The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Dr. Kwabena Duffour has been explaining government’s decision to pay salaries of public workers today, 14th January, 2011. According to DR. Duffour, the measure is intended to cushion workers who may have spent so much during the Christmas holidays. Dr. Duffour, who was speaking to Joy News, explained that the early payment of the salaries will enable workers meet their financial commitments in the month. “Last year’s Christmas took almost 4-5 days…usually people spend a lot of money during long holidays and even the new year also, we had several days at home. So the president in his wisdom decided that because of the long holidays and the fact that people might have spent a lot of money at home and also because January is a period when parents pay school fees, we should try to pay the government workers early and precisely today on the 14th,” he stated Dr. Duffour further added that this measure may not occur the same next year as it was done because of the long holidays. He was however optimistic that workers will manage the salaries prudently. But financial consultant, Sydney Casely-Hayford, believes government was just playing to the political gallery when there really is no need. Proffering his opinion on governments decision to pay all salaries today, Mr. Casely-Hayford explained that “this is the beginning of the year. Tax collection is slowly trickling in; it hasn’t actually reached the zenith yet, and to go and fork out money in advance, especially when civil service organizations have not really raised the hue and cry about this in the public media that I have heard of, then I can’t see why government will want to do this.” The move, he said, is to create the impression that government is sensitive to the plight of Ghanaians. He insists that government cannot continue to pay salaries earlier than the usual time every year as it will jeopardize government’s plans. He however advised civil service workers to efficiently manage their financial resources so as not to run out of funds. Story by Derick Romeo Adogla/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana