Former Deputy Minister of Education and Assin South MP, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has questioned what he sees as inconsistencies in organised labour’s reactions to salary increments under different administrations.
In a post on X on Thursday, February 20, 2025, he accused some labour unions of displaying a partisan approach, prioritising political interests over workers’ welfare.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour compared responses to salary adjustments under former President Nana Akufo-Addo and current President John Dramani Mahama. He noted that in 2024, the Akufo-Addo administration approved a 25% salary increment for public sector workers, which was met with strong opposition and threats of industrial action. However, in 2025, Mahama’s government announced a 10% increment, which some labour unions have accepted and even defended.
“In 2024, Akufo-Addo offered all public sector workers a 25% salary increment, yet sections of organised labour vehemently opposed it and threatened to strike. Today, Mahama offers a mere 10% increase, and some of the same unions have suddenly turned into government spokespeople, justifying why this amount is acceptable. What has changed? Are we not in the same economy? Eiii, stomach agenda nkoaa!” he wrote.
His post included a chart detailing salary increments under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from 2017 to 2024, showing increases ranging from 10% in 2019 to 30% in 2023.
The Mahama administration’s 10% salary increment, effective March 1, followed negotiations with organised labour. The previous NPP government had implemented a 23% increase in 2024 to mitigate economic hardships, though it faced resistance from labour unions at the time.
Some labour representatives have defended the current increment, citing economic challenges inherited from the previous government.
During negotiations, President Mahama urged public sector workers to be patient, assuring them that better remuneration would be possible as economic conditions improved.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour’s comments have reignited discussions on the neutrality of labour unions, with concerns raised over whether their stance is influenced by political affiliations rather than the broader interests of workers.
In 2024, Akufo-Addo offered all public sector workers 25% salary increment. Yet a section of organized labour threatened strike action and were up in arms. Today, Mahama offers same public sector workers a paltry 10% increase in salary. Meanwhile, a section of organized labour… pic.twitter.com/cFE7O3B1xb
— John Ntim Fordjour MP (@NtimFordjour) February 20, 2025