TEMA, Ghana, 15th November, 2025: Abraham Koomson, Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), has welcomed the government’s 2026 Budget Statement, describing it as a clear confirmation of the administration’s sincerity and commitment to resolving the country’s economic challenges.
According to him, assurances given by the Finance Minister during negotiations on the 2026 national minimum wage have been fully reflected in the budget, signalling genuine efforts to revive the economy.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s Yepe Ahunu show, Mr. Koomson revealed that Organised Labour had initially pushed for a minimum of 10% increase in the national minimum wage after failed protracted negotiations. However, the Finance Minister cautioned that such an adjustment could undermine the economic gains being made.
Reiterating his satisfaction with the fiscal policy presented, he noted:
“The budget statement presented by the Finance Minister yesterday indeed confirmed the honesty of government in solving the economic crisis to bring relief to the people of this country by implementing policies to create jobs,” he said.
Abraham Koomson added that Organised Labour’s agreement to a 9% adjustment for both the minimum wage and base pay was influenced by the government’s demonstration of sincerity and readiness to take bold measures to revitalise the economy.
“Arriving at the 9% minimum wage and base pay salary adjustment was informed by the demonstration of sincere commitment of government to take bold steps to revive the economy to holistically address the concerns of workers,” he stated.
He assured that Labour would remain vigilant in monitoring the performance of the economy and ensuring that the gains projected in the budget translate into real improvements in workers’ livelihoods.
“Organised Labour leadership has resolved to closely monitor the performance of the economy and its impact on the livelihood of workers as the niceties of the fiscal policy are rolled out. Workers’ leadership would not hesitate to draw attention of government to any deviation that would erode the benefits envisaged under these reforms,” he said.
Mr. Koomson highlighted the depth of dialogue that took place between Organised Labour, the Finance Ministry, government officials, and the Ghana Employers Association, describing the engagement as productive and reassuring.
“What was said in the budget statement was exactly what the finance minister told us Organised Labour before we agreed the 9% Minimum wage and base pay salary and we are very happy. This budget is the best we’ve had in about 8 years,” he said.
The 2026 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, presented to Parliament on Thursday, November 13 by Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama, was themed “Resetting for Growth, Jobs, and Economic Transformation.”
Dr. Forson emphasized that the budget marked a strategic transition from recovery to transformation, resilience to productivity, and stability to jobs. He outlined measures aimed at consolidating macroeconomic stability, accelerating job creation, and strengthening key social sectors.
He further noted that the government had restored fiscal discipline, stabilised the cedi, reduced inflation, and rekindled investor confidence, describing the present moment as a national reset a rebirth from the challenges inherited in the past.
Abraham Koomson concluded by reaffirming Organised Labour’s satisfaction with the government’s fulfilment of its assurances.
He noted that Organised Labour would continue to monitor the implementation of the policies to ensure that the commitments contained in the budget are followed through to benefit workers and the wider society.
LISTEN TO ABRAHAM KOOMSON IN THE AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭