Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has called for a major reform of Ghana’s public sector salary structure, arguing that low wages for government officials contribute significantly to corruption.
Speaking in an interview , Mr Kufuor said the current remuneration for civil servants and political office holders is unrealistic and can push some officials toward corrupt practices as a way of coping with financial pressures.
He stressed that improving governance requires paying public servants competitively while also enforcing strict accountability for those who engage in corruption.
Citing the example of Lee Kuan Yew, Mr Kufuor noted that Singapore’s former leader advocated for ministers and senior officials to receive salaries comparable to top corporate executives in order to attract and retain the best talent in government.
According to Mr Kufuor, Ghana’s top political offices are significantly underpaid considering the level of responsibility and expertise required.
However, he emphasized that better pay must go hand in hand with tougher punishment for corruption. He argued that public servants who are well compensated but still engage in corrupt activities should face severe penalties if caught.
Debate over public sector salaries in Ghana has continued for years, especially after the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure, which was meant to address wage disparities across the public sector but has faced criticism for not fully resolving concerns about fairness and competitiveness.
Mr Kufuor said Ghana needs a comprehensive rethink of how it compensates public servants if the country hopes to strengthen governance and reduce corruption.