President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has said he and his New Patriotic Party (NPP) government have been honest with the people of Ghana with regard to the challenges that confront the country.

He said, even when the truth caused disaffection in some Ghanaians, he did not hesitate to let them know.

Akufo-Addo was speaking at the 2019 May Day celebration parade at the Black Star Square in Accra, where Ghanaian workers converged for the occasion.

“I have been as candid as possible with the people of Ghana, even if sometimes the truth is been unpleasant”, he said.

The President acknowledged that the country is still faced with challenges that need attention but he is positive it is making progress.

He disclosed the country spends about 80% of its total revenue to pay remunerations and conditions of services of public workers who he said are about 600,000.

“Over 80% of government revenue is spent on renumerations and conditions of service of over 600, 000 workers who are currently on government payroll ”, he said.

Akufo-Addo observed if country decides to use all its revenue to pay remunerations and conditions of services, some workers would still not be satisfied, considering their demands.

“I suspect that even if we spend 100% of all government revenue on remunerations of the 600,000 or so people on the public payroll there will still be dissatisfaction with the conditions of some people ”, he observed.

He noted that it was necessary that as a country, a decision is taken as to whether more jobs are created for more people or more remunerations and conditions of services are paid to only few people.

Meanwhile, the president used the occasion to launch the guidelines for government’s Ghana beyond aid agenda.