Ghana official calls for wage increases and stricter standards to curb corruption

Dr. Kwabena Nyarko Otoo, Deputy Secretary-General of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), has called for a dual approach to combat corruption in Ghana: increasing public sector wages and strictly enforcing professional standards.

Otoo noted a troubling trend where corruption is increasingly driven by officials demanding unofficial payments rather than citizens offering bribes. Data indicates that requests for extra payments rose from 50.9% in the first half of 2025 to 69.4% in the second half of the year.

While acknowledging that low wages do not justify corrupt behavior, Otoo argued that inadequate remuneration is a significant factor. He cited a World Bank study suggesting that declining compensation can lead to increased absenteeism, moonlighting, and the illegal sale of government services. To mitigate these risks, he recommended increasing the use of digital systems to reduce face-to-face interactions between citizens and officials, while emphasizing that accountability must remain a priority regardless of pay levels.