The National Service Scheme guarantees the provision of personnel allowance.
The National Service Scheme (NSS) has provided assurance to Service personnel that their January allowance will be paid. Despite recent economic challenges, the Scheme has denied that this is the reason for the delay in payment of allowances to service personnel.
They have stated that funds from the government have been received on a quarterly basis for onward payment to personnel and urged personnel to submit their monthly evaluation forms early to ensure prompt payments.
This announcement comes in response to complaints from some personnel regarding the delay in receiving their allowances, which has caused them economic difficulties. Ambruce Entsiwah Junior, the Acting Head of Corporate Affairs at the National Service Scheme, has confirmed in a Citi News interview that the outstanding January allowances will be paid by the end of this week, while those for February and March will be processed.
The payment delays for allowances have been addressed, as November and December 2022 have already been paid. The speaker stated that the processes for payment are being completed, and by the end of the week, the January allowance will be paid since the releases for January have been received.
Despite the country’s current challenges, personnel will receive their allowances as soon as approval is granted. The speaker emphasized that economic challenges should not hinder their payments as the NSS had submitted their budget for the year and received approval from Parliament. They also submit figures based on the number of service personnel projected to deploy, using final year students’ lists from accredited institutions. The releases are made on a quarterly basis.
Furthermore, Ambruce Entsiwah Junior mentioned that discussions are ongoing to increase the national service allowance from its current amount of GH¢559.
The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) has been actively discussing the matter at hand, and their leadership has raised it multiple times. Additionally, the executive director has had several detailed discussions with other stakeholders. The issue has even been presented before the board and is currently being discussed for approval.
However, it should be noted that the board cannot grant approval without explicit permission and approval from the Ministry of Finance. This is the current stage of the discussion. The Acting Head of Corporate Affairs of NSS expressed hope that the ministry will grant approval, and once it is approved by cabinet, the state will be able to implement what it can afford to pay.
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