Concerned National Service Personnel have threatened to embark on nationwide demonstrations if the GH¢60 allegedly deducted from their monthly allowances is not refunded.
The personnel claim the deduction was made in relation to a capacity-building programme introduced by the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) in partnership with Zeus Atlas Limited.
According to the concerned personnel, the deduction was carried out without their consent.
One of the affected personnel said, “We want our money back, and the capacity-building programme should be voluntary. Members must be asked whether they want to participate before any deductions are made from their allowances.”
The group has also called on investigative bodies, including the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), the Attorney General’s Office, and the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), to investigate what they describe as alleged unauthorised deductions.
They are demanding a probe into the activities of NASPA, the National Service Authority (NSA), and Zeus Atlas Limited over the matter.
Speaking at a press briefing, NASPA National President Abdul Wahab said the association had decided to suspend the programme following concerns raised by some personnel.
“We have suspended the capacity-building programme, and we will review the arrangement with Zeus Atlas Limited,” he said.
However, members of the Concerned National Service Personnel say the suspension does not resolve the issue.
They insist the programme must be completely cancelled and that any deductions made should be refunded.
Meanwhile, the National Service Authority earlier denied claims that it deducted GH¢60 from the allowances of personnel.
The Deputy Director-General in charge of Finance and Administration at the NSA, Donkor Fuseini, said the Authority was not responsible for the deductions.
“The National Service Authority has no legal mandate to deduct money from the allowances of National Service personnel without their consent,” he stated.
According to him, “the deductions being discussed were not carried out by the National Service Authority but by the National Service Personnel Association.”
The Concerned National Service Personnel, however, maintain that they will proceed with their planned demonstrations if their demands are not addressed.
“Until our monies are refunded, we will continue to push for accountability,” one of the personnel stated.
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