Public sector salaries experienced a 23% increase.

The government has implemented a significant adjustment to the salaries of public sector workers, increasing them by 23 percent. This adjustment follows the successful conclusion of negotiations on the 2024 base pay and took effect from January 1 of this year. Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, the Controller and Accountant General, confirmed this decision, stating that government approval had been secured for the 23 percent adjustment.

Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem emphasized the government’s steadfast commitment to the welfare of public sector workers, highlighting that salaries have been disbursed accurately and punctually in line with published schedules. The Controller and Accountant General’s Department routinely publishes the dates of salary payments for public sector workers at the beginning of each year.

“The government is very committed to upholding workers interests and has never faulted in paying salaries even when the COVID-19 pandemic struck in 2020,” Mr Kwaning-Bosompem said.

“In other jurisdictions, during the COVID-19 pandemic, salaries were cut and people were laid off, but in Ghana the government kept faith with workers by paying their salaries,” he added.

Acknowledging the government’s efforts, Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem stressed the importance of public sector workers contributing to economic stability through their hard work.

“The economy has started showing signs of full recovery, and we must work together to stabilise the fiscal environment and prosecute stability in the macroeconomic environment,” the Controller and Accountant General said.

Various members of organized labor, including the Teachers and Educational Workers Union (TEWU), have confirmed the receipt of the 23 percent base pay increase. Mark Dankyira Korankye, the General Secretary of TEWU, affirmed that the union had not received any complaints regarding the payment from its members.

“As far as our members are concerned they have received their pay based on the new 23 per cent salary adjustment,” he emphasised.

The 23 percent increase in base pay is significant, particularly in light of previous adjustments. Last year, the government raised the base pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) by 30 percent across the board, marking the largest increment secured by organized labor since 2010. This increment also marked the end of the cost of living allowance (COLA) of 15 percent, which the government had provided to public sector workers between July and December of the previous year.

The government’s commitment to consistently improving the remuneration of public sector workers underscores its dedication to promoting their well-being and ensuring fair compensation for their contributions to national development.