Government, Organised Labour sign two-year public service salary agreement for 2027–2028
Story by: Regina Bless
The Government of Ghana and Organised Labour have signed a two-year Public Service Remuneration Agreement covering 2027 and 2028, with public sector workers set to receive salary increases of 9% in 2027 and 10% in 2028.
The agreement, signed on October 28, 2026, establishes a remuneration framework intended to protect workers’ incomes, promote fiscal sustainability and maintain industrial harmony.
Under the agreement, public service workers will receive a 9% increase in total remuneration effective January 1, 2027. Of this, eight percentage points will go towards the base pay increase across board, while one percentage point will be allocated to Conditions of Service.
For 2028, the parties have agreed to a 10% across-the-board increase in base pay, effective January 1, 2028, calculated on the applicable base pay as of December 31, 2027.
The agreement further provides an income protection mechanism for 2028. If year-on-year inflation for December 2027 exceeds 8% by a factor of two, the Public Sector Joint Standing Negotiating Committee will reconvene to review the 2028 base pay.
The parties also agreed to use the transition period to review selected allowances to address existing distortions in the compensation system ahead of the proposed implementation of the Independent Public Emoluments Commission (IPEC).
On institutional reforms, the government has committed to pursuing a lawful and orderly transition from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) to IPEC. The process will include a proposed legislative framework, institutional design, a National Emoluments Policy, a National Negotiations Policy and a performance- and productivity-linked pay framework.
Organised Labour will be consulted quarterly on reforms affecting workers, while the FWSC and other existing bodies will retain their lawful functions until any transfer of authority takes legal effect.
The agreement was signed by the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Dr George Smith-Graham, and the Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), Bro. Joshua Ansah. Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson and General Secretary of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Mr Thomas T. Musah, witnessed the signing.
The agreement will take effect on January 1, 2027, and remain in force until December 31, 2028, with both parties committing to constructive dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes arising during its implementation.