Government has announced a 10% increase in the Base Pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) for public sector workers, effective from January 2025 through December 2025.
The agreement was reached through the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee, that has the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, and Ministry of Finance representing the Government, and Organised Labour representing workers’ unions and institutions within the Public Service of Ghana.
The agreement was witnessed by Mr Benjamin Arthur, the Chief Executive, FWSC, Mr Joshua Ansah; Secretary-General, Trades Union Congress, Dr Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo, Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Isaac Bampoe Addo, Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG and Chairman of FORUM Federation, and Dr Cassiel Ato Baah Forson, Minister of Finance.
President Mahama’s remarks
During the National Tripartite Committee meeting, President John Dramani Mahama urged the labour unions to understand the difficult economic circumstances Ghana faces when considering wages.
He emphasized that while the economy is currently challenged, the government is committed to advocating for higher remuneration for public sector workers if the economy improves. President Mahama also stressed the need for the establishment of the Independent Emoluments Committee, which would be tasked with determining the income of public sector workers moving forward.
The 10% increase in Base Pay aims to provide some relief to public-sector workers during challenging times but also reflects the Government’s understanding of the urgent need for fair and competitive wages.
However, President Mahama acknowledged that better financial conditions would be necessary to ensure further salary improvements, signalling a commitment to improving the livelihoods of public sector workers as part of Ghana’s broader economic recovery efforts.
In a related development, the National Tripartite Committee (NTC) concluded negotiations on the determination of the 2025 National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW) with an agreed increment of 10% over the 2024 minimum wage, which translated into a new daily minimum wage of GH₵19.97.
The committee has, however, recommended that the 2025 NDMW, which would take effect from March 1, 2025, should be tax exempt.
“In determining the 2025 National Daily Minimum Wage, the NTC took into account the current economic challenges, cost of living, sustainability of businesses and desirability of attaining higher level of employment,” a communique issued by the committee said.
It warned that any establishment, institution or organisation that flouts the 2025 NDMW shall be sanctioned in accordance with the law.
The communique was signed by Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment Dr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo at government representative; Dr Emmanuel Adu-Sarkodee, President, Ghana Employers’ Association; and Mr Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General, TUC Ghana.
