Claim: Ghana’s minimum wage is the lowest in West Africa
Source: X user
Verdict: False
Ghana’s minimum wage found its way into recent discussions about massive infrastructure plans and projections of the John Dramani Mahama-led government. On April 8, 2026, an X user, Long Lyf, shared a post claiming that the national minimum wage is the lowest in West Africa.
“Ghana has the lowest minimum wage in West Africa, government should do something about it,” he posted, with a flyer from Angel FM that claimed the minimum wage stood at GH¢19.
The quote on the flyer attributed to Angel FM journalist Saddick Adams read: “We live in a country where minimum wage is Gh¢19 yet our priority is building more airports instead of expanding rail lines which is affordable.”
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This report will fact-check whether Ghana’s daily minimum wage is GH¢19 and if it is the lowest in West Africa.
What is the minimum wage?
Minimum wage per the International Labour Organisation (ILO) definition is: “the minimum amount of remuneration that an employer is required to pay wage earners for the work performed during a given period, which cannot be reduced by collective agreement or an individual contract.”
Fact-check
In Ghana, the national daily minimum wage set by the National Tripartite Committee represents the lowest amount an employer can pay an employee for a day’s work.
The committee in November 2025 increased the then minimum wage by 9%, raising the minimum wage to GH¢21.77. This change took effect in January 2026.
From the above, the claim contained on the flyer that the minimum wage is at GH¢19 is False.
Where does Ghana rank in West Africa
Across West Africa, countries adjust their minimum wage in their domestic currency. Most countries have a monthly minimum wage, whereas Ghana, Liberia and The Gambia announce daily minimum wage which can then be computed into the monthly rate. In the case of Ghana, the daily wage is multiplied by 27 to arrive at the monthly equivalent.
Therefore using official sources, we reviewed the minimum wage from all the 15 West African countries, striking it against the dollar equivalent.
| Countries | Monthly minimum wage | Amount in USD ($) |
| Burkina Faso | CFA 45,000 | $80.82 |
| Benin | CFA 52,000 | $93.45 |
| Togo | CFA52,500 | $84.78 |
| Mali | CFA40,000 | $64.60 |
| Niger | CFA42,000 | $67.83 |
| Côte d’Ivoire | CFA75,000 | $134.78 |
| Senegal | CFA 64,175 (here) | $115.17 |
| Guinea Bissau | CFA19030 | $34.14 |
| Guinea | GNF 550,000 | $62.69 |
| Cabo Verde | CVE 17,000 | 180.95 |
| Nigeria | NGN70,000 (monthly) | $51.05 |
| Sierra Leone | SLE1200 (monthly) | $53.88 |
| Liberia | US$ 5.50 (daily) US$143 (monthly) | US$ 5.50 (daily) US$143 (monthly) |
| The Gambia | GMD50.00 (daily) GMD1300 (monthly) | $0.68 (daily) $17.69 (monthly) |
| Ghana | GH¢ 21.77 (daily) 587.79 (monthly) | $1.97 (daily) $53.17 (monthly) |
While Ghana’s monthly minimum wage is in the lower bracket in the region, it is not the lowest. The Gambia and Nigeria have monthly minimum wages of $17.69 and $51.05, which are below Ghana’s $53.17). Gambia’s daily minimum wage of 0.68 dollars is also the lowest.
With respect to the Angel FM flyer that quoted its journalist Saddick Adams as saying Ghana’s minimum wage is GH¢19, when we reached out to him via Facebook messenger acknowledged the error. “Thank you Gifty. I’ll let them rectify this. Thank you,” he said.
Verdict
The two claims in the post are false!
NB: We amended monthly minimum wage for Senegal and Guinea-Bissau. The former was understated while the latter was overstated.
