President John Mahama has launched a sharp rebuke against the former Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration, accusing it of recklessly mismanaging the economy.

Addressing a National Tripartite Committee meeting at the Ministry of Labour, Jobs, and Employment—where the government announced a 10% increase in base pay for public sector workers, effective March 2025—Mahama expressed outrage at the economic state he inherited.

“We all knew the economy was in crisis, but some of the things I am uncovering myself have been a criminal mishandling of our economy. Ghana is now a crime scene,” he stated.

“How can a government be so reckless? I cannot understand,” he added.

This latest salary increment comes after a 23% pay rise in 2024, which was introduced to help workers cope with the escalating cost of living.

Labour, Jobs, and Employment Minister Rashid Pelpuo confirmed that the new wage adjustment would take effect from March 1, 2025.

Meanwhile, on February 4, 2025, the National Tripartite Committee (NTC)—comprising representatives from the government, employers, and organized labour—commenced negotiations to determine the minimum wage for the year.

These discussions are crucial, as the minimum wage serves as the benchmark for salaries across various industries, particularly impacting lower-income workers in both formal and informal sectors.

The final agreement on the minimum wage will also shape future negotiations on base pay for public sector employees, a process that will follow the conclusion of ongoing discussions.