Public Sector Pay Policy to Be Ready by October – Fair Wages CEO
Ghana is expected to enact a comprehensive public sector pay policy by October 2026, according to Dr. George Smith-Graham, Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC).
The proposed legislation seeks to transform the existing public sector pay system by introducing a more structured and transparent framework for determining salaries.
A major feature of the policy is the creation of an Independent Emoluments Commission (IEC), which will be responsible for determining pay levels across all public sector institutions. The move is intended to replace irregular and politically influenced pay adjustments with a consistent, rules-based approach that promotes fairness and accountability.
The National Emoluments Policy will introduce a productivity-based pay structure, linking workers’ earnings to measurable performance. It will also focus on controlling excessive allowances, managing the public wage bill, and ensuring that public funds are used efficiently. The policy further seeks to strengthen the principle of equal pay for work of equal value while addressing some of the challenges associated with the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS).
The draft policy is currently undergoing internal review by the FWSC before wider consultations begin with key stakeholders, including the Executive, Legislature, Judiciary, Organised Labour, and State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs). After these engagements, the document will be finalised by the Attorney-General’s Department, presented to Cabinet, and subsequently submitted to Parliament for approval before the end of October 2026.
Dr. Smith-Graham stated that the Independent Emoluments Commission will function as an autonomous body without external interference. The implementation of the new system will be carried out in phases, beginning with Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), subvented agencies, and SOEs on the government payroll, using existing FWSC grading structures as the foundation.
He explained that Article 71 office holders will be incorporated into the system after the necessary constitutional amendment and national referendum processes are completed. Under the proposed framework, the IEC will have the authority to determine pay arrangements for all public sector institutions, including the highest officeholders.
The FWSC CEO acknowledged that introducing the new pay structure may come with financial implications, similar to the experience during the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure, which contributed to an increase in the government wage bill from 6% to 12% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, he noted that lessons from the previous system would guide the new policy to ensure that pay decisions remain within a sustainable national financial framework.
The objective of the new policy is to create a balanced pay system that rewards productivity, promotes fairness, and prevents public sector salary commitments from placing excessive pressure on national finances.
Source: GNA
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