As at around 2020, the minimum wage in Ghana was around 15GHS and honestly, I always condemned the government for the poor conditions the people had to live in. Then, a minimum wage of 15 cedis was way less than an average Ghanaian needed for their daily activities. If I remember right, I was in university then and when I looked at my daily expense, transportation and all of that, I knew that we deserved better as a country.
Fast forward to 2026, the minimum wage has been increased to 21 cedis and I’d like to believe it was a lot less than that in the previous years. As an average Ghanaian and youth, there are a lot of things I need money for. The conditions in my country aren’t really favorable at the moment but I’d say it’s much better as compared to three years ago. Regardless, it’s still not easy for the average youth trying to build a life out of what they have. Some of us have to go as far as working multiple jobs just to earn a living. Those of us who are lucky to have family and friends extending a helping hard, things are a bit better.
I don’t hail from a very rich family but we are comfortable. If you know me, you probably know I love to live a very comfortable lifestyle because I believe and know that suffering isn’t for me. Honestly, I don’t think anyone in this country cares about the minimum wage because it’s not being used anywhere. Most people take what they are offered while others find their way to bargain on around it. Then we have those who are in charge of the national cake and its distribution. Your standards of living here in Ghana depends on which category you fall in when it comes to chain of statuses.
For someone like myself and kind of life I live, the minimum wage in Ghana isn’t something that would work for me with regards to my experiences. The part of the country where I find myself is a place where everything happens to be expensive. From food, the water, to transportation and petty expenses. If I’m to be living by the minimum wage, i would probably be dead because I won’t make it. If you’re thinking you will make it, I’m here to tell you that none of us will make it. Not even the ones who call themselves the management gurus will make it.
Doubling or tripling the minimum wage will still not cut it for me because it’s just not substantial. What needs to be done is for the minimum wage to be reviewed all over again so that citizens will be able to have what is due to them. I get that the country is still trying to stand on its feet but we have people in various sectors early billions under the table yet we turn a blind eye to it. The things that are important and crucial to improving the lives of the people are also being tossed aside because those supposed to handle these issues have turned a blind eye because they are sitting where every they are with full bellies. To be able to call myself rich, i would need more than three time the minimum wage. Maybe ten time of it but that doesn’t look like a possibility in this country of ours.
The average Ghanaian spends more than triple the daily minimum wage and this alone should tell you that we deserve better and better must come.
all images belong to me.
