NUGS proposes GH¢800 to be 2023/24 national service allowance

The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) following the country’s worsening economic crisis has urged for national service allowance to be increased from the current GH¢559 to GH¢800 in the next academic year.

Citing the rising cost of transportation and general expenses of prospective national service personnel, the leadership of the Students Union in an engagement with President Nana Akufo-Addo called for an increase in the allowance.

“We also indicated the need to increase the national service allowance from GH¢559 to GH¢800, especially in the face of the rising cost of transportation and general expenses,” NUGS stated in a release copied to AcademicWeek.com.

Meanwhile, the management of the Ghana National Service Scheme (NSS) has said plans are far advance for national service personnel’s monthly allowance to be increased to a considerable amount in the coming academic year.

In a discussion monitored by AcademicWeek, the Deputy Executive Director (General Services), Madam Gifty Oware-Aboagye indicated the central government has approved the increment of national service allowance.

“We are planning to increase the allowance of the service personnel in the coming year because NSS personnel are paid through the government coffers, so maybe in the next coming year we could increase the allowance,” Gifty said.

The NSS official added “They are paid monthly allowances determined by the Finance Ministry. Payment is calculated from the date the personnel reports for duty at his/her designated post. The allowance is paid throughout the service year.”

Her comment comes after the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) following the current situation in the country as a result of the Covid-19 outbreak petitioned the government to increase the allowance paid to NSS personnel.

Emmanuel Brimpong Akosah, the President of the NASPA speaking at the NASPA Week Celebration in Takoradi said the increment of the allowance will enable service personnel to make a meaningful living in the midst of the virus.