The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority and a Political Science Lecturer at the University of Ghana Professor Ransford Gyampo, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for his humility and direct engagement with labor unions in negotiations regarding the national minimum wage.
He highlighted the need for government officials to demonstrate modesty and frugality to validate their calls for economic restraint among workers.
Meanwhile, the Ghanaian daily minimum wage has been increased by 10%, moving from GHS18.15 to GHS19.97. This translates to a monthly minimum wage of GHS598.95. Thus, in comparison, the monthly minimum wage of 2024 to that of 2025, the difference is GHS55.
Prof. Gyampo commended President Mahama for his unprecedented approach to labor negotiations, stating that it was rare for a sitting president to personally engage in such discussions.
“If times are difficult and times are hard, and this gets explained properly to labor – and if you have no mean a person than the President of the Republic himself who comes in there to also plead – then what will you do?”
Professor Ransford Gyampo,Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority
Prof. Gyampo stressed the importance of labor leaders maintaining integrity in their negotiations.
“Some leaders of labor unions, I’m not talking about those who would go and take bribes to undermine the interest of their representatives, but I’m saying majority of the leaders of labor unions are very reasonable people. And so, when they see some of these gestures and overtures, it softens their stance.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority
Exemplary Lives of Government Officials
Prof. Gyampo also urged government officials to exhibit modesty in their lifestyles to reinforce their economic messages.
“During the previous negotiations that you know I was part of, anytime government officials came to say that ‘look, we don’t have money,’ we quickly pointed them to their opulent and their own living standards. The way and manner they live showed that times were not hard.”
“[Mr. President] let people see that now in certain things – we’ve been frugal in our expenditure, So that tomorrow when you are appealing to labor again that times are still hard and so let us stay further increment, we will see that you have tightened your belt.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority
Prof. Gyampo expressed optimism that President Mahama would keep his word regarding further wage reviews should economic conditions improve.
“Labor would hold President Mahama to his word that he says next year, by next year, if times are better, they will review things. Let us all live with this kind of hope and let us all ensure that we do things that would ensure that tomorrow when you are appealing to people to tamper justice with mercy, they will see reason and wisdom in that.”
“I know that my people are not too happy about the 10%, but I also know that they were magnanimous in acceding to what was offered because of the intervention of the President. The courtesy, respect, and humility demonstrated by the President in appearing before the negotiation committee did the trick.”
Professor Ransford Gyampo Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Shippers Authority
Professor Ransford Gyampo’s remarks underscore the significance of leadership humility and direct engagement with stakeholders.
While the 10% minimum wage increase may not be substantial, President Mahama’s involvement in the negotiations set a precedent for future administrations.
Prof. Gyampo believes that with continued economic improvement, labor unions should expect better increments in subsequent years.
His commendation of President Mahama highlights the importance of humility, transparency, and respect in governance, particularly in addressing labor-related concerns.
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