Ex-President Kufuor highlights direct impact of salaries on public sector corruption

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor has sparked a fresh debate on national integrity, suggesting that Ghana’s public sector is in dire need of a complete salary restructure, stating that when government officials are underpaid, it breeds a level of financial desperation that often paves the way for systemic corruption.

In an interview on JoyNews’ AM Show on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, Kufuor characterised the current pay structure for both civil servants and political appointees as "unrealistic."

He warned that these financial gaps create an environment where corruption becomes a "coping mechanism" for survival rather than a simple lapse in character.

Kufuor drew inspiration from the late Singaporean leader Lee Kuan Yew, emphasising that top-tier governance requires top-tier compensation.

“The people that used to fashion these policies are as good as the people in the corporate world getting fat salaries — so they must be paid like the people in the corporate world,” Kufuor said, echoing Yew’s philosophy.

Kufuor identifies main cause of corruption

He also argued that Ghana’s highest political offices are significantly underpaid relative to the immense responsibility and expertise the roles demand.

However, the former President wasn't calling for a "blank check." He made it clear that competitive pay must be tethered to unwavering accountability.

According to him, better salaries should remove the excuse for corruption, leaving only the consequence for it.

“When you choose to be in the public sector, to be well-paid, and you allow yourself to be tempted into red tape and corruption and they catch you some of the worst punishments would be visited on you,” he warned.

This debate isn't new, but it is pressing. Since the introduction of the Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) in 2010, Ghana has struggled to find a balance.

Kufuor’s remarks suggest that without a fundamental shift in how the state values its workers, the cycle of "desperate" misconduct may never truly end.

SO/VPO

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