GH¢4.2m deducted from National Service Personnel allowances for now-suspended training programme

Approximately GH¢4.2 million has been deducted from the allowances of national service personnel posted to government institutions across Ghana to finance a nationwide capacity-building programme that has since been suspended following widespread concerns from beneficiaries.

The deductions, which affected tens of thousands of service personnel, have sparked debate over consultation, transparency and the management of the initiative after many participants questioned why money was deducted before the training was delivered.

The Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Moses Doknach Kpeungu, disclosed that 99,508 national service personnel, including nurses, have been deployed nationwide for the current service year.

According to him:

• 99,508 personnel were deployed nationwide.
• About 29,000 were posted to private sector institutions.
• Approximately 70,508 were assigned to government institutions.

Only personnel deployed to government institutions were affected by the deductions.

Each affected national service person had GH¢60 deducted from their May allowance.

The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) explained that the amount represented a GH¢15 monthly deduction over four months, intended to finance a national capacity-building programme aimed at improving participants' employability.

Based on the estimated 70,508 affected personnel, the deductions amount to roughly GH¢4.2 million.

NASPA defended the initiative, stating that it was designed to bridge the gap between academic education and the labour market by providing graduates with practical skills required by employers.

The programme was expected to offer participants five specialised training courses, which were to be delivered nationwide by Zeus Atlas Limited.

According to NASPA President Abdul Wahab Bala Mohammed, the programme was first piloted in the Greater Accra Region in 2024.

The response from the piloting stage was very massive and encouraging. So, we decided to upscale it nationwide. Hence, we took it to council, got the approval, and went ahead to contract Zeus Atlas Limited to carry out the training," he explained.

Despite the programme's stated objectives, it has now been suspended following a directive from the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment.

The decision came after concerns emerged over the deductions and the implementation of the initiative.

The suspension has intensified calls for greater transparency regarding how the deductions were approved and whether participants should receive refunds.

Several national service personnel have questioned why deductions were made despite many of them not participating in any training sessions.

Some beneficiaries argue they were not adequately informed about the programme before money was deducted from their allowances.

One affected service person expressed frustration over the situation.

We do not agree to the fact that we will not receive a refund. First of all, we are not beneficiaries. You don't even inform us about the capacity building."

The individual added that delayed allowance payments and the deductions had created financial difficulties.

Some of us are NSS people, but we are not children. Because of this delay, I had to use my profit and some of my capital to be coming to work and to feed myself at work."

The controversy has also raised broader concerns about consultation between NASPA and the national service personnel it represents.

Critics have questioned how a programme endorsed by an association established to advocate for service personnel could become the subject of widespread dissatisfaction among many of its intended beneficiaries.

The suspension is expected to prompt further discussions between the National Service Authority, NASPA, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, and affected personnel over the future of the programme and the fate of the deducted funds.

As calls for accountability grow, many service personnel are awaiting clarity on whether the suspended programme will be revived, redesigned or replaced—and whether the GH¢4.2 million deducted from their allowances will be refunded.