National Service personnel question GH¢60 NASPA deduction

July 20, 2026

A group claiming to represent some National Service personnel has criticised the deduction of GH¢60 from members’ monthly allowances to fund a capacity-building programme organised by the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA), arguing that the decision was made without adequate consultation.

The group said the amount was deducted at source before allowances were paid into personnel’s accounts, describing the move as unjustified and calling for greater transparency and accountability.

In a statement issued on July 17, 2026, the group, identifying itself as the Concerned National Service Personnel Association of Ghana, said it supports initiatives aimed at improving the skills of service personnel but opposed mandatory deductions without a clear legal basis and proper disclosure.

The group called on NASPA to clarify the legal authority for the deduction, including the specific provisions in the NASPA Constitution and the law governing the National Service Authority that permit the charge, as well as whether the National Service Authority formally approved the arrangement.

It also demanded information on the total amount expected to be collected nationwide, the basis for selecting Zeus Atlas Limited as the programme partner, the procurement process used, and why participation, initially presented as voluntary, had effectively become compulsory through the deduction.

The group maintained that national service personnel deserve full disclosure, especially when deductions are made from the allowances of graduates already facing financial challenges.

Earlier, in a statement dated July 14, 2026, NASPA confirmed the GH¢60 deduction, explaining that the funds would support its Capacity Building Programme, which is being implemented in partnership with Zeus Atlas Limited.

According to NASPA, the programme is designed to equip service personnel with practical skills to ease their transition from school into employment and was undertaken in line with the association’s constitutional provisions and the necessary administrative procedures.

The association also announced plans to organise additional training sessions in regions with low participation and said certificates for participants who successfully completed the programme would be available from Friday.