Here's a made-up example. Offer A pays GHS 5,000 and takes GHS 40 a day in trotro fares for 22 days, which is GHS 880. Offer B pays GHS 4,500 and takes GHS 10 a day, which is GHS 220. After SSNIT and PAYE, A leaves 3,939.25 and B leaves 3,584.87 by the tool's sum. After transport, A leaves GHS 3,059.25 and B leaves GHS 3,364.87. The lower salary keeps you GHS 305.62 more each month.
How does the tool treat allowances?
It adds cash allowances to your pay and taxes the whole amount, because GRA counts transport, rent and other cash allowances as pay for PAYE. It also charges SSNIT on the whole amount, which can't be exactly right, since SSNIT is on basic only.
So where an offer has a big allowance, the real take-home is a little higher than shown. GHS 5,000 basic with a GHS 1,000 allowance really takes home GHS 4,689.25, where the tool shows GHS 4,648.00. If two offers have very different splits, ask each employer for the basic figure and check them with the take-home tool too.
What can't the number show?
A monthly figure leaves out what you'd only notice later. Check these before you decide.
- Leave: the Labour Act gives at least 15 working days a year, and some employers give more.
- Notice: two weeks under a contract of less than three years, and one month at three years or more.
- Pension: ask how much is basic, since SSNIT follows basic. Ask about any Tier 3 or provident fund too.
- Status: a casual or temporary post has different terms from a permanent one.
- Benefits in kind: a car or housing is valued and added to your pay for PAYE, so it can raise your tax.
Should I resign once I have the better offer?
Not until you have it in writing and you've read it. Compare the letter with what you were told: the post, the basic pay, allowances, start date, probation and where you'll work. Then give your present employer the notice your contract requires.
Questions people ask
Are allowances taxed in Ghana?
Yes. GRA lists transport, rent, risk, night duty, responsibility, child education and others among allowances added to salary for PAYE.
Does an employer's pension payment count in the comparison?
No. The employer's 13% SSNIT is on top of your pay and isn't money you keep each month. It still matters for your retirement, so ask about basic pay.
Can I compare a job in Accra with one in Kumasi?
Yes. Put your different costs for each town in the transport and other cost boxes. Type what you'd really pay, including rent if it differs.
Sources
Checked 2 November 2026.