Ghana’s public sector wage bill is coming under renewed scrutiny, with labour leaders warning that inefficiencies within the payroll system could further strain government finances if left unchecked.
Secretary-General of the Ghana Federation of Labour, Abraham Koomson, has attributed part of the growing wage burden to the continued presence of “ghost names” on the payroll, calling for urgent reforms to eliminate fraudulent entries and strengthen accountability mechanisms.
His concerns come in the wake of disclosures by Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, who revealed that nearly 44 percent of Ghana’s total tax revenue in 2025 was spent on public sector wages—significantly exceeding the 35 percent benchmark set by ECOWAS.
Speaking on radio, Mr Koomson stressed that without decisive intervention, the rising wage bill could limit the government’s fiscal space and hinder broader economic management efforts. He urged authorities to intensify payroll audits, improve monitoring systems, and ensure that only legitimate workers are compensated.
Beyond payroll irregularities, he also pointed to low productivity levels within parts of the public sector, recommending policies aimed at boosting efficiency and output among workers.
Despite the concerns, Mr Koomson commended recent engagements between President John Dramani Mahama and Organised Labour, describing the discussions as a positive step toward transparency and collaborative problem-solving.
He noted that sustained dialogue between government and labour groups would be key to addressing structural challenges within the public sector while safeguarding economic stability.
