By: Ashiadey Dotse
Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has strongly criticized the government’s recent 10% salary increase for public sector workers, calling it unacceptable. He believes that the increment does not meet the expectations of workers and has urged President John Mahama to do better if he cannot match past salary raises.
“The ordinary Ghanaian worker expects more in this economy. If President Mahama cannot match past salary increments, he should do better,” Afenyo-Markin stated.
Speaking in Parliament on February 21, 2025, Afenyo-Markin highlighted the salary increases public workers have received over the years. In 2017, there was a 12.5% increase, followed by 11% in 2018.
In 2020, salaries went up by 15%, while in 2021, there was a 4% rise along with a 15% interim premium. In 2022, a 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) was added to the base salary.
Workers received a 30% salary raise in 2023. For 2024, salaries were increased by 23% between January and June, followed by a 25% rise from July to December.
Comparing these figures, the Minority Leader argued that the latest 10% increase is too small. He urged the Leader of Government Business to bring the concerns of workers to President Mahama’s attention, emphasizing that Ghanaian workers have higher expectations in the current economic climate.
His comment came after government has announced 10% salary increment for public sector workers, starting March 1, 2025 after a meeting with labour union on February 20, 2025.
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