He cited the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), National Identification Authority (NIA) and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) among institutions where similar arrangements are already being implemented.
“We’ve already seen similar things going on. At DVLA, we’ve seen this at National Identification Authority as well. We’ve seen this at National Health Insurance as well. We’re extending,” he said.
The planned expansion is expected to form part of the broader implementation of the government’s 24-hour economy programme, which seeks to promote extended business and service hours.
Under the 1-3-3 model, a single job position is shared among three workers who operate separate eight-hour shifts.
The arrangement enables an institution or business to maintain continuous operations for 24 hours while distributing working hours among three employees.
The government’s review of public agencies is therefore intended to determine where the model can be applied effectively, with further institutions expected to be announced before the end of the year.
