Dr. George Smith-Graham, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), has proposed introducing an hourly wage system across all employment sectors in Ghana.
He made the call on Friday, May 16, 2025, during a familiarization tour by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Employment, Labour Relations, and Pensions.
The committee also visited the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA) and the Management Development and Productivity Institute (MDPI).
Dr. Smith-Graham believes that hourly pay would ensure fair compensation for casual and low-income workers, who often receive less than they deserve under the current system.
He also emphasized that this change would help formalize Ghana’s expanding informal sector, increase transparency in salary calculations, and expand access to social protection.
“If we begin to look at an hourly wage structure, it will allow casual workers to be better compensated for their time and could help reduce income inequalities in the labour market,” he said.
During the visit to the NPRA, officials explained current policies that allow permanently unemployed individuals aged 50 and above to access their tier-2 pension funds. To qualify, these individuals must obtain verification from their most recent employer and approval from the Labour Department.
NPRA’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Chris Boadi-Mensah, also urged the government to raise the national retirement age from 60 to 65. He argued that extending the retirement age would help maintain the financial sustainability of Ghana’s pension system.
“Without reforms, the pension structure risks becoming unsustainable, and future payouts could suffer,” Mr. Boadi-Mensah cautioned.
As Ghana faces growing income inequality and pressure on its pension system, both proposals aim to create a more inclusive and resilient workforce.
