Fix low wages and enforce standards to curb corruption – Dr Nyarko Otoo

Dr Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has advocated for higher wages for public sector employees combined with stricter enforcement of professional standards to combat corruption in Ghana. Speaking to JoyNews’ Newsfile on August 8, Otoo emphasized that inadequate pay cannot be completely disregarded in discussions regarding petty corruption, though he maintained that low remuneration does not excuse corrupt behavior.

This view came in response to a rise in requests for unofficial payments by public officials, which increased from 50.9% in the first half of 2025 to 69.4% in the second half of the year. Otoo pointed out that this trend suggests a growing inclination for public officials to demand additional payments rather than citizens offering bribes voluntarily.

He stressed the necessity for the government to tackle both the remuneration of public servants and the avenues available for officials to solicit illicit payments. Otoo referenced a World Bank study on public sector pay in Africa, which found that when public sector compensation decreases, particularly relative to alternative income prospects, workers may engage in increased absenteeism, moonlighting, and other actions that diminish productivity.

He argued that these conditions could also contribute to petty corruption, such as the sale of government services not intended for sale. However, Otoo stressed that improving salaries should be coupled with robust enforcement of standards and accountability, holding public officials responsible for demanding unofficial payments regardless of their pay level.

He also supported measures to minimize face-to-face interactions between public officials and citizens, such as increasing the use of digital systems, to reduce opportunities for bribery. Nonetheless, he cautioned that such reforms must be tailored to Ghana's employment landscape, noting the country’s large pool of job seekers and the potential impact of eliminating human interaction from public services on employment opportunities.

Otoo also refuted the notion that corruption is exclusive to the public sector, pointing out unethical practices in the private sector as well. He cited examples from private businesses and media organizations to underscore the necessity for a comprehensive national strategy to combat corruption, insisting that better pay, stronger enforcement, and systems that limit solicitation opportunities must be implemented concurrently for Ghana to make significant strides in the fight against corruption.