Taxing Remittances: A Rejoinder

In theory one would think that the doctors would and should be paid more (I am talking about supply and demand factors here) but in reality and in practise, it cannot be done without causing a rebellion from other workers within the public sector. I am surprised that Atsu Amegashie, the economist, would even bring this up unless he is just being sarcastic. Medical doctors(physicians) don't work by themselves. They work together with nurses, pharmacists, technicians and many other unheralded( unsung, unpublicized) workers within the medical field. If doctors were given all the emoluments, entitlements, etc as Atsu correctly claims the ministers are enjoying, other workers within the public sector throughout Ghana would beseige the government to demand equal treatment under the law. It would be only fair. There would be chaos in the public sector with every union demanding their share of the booty.

I am not aware of a single country in the world where doctors in public sevice earn as much or more than the politicians (parliamentarians, mayors, governors, etc, etc). Please don't forget that there are many more doctors than elected officials in any country so calling for equal pay and benefits as the politicians is simply untenable. Many countries including Ghana simply can't afford it. We must not lose sight of the fact that the politicians make the laws and set public policy. As a rsult they almost always pay themselves more than the average worker in every country. The doctors in Ghana should be allowed to do part time at private clinics to supplement their meager pay. It is done here in the US by many of the Ghanaian doctors that I know. This of course, assumes that there are enough private clinics available to employ the doctors on a part time basis and that the doctors would be willing to do so to make extra money after their hectic schedules at the public clinics and hospitals. I pity them and sympathize with their plight. The doctors are doing a great job in Ghana and must be commended for their sacrifice and selflessness. I wish there was enough money in the system to pay every worker in the public sector what they are truly worth.

Atsu, you don't have a case. The doctors in Ghana are not the only professionals in the public sector whose pay and benefits are inadequate in the country. What about the teachers, professors who taught them in medical school, policemen/women, soldiers, pharmacists, sanitary workers, engineers, accountants, etc, etc, etc. If Ghana were to pay all public sector employees what they are truly worth in terms of salary and benefits as the MP's and ministers in the government, the country would simply go broke. I bet there would be too much money chasing few goods. The result would be demand pull inflation, at least in the short run.

If doctors in Ghana are to be paid as much as the ministers of state, then all workers in the public sector should be given equal treatment. The doctors play a vital role in preventing and curing diseases, etc but they are not the only ones who are importnat in the public sector.

I rest my case.

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