National Service Authority hints increment of GH¢715 national service allowance

The National Service Authority (NSA) says plans are underway to increase the current GH¢715 per month as national service allowance for service personnel across the country.

The Director-General of the NSA, Ruth Dela Seddoh, speaking to journalists at a press conference, said discussions with relevant stakeholders are at an advanced stage to finalize a new amount.

“It is something that the President has expressed his interest in. But we all know the situation we find ourselves in, and so we don’t want to press him too hard. Let’s be hopeful,” Ms. Seddoh said.

The Acting Director-General of the Service added, “I don’t want to go ahead of the Minister, but I can assure you that we have had very good talks, and we are hopeful that there will be some increment.”

Early this year, an official of the National Service Authority, following calls by Service Personnel for an increment in their allowances, over rising inflation and increasing cost of living, said the President is actively working towards a solution.

“The current allowance (GHC715), I must say, is inadequate. Discussions with the government are ongoing to adjust the GHC715 stipend to a more sustainable figure that can cushion our (Service Personnel) in these challenging times,” he said.

Meanwhile, in 2023, the erstwhile Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo government approved a request to increase the allowances of National Service personnel from GH₵ 559.04 to GH₵715.57.

“Management of the National Service Scheme has secured government approval for upward adjustment of monthly allowances for National Service Personnel from GH₵ 559.04 to GH₵715.57, with effect from January 2023,” a statement issued by the Cooperate Affairs Department of the National Service Scheme on Sunday, July 23 said.

The release also disclosed that, “The approval, which was contained in a letter dated July 18, 2023 and signed by the Deputy Minister for Finance, Abena Osei-Asare (MP), was as a result of a series of engagements between the National Service Scheme, Fair Wages and Salaries Commission, and the Ministry of Finance.”