President John Dramani Mahama has called on Organised Labour to remain patient with government as efforts continue to strengthen the economy and improve living conditions for all Ghanaians.
Speaking during a “Presidential Dialogue with Organised Labour” at the Jubilee House on March 17, the President stressed that sustainable improvements in salaries and working conditions depend on expanding the country’s economic capacity.
According to him, government has been transparent about the nation’s economic situation and has no intention of concealing the truth from citizens.
“This government has nothing to hide. What you see is what you get. The only way we can get a bigger cake is to grow the size of the national cake. The statistics we give you reflect the real situation on the ground. All of us are tightening our belts together,” he stated.
President Mahama noted that labour remains central to national development, emphasizing that economic progress cannot be achieved without the active participation of workers.
He described the meeting as more than a routine engagement, saying it focuses on the welfare, dignity, productivity, and future of the Ghanaian workforce.
“Today’s meeting is not just a dialogue; it is a collective responsibility to reset and reimagine the future of work, compensation, and social protection in Ghana,” he said.
As part of government’s broader reform agenda, the President announced plans to transform the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission into a new independent Emoluments Commission by 2026.
He explained that the reform is not intended to dismantle existing progress but to build a stronger institution capable of managing public sector pay more effectively.
“The FWSC will remain the institutional core of this transformation. We will reinforce and reposition the new Emoluments Commission as a modern, independent national authority with the professionalism, independence, and credibility needed to manage public sector compensation,” he said.
The President added that the reform aims to address long-standing disparities within the public sector, streamline allowances, and better align pay with productivity.
He assured Organised Labour that the process would be carried out gradually and in close consultation with stakeholders to ensure fairness and consensus.
President Mahama concluded by reaffirming government’s commitment to working collaboratively with labour unions to build a stronger economy that delivers meaningful benefits to workers and citizens alike.
