President John Mahama has sharply criticized the former Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, accusing it of “criminally mishandling” the economy.
Speaking during the National Tripartite Committee meeting at the Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment, where the government promised a 10% rise in base salary for public sector workers beginning in March 2025, Mahama expressed dismay at the economic mismanagement he had seen.
“We were all aware that the economy was in danger, but some of what I’m discovering has been criminal mismanagement of our economy. Ghana is now a criminal scene,” he said.
“How can a government act so recklessly? “I can’t understand,” he said.
This is the second pay raise in less than a year, with the latest being in 2024, when the government approved a 23% hike to accommodate growing costs of living.
Rashid Pelpuo, Minister of Labour, Jobs, and Employment, stated in his announcement that the increment will take effect on March 1, 2025.
On February 4, 2025, the National Tripartite Committee (NTC), which includes representatives from the government, companies, and organized labor/associations, began negotiations to decide the minimum wage for 2025.
These talks are crucial because the minimum wage serves as a basis for pay in numerous industries, disproportionately affecting low-income workers in both the official and informal sectors of the economy.
The agreed-upon minimum salary will also affect future negotiations on base pay for public sector employees, which are slated to follow the completion of the present minimum wage discussions.
