The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has dismissed allegations circulating on social media over alleged pay disparities and irregular recruitment practices, describing the claims as misleading and an inaccurate representation of the Authority’s employment arrangements.
In a press statement, the GSA explained that the officers described as the “first cohort” were initially recruited under the now-defunct Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) programme. Following the termination of the programme, the officers were retained by the previous administration on temporary contracts renewed annually and paid fixed monthly salaries from the Authority’s Goods and Services budget. Management stressed that the officers were never placed on the Government of Ghana payroll, were never gazetted and did not undergo parliamentary approval as alleged in the publication.
The Authority further stated that after assuming office, the current Director-General secured approval from the Ministry of Finance to recruit 500 Trading Standards Inspectors in 2025 under a newly designed mandate. According to the statement, the recruitment was approved under the Single Spine Salary Structure, with the officers’ salaries being paid from the Authority’s Internally Generated Funds (IGF) under a remuneration structure sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance. It noted that while both groups remain outside the central government payroll, the difference lies in the approved pay structures applicable to each cohort and not in political favouritism.
The GSA also rejected claims that Parliament approved the names of the earlier NABCO-origin cohort, describing the assertion as false. Management explained that the engagement and renewal of temporary staff are internal administrative and human resource matters that do not require parliamentary approval.
According to the statement, scientific staff from the earlier cohort whose expertise is critical to the Authority’s laboratory operations have since been reassigned and granted improved conditions of service in recognition of their contributions.
The Authority reaffirmed that all recruitment, engagement and remuneration decisions are guided by Ministry of Finance approvals, applicable government pay policies and the operational needs of the institution. It further assured staff and the public of its commitment to transparency and fairness, while encouraging employees with contractual concerns to use the Authority’s established labour relations channels instead of the media.
CitizenSpeaks
