The Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) has successfully saved Ghana a significant GH₵345 million through a comprehensive nationwide payroll monitoring exercise conducted in 2023.
This initiative, which encompassed 120 public sector institutions, aimed to streamline the wage bill and promote transparency in public sector employment.
Minister for Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, announced these savings during a Minister’s press briefing organized by the Ministry of Information in Accra.
He highlighted that the payroll monitoring exercise led to a considerable reduction in the wage bill, yielding substantial savings for the government.
Baffour Awuah also underscored the peaceful and stable labour environment in Ghana, attributing it to the collaborative efforts of social partners.
He noted that with the support of key stakeholders, the Ministry had successfully resolved all industrial disputes that posed a threat to peace and security over the past seven and a half years.
The Ministry remains committed to improving the welfare of workers and employers while maintaining a peaceful labour front.
He further mentioned the ongoing review of key sector legislation, including the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), to better align it with modern workplace needs.
The new Labour Bill includes reforms such as restrictions on certain actions by private employment agencies, extended maternity leave, and protections against workplace violence and harassment.
During the briefing, the Chief Executive of the FWSC, Benjamin Arthur, emphasized that the payroll monitoring exercise was designed to ensure public sector employees received accurate salaries, allowances, and benefits.
The initiative uncovered several anomalies, reduced the presence of ghost workers on the government payroll, and improved the productivity of public sector workers.
Overall, the payroll monitoring exercise has contributed to a more efficient, transparent, and accountable public sector payroll management system, reinforcing the government’s commitment to maintaining industrial peace, harmony, and the welfare of workers and employers across the country.
