Accra: Dr Rashid Pelpuo, Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, has emphasized the need for a comprehensive review of the public sector pay regime, particularly targeting the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP). He made this call during the inauguration of the Governing Board of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) in Accra, urging for the development of an equitable and sustainable wage structure to boost productivity, promote good governance, and support macroeconomic stability.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Pelpuo highlighted the importance of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission Act, 2007, which provides the framework for implementing public sector pay policies, while excluding Article 71 office holders. He acknowledged the challenge of managing the public wage bill within sustainable limits, pointing out that it remains a major source of budget overruns and is marked by inequities across sectors.
Dr Pelpuo reaffirmed the government's commitment, aligned with the 2020-2024 National Democratic Congress (NDC) Manifesto, to establish an independent Emoluments Commission. This initiative involves merging the Presidential Commission on Emoluments and the FWSC, as recommended by the Constitutional Review Commission, with the President prioritizing fairness and equity in public sector salary administration.
He urged the newly appointed Board to tackle long-standing challenges in the pay system and develop strategies to mitigate industrial unrest, particularly strikes related to salary disparities. Dr Pelpuo expressed the Ministry's full support and optimism that the Board would implement forward-looking policies to enhance wage administration. He encouraged a collaborative effort to establish a system where relationships among workers, government, and employers are rooted in fairness, trust, and mutual understanding.
Mr Samuel Adu-Yeboah, Board Chairman, expressed gratitude to the President for the confidence placed in them and committed to serving Ghana and the workers benefiting from the FWSC's efforts. He expressed hope for the successful completion of their mandate. The Board also includes Mr Annis Moghthar Mohayideen, Madam Hilda Ashie, Mr Shadrack Mensah, Madam Joyce Asiedu-Ofei, Dr Prince E. Sarah, and Dr George Smith-Graham.
