Payment Of NABCo Arrears – February 2024
Trainees of the now-defunct Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) are urging the government to settle their outstanding nine-month arrears, which have been pending for over a year since the program’s conclusion. Just recently, NABCO made it clear on its official Facebook page that the 5 out of the nine months arrears owed them will be paid soon. Following this, nothing has been heard about the patent. NABCO trainees want to the arrears to be paid in February.
Eric Takyi, National Spokesperson of the former NABCo Trainees Association, revealed that despite multiple appeals through letters to the Ministry of Finance, the Vice President’s office, and the NABCo office, they have not received any response regarding their demand.
Speaking on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 on Thursday, February 8, Takyi expressed disappointment, stating, “Government has not paid us the nine months arrears. It is very sad and very terrible, that there has not been any official communique from any government official, we have written a number of letters or petitions to the NABCO office, to the office of the Vice president, and Ministry of Finance and there has not been been any official communication as to when NABCo beneficiaries are going to be paid. They have also not explained what has necessitated the delay in payment of these allowances.”
The NABCo program, which aimed to address graduate unemployment, officially concluded on Thursday, September 1, 2022, after initially being planned for three years and later extended by one year.
Despite the conclusion of the program, the NABCo Secretariat conveyed appreciation to all trainees, highlighting the value of their time and experience gained. Trainees were encouraged to consider entrepreneurship through the YouStart initiative as a career option.
However, the trainees are still awaiting clarification and payment for their outstanding stipends, as promised in the communication from the NABCo Secretariat.
In his 2022 Mid-year Budget Statement presented on July 25, 2022, the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, announced the completion of the NABCo program by September 1, 2022. He emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting young entrepreneurs and promoting job creation through various initiatives.
The NABCo program aimed to provide temporary employment for unemployed graduates, enhance their skills for transition into permanent employment, improve public service delivery, and promote access to basic public services.