More jobs, better pay: The budget Ghanaian workers deserve

As Ghanaians eagerly await the unveiling of this year's national budget, optimism is palpable. However, this optimism is tinged with caution. The primary focus is job creation, yet many citizens approach the announcement with skepticism. The challenge is not just in creating jobs, but in ensuring these jobs offer adequate income for a dignified life.

Unemployment has long been a critical issue in Ghana, with thousands of graduates each year seeking elusive opportunities. Many are trapped in informal employment, temporary positions, or low-productivity roles that offer little job security and limited upward mobility. Despite previous government efforts, the demand for decent work continues to outstrip available opportunities. But unemployment is only part of the problem.

A significant number of Ghana's workforce is employed but earns meager wages. Everyday, countless individuals show up for work, contributing to economic growth, yet are unable to meet their basic needs. Rising costs of living such as food, transportation, rent, healthcare, education, and utilities have significantly increased the standard of living, leaving many working families in financial distress.

The current national minimum wage of GH₵21.70 fails to provide a realistic standard of living for workers. On a standard 25-day working month, this translates to roughly GH₵542.50. It is clear that such income levels leave little room for savings, emergency funds, children's education, or long-term financial security.

The paradox is that many have jobs, yet remain economically vulnerable. Employment, which should be a pathway to prosperity and social mobility, has become a daily struggle for survival for many. This year's budget presents an unprecedented opportunity to tackle these dual challenges. Ghana needs policies that foster sustainable employment while simultaneously improving wages and living standards.

Rather than merely measuring success by employment numbers, the budget should evaluate the ability of workers to maintain a decent standard of living from their earnings. This requires a bold review of the national minimum wage, a significant increase that reflects current economic conditions and the true cost of living. This adjustment would not only uplift worker welfare but also underscore a commitment to inclusive economic growth.

While there are legitimate concerns about the impact of higher wages on businesses, the solution is not to maintain wages that perpetuate hardship. Instead, the government can bolster wage reforms with tax incentives, affordable financing, productivity enhancement programmes, and targeted support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

Ultimately, the success of this year's budget will be judged not just by the number of jobs promised, but by the tangible improvements in the lives of ordinary Ghanaians. As the Finance Minister prepares to present the budget, Ghanaians will be looking for concrete solutions to their everyday challenges. A budget that confronts both unemployment and low wages head-on will send a powerful message that economic growth must be accompanied by improved livelihoods.

The clear choice for policymakers is simple: Ghana needs more than just more jobs – it needs more jobs with better pay and a renewed commitment to the dignity of work.