Austin Gamey, a seasoned Labour Dispute Resolution Expert and Consultant, has emphasized the urgent need for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s single spine salary structure and pension system. His remarks were made during an exclusive interview on the WTV Morning Show, Sore Na Hyeren, on December 6, 2026.
According to Mr. Gamey, the current single spine system has been long overdue for proper evaluation. He explained that the foundation of the system was built amid numerous constraints, competing interests, and conflicting perspectives. Many stakeholders who were initially uninterested in the framework are now actively involved, creating a complex landscape for salary and pension administration. He described the system as a convoluted and poorly structured framework and stressed that it requires careful review in alignment with liberal law and sound remuneration principles.
Turning to the pension scheme, Mr. Gamey highlighted his deep involvement in its development, noting that he was among the commissioners who crafted the scheme currently in operation. He recounted the extensive study that took nearly four years to complete, aimed at creating a structure that is both workable and sustainable. He cautioned against superficial understanding of pensions, explaining that it takes careful planning and strategic thinking to make the system effective.
“The pension scheme, as it stands today, is fit for purpose. Its design reflects the intentions of those who formulated it, and it provides flexibility for working Ghanaians to engage with their funds over time,” he said. Mr. Gamey pointed out that the scheme’s second and third tiers allow contributors to invest independently, providing greater control and long-term benefits. He credited ordinary workers, including the Makola women, for originally proposing these additional tiers due to concerns about the management of pension funds at the time.
Mr. Gamey also addressed the broader economic context of pensions, noting that salaries and benefits are inevitably linked to the performance of the national economy and businesses. Productivity, he argued, determines earnings, and an unproductive government or employer ultimately affects the financial well-being of employees. He emphasized that careful planning and intelligent use of resources can make the pension system a powerful tool for national growth and individual security.
Regarding potential reforms under the current administration, Mr. Gamey cautioned against proposals to raise the retirement age from sixty to seventy. He argued that Ghana faces significant youth unemployment, with close to thirteen percent of the population currently without work. Extending retirement would limit opportunities for younger workers to enter the workforce, an outcome he described as both unnecessary and unfair.
“At seventy-seven, I have only recently begun working independently, creating jobs and employing others. Those who are retiring should plan for this stage of life and make use of their skills and experience. Extending retirement ages will not benefit the nation,” he said. He stressed that Ghana’s context differs from countries like America and Britain, where longer working lives may be feasible. In Ghana, policies must prioritize the youth and ensure generational fairness.
Mr. Gamey concluded by urging policymakers and workers alike to approach pension reforms with thoughtfulness and responsibility. He reinforced the importance of balancing the needs of retirees with opportunities for younger Ghanaians, emphasizing that long-term economic stability depends on careful management of both resources and human capital.
The interview with Austin Gamey provided a rare insider perspective on pension and salary administration in Ghana, highlighting the need for both structural reforms and prudent economic planning to ensure that working Ghanaians are adequately supported throughout their careers and into retirement.
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