A survey conducted by Ghana News Agency (GNA) has
revealed that most market women are not aware of the impending implementation of the Single Spine Pay Policy (SSPP) on July 1.
Though with limitations, the survey which was conducted among traders at the Tema Station area in Accra, sought to provide a fair idea about the likely effect of the implementation of the single spine salary structure on the prices of goods and services.
It particularly aimed at ascertaining the likelihood of traders cashing in on the anticipated salary increase to push up the prices of their goods arbitrarily.
Some of the traders said it would be sheer greed if prices of goods and services were increased because of the anticipated salary increase for government workers.
Others said since they were not aware of the SSPP, they would not increase the prices of their goods yet, but that they would increase the
prices only if there was an increase from the wholesalers, since they operate for profit.
Some of them contended that increases in the price of fuel was what would necessitate increases in the prices of their goods automatically, but that an increase in the salary of government workers would rather create a
good market for them since the workers would be able to make more purchases.
Indirectly, therefore, they would also benefit from the increase since government workers would have additional money in their pockets to spend.
"Since sales for the last few months have been low, we think this is the right time to make better sales," said one trader.
Other traders said they could not differentiate between government workers and those in the private sector, so it would be unfair on their part to increase prices of goods and services.