Labor Relations Expert, Austin Gammey has stated that, government’s decision to freeze public employment as reported from the 2023 budget reading, was nothing new. He said that, it was the magnitude at which these working ties were severed that mattered.
Mr. Gammey mentioned that, the decision was taken to help the government manage its costs. He also stated that, the decision taken by the government to cut off all public employment in the year 2023 was a hard decision that needed to be taken, in order to cut down cost in the country. He further stated that, Ghanaians will have to bear with the government on the decision being made.
“The fact is that you’ll have to count the cost of what you want to do. When it comes to the area of health, education, security, sometimes there are some exemptions, some replacements are made. Maybe a large number of people may not be taken on board again, except there are people who are either going on retirement or they are dead.”
Austin Gammey
According to Mr. Gammey, the government’s decision indicated that, employing new people into the public sector, is expected to be a difficult task for the government per the 2023 budget. He disclosed that, the government has plans of building hospitals and schools, and these institutions cannot be vacant, so government might have to employ some people to work in these institutions.
As a people, as a government, they’ll have to employ so it’s not going to be total, Mr. Gammey said, adding that public employment might be gradual and in some sectors, the government cannot do otherwise than to employ people.
No Conclusions And Agreements Made On Budget Yet
Meanwhile, Deputy Finance Minister, Dr. John Kumah stated that the content of the budget that was read on the 24th of November 2022, were proposals given to explain what the debt exchange program would look like, and no conclusions and agreements have been made so far.
However, he indicated that government has announced that the debt exchange program is expected to launch soon, and that is what they are all anticipating. He urged Ghanaians to stick to what the ministry of finance has announced, saying that the ministry and other stakeholders were going to announce the way forward in the right time.
“Of course, you should remember that we have domestic and external partners that we have to fully engage. It is the outcome of that engagement that will result in specifics. We are not there yet.”
John Kumah
Dr. Kumah disclosed that, the government also bore some responsibilities, especially in the year 2022 by announcing a 30% cut on salaries of people who hold political offices. He also explained that, fuel coupons and rent allowances are being redrawn from the 2023 budget, saying that there are a lot of sacrifices that the government is making, and the people are entitled to see more if they want to.
“Some monies are being recovered, I don’t know how much it is but these are objective questions to raise on what is happening and what can be done to improve on the situation. But the assurance is that, government is committed to addressing those concerns, and government is showing by leadership that they’re cutting what they are also entitled to in these difficult times and making sure that we are bringing down the cost of governance.”
John Kumah
The Deputy Finance Minister assured investors that there is no call for concern, and the government is determined to engage them in an orderly and amicable manner.
READ ALSO: 70% Of All Revenues From Property Tax Will Go To District Assemblies- Dr Kumah
