Ghana’s government and organised labour have reached a formal agreement to raise the base pay for all public sector workers by 9% for the 2026 fiscal year, effective from January 1 to December 31, 2026. This adjustment applies across the board under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) and covers civil servants, teachers, nurses, and other public-service employees.
The agreement was finalised on November 9, 2025, and signed by representatives of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), the Ministry of Finance, and officials from organised labour through the Public Services Joint Standing Negotiating Committee (PSJSNC). According to the terms, the base salary for workers covered under the SSSS will increase by 9% starting January 2026, and the government has pledged to continue consultations with labour on outstanding issues of conditions of service, allowances, and other worker welfare matters.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, speaking on the deal, emphasised that the increase aligns with the government’s commitment to stabilise the economy and ensure that public-sector remuneration remains sustainable. Labour leaders, including the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Joshua Ansah, welcomed the deal but urged that the value of the increase not be eroded by inflation or new cost-of-living pressures.
The wage negotiations began amid a challenging economic climate for Ghana: inflation had been high, the currency faced depreciation pressures, and the public wage bill remained under scrutiny by international partners. Both government and labour entered the talks recognising that while workers need fair compensation, fiscal discipline must also be maintained.
The Single Spine Salary Structure was introduced to harmonise public-service pay and reduce discrepancies between different grades and institutions. The FWSC acts as the implementing body. The 2026 adjustment represents a compromise figure, higher than some past offers but lower than demands of some labour unions, who initially sought increases in the range of 15-20%.
With the 9% increase secured, attention now turns to the 2026 Budget Statement and economic policy, expected to be presented to Parliament on November 13, 2025, which will formally allocate the resources needed and outline the impact on government finances.
Public-sector workers will be watching closely to see how quickly the increase is implemented and whether the promised conditions of service reviews will follow. In past years, delays in payment of incremented salaries or allowances have sparked unrest among labour groups. The government, for its part, has expressed firm commitment to timely implementation and ongoing dialogue.
This agreement comes at a time when Ghana is working to consolidate macroeconomic stability, support worker welfare, and maintain industrial harmony. The deal signals that the government and labour are willing to cooperate to balance the needs of public-sector employees with the country’s broader fiscal discipline.
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