The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has strongly dismissed allegations of pay disparities and irregular recruitment circulating on social media, describing the claims as a misrepresentation of the facts and reaffirming that all employment decisions have been made in accordance with government policy and approved procedures. https://dailydemocratnewsonline.com/wp-admin
In a press statement, Management explained that the officers described in the publication as the “first cohort” were initially recruited under the now-defunct Nation Builders Corps (NABCO) programme. Following the end of the programme, they were retained by the previous administration on temporary annual contracts and paid fixed monthly salaries from the Authority’s Goods and Services budget.
According to the GSA, these officers were never placed on the Government of Ghana’s central payroll, were not gazetted, and did not undergo parliamentary approval, contrary to claims made in the publication.
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The Authority further stated that after assuming office, the current Director-General secured approval from the Ministry of Finance to recruit 500 Trading Standards Inspectors in 2025 under a newly designed mandate. It said the recruitment was approved under the Single Spine Salary Structure, with the officers’ salaries financed from the Authority’s Internally Generated Funds (IGF) under a pay structure specifically sanctioned by the Ministry of Finance.
Management stressed that although both groups of officers are outside the central government payroll, the difference in their remuneration stems from the distinct pay structures approved for each category and not from political considerations, as alleged.
The GSA also dismissed assertions that Parliament approved the names of the earlier cohort, explaining that the engagement and renewal of temporary staff are internal administrative and human resource matters that do not require parliamentary approval.
Addressing concerns about staff welfare, the Authority noted that scientific personnel from the earlier cohort whose expertise is essential to laboratory operations have since been reassigned with improved conditions of service in recognition of their skills and contributions.
Management reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, stating that recruitment, engagement and remuneration decisions are guided strictly by Ministry of Finance clearance, government pay policy and the operational needs of the Authority.
The Authority further encouraged staff with outstanding contractual concerns to use its established labour relations mechanisms rather than resorting to the media, while assuring the public that it remains committed to fairness, accountability and professionalism in the discharge of its mandate.
