Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, Chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has issued a stern warning to District, Municipal, and Metropolitan Assemblies regarding the illegal practice of paying casual workers below the national minimum wage.
He emphasized that Assemblies caught underpaying workers will face legal action.
Speaking at the Northern Regional zonal public hearings in Tamale, where the Auditor-General’s 2022 financial report was reviewed, Dr. Avedzi criticized the alarming trend of Assemblies paying casual workers as little as GH¢100 to GH¢150 per month.
This amount falls significantly short of the legal minimum wage of about GH¢18.15 per day.
Describing these low wages as an affront, Dr. Avedzi stressed the necessity for all Assemblies to adhere to the minimum wage laws.
He highlighted that the monthly minimum wage should total at least GH¢400, given the standard number of working days. Assemblies failing to meet this requirement should face legal repercussions, including potential prosecution of those responsible.
Dr. Avedzi also noted persistent issues such as unearned salaries, unaccounted revenue, and improper use of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund (DACF).
Despite some improvement in procurement processes—evidenced by cases being referred to the Attorney-General—he urged a reassessment of budget allocations.
Specifically, he recommended that costs related to security and natural disasters be covered by the national security budget rather than the DACF, ensuring that the fund is used for its intended developmental purposes.
