Editorial
Let’s close the gender pay gap
According to a study by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), women in Ghana are paid 34.2 percent less than men, as reported in last week’s issue of The Spectator.
It said the wage gap was the highest among workers with basic education (60.1 percent) followed by workers with no education (54 percent).
The data from the first-quarter of the 2022 Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) was released to commemorate International Equal Pay Day, which was observed on September 18.
It aimed at encouraging efforts toward the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value.
According to the story, “the gender wage gap is lowest among paid workers with tertiary education or more, where women earn 12.7 percent less than their male counterparts.”
The discrepancy between men’s and women’s incomes is known as the “gender pay gap.”
Arguments against the gender pay gap stem from gender inequality, which include lack of employment equality, unequal political representation, unequal access to education, and job segregation at work, where society tends to believe that men are better suited to handle particular jobs.
And because of this, people believe that men are better in the highest-paying jobs, which results in discrimination and lower incomes.
It appears that most women are paid less than men because they (the women) occupy positions that require less education, less experience, or fewer time commitments which affect their pay-packs eventually.
It is not surprising though, that some women with higher education levels and lots of experience are still underappreciated.
In certain organisations, women negotiate salary increases and request promotions, yet they are turned down.
In these modern times when women provide majority of the income for their families, when they are paid less, they have less money for essential expenses like child care, rent, utilities, education, savings and property.
The Spectator believes that if women were compensated decently and the salary gap is closed it will benefit society and the economy as a whole to reduce the poverty rate.
We implore all employers, including those in the public and private sectors, whether formally or informally, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), among others to make pay equity a top priority on their agenda to ensure that women and men receive equal pay for the work they do.
We also urge women to advance in their careers to create more opportunities for them in their jobs.
Editorial
ECG PowerApp: A mixed bag of technical issues, uncredited payment concerns
Dear Editor,
On February 18, 2020, the former Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, launched the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) PowerApp, a mobile application designed in-house by staff of ECG.
It was to improve its service delivery to its customers.
The development of the app also meant that customers of ECG would now have the opportunity to purchase power and pay bills using their mobile phones.
That means customers of ECG would no longer have to join long queues to purchase power, but could now do that at their own convenience and in the comfort of their homes.
According to the Communication Officer, the PowerApp has increased annual revenue growth for the company.
He said as of April 2024, the new application system had increased its annual revenue growth by 128 per cent as compared to the old system at negative seven per cent.
Despite these reasons for which the app was developed and the benefits it has brought to ECG, there have been growing concerns among a section of the public on its use.
Some have argued that they were not credited after using the app to recharge their prepaid meter while the money was deducted from their MoMo accounts.
Such experience has made some customers vow not use the app to recharge their prepaid meters but rather go to prepaid vendors nearby to purchase credit. Some are even prepared to travel to far places to purchase prepaid credits.
I think such experience does not speak well of ECG because it could affect public trust in the company in its service delivery. This is the more reason why the ECG has to take the concerns raised by its customers seriously.
Kofi Bruce,
Mampong
Editorial
Our women can deliver
Dear Editor,
I write to congratulate the women that have so far caught the attention of President John Dramani Mahama for ministerial appointment.
So far, over 10 women have been vetted already and they all gave a very good account of themselves and I hope that they perform to the best of their abilities.
This is a good sign from President Mahama who demonstrated a strong resolve to provide an enabling environment for the women to be part of decision making by choosing a woman as his Vice President.
And true to his word, a number of women have been appointed in ministerial positions and others as presidential staffers.
I believe the other appointments to come would also have women making the cut.
This would be a morale booster for the young women out there who thinks that their position is the kitchen or in a man’s house as a wife.
This is a clear case of women given the urge to aim to rise above what society and traditional norms have set for them. I wish them well.
Maame Atta,
Kokompe
