9% pay increment means little if workers cannot afford basic goods – Kwasi Kwarteng

A member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Communications Team, Kwasi Kwarteng, has questioned the value of the government's newly agreed 9 per cent increase in public sector workers' remuneration for 2027, arguing that it does not adequately reflect the rising cost of living.

His comments follow an agreement reached between the government and Organised Labour on October 28, 2026, for a two-year public service remuneration framework covering 2027 and 2028.

Under the agreement, public sector workers under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) will receive a 9 per cent increase in total remuneration in 2027, comprising an 8 per cent increase in base pay and an additional 1 per cent allocation for conditions of service.

For 2028, base pay will increase by 10 per cent across the board, effective January 1, 2028.

Reacting to this, the NPP communicator argued that although workers might receive higher salaries in nominal terms, the increases would mean little if they could no longer afford the goods and services they previously purchased.

Kwarteng stressed that discussions about salary increments must consider the purchasing power of workers, including the rising costs of food, transportation, utilities and accommodation.

Speaking on Accra-based Channel One TV on Saturday, October 31, he argued, "If you even give 100 per cent increment of my salary, and I'm not able to purchase the basic things that I was able to do, what is the point?"

Kwarteng also cited increases in transport fares, utility tariffs, fuel prices and rent as some of the expenses eroding workers' purchasing power.

He argued that even when workers receive salary adjustments, the rising cost of essential goods and services could leave them with little or no improvement in their standard of living.

"I dare say that the 9 per cent increase does not really have the real value in the pockets of the ordinary Ghanaian. The amount of oil that you used to buy has increased, the utility that you use, everything has increased," he said.