Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has urged the government to improve public sector wages and enforce professional standards. These measures are crucial to curb corruption in Ghana, according to his statements on Saturday, August 8.
Dr. Nyarko Otoo highlighted a concerning increase in demands for unofficial payments by public officials. Figures show these requests rose from 50.9% in the first half of 2025 to 69.4% in the second half of the same year. This trend indicates that public officials are increasingly soliciting additional payments rather than citizens voluntarily offering bribes.
This situation fits into Ghana's broader economic narrative where public sector efficiency and integrity are vital for development. Persistent concerns about corruption can deter foreign investment and erode public trust in institutions. Addressing these issues is essential for sustainable economic growth and good governance.
“You cannot take low pay out of it,” Dr. Nyarko Otoo stated, acknowledging that inadequate wages contribute to the problem. He referenced a World Bank study on public sector pay in Africa, which links declining compensation to reduced motivation and increased integrity risks among public servants. This study observed that lower pay can lead to increased absenteeism and moonlighting, affecting productivity.
The implications are clear: Ghana must implement a two-pronged strategy. This involves not only increasing public sector remuneration but also strengthening the enforcement of professional standards. Decision-makers will need to balance wage increases with fiscal realities and ensure accountability mechanisms are robustly applied. The government must also explore digital solutions to reduce face-to-face interactions, thereby limiting opportunities for bribery.
Dr. Nyarko Otoo stressed that while low wages contribute to petty corruption, they do not justify corrupt behaviour. He maintained that public officials must be held accountable for demanding unofficial payments. He also suggested that reducing unnecessary human interaction through digital systems could help reduce bribery opportunities.
However, he cautioned that such reforms must consider Ghana’s employment situation. Ghana has a large number of people seeking jobs, and measures that eliminate human interaction from public services could impact employment. This means any technological shift must be carefully managed to avoid unintended job losses.
The TUC Deputy Secretary-General also rejected the idea that corruption is solely a public-sector problem. He argued that unethical practices also exist within the private sector. He cited examples involving private businesses and media organizations, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive national approach to fighting corruption.
Ghana’s response, therefore, must address both sides of the problem. It needs to improve workers’ remuneration while simultaneously closing opportunities that enable public officials to demand unofficial payments. Better pay, stronger enforcement, and systems that reduce solicitation opportunities must work together for meaningful progress against corruption.