At a spirited celebration of International Workers’ Day held at the Jubilee Park in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Scholastica Tagtir Dery, delivered a statement calling for a complete overhaul of Ghana’s pay structure and pension system to reflect the realities of today’s economic pressures on workers.
Speaking under the national theme “Resetting Pay and Working Conditions: The Role of Stakeholders”, Madam Dery stated that the current wage determination framework in Ghana is “no longer fit for purpose”, as it fails to consider critical cost-of-living factors such as food inflation, housing, healthcare, and education.
“We demand a fair and transparent wage-setting mechanism anchored on credible economic indicators,” she said. “We must replace the minimum wage with a living wage that allows workers and their families to live in dignity.”
The TUC Regional Secretary went further to highlight alarming disparities in Ghana’s pension system, describing it as broken and unjust. She decried a situation where some retirees receive less than GHS500 monthly, while others — particularly top-level politicians and public servants — retire on their full salaries without having contributed meaningfully to the pension scheme.
“Pension unification must happen under your leadership,” she told the Upper East Regional Minister, Donatus Akamugri Atanga, urging him to push for equal contribution obligations across all sectors. “Fairness demands that all workers with savings capacity contribute towards their pension.”
She also raised concerns about shrinking working conditions, dwindling institutional support, and the high cost of electricity, warning that unless bold policy reforms are undertaken, Ghana risks increased labour unrest.
Madam Dery emphasized the need for increased budgetary allocation to the Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment, saying industrial peace will be difficult to sustain without strengthened institutions for social dialogue.
In response, Upper East Regional Minister Donatus Akamugri Atanga, who represented President John Dramani Mahama at the event, lauded the workers of the region for their resilience and contribution to national development.
“From our farmers and teachers to nurses and artisans, your sweat keeps Ghana moving,” the Minister declared, extending the President’s heartfelt congratulations to all workers.
He acknowledged the economic challenges facing the Ghanaian workforce and assured that government is committed to its “Resetting Agenda”, with recent interventions including a 10% upward adjustment in the 2024 National Daily Minimum Wage, now pegged at GH¢19.97, up from GH¢18.15.
While admitting that government would have loved to offer more, the minister explained that the increment was guided by the state of the economy and the need to preserve budgetary sustainability.
He also assured the gathering that the government remains committed to fair remuneration, improved working environments, and greater stakeholder engagement.
The Minister announced the planned implementation of the 24-Hour Economy Policy, which he said would boost productivity and create well-paying jobs by encouraging businesses to operate in three shifts around the clock. He revealed that $10 billion has been allocated under the Big Push initiative to support strategic infrastructure projects aligned with this policy.
“Resetting pay and working conditions is not a one-off event but a continuous national agenda,” Mr. Atanga said. “It requires stronger labour institutions, skills development, social protection, and a shared vision among all stakeholders.”
As workers paraded in their colourful uniforms and banners waved messages of solidarity and reform, the mood at the May Day celebration was one of resolve and renewed hope. Some deserving workers were given awards for their outstanding performance at their workplaces. Each awardee received a refrigerator and a citation.
A1Radioonline.com|101.1Mhz|Joshua Asaah|Bolgatanga
