Despite the fact that Ghana is going through many challenges at the moment, its Government still took the bull by its horn and finally approves an increment of allowances to National Service Scheme (NSS), for service personnel from GHs 350 to GHs 559. Ghanaian students who graduate from accredited tertiary institutions are required under law to do a one-year national service to the country. They receive a monthly allowance which has just been increased. Government increased this allowance by 60%. It said the increment takes effect from April 1, 2017.
In the last quarter of 2016, the erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government adjusted monthly allowances of personnel from GHS350.00 to GHS559.04.
However, the January allowance received by members was GHS350.00. This has not gone down well with some members who decided subsequently to organize a demonstration in protest against the current New Patriotic Party (NPP) government’s failure to abide by the 60 per cent increment. The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) of the Greater Accra Region gave government seven days to pay the new, approved allowance or face their wrath. Finally, the allowance has been approved.
The scheme had debunked various reports of an approval of the amount few weeks ago.
The erstwhile National Democratic Congress (NDC) government had announced an increment of the service allowances from the GHs350 to GHs559.04 in the final minute of its administration, but the increment was not effected when the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government assumed office in January 2017.
The acting NSS Executive Director, Ussif Mustapha, said the increment could not be effected because it was not captured in the government’s 2017 budget.
It also announced that it had submitted a proposal to parliament for approval of the increment which was yet to be granted.
But a statement issued by the scheme on Wednesday, 29th March, 2017, said the upward adjustment has been approved.
“The Management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) wishes to inform national service personnel and the general public that the government has approved an upward adjustment of national service personnel allowances from GHs350.00 a month to GHs559.04 a month with effect from 1st April, 2017.”
“While thanking the government for its positive response to Management’s request for the increment, Management wishes also to express its gratitude to national service personnel for their patience and fruitful periodic engagements and discussions with Management on the subject matter,” a statement from the scheme.
“Management wishes, therefore, to urge all national service personnel to reciprocate this gesture by further committing themselves to working even harder to support the government’s effort at improving the economy,” the statement signed by Ussif Mustapha said.
The service personnel are excited at this development as it will go a long way in aiding their survival. Many of them explained that they made the right choice in electing President Akufo-Addo who has so far been doing a great job to move the country forward. Many of them also feel that the increment will help them to achieve some of their aims which are; to encourage the spirit of national service among all segments of the Ghanaian society in the effort of nation-building through active participation,also to undertake projects designed to combat hunger, illiteracy, disease and unemployment in Ghana and to promote national unity and development.
