Keep it short. A resignation letter is a record, not an explanation.
Notice you must give
Under section 17 of the Labour Act 2003 (Act 651):
| Your contract | Notice |
|---|---|
| Three years or more | 1 month in writing |
| Less than three years | Two weeks in writing |
| Week to week | Seven days |
Your contract may require more. It cannot require less. Either side may pay in lieu of notice instead of working it.
The template
[Your name]
[Your address]
[Your phone number]
[Your email]
[Date]
[Manager's name]
[Job title]
[Company name]
[Company address]
Dear [Mr / Ms / name],
RESIGNATION FROM THE POSITION OF [JOB TITLE]
I write to give notice of my resignation from my position as
[job title] with [company name].
In accordance with [my contract of employment / section 17 of the
Labour Act 2003], I am giving [____] notice. My last working day will
therefore be [date].
I will do what I can to hand over my responsibilities properly before
then, and I am happy to prepare a handover note for whoever takes over.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Yours sincerely,
_________________________
[Your name]
[Staff number, if you have one]
Before you send it
- Check your contract for the notice period, and for any clause about how notice must be delivered
- Tell your manager in person first, then send the letter. Sending it cold is remembered.
- Keep a copy, and get a written acknowledgement of receipt
- Confirm your final pay date and what it will include
What you are owed on the way out
- Salary up to your last working day
- Payment for accrued but untaken annual leave. You are entitled to at least 15 working days a year, and untaken leave is paid out on termination.
- Any contractual bonus or commission already earned
- A certificate of service, which you are entitled to ask for
Do not forget SSNIT
Before you leave, check your SSNIT contribution record. Employers sometimes deduct the contribution from your salary and fail to remit it, and it is far easier to raise while you are still there than afterwards.
Register on the SSNIT self-service portal, or visit a branch with your Ghana Card.
If you are leaving because of how you were treated
Resigning does not always mean giving up a claim. Under the Labour Act, a worker may terminate the contract and treat it as unfair termination by the employer in certain circumstances, including sexual harassment and where the employer’s conduct makes continued employment intolerable.
If that is your situation, take advice before you resign, and keep your evidence.