Former Deputy Minister of Education, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour, has questioned what he sees as inconsistencies in organised labour’s stance on salary increases, accusing some unions of political bias over workers’ welfare.
In a post on X on Thursday, February 20, 2025, he criticised labour unions for what he described as a “politically motivated double standard”, highlighting the stark difference in their reactions to salary hikes under former President Nana Akufo-Addo and current President John Dramani Mahama.
Rev. Ntim Fordjour noted that in 2024, the Akufo-Addo administration approved a 25% salary increase for public sector workers, which was met with fierce resistance, including threats of industrial action.
However, just a year later, Mahama’s government announced a much lower 10% increase—yet some of the same labour groups accepted it without protest, even defending it as reasonable.
“In 2024, Akufo-Addo offered all public sector workers a 25% salary increment, yet sections of organised labour vehemently opposed it and threatened to strike. Today, Mahama offers a mere 10% increase, and some of the same unions have suddenly turned into government spokespeople, justifying why this amount is acceptable. What has changed? Are we not in the same economy? Eiii, stomach agenda nkoaa!” the MP wrote.
In 2024, Akufo-Addo offered all public sector workers 25% salary increment. Yet a section of organized labour threatened strike action and were up in arms. Today, Mahama offers same public sector workers a paltry 10% increase in salary. Meanwhile, a section of organized labour… pic.twitter.com/cFE7O3B1xb
— John Ntim Fordjour MP (@NtimFordjour) February 20, 2025
His post was accompanied by a chart detailing salary increments under the New Patriotic Party (NPP) from 2017 to 2024, showing adjustments ranging from 10% in 2019 to as high as 30% in 2023.
On February 20, 2025, following negotiations with organised labour, the Mahama administration approved a 10% salary increment for public sector employees, effective March 1. This came after a 23% increase in 2024 under the previous government—an effort to ease economic hardships that had still faced union opposition at the time.
Despite the lower offer from Mahama’s government, some labour representatives have defended the decision, citing the difficult economic conditions inherited from the previous administration.
President Mahama urged workers to be patient, assuring them that once the economy stabilises, salaries would improve.
However, Rev. Ntim Fordjour’s remarks have reignited the debate over labour unions’ neutrality, raising concerns about whether their positions are driven by political affiliations rather than the genuine interests of workers.