The Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, has revealed that government salary expenses have overshot their target by a staggering GH¢1.3 billion within just the first half of 2025.
Speaking before Parliament on July 24, he pointed to rushed appointments by the previous administration, especially in late 2024, as the cause of this financial pressure. The sectors most impacted include education, health, and national security, which all saw large waves of new hires.
Beyond the issue of recruitment, he noted that past decisions to alter conditions of service—made without full consideration of the broader system—have undermined the fairness and consistency of the Single Spine Pay Policy. These alterations, he said, are further inflating the public wage burden.
To restore order, the government plans to roll out comprehensive payroll audits nationwide. These checks are expected to help eliminate redundant listings and reassign personnel from overstaffed or inactive agencies to departments facing staff shortages.
In addition, the government is working to set up an Independent Emoluments Commission to overhaul public sector compensation. As part of these reforms, ministries and government bodies will now need formal approval from the Finance Minister before entering any new agreements that affect salary spending.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
