Concerned National Service Personnel are protesting an alleged compulsory deduction of GHC180 per person from the May allowance of over 70,000 service personnel.
The deductions, totaling over GHC12.6 million, are meant to fund a “capacity building programme” with Zeus Atlas Ltd.
In a statement, the personnel alleged the contract was signed by the new National Service Personnel Association, (NASPA) President and his executive.
They further alleged that the Director of the Ghana National Service Authority gave Zeus Atlas Ltd access to the payroll to facilitate the deductions.
According to them, the NASPA President confirmed during a Zoom address on Monday that every service personnel will pay GHC180, broken down as GHC60 monthly starting from May. He also said the contract runs for 3 years, meaning current Level 400 students will be affected when they begin service next year.
When asked why the programme must be compulsory, the NASPA President was quoted as saying: “those asking the questions should speak for themselves and not speak for others because we are over 70,000 and only few were present at the meeting.”
The personnel say the deduction was made without notice or consent and that some NASPA executives claim to “have no idea about this contract and deductions.”
They are calling on media houses, opinion leaders, and youth activists to help send their concerns to President John Dramani Mahama, adding that the GNSA Director has refused to speak on the matter.
“Which Constitutional provision in the NASPA Constitution permits the NASPA President to burden Service personnel with a deduction of over GHC12.6 million without their consent? Must it be compulsory?”
“National Service is not a national slavery. National Service personnel deserve better,” the statement added.
