Accra: The Civil and Local Government Staff Association, Ghana (CLOGSAG) has called on the government to ensure the prompt payment of pension deductions to safeguard the retirement income of public sector workers. The Association emphasized that delays in remitting pension contributions were undermining the benefits of contributors under the three-tier pension scheme and affecting workers' long-term financial security.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Kojo Krakani, the Deputy Executive Secretary of CLOGSAG, made this call during the Association's 2026 May Day address at a Thanksgiving Service in Accra. He urged the government to cease the unlawful non-payment of surcharges and to pay all outstanding arrears without further delay. He expressed concern over the persistent delays in pension contributions, highlighting how this had led to reduced investment returns and lower lump sum benefits for retirees.
Mr. Krakani pointed out that under the National Pensions Act, 2008 (Act 766), employers who defaulted in remitting pension deductions were required to pay surcharges, a provision that successive governments had repeatedly ignored. He also addressed the disparities between contributory and non-contributory pension schemes within the public sector, indicating that this situation was discriminatory. While workers under the contributory scheme relied on basic salaries for pension calculations, some non-contributory schemes allowed for additional allowances to be included, resulting in significantly higher pension earnings.
He further stated that the intended unification of public sector pension schemes under Act 766, scheduled for implementation in 2014, had been abandoned through subsequent exemptions, thus deepening inequalities. Delays in remitting pension contributions were affecting both retirees and active workers, as contributors were unable to realize the full value of their investments. With pension earnings based on the level of contributions, lower salary levels and delayed payments resulted in lower pensions.
The Deputy Executive Secretary called on the government to address salary disparities and implement a fair and equitable pension system to ensure decent retirement incomes for all public sector workers. The International Workers' Day, also known as May Day or Labour Day, is celebrated annually on May 1 to honor the contributions of workers and promote their rights and welfare, providing an opportunity for labor unions and worker groups to highlight challenges and advocate improved conditions of service.