NSS PERSONNELS ARE SUFFERING UNDER NPP - 100% INCREMENT IN ALLOWANCE IS NON NONNEGOTIABLE - EASTERN REGIONAL NDC YOUTH WING APPEALS TO AKUFO-ADDO

The National Service Scheme preludes the job market for personnel. It might be mandatory but beyond, personnel fully grasp the content of the job market as well as practice assumed knowledge in school. The law backing Scheme supplements Ghana’s workforce yearly which ultimately boosts the economy.

However, the personnel are stung with economic retrogression. The recent “infinitesimal” appreciation of the allowance is a mockery to the graduates. The continual hike of goods, works and services makes Ghana an economically unfriendly zone and has made life unbearable for NSS personnel. It is only sensitive and worth saying, “Life must be cushy for the personnel as they put Ghana first”. Leadership is all about ameliorating the grieves of the masses, and in such scenarios, it is needed.

The standard of living has soared up astronomically with statistics pointing evidence to the distress of the personnel. Relatively, the value of the increased allowance dwarfs before prevalent market prices of goods, works and services. The old non – taxable allowance of GH559.04 could procure 223 pieces of sardine whereas the current one (GH715), is able to purchase 65 pieces of the same item. The math is simple: a piece of sardine was priced GH2.50 in 2016 but costs Gh11, today. This is peculiar with other goods which makes it economically uncomfortable for personnel during their stints.

The regime prides itself in the shameful minimal increment of the allowance. They act to be favouring the personnel but obviously, flaying them. The chronology of the allowance from 2010 to 2023 unearths how abysmally, the regime has generally performed.

In 2010, when the exchange rate was $1.4, the allowance was increased from GH144 to GH202 ($144). In 2012, when the exchange rate was $1.66, it was again increased to GH243 ($146). In 2014, when the rate was $3.1, it was increased to GH350 ($113) and increased to GH559 ($140) when the rate was $4. It was a conventional policy under the NDC government to increase the allowance every two years.
Painfully the allowance has seen no increase for the past 7yrs until last month an increase of GhC715($59) was announced. This increment doesn’t in anyway come nearer to what the allowances could purchase during the regime of the NDC.

The NDC looked intently into the trending market prices of goods, works and services and accordingly paid allowances. The NPP, are a sharp contrast as not only do they sparingly increase the allowance but also starve them for months. As of today, the government owes the personnel for three months. How are they going to feed? With fluctuation of transport prices, how do they cope? Their bones have been broken yet they keep putting Ghana first!

The Eastern Regional Youth Wing pleaded with the President and other decision makers to reconsider the meagre increment of the allowance to at least, bring some degree of respite to the personnel. The marginal increase is woefully inadequate and demotivating enough to bring the best out of personnel. The increment should significantly bridge the gap between their pockets and the economy. It is economically heinous to these wonderful groups of people with the slender amount.