On Monday, November 2, Jacob Anaba, President of the National Association of Graduate Teachers (NAGRAT), told Joy News’ PM Express that Ghanaian workers remain unable to sustain themselves for a month despite easing economic indicators.
He said the agreed eight per cent increase in base pay for public sector workers in 2027 will provide limited relief if prices of goods and services continue to rise.
“The risk of inflation, the economic parameters – today we know that all of them are very low. But the reality is that the working class find it difficult to survive for one month,” Anaba lamented.
The government and organised labour have reached an agreement on the pay rise following negotiations on the annual salary adjustment. Anaba’s concern now is whether prices will remain stable enough for workers to benefit from the increase.
“What we are looking forward to is that prices of goods and services will remain stable. If not, then this is not sustainable,” he said.
He added that organised labour has told the Minister of Finance that any significant changes in economic conditions during the year could trigger fresh negotiations.
“We have indicated to the Minister of Finance and Government that if anything happens within the year, we'll come back and have a new negotiation for whatever we have agreed on. Because it's very important,” he said.
Anaba highlighted the cost of food, questioning the gap between what farmers receive for produce and what consumers pay for prepared meals. Using maize and kenkey as examples, he noted the price of a bag of maize did not appear to correspond with the prices charged for kenkey, pepper and fish.
His comments underline the concern among organised labour that improvements in headline economic indicators may not automatically translate into relief for workers whose incomes must cover food, transport, housing and other household expenses. For the eight per cent pay increase to provide meaningful support in 2027, price stability will be essential; otherwise rising living costs could erode the value of the additional income before workers feel its full benefit.
