President John Dramani Mahama has reinstated Dr. George Smith-Graham as the Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC), marking a return to a familiar role nearly eight years after his initial exit.
Dr. Smith-Graham, who led the Commission from its early days in 2009 through to 2017, is scheduled to assume office on Tuesday, April 22, 2025 officially. He steps in following the exit of Mr. Benjamin Arthur, a seasoned labour relations expert who had been in charge since January 2022.
His appointment was confirmed by the Commission’s Head of Public Affairs, Emelia Ennin Abbey, who told the Ghana News Agency that further updates on the transition would be made available after Dr. Smith-Graham formally takes office.
Widely credited for spearheading the implementation of the Single Spine Salary Structure during his first tenure, Dr. Smith-Graham returns with more than 30 years of experience in compensation strategy, public sector reform, and leadership.
His reappointment also comes at a time when the government is eyeing a major transformation of the FWSC into an Independent Emoluments Commission—a move that would deepen its autonomy and broaden its oversight role in public sector compensation.
Dr. Smith-Graham’s deep knowledge of the sector is expected to be pivotal in shaping the next phase of Ghana’s pay and compensation policy.
