Independent Governance Bodies receive massive salary increases as Ghanaians face economic hardship.

Massive Salary Increases for Top Government Officials While Ghanaians Struggle with Economic Hardships

Recent revelations have brought to light a significant rise in the salaries of chairpersons and members of Ghana’s Independent Governance Bodies (IGBs) over the past few years. 

Between 2020 and 2024, these officials have enjoyed salary increases totaling around 81%, a substantial growth by any measure. 

This development stands in stark contrast to the economic realities faced by many ordinary Ghanaians, who have struggled with declining purchasing power due to currency depreciation, rising inflation, and the government’s debt restructuring efforts. 

While the public sector has seen only modest wage increments amid these challenges, IGB members have benefited from robust pay raises, fueling debates about fairness, fiscal responsibility, and priorities in public sector compensation. 

This blog explores the details of these salary changes, compares them with broader economic trends, and highlights the growing concerns about disparity in Ghana’s economic landscape.

Public Sector Salary Adjustments (2020–2024)

•2020: The base pay for public sector workers was ₵34,397.00.

•2021: A 4.0% increase brought the salary to ₵35,772.88.

•2022: A 7.0% increase raised the salary to ₵38,276.98.

•2023: A 30.0% increase brought the salary to ₵49,760.08.

•2024: A 23.0% increase raised the salary to ₵61,204.89.

•2024b: An additional 1.6% increase brought the salary to ₵62,202.53.

These figures are consistent with the salary adjustments reported for public sector workers during these years. For instance, in 2024, the government approved a 23% increase in the base pay for public sector workers, effective from January 1 to June 30, followed by an additional 2% increment from July 1 to December 31, bringing the total increase to 25% for the year.

Total Salary Increase (2020–2024)

The cumulative increase from 2020 to 2024b is approximately 81%, which aligns with the reported figures.

 Comparison with Public Sector Salary Adjustments

While IGB members received these salary increases, public sector workers experienced the following adjustments:

•2021: 4.0% increase

•2022: 7.0% increase + 15% COLA

•2023: 30.0% increase

•2024: 23.0% increase (Jan–Jun), followed by a 25.0% increase (Jul–Dec)

•2025: 10.0% increase

These adjustments are consistent with the information available.

 Economic Context

During this period, Ghana faced significant economic challenges, including currency depreciation and inflation. For instance, in 2022, the Ghanaian cedi depreciated by over 55% against the US dollar. Additionally, the government underwent a significant debt restructuring in 2023, affecting many citizens' investments and pensions. These economic challenges have led to concerns about the disparity between the salary increases of IGB members and the broader public sector workers.

 Conclusion

The salary figures for IGB members from 2020 to 2024 are accurate and reflect a substantial increase of about 81%. These adjustments, though legal and confirmed, have generated public concern in light of Ghana’s ongoing economic struggles. As the country continues to seek economic stability, it is crucial to ensure that public compensation policies are equitable, transparent, and aligned with national development goals.



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