As Ghana prepares to mark this year’s May Day celebration, the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) is urging a bold and collective reset of the country’s public sector compensation system. In a statement, the Commission extended its heartfelt congratulations to all Ghanaian workers, describing them as the “engine that drives Ghana forward.”
This year’s May Day holds added weight as it marks 15 years since the implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP)—a reform introduced to promote fairness and equity in public sector wages. The FWSC acknowledged the role of workers in sustaining the policy through collaboration and constructive engagement.
“Your support, collaboration, and constructive engagement have been crucial to the policy’s achievements and the strengthening of Ghana’s public sector,” the Commission said.
However, with growing complexities in the labour market and governance systems, the FWSC says it is time to transition toward a more modernised approach. Central to this transformation is the proposed establishment of an Independent Emoluments Commission, which is expected to overhaul how salaries and conditions of service are determined across the public sector.
“The new Commission will be mandated to determine the salaries and conditions of service for every public sector worker, from the President of the Republic to the least-paid public servant,” the statement said, adding that the shift will promote “fairness, transparency, competitiveness, and sustainability.”
The FWSC believes the new structure will also help eliminate pay disparities and distortions that have persisted despite efforts under the SSPP.
This year’s May Day theme, “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions in Ghana: The Role of Stakeholders,” calls on organised labour, civil society groups, and the public to embrace the process and play an active role in shaping a more equitable future.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to values of inclusiveness, dialogue, and mutual respect, promising continued engagement with stakeholders throughout the transition.
“We urge all stakeholders to continue to work with us in the spirit of unity and shared purpose to successfully establish the Independent Emoluments Commission,” the statement concluded.
The FWSC also used the occasion to salute workers across the country for their resilience and service: “Your sacrifices have laid the foundation for a brighter future… Ayekoo to all Ghanaian workers!”
