The Government of Ghana and Organised Labour have reached a two-year public service remuneration agreement, effective January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2028. The agreement, which covers workers under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), includes an 8% across-the-board increase in base pay for 2027. Additionally, an extra 1 percentage point will be allocated to Conditions of Service, bringing the total remuneration increase to 9% for 2027.
According to a statement issued by the Public Affairs Unit of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), the 2028 base pay increase will be applied across the board, based on the applicable base pay as of December 31, 2027. The agreement was reached through negotiations at the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee (PSJSNC). The FWSC and the Ministry of Finance represented the Government, while workers’ unions and public service institutions represented Organised Labour.
The two-year framework aims to provide predictability and stability during the transition from the FWSC to the Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC). The parties also agreed on measures to protect workers’ incomes against significant inflationary pressures. The 2028 base pay adjustment was determined with consideration for the prevailing inflation rate and the Government’s inflation projections for 2027 and 2028.
The Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee will reconvene to review the 2028 base pay adjustment if year-on-year inflation in December 2027 exceeds the 8% midpoint of the Government’s inflation projection by a factor of two. Additionally, the parties agreed to review allowances during the transitional period to address distortions in the public service compensation system. The Government will also consult Organised Labour quarterly on reforms.
Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, described the agreement as a milestone in public sector pay negotiations. He stated that the agreement was intended to protect workers’ incomes, provide families with greater certainty, and enable the Government to plan and manage public spending responsibly. Dr. Forson emphasized that this was the first time the Government and Organised Labour had reached a two-year pay agreement.
Dr. George Smith-Graham, Chief Executive of the FWSC, noted that the two-year arrangement reflected a shared commitment to industrial harmony, predictable public expenditure, and income security for workers during the institutional transition. The parties sought to balance improvements in workers’ welfare with the country’s economic realities and fiscal sustainability. Mr. Joshua Ansah, Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), acknowledged that the 2027 base pay adjustment was above the prevailing inflation rate but noted that it did not fully reflect the pressures workers face in meeting their daily needs.
The FWSC will continue to perform its lawful functions until any transfer of responsibilities to IPEC takes legal effect. The agreement represents progress in efforts to protect workers’ purchasing power, according to Mr. Ansah. The parties have demonstrated a commitment to finding a mutually beneficial solution that balances the needs of workers with the economic realities facing the country.
Key points
- The agreement includes an 8% base pay increase for public sector workers in 2027 and a 10% increase in 2028.
- The two-year framework aims to provide predictability and stability during the transition from the FWSC to the Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC).
- The parties agreed on measures to protect workers’ incomes against significant inflationary pressures.
