According to the General Secretary, Nana Adu Gyamfi, the decision to strike was under consideration following proposals by some members.

However, the management of the National Service Scheme(NSS) has assured the allowances will hit their accounts by Friday, July 5, 2024.

In an interview on Adom FM’s morning show, Dwaso Nsem Thursday, Nana Gyamfi said NASPA will be compelled to advise itself and embark on the strike if NSS fails to honour its pledge.

“I will advice all personnel to report to work because we have not declared any strike,” he said.

A group calling itself Concerned National Service Scheme (NSS) Personnel Association of Ghana (CONSPAG) on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, declared the strike over unpaid allowances.

They cited difficulties in paying for accommodation and utilities, transportation to various assignments, and basic sustenance at their workplaces as reasons for the strike.

CONSPAG indicated that, many personnel have resorted to borrowing money to cope with these financial burdens due to the non-payment of allowances.

But NASPA has dismissed the claims, stating CONSPAG is not a recognised body.

“NASPA is the only body and we will urge all personnel with concerns to come to us and not use any other means,” he advised.

NASPA has further urged calm among its members, assuring negotiations are far advanced to get all outstanding arrears settled.

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The National Service Secretariat (NSS) has hinted at a possible increment of up to a GH₵ 1,000 monthly allowance for personnel.

The Deputy Executive Director, Gifty Oware Mensah, who disclosed this, said broader stakeholder discussions have began.

“We have for a long time now proposed for an increment but yet to get it. The appropriation for this year has already been done so it is out. However, we are hopeful it will be factored into next year’s budget.

“We have so much faith in that since the government has already shown commitment to improving the welfare of the youth. So, let’s keep our fingers crossed because NSS is trying hard to ensure that the allowances are increased. We have proposed GH¢1,000,” she told Accra-based Neat FM.

All graduates of tertiary institutions in Ghana are mandated by law to complete a year’s mandatory service at various institutions.

But the last time personnel witnessed an increase in their GH¢450 allowance was in April 2017.

They are currently paid a monthly allowance of GH¢559 but there have been numerous appeals for an increase amid claims of delayed payment.

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According to the Deputy Executive Director, Gifty Oware-Mensah, all allowances have been duly paid except for May 2022 which is currently being processed.

“Categorically, the National Service Secretariat does not owe any service person any allowance as we speak.

“Per our system, April is the month that has just ended, and that allowance has been paid and so if there is anything to be paid, it’s that of May, and it is being processed to be paid,” she told Accra-based Citi FM.

Her comment comes on the back of a demonstration held on Monday by a group calling itself Coalition of Suffering National Service Personnel over their unpaid allowances.

Clad in red and wielding placards, the group says their three months salaries which are in arrears must be paid.

According to them, the delay in payment of their allowance is causing financial hardship due to recent price hikes of goods and services.

But Madam Mensah maintains the scheme has never at any point defaulted in paying allowances once personnel go through the due process.

“We have never defaulted in any of these processes. We do not owe arrears. I am putting it on record that, NSS does not owe a single person who has cleared his or her processes for payment,” she explained.

He says the delay in the payment of the allowance “is most unfair and insensitive,” given the current harsh economic conditions.

Scores of National Service personnel took to social media in March to lament the unpaid allowances, saying the situation has made life difficult for them.

The National Service Scheme then apologised for the development and said the delay was not deliberate. It assured of working around the clock to pay all outstanding arrears.

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After paying for the month of January, 2022, the monthly allowances for March and April are yet to be released.

Mr. Ablakwa argued that although the ¢559 allowance is inadequate, an early disbursement would go a long way to mitigate the economic challenges and the skyrocketed prices of goods and services.

“I would have thought government would, in the face of prevailing harsh economic circumstances, be increasing the current measly allowances and not delaying payment once again.

“How does government expect these vulnerable personnel, most of whom have been posted far away from home, to survive under the current cost of living crisis?” he queried.

According to him, these personnel “signed for National Service, not National Suffering”; hence, government must strive to swiftly clear all arrears “immediately.”

“As I appealed the last time, I had to donate my salaries to personnel in my beloved constituency, government should first pay personnel at the end of the month before paying public sector workers as has always been the tradition for decades,” he advocated.