US-based Ghanaian filmmaker and entrepreneur Leila Jewel Djansi has ignited fresh debate on workplace compensation in Ghana, calling for a rethink of traditional salary structures to improve productivity and employee commitment.
In a post shared on her verified Facebook page on Monday, January 5, 2026, Djansi argued that introducing hourly wages and commission-based pay could transform attitudes toward work, particularly in the private sector.
“I own a business in Ghana, so I am interested. Ghanaian business owners need to introduce hourly wages and commission-based pay. Attitude to work will change drastically. Who’s in?” she wrote.
Her comments have drawn mixed reactions, with supporters describing the proposal as a potential catalyst for accountability and fairness. Proponents argue that linking pay directly to hours worked or output delivered could boost productivity, reduce absenteeism, and encourage workers to take greater ownership of their roles.
One commenter, Faustina Apogyanbila Ayamga, said such a system could “significantly enhance productivity and economic development.”
Mixed Experiences from Employers
However, the conversation also revealed practical challenges. Business owner Kofi Dom shared a personal experience, noting that previous attempts to introduce hourly wages, bank salary payments, and non-weekly payouts were met with strong resistance.
“Their trade union came down so hard on me. I thought it would work in their favour, but no,” he wrote, expressing frustration over the pushback.
Structural and Legal Hurdles
Analysts note that while hourly and commission-based pay systems are common in more formalized economies, their implementation in Ghana’s largely informal and semi-formal sectors could prove difficult. Key concerns include income instability for workers, difficulties in tracking work hours, and the need for stronger labour protections and enforcement mechanisms.
Djansi’s intervention comes at a time when businesses—especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs)—are grappling with rising costs and pressure to improve efficiency. Although her comments do not constitute an official policy proposal, they have reignited discussions on workplace efficiency, motivation, and private sector productivity.
Any meaningful shift toward hourly or commission-based compensation, experts caution, would require clear guidelines, transparency, and strict compliance with Ghana’s labour laws to protect both employers and employees and ensure sustainable outcomes.
