Employment and Labour Relations Minister Dr. Rashid Pelpuo has leveled serious allegations against the previous Akufo-Addo administration, claiming it saddled the incoming National Democratic Congress (NDC) government with 12,000 newly recruited public sector workers without budgetary provisions or salary clearance, exacerbating the ongoing crisis of unpaid salaries for thousands of health workers. Speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on October 7, 2025, Pelpuo described the move as politically motivated, aimed at securing votes among unemployed youth rather than genuine employment planning.
“This tells the story of what complaints we had when we assumed office… At the point of exit of the NPP government, they imposed on us 12,000 new workers that they did not prepare to pay,” Pelpuo stated, noting the three-month transition budgets omitted funding for these hires. He likened it to the Single Spine Salary Structure imposed on the late President John Atta Mills by the outgoing Kufuor administration, calling it “their DNA to give the incoming government a problem—let them fail.”
The revelations come amid escalating unrest, including a recent protest by the Coalition of Unpaid Nurses and Midwives, where nearly 7,000 members demanded 10-month arrears after postings in December 2024. While 6,500 have received payments, thousands remain unpaid, fueling strike threats. Pelpuo assured resolution by year-end: “We are doing everything to make it possible that we solve this problem… Young people need to start life and be comfortable.”
Pelpuo rejected any political strategy behind the hires: “It’s not a good thing… Once your point of existence as a government comes to an end, go.” The issue echoes broader payroll challenges, with the Finance Ministry reporting GH¢2 billion spent in June 2025 to resolve a 128,000-worker strike. Critics, including NPP voices, have countered that the NDC’s delays stem from internal inefficiencies, but Pelpuo’s comments intensify partisan blame amid economic recovery efforts.
