The 9% salary increase does not make sense – Kwasi Kwarteng

In an Official Facebook Post shared by political commentator Kojo Anane Sonkondo on 1 November 2026, New Patriotic Party (NPP) Communications Team member Kwasi Kwarteng publicly criticized the government’s recent announcement of a nine percent salary increase for public sector workers. Kwarteng argued that the wage adjustment is economically inadequate and fails to align with prevailing market realities across the country.

Evaluating the economic feasibility of the new wage structure, Kwarteng asserted that the single-digit percentage increase does not account for the daily financial pressures faced by Ghanaian workers. He pointed out that ongoing inflationary trends, escalating fuel prices, and the rising cost of basic goods and services have severely eroded household purchasing power, rendering a nine percent upward adjustment ineffective.

Drawing a comparative analysis between current labor policies and previous administrative interventions, Kwarteng highlighted the wage adjustments executed under former President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. He argued that the former administration’s decision to implement a 23 percent salary increase demonstrated a more realistic assessment of worker welfare and economic conditions compared to the current wage package.

The commentary comes at a critical juncture in national labor relations, as public sector unions and civil service organizations continue to negotiate over cost-of-living allowances and base pay adjustments. In Ghana, public sector salary determinations under the Single Spine Pay Policy frequently spark intense national debate regarding state revenue capacity versus the real income protection of public employees.

Observers note that Kwarteng’s critique reflects broader economic debates concerning labor compensation during periods of fiscal adjustment. While government policy advisors often emphasize fiscal discipline and public wage bill sustainability, political opponents and labor advocates maintain that salary increments must realistically protect workers from inflation and high living costs.

At its core, the statement highlights the tension between government fiscal targets and public sector welfare expectations. Kwarteng’s perspective underlines that statutory wage increases must be benchmarked against actual market prices to provide meaningful economic relief to families nationwide.

The Facebook post has generated widespread discussion across social media, trade union networks, and political commentary platforms. While opposition communicators and labor advocates backed Kwarteng’s assessment of worker purchasing power, government spokespersons maintain that the wage adjustment reflects responsible fiscal management balanced with current economic realities.

Source: Kojo Anane Sonkondo, Official Facebook Post, 1 November 2026