In a passionate critique of the government’s recent wage adjustment for public sector workers, Alexander Afenyo-Markin has voiced strong opposition to the proposed 10% salary increment, labelling it as inadequate given past trends and current economic demands.
The outspoken legislator laid out a detailed breakdown of previous salary increases, highlighting the steady growth in wages over the years.
“In 2017, public sector workers enjoyed a 12.5% increase in pay. In 2018, they enjoyed 11%, in 2020 there was a 15% increase, and in 2021 there was a 4% plus an interim premium of 15%.
“In 2022, there was a 15% Cost of Living Allowance (COLA) on the base salary. In 2023, there was a 30% increase, and in 2024, there was a 23% increase between January and June and 25% from July to December,” he stated.
Comparing these figures to the newly proposed 10% increment, Afenyo-Markin argued that it fails to meet the expectations of Ghanaian workers, especially in the context of the 24-hour economy initiative.
“Now, we are facing just a 10% increment. The leader of government business must take note and inform the President that these are the numbers he came to meet,” he asserted.
Emphasizing the frustrations of workers, he pointed out that public servants had a “legitimate expectation” that a future government under John Mahama would offer better remuneration.
“The ordinary Ghanaian worker has a higher expectation in this 24-hour economy. They have a legitimate expectation that President Mahama will do better. The 10% is unacceptable,” he declared.
