Ghana’s Majority Leader, Mr Mahama Ayariga, has praised the Labour Union’s acceptance of a 10% salary increase for public sector workers, describing it as a significant endorsement of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government.
Mr Ayariga said the agreement demonstrated workers’ trust in the administration’s economic policies and its commitment to improving livelihoods.
“The workers of this country, led by their leaders, gladly accepted the 10% increase. Accepting a 10% increment as against 25% is a vote of confidence in the leader because they have confidence that President John Mahama, when he collects the tax, will not be flying and bathing in the air,” he said.
However, the opposition has strongly criticised the increase, arguing that it is inadequate given the rising cost of living.
Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin said the increment fell short of workers’ expectations, particularly when compared to past salary adjustments.
“In 2017, public sector workers enjoyed a 12.5% increase in pay. In 2018, they enjoyed 11%, in 2020 there was a 15% increase, and in 2021 there was a 4% plus an interim premium of 15%. In 2022, there was a 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) on the base salary.
“In 2023, there was a 30% increase and in 2024, there was a 23% increment between January and June, and between July and December, there was a 25%. We are just ahead of an increment of 10%. The leader of government business must take note of this and inform the President that these are the numbers he came to meet.”
“The ordinary Ghanaian worker has a higher expectation in this 24-hour economy. They have a legitimate expectation that President Mahama will do better. The 10% is unacceptable,” he said.
