Ghana’s executive agrees 10% pay cut in fiscal deficit trim

The salaries of Ghana’s President and his Vice as well as Ministers of State and other government appointees will be cut 10% starting 2014, the government has announced.

This is part of plans to reduce the country’s fiscal deficit which has been rising due to the ballooning public sector wage bill, Finance Minister Seth Terkper said when presenting the 2014 Budget in Parliament November 19, 2013.

The deduction of their (Executive) pay would be used to finance maternal and neo-natal health facilities, Mr Terkper indicated.

According to the 2014 Budget, Ghana is targeting a deficit of 8.5% in 2014 from a projected 9% in 2013.

By Ekow Quandzie