Organised Labour in the Volta and Oti Regions has called on government to move beyond macroeconomic stability and pursue policies that deliver decent jobs, living wages and improved livelihoods for Ghanaian workers.
Mrs Edith Abla Amenuvor Afewu, Volta and Oti Regional Secretary of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), made the call during the 2026 May Day Celebration of the Volta and Oti Regions in Ho.
She said Ghana’s economic recovery would only be meaningful if it translated into quality employment, better incomes, and improved living standards for workers.
“Ghana does not need macroeconomic stability alone. Ghana needs stability that creates good quality jobs in the right quantities. Ghana needs growth that raises incomes, improves, and stabilises livelihoods,” she said.
Mrs Afewu identified low wages and salaries as one of the major challenges confronting Ghanaian workers, describing current earnings as grossly inadequate in the face of rising living costs.
She said the national daily minimum wage of GH¢21.78, equivalent to GH¢588 a month, remained too low to support workers and their families, while the minimum pay on the Single Spine Salary Structure, pegged at GH¢809 monthly, was equally insufficient.
“These low salaries are barely enough for survival. How workers on such salaries are expected to pay for food, rent, clothing, and utilities remains a puzzle,” she said.
Mrs Afewu welcomed the government’s proposal to establish an Independent Emoluments Commission but expressed concern about plans to phase in its implementation, saying the Commission alone would not resolve the broader issue of low pay.
On pensions, Mrs Afewu said pension coverage remained low, with less than one-fifth of eligible Ghanaians enrolled, while many pensioners survived on less than GH¢500 monthly.
She also decried disparities in pension payments, noting that while some pensioners received as little as GH¢400 a month, others earned more than GH¢213,000.
Mrs Afewu called for comprehensive pension reform and pension unification, saying such measures would promote fairness and ease pressure on the national budget.
She criticised what she described as increasing government control over the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and faulted the decision to transfer pension oversight from the Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment to the Ministry of Finance without adequate consultation with organised labour.
On labour rights, Mrs Afewu expressed concern over what she described as growing abuse of workers’ rights, including victimisation of workers for joining unions, politically motivated transfers and promotions, and the increasing use of outsourcing arrangements that weaken labour protections.
She said some employers had turned redundancy into a tool for labour substitution, where workers were laid off only to be replaced through private employment agencies under poorer conditions.
Mrs Afewu also condemned the politicisation of the public sector, where workers were allegedly promoted, transferred, rewarded, or punished based on perceived political affiliations.
She urged the government to expedite reforms to labour laws to strengthen protections for workers, including requiring employers to provide valid reasons before terminating employment.
Mrs Afewu commended government for revoking Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2462, which had permitted mining in forest reserves, but warned that illegal mining continued to threaten Ghana’s forests and water bodies.
Mrs Afewu reaffirmed organised labour’s commitment to dialogue and partnership, stressing the need for genuine, timely and structured engagement between labour and government.
Mr James Gunu, Volta Regional Minister, commended workers across the two regions for their contribution to development and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to improving livelihoods and expanding opportunities.
He said May Day was not only a moment of celebration, but also one for reflection and a renewed commitment to inclusive growth and development.
Mr Gunu paid tribute to workers in all sectors, including farmers, traders, teachers, health workers, artisans, drivers, cleaners, and public servants, describing them as the backbone of the region’s development.
He noted that the world of work was changing rapidly due to technological advancement, evolving skills demands and increasing competition, but stressed that discipline, commitment, and hard work remained essential.
Mr Gunu assured workers that government remained committed to creating opportunities that would improve livelihoods, citing the 24-hour economy initiative as one of the key policies aimed at expanding jobs, boosting productivity, and supporting businesses.
He said government was also prioritising skills development, particularly among the youth, to equip them for the demands of a modern economy.
Mr Gunu urged workers to remain dedicated, innovative, and professional in their respective fields, while calling on employers to promote fairness, respect, and cooperation in the workplace.
He said industrial harmony was critical to progress and called for stronger collaboration between employers, workers, and governments to build a productive and prosperous society.
Source: GNA
