Minimum Wage to Rise to GH¢25.04 in 2027, GH¢28.79 in 2028 Under Landmark Two-Year Deal

Ghana’s National Daily Minimum Wage will increase to GH¢25.04 in 2027 and GH¢28.79 in 2028, following a landmark agreement by the National Tripartite Committee that introduces a multi-year negotiation framework for the first time.

The communiqué, dated November 10, 2026, said the agreement followed extensive consultations and constructive dialogue among government, employers and organised labour. The GH¢25.04 rate takes effect on January 1, 2027, with the GH¢28.79 rate following on January 1, 2028 .

The current minimum wage for 2026 stands at GH¢21.77, following a 9 per cent increase agreed last November . The new rates represent an increase of approximately 15 per cent for 2027 and a further 15 per cent for 2028.

A New Framework

The Committee said the decision to adopt a multi-year framework was intended to promote predictability in wage determination, facilitate medium-term planning and budgeting, protect workers’ incomes and sustain industrial harmony .

Despite the two-year agreement, the Committee indicated it may reconvene to review the agreed rates if there are material changes in key economic indicators, including inflation, exchange rates and economic growth. Any adjustments would be undertaken through tripartite consultations, guided by credible economic data and determined by consensus .

The agreement was signed by Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment Emmanuel Kwadwo Agyekum; Deputy Minister for Finance Thomas Nyarko Ampem; Ghana Employers’ Association President Nana Dr. Emmanuel Adu-Sarkodee Afrifie; and Trades Union Congress Secretary-General Joshua Ansah .

Tax Exemption Push

The Committee directed all establishments, institutions and organisations whose daily minimum wages fall below the new rate to adjust accordingly effective January 1, 2027, and urged employers to fully comply. It also called on the government to make the National Daily Minimum Wage tax-exempt .

That call aligns with a legislative process already underway. Parliament passed the Income Tax (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in July, which exempts minimum wage earners from income tax and raises the presumptive tax turnover threshold to GH¢750,000. The measure was intended to protect low-income workers and increase disposable income among lower earners .

Economic Context

The wage agreement comes against a backdrop of modest but rising inflation. Ghana’s annual inflation rate rose to 5.5 per cent in October 2026, an 11-month high, driven by non-food inflation which accelerated to 7.9 per cent and services inflation which climbed to 11.5 per cent. Food inflation eased to 2.8 per cent .

The cedi has weakened by approximately 10 per cent against the dollar this year, adding to price pressures . The Bank of Ghana has maintained its policy rate at 14 per cent since March and is scheduled to meet on November 18 to assess the inflation outlook .

The Committee reaffirmed the commitment of government, employers and organised labour to improving workers’ living standards, promoting productivity, protecting employment, sustaining business competitiveness and strengthening industrial harmony .