The acting Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has said that the scheme would not pay any arrears to personnel.
Government approved an increment in the allowances of National Service personnel, taking effect from April 1, 2017.
The allowances were reviewed upward from the current GH¢350 to GH¢559.04.
“While thanking the government for its positive response to Management’s request for the increment, Management wishes also to express its gratitude to national service personnel for their patience and fruitful periodic engagements and discussions with Management on the subject matter,” a press release signed by Acting Executive Director Ussif Mustapha said.
The allowances were increased by the John Mahama-led government but its implementation was stalled as a result of change in government. The situation put personnel on a collision course with government.
With the latest announcement, management of the Scheme is urging personnel “to reciprocate this gesture by further committing themselves to working even harder to support the government’s effort at improving the economy”.
Many personnel were of the hope that the new allowance would cover the months of January to March 2017.
But the acting Executive Director told Adomonline.com’s Kwaku Nti in an interview that the scheme did not budget for payment of backpack.
“We are not paying back pay, the increment takes effect from 1st April because that is when our approved budget takes effect,” he said.