A scheduled press conference on Wednesday to announce a new national daily minimum wage was called off at the last minute because of the expected return of President J.A. Kufuor.

Deputy Information and National Orientation Minister, Oboshie Sai Cofie told the media the announcement of the new wage was so important it deserved the full compliment of the media.

However, with the return of President Kufuor from the African Union Summit held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, media attention would be divided hence the need to reschedule the announcement.

President Kufuor was elected Chairman of the AU at the Summit.

The National Tripartite Committee, comprising the Trades Union, the Employers Association and Government was expected to announce a new national wage of about ¢19,000.

The minimum wage currently stands at ¢16,000, representing an 18.5 percent increase over the previous minimum wage of 13,500 cedis.