The average monthly net salary for public sector employees in Ghana stood at GH?2,594 in 2022, according to a new report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). 

However, the report highlights deep inequalities in public sector wages, with the lowest-paid worker earning just GH?418, while the highest-paid employee took home a salary 81 times higher.

The Earning Inequality Report found that the top 10% of public sector workers received 22% of total salaries, while half of all employees accounted for just one-third of total salary disbursements.

Allowances and regional disparities widen the gap

The study revealed that disparities in allowances contributed significantly to the wage gap. Employees earning between GH?5,000 and GH?9,999 received allowances that were 26 times higher than those earning below GH?1,000.

Regional differences were also evident, with Greater Accra recording the highest average monthly salary at GH?3,142, while the North East region had the lowest at GH?2,212.

Gender pay gap and age-based earnings inequality

A 6% gender pay gap was recorded, with men earning an average of GH?2,669 compared to GH?2,504 for women. The disparity was most pronounced in the Upper West region, where men earned GH?348 more than women, representing a 13% difference.

Earnings also varied significantly by age. 

Employees aged 60 and above had the highest salaries, earning an average of GH?14,466 per month—nearly five times more than the next highest age bracket (51–60 years).

Institutional pay gaps and policy concerns

Differences in earnings extended across government institutions, with the highest-paying institution offering an average salary of GH?9,335, more than four times the GH?2,153 paid by the lowest-earning institution.

With the government spending GH?2.3 billion on public sector salaries and allowances in December 2022 alone, the GSS report raises concerns over income inequality and economic disparities.