Public Salary Betrayal: 9% for Civil Servants, 67% for ‘Baboon Dey Chop’, Presidential Staffers

Ghanaian workers are furious, branding the 9% salary increase for 2026 a brutal Public Salary Betrayal. This low offer for public sector workers under the Single Spine Salary Structure comes against a backdrop of unverified, yet widely believed, reports. These reports claim Presidential staffers received a massive 67% raise. The public outcry is swift and severe. Workers quickly condemned the situation as a “wicked charade.” They lamented the perceived hypocrisy: “Monkey dey work bamboo dey chop.” They feel the government exploits their lack of better alternatives in the job market.

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, meanwhile, offered a complex defense. He stressed that the government aimed to balance essential wage growth, critical new recruitment, and overall economic sustainability. Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Friday, November 14, Dr. Forson confirmed the 9% figure. He explained the decision ties directly to allocations for new public sector recruitment. Specifically, the government plans to add about 10,000 new staff to the public sector. He insisted this commitment impacts the entire compensation budget severely.

Labour unions quickly registered their deep disappointment over the announcement. They had accepted the initial 9% increase earlier only because the government promised expanded employment. However, the persistent low offer now feels like a profound insult. Dr. Forson acknowledged the complexity of the challenge. He noted large groups of unemployed nurses and teachers have demonstrated, demanding postings or salary arrears. He also noted a huge backlog. Furthermore, he stated, approximately 150,000 qualified graduates have awaited employment since 2021. He stressed that the GH₵90 billion compensation allocation cannot absorb this entire number.

The Minister’s defense, however, fails to quell the widespread outrage. He insists officials must apply a fine balance between employment and ensuring public good provision. Conversely, workers see the decision as a stark display of political privilege. Consequently, the public views the 9% base pay offer as the greatest of all insults. This sentiment intensifies because the government continues to boast about “great economic achievements.” Nevertheless, the Public Salary Betrayal dominates national discussion, showing a deep rift between the governing elite and the working class.

https://x.com/AcheampongHarry/status/1989341648896377214?s=20

Source: William Narh (Citi Breakfast Show Interview) & Public X/Twitter Comment