Kumasi: Dr Yaw Osei Adutwum, a flagbearer hopeful of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has pledged to champion livable wages for Ghanaian workers if elected President, describing fair pay as a critical pathway to national prosperity and poverty reduction. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the party's presidential primary in Kumasi, Dr Adutwum said Ghana must move beyond survival-level incomes and ensure that workers earned wages that could adequately support their families.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr Adutwum defined livable wages as those that enable individuals to care for their families, pay school fees, meet household needs, and eventually own a car and a home. He emphasized that such economic measures are essential for countries to emerge from poverty. The former Education Minister argued that improving workers' incomes was not only a social responsibility but also an economic necessity.
He highlighted that Ghana's long-term development depended on increased productivity, achievable only through deliberate investment in skills training. Dr Adutwum announced plans to expand training opportunities for workers, particularly in information technology and other in-demand skills, to enable them to add value at their workplaces and improve their earning potential. "There can be no increase in productivity without giving people the opportunity to train themselves well and acquire relevant skills. My government will ensure workers have access to 21st-century skills, especially in the IT field," he emphasised.
Beyond wages, Dr Adutwum described poverty eradication as a national imperative, expressing concern that a significant proportion of Ghanaians were either unemployed or remained poor despite being employed. He pointed out that nearly 40 percent of Ghanaians are either not working or are working and still remain poor, highlighting the need for deliberate policy measures to address this issue.
Dr Adutwum also expressed his commitment to uniting the party after the primaries to ensure a united front ahead of 2028. The NPP is set to hold its presidential primary on Saturday, January 31, 2026, with delegates expected to consider policy direction, party unity, and leadership vision as they cast their votes.