Some labour unions reject 9% pay rise, call it inadequate
Some labour unions have expressed disappointment over the 9 percent salary increase announced for all public sector workers under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) for the 2026 fiscal year.
The unions, including branches of the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana (SSA-UoG) and the Teachers and Educational Workers’ Union (TEWU) of the TUC, argue that the increment is inadequate to meet the rising cost of living.
This follows the government’s announcement on November 9, 2025, approving a 9 percent salary increase for all public sector workers under the SSSS for 2026.
Additionally, the National Tripartite Committee agreed to a 9 percent upward adjustment in the national daily minimum wage—from GH₵19.97 to GH₵21.77—effective January 1 to December 31, 2026.
Speaking to Citi News on Monday, November 10, 2025, former National Chairman of the Senior Staff Association of Universities of Ghana, Isaac Donkor, described the increment as disappointing.
“We are very disappointed because, as a group, we believe the leadership of organized labour did not bargain well for Ghanaian workers. We cannot all be at the negotiation table, so we entrusted our destiny to them to secure something meaningful for 2026.
But it appears they sold us out. They didn’t do a good job. The government bought us cheaply because we went cheaply, knowing very well that when it comes to negotiations, you don’t put one offer on the table and stick to it,” he said.
