Ghana news Govt moves to establish Independent Emoluments Commission

President John Dramani Mahama has stated that the time is ripe for a bold reform and structural adjustments in how public sector emoluments are determined and managed, moving beyond the periodic incremental adjustments in salaries.

Consequently, he said the government would this year transition the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) into a new independent emoluments commission.

The President said the reform was not about dismantling progress achieved but would serve as the institutional core to bring about the transition.

“We will reinforce and reposition the Commission — both financially and in terms of human resources — so that it becomes the technical cornerstone of a modern, independent national authority capable of managing public sector pay with professionalism, independence and credibility,” he said.

The President acknowledged persistent challenges within the public sector, including disparities in pay, frequent labour disputes, and a remuneration framework that struggled to balance fairness with the country’s fiscal constraints.

He therefore said it would be designed to operate as a transparent, rule-based, and evidence-driven authority for setting public sector pay.

He assured labour leaders that the reform process would be implemented in phases and carried out in full consultation with organised labour. 

Dialogue

The President made these commitments during the Presidency Dialogue with Organised Labour at the Jubilee House in Accra last Tuesday.

It is designed to provide a platform for open dialogue between the government and labour unions.

It was to offer an opportunity for labour representatives to openly share their views on the performance of the government, the current state of the country, and practical suggestions for improving socio-economic conditions.

It was also to raise concerns about their welfare and working conditions.

The meeting brought 43 labour groupings under three major umbrella bodies, including the Trades Union Congress (TUC), the Ghana Federation of Labour, and other labour associations, together.

It forms part of ongoing efforts by the government to deepen stakeholder consultation and build consensus on policies to stabilise the economy and improve the welfare of Ghanaian workers.

As part of immediate measures, the President disclosed that 2026 would not