President Mahama Pledges Comprehensive Review of Single Spine Salary Structure

President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to undertake a comprehensive review of Ghana’s Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS), citing growing dissatisfaction among workers and distortions within the pay system.

Speaking at the 54th National Delegates Conference of the Ghana National Association of Teachers( GNAT) in Accra, President Mahama recalled the origins of the Single Spine scheme and the challenges that accompanied its rollout.

He explained that although the policy was introduced under former President John Agyekum Kuffuor, negotiations had not been concluded before the change in government in 2009.

“I remember that the Single Spine was introduced by the President Kuffuor government. Negotiations were taking place, and they had not been concluded when Professor Mills won and I came in as his Vice President,” Mahama said.

According to him, just before leaving office, the outgoing administration announced lump-sum increments and “dumped the Single Spine on us,” compelling the incoming government to restart negotiations with labour leaders.

He commended the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and other labour groups for their cooperation during the implementation phase.

President Mahama however expressed concern that the salary structure has since deteriorated significantly.

“Since then, a few things have happened. The spine is very crooked now, and everybody is unhappy with the spine,” he stressed.

He revealed that the TUC has formally raised the matter with him, calling for a full-scale overhaul of the system. Mahama said he fully supports a review to ensure fairness and motivation for public sector workers.

“Of course, TUC raised it with us and asked if we could look at the whole salary structure again. And I can say that we are very willing to do that — so that we are able to remunerate people better, so they can give off their best in terms of what we ask them to do.”

The Single Spine Salary Structure was introduced in 2010 with the aim of ensuring equity and transparency in public sector pay. However, labour unions have repeatedly complained about inequities, distortions and unresolved arrears.

Mahama assured workers that under his leadership, meaningful engagement with organized labour would be prioritized.

“We must sit together again, look at the distortions and redesign a structure that works — not just for a few, but for everyone,” he said.

Organized labour has welcomed the call for reform, describing it as timely amid current economic pressures and concerns over declining real wages.