Some public sector workers in the Bolgatanga Municipality of the Upper East Region have expressed mixed feelings about the 10 per cent salary increment by the government.
Government increased the Base Pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) by 10 per cent across board from January 2025 to December 2025 following successful negotiations between Labour Union and President John Dramani Mahama.
The increment, which would take effect on March 1, 2025, was determined by economic conditions and cost of living. Following the announcement, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in random interviews with some public sector workers, especially in the education and health sectors, expressed mixed feelings about the increment.
Madam Sophia Agambila, an Ophthalmic Nurse, said “I expected an increment of 15 per cent or more. But well, we will manage with the 10 per cent and hope that things will get better”. Mr Emmanuel Abane Allan, a security guard with the Ghana Health Service, in a deep sigh said considering the economic situation of the country, the 10 per cent was good as a start.
“I will say it is good. We must sympathize with the government for now, but if the economy stabilizes and things improve, it should reflect in our salary. So, it is good for now,” Mr Allan said Mr Francis Abaah Ayam, a Lecturer at the Bolgatanga Technical University on his part, juxtaposed the current inflation rate of about 23.5 per cent to the 10 per cent salary increment, and said “the increment is nothing to write home about”.
According to him, the current inflation rate was likely to increase, and that would adversely affect salaries and cost of living, “Mind you, within the period, inflation might increase, how are we going to cope with a 10 per cent increment?” he quizzed.
Asked what he thought would have been better for workers, Mr Ayam advocated a 25 per cent increment, and noted that with the current salary increment, public sector workers would be shortchanged.
Ms Patricia Awimbillah, a Registered Community Health Nurse, who partly agreed with the Lecturer’s view, said even though the increment was not enough to march the current inflation rate, through President Mahama’s explanation, it was prudent for workers to accept the increment and hope for more in the future.
A teacher, Madam Sophia Akumagoa Bawa, said for now, the 10 per cent increment was okay, as President Mahama explained, adding that “I have even heard some Labour Experts and Economists say they even expected less than the 10 per cent. It is my hope that it would be increased in time.”
Source: GNA
