The Member of Parliament for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has defended former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s record on public sector pay, arguing that his government consistently increased salaries above the prevailing inflation rate.
In a Facebook post, the MP criticized the National Democratic Congress (NDC) for what he described as their past attacks on Akufo-Addo’s leadership style, noting that “some even referred to him as Nebuchadnezzar, yet he gave Ghanaian public sector workers the best salary adjustments during his tenure.”
Kennedy Osei Nyarko claims that under former President Akufo-Addo, public sector workers enjoyed better salaries and benefits than they do under the current John Mahama administration.
Osei Nyarko highlighted specific figures to support his claim, stating that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government made salary adjustments that exceeded the inflation rate for several consecutive years.
According to him:
- In 2020, year-on-year inflation stood at 10.4%, yet public sector salaries were increased by 15%, representing about 4.6% above inflation.
- In 2018, inflation was 9.4%, while salaries rose by 11%.
- In 2019, inflation dropped to 7.14%, but salaries still increased by 10%, about 3% above inflation.
“These facts,” the MP wrote, “show that the NPP government under Akufo-Addo prioritized the welfare of public servants even during difficult economic times. Posterity will be the best judge.
The MP’s remarks come in reaction to the government’s approval of a 9 percent salary increase for all public sector workers under the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) for the 2026 fiscal year.
The John Mahama administration initially proposed a 10% salary increase but reduced it to 9% after economic consultations. The National Tripartite Committee has since approved a 9% rise in the national daily minimum wage—from GH₵19.97 to GH₵21.77—effective January 1 to December 31, 2026, following a signed agreement between the FWSC, MoF, and Organised Labour on November 9, 2025.
“The figures speak for themselves,” he wrote. “No administration adjusted salaries above inflation as consistently as Akufo-Addo’s government did.”
Source: metrotvonline.com
