President John Mahama strongly criticized the former Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, accusing it of “criminally mishandling” the economy.
Speaking at the National Tripartite Committee meeting at the Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment—where the government announced a 10% increase in base pay for public sector workers, effective March 2025—Mahama expressed shock at the economic mismanagement he has uncovered.
“We all knew the economy was in crisis, but some of the things I am uncovering myself amount to a criminal mishandling of our economy. Ghana is now a crime scene,” he stated.
“How can a government be so reckless? I cannot understand,” he added.
This pay rise marks the second adjustment in less than a year, following a 23% increase in 2024 aimed at mitigating the rising cost of living.
Minister of Labour, Jobs, and Employment, Rashid Pelpuo, announced that the increment will take effect on March 1, 2025.
On February 4, 2025, the National Tripartite Committee (NTC), comprising representatives from the government, employers, and organized labor/associations, began negotiations to determine the minimum wage for 2025.
These negotiations are crucial, as the minimum wage serves as the baseline for wages across various sectors, particularly affecting low-income workers in both the formal and informal economies.
The agreed minimum wage will also influence future deliberations on base pay for public sector employees, a process set to follow the completion of the current minimum wage discussions.
