President Akufo-Addo says as part of measures to ensure that the country’s economy recovers within record time from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, he has ordered the freezing of all forms of salary increases or reviews for the executive arm of government.
“I have taken the decision to freeze salary increments for this year 2021 for myself as President, the Vice President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, and all appointees of the executive. It is our modest contribution to reduce the damage to our public revenues and to help hasten our nation’s recovery from the ravages of the pandemic” the President, Nana Akufo-Addo stated.
President Akufo-Addo revealed this today the 1st of May 2021, when he addressed participants of this year’s “May Day” celebration under the theme, “Economic Recovery in an Era of COVID-19: The Role of Social Partners”, at the forecourt of the Trade Unions Congress (TUC).
In his statement, President Akufo-Addo also noted that for the better part of the last one year, since the novel corona virus, COVID-19, began its local and worldwide spread, his government has “provided free water for all households, as well as free electricity for lifeline consumers and a fifty percent (50%) discount for all other consumers”.
“Public sector jobs for example have been maintained and unlike workers in the private sector, public sector workers have not experienced any retrenchments or any reduction in their wages or salaries throughout the period of this pandemic. This situation will not change” President Akufo-Addo assured organized labour.
*National Daily Minimum Wage*
The subject of National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW), has been on the front burner of discussions among Organized Labour for over a year now. The National Tripartite Committee (NTC) on the 29th of August 2019, almost two years ago, announced an increase in the National Daily Minimum Wage (NDMW) to GH¢11.82. The new NDMW as announced then was an eleven (11%) percent increase over GH¢10.65 figure for 2019 and was to take effect from January 1, 2020.
President Akufo-Addo in his remarks indicated that he is pleased to announce that the National Tripartite Committee has beganit’s negotiations one more time and he awaits the outcome of same.
“I am happy to state that negotiations within the Tripartite Committee have began in earnest” President Akufo-Addo said.
*Vaccination Agenda*
Turning his attention to the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination program of the country, President Akufo-Addo noted that his administration is determined to do all within its power to vaccinate at least twenty (20) million Ghanaians and that in spite of the global challenges over the availability of vaccines, the target of government will be achieved.
“I want to assure the nation that your government is working hard to secure the vaccines so that we can hope to return our country, our economy and our life to normalcy we all so desire” President Akufo-Addo stated.
“Indeed, we are receiving three hundred and fifty thousand (350,000) more AstraZeneca vaccines from the Covax facility on Tuesday in addition to the first consignment of six hundred thousand that came to hand on 24th February. By 15th May, government would have procured some 1.3 million sputnik vaccines. We are determined to vaccinate 20 million Ghanaians, that is, the entire adult population by the end of this year and we remain on cause to achieve this goal” President Akufo-Addo added.
2021 P&H Censor
As part of his address, the President solicited the support of Organized Labour for the upcoming 2021 national population and housing censor in the country. The success of the programme, the President says will help government to carry out effective planning.
“With the 2021 population and housing censor set to commence on 27th June 2021, i appeal to organized labour to give enthusiastic support and cooperation to the programme as it will provide an accurate and comprehensive database which will enable government to plan properly, the progress and prosperity of Mother Ghana” the President noted.
