President John Dramani Mahama has announced that there will be no full renegotiation of conditions of service across the public sector in 2026, as the government undertakes broader reforms to restructure the country’s remuneration system.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 17, at the Jubilee House during a dialogue with Organised Labour, the President said the decision is aimed at ensuring fiscal discipline while laying the foundation for a more sustainable pay structure.
“As we undertake this transition, the government must act with prudence and responsibility. For this reason, 2026 will not be a year for full renegotiation of conditions of service across the public sector,” he stated.
Instead, President Mahama indicated that the government will implement targeted and modest adjustments to specific allowances as an interim measure.
He explained that the approach is necessary to maintain macroeconomic stability, manage expectations responsibly and create the fiscal space required to implement long-term structural reforms.
The announcement forms part of a broader plan by the government to transition from the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission to a new Independent Emoluments Commission, aimed at addressing longstanding disparities in public sector pay.
President Mahama assured organised labour that the decision does not signal a withdrawal from engagement but rather a strategic effort to reset the foundations of Ghana’s compensation system.
“This is not a withdrawal from engagement with labour. It is a strategic effort to address the structural foundations of our compensation system in the interest of everybody,” he emphasised.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to continuous dialogue with labour unions, noting that the phased reform process will be carried out in consultation with key stakeholders.
The President added that the ultimate goal is to build a fair, transparent and sustainable remuneration system that aligns with productivity and the country’s long-term development priorities.
