A former Secretary General of the Ghana Trades Union Congress (TUC), Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, has urged the government to address the country’s low minimum wage to enhance productivity.
He attributed low productivity, particularly in the public sector, to poor reward systems and inadequate wages, stating that fair compensation was essential for motivating workers.
Speaking on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at the inauguration of the Kaizen Institute for Labour Economics, an institute dedicated to advising on labour market policy, industrial relations, and productivity improvement, Dr Baah stressed the need for urgent reforms.
Dr Baah, who retired from the TUC in 2024 after 30 years of service—first as a researcher and later as Secretary General—highlighted Ghana’s persistent wage and employment challenges.
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"In 2024, sadly, we are talking about $1 a day for eight hours of work. This is not the Ghana we wanted to build. This is not the Ghana Kwame Nkrumah wanted to build. That after 68 years of independence, the people of Ghana are working for eight hours for one dollar. This is a big shame."
He criticised the government and employers for maintaining such low wages, describing it as unacceptable.
"I always put the blame on government and employers for keeping the minimum wage so low. So shamefully low. And I hope that in this ongoing national tripartite committee negotiation, the employers and government will realise that it is shameful for Ghanaians to be taking one dollar a day for eight hours of work. It is simply wrong. It's not right. What we can do is to break that cycle," he stated.
Dr Baah further emphasised the importance of providing workers with the necessary resources and incentives to enhance productivity. He noted that in many cases, employees lacked the tools required to perform effectively, which contributed to inefficiency.
Vision for labour reform
As the Executive Director of the Kaizen Institute for Labour Economics, Dr Baah explained that the institute aims to support social partners in formulating and implementing employment and wage policies, improving productivity, and fostering peaceful industrial relations and social dialogue.
The Kaizen concept, a Japanese management philosophy, focuses on continuous development and the implementation of best workplace practices to drive higher productivity levels.
Dr Baah said the institute would also provide advisory services to the government on social partnerships, dialogue, and other labour-related issues, including the ratification, application, and reporting on International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions and recommendations.
Efficiency and growth
The Japanese Ambassador to Ghana, Yoshimoto Hiroshi, underscored the significance of the Kaizen philosophy, noting that it had played a crucial role in Japan’s economic transformation. He stressed that the approach, now embraced worldwide, could help Ghana improve efficiency, innovation, and productivity.
"As Ghana continues to grow and build its economy, it is essential to recognise that socio-economic development involves more than just the creation of jobs. It also entails ensuring that the work environment nurtures innovation, increases productivity, and promotes the welfare of every individual," he said.
He encouraged stakeholders to collaborate with the Kaizen Institute for Labour Economics, stressing that its mission could only be achieved through collective effort.
The Chairman of the National Development Planning Commission, Dr Nii Moi Thompson, highlighted the link between productivity and efficiency, noting that optimal resource utilisation was critical for sustainable economic growth.
A former TUC Secretary General, Kwasi Adu-Amankwah, who chaired the event, stressed the need to internalise the Kaizen philosophy beyond economic activities, incorporating it into social relationships and everyday interactions.
Dignitaries present at the event included the Secretary General of the TUC, Joshua Ansah; the Acting Head of Labour Statistics at the Ghana Statistical Service, Anthony Oduro-Denkyira; the Officer-in-Charge of the ILO Ghana Office, David Marcos; and members of the TUC.
