Tema, Accra, November 8th, 2025: The Secretary General of the Ghana Federation of Labour (GFL), Abraham Koomson, has called on disgruntled labour union members to remain calm and allow the 2026 Base Pay negotiations to proceed within the framework of the country’s labour laws.
Mr. Koomson said the wave of accusations directed at the leadership of Organised Labour — including claims of weak leadership and a lack of transparency — only serves to undermine the credibility of the ongoing negotiations between government and labour representatives.
Disgruntled Unions Break Ranks
A coalition of disgruntled labour unions has publicly broken ranks with Organised Labour, accusing its leadership of failing to represent the interests of the ordinary Ghanaian worker in the ongoing base pay discussions.
In a strongly worded press statement released on Friday, the group expressed deep disappointment at how the negotiations are being handled, alleging that the leadership has shown poor judgment and a lack of openness.
The unions argued that Ghanaian workers are already struggling under high utility tariffs, excessive taxes, and a rising cost of living, insisting that labour leaders should be pushing for a significantly higher pay increase to ease the economic burden.
According to the statement, Organised Labour began the talks with a 20% proposal, which was surprisingly reduced to 15% on the very first day. Government, on the other hand, reportedly countered with a 2.5% offer, later adjusted to 5%—a move the unions described as “insulting and lacking empathy.”
The disgruntled unions said a credible negotiation should have started with nothing less than a 50% demand, given the country’s worsening economic challenges.
The statement was signed by ex-officers and branch unions within the education sector, including members already represented by the TUC, GNAT, NAGRAT, CCT, UTAG, and the University Administrators Union in the ongoing negotiations — signaling a deepening division within the labour front.
Abraham Koomson: Follow the Law and Engage Representatives
Reacting to the controversy on Ahotor FM’s “Yepe Ahunu” show on Saturday, November 8, Mr. Koomson urged union members to channel their grievances through appropriate structures rather than attacking leadership publicly.
“Just like how parliamentarians consult their constituents, frustrated union members should meet their representatives on the Organised Labour team to express their concerns,” he advised.
He emphasized that Organised Labour is strictly following the legal framework guiding the negotiations, citing Section 97 of the Labour Act as the key provision governing the process.
Transparency and Media Access Concerns
The disgruntled unions also raised concerns about secrecy and lack of transparency, alleging that the media was barred from covering post-negotiation briefings — a move they described as a “sharp departure from established practice.”
“This deliberate act of secrecy raises legitimate concerns about transparency and accountability,” their statement read. “Why prevent the media from reporting progress if there is nothing to hide?”
Mr. Koomson, however, dismissed the claims, saying confidentiality is part of the negotiation process as provided for under the law.
“That’s why you have representatives in the negotiation room,” he explained. “Section 97 of the Labour Act allows confidentiality during negotiations, and that’s why the media cannot be present. Upcoming leaders must be trained to understand this process,” he added.
Economic and Political Dimensions
On the issue of the proposed percentages, Mr. Koomson defended government’s cautious approach, warning that an excessive increase in base pay could destabilize the economy and affect future job creation.
“Government has genuine reasons for being cautious. A sharp and abnormal increase could derail economic gains and impact employment opportunities,” he said.
He also alleged that the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) is attempting to exploit the frustrations of some labour groups to derail the negotiations and discredit the current administration.
“We’ve met with government officials, and it’s clear they have good plans for workers,” Mr. Koomson concluded, urging patience as discussions continue.
LISTEN TO ABRAHAM KOOMSON IN THE AUDIO BELOW:
Story by: Emmanuel Romeo Tetteh(#RomeoWrites✍️)/Ahotoronline.com | Ghana 🇬🇭