Ghana's National Service Authority Pledges To Pay Allowance Arrears This Week

 

Ghana's National Service Authority has promised to pay all outstanding allowances to service personnel by the end of this week, bringing relief to thousands who have been waiting for their stipends.

In a statement released Tuesday, Director-General Ruth Dela Seddoh acknowledged the financial strain caused by the delays and outlined the steps being taken to get payments back on track.

The good news is that the Controller and Accountant-General's Department has already advanced funds to cover two months of allowances. The money was released last week and is now going through final processing before it reaches service personnel's accounts.

The NSA stressed that these allowances aren't just supplementary income, they're essential support that service personnel rely on during their year of national service. Many young graduates depend on these monthly payments to cover basic living expenses while they work in schools, hospitals, and government offices across the country.

Why the Delay?

According to the authority, the holdup has been caused by verification procedures at Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited. These checks are meant to ensure the money goes to the right people and that there are no errors in the payment system.

While the verification process has taken longer than expected, management says it's a necessary step to maintain financial integrity and prevent any mishaps with taxpayer funds.

The NSA took time to acknowledge what service personnel have been going through during this period. "We recognize that allowances are fundamental to supporting personnel during their service and emphasize that every Personnel deserves timely payment of their rightful stipends," the statement read.

Management also thanked service personnel for their patience, noting that their work across various sectors of the economy continues to be valued despite the payment challenges.

With verification processes wrapping up, the authority has set a clear deadline: all verified arrears should be cleared by the end of this week. That means service personnel can expect to see their long-awaited payments hitting their accounts within days.

The NSA also promised to keep everyone updated through official channels as the payment process unfolds, ensuring transparency about when exactly the funds will be available.

Every year, thousands of Ghanaian graduates complete mandatory national service, working in public institutions while receiving monthly allowances. The current payment delays have created financial difficulties for many, making this week's promised resolution particularly significant for those affected.

The National Service Authority, headquartered at the Airport Residential Area in Accra, oversees the program that has been a cornerstone of Ghana's approach to youth employment and public service for decades.