By Deborah Naa Aku Allotey
Tema, Feb. 4, GNA – Some personnel of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in Tema have called on the government to pay them their allowances to relieve them from financial struggles.
The graduates serving the nation in different sectors noted that with the exception of their October allowance, they were yet to receive their stipends for the past three months.
They said they relied on the allowance for their daily needs, such as food and transportation to their various institutions of work.
They said with the rising cost of living, they were struggling to make ends meet, leading to stress and anxiety, adding that it was not only affecting their ability to fulfil their roles effectively but also raising questions about the government’s commitment to supporting NSS personnel.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Ms Priscilla Manu, a NSS personnel member, said the delay in receiving the allowance had affected her daily life and financial capacity.
“I am relying on this allowance to cover essential expenses like transportation and food, but now I am forced to spend my savings to make sure my daily needs are met,” she said.
She added that she had deprived herself of having healthy meals due to the inability to afford such foods.
Miss Serwaa Agyemang, another NSS personnel, said when they complain, past personnel had told them that it was a normal practice in Ghana for service allowance to be delayed, so they should endure it.
Mr. Jerry Abaah, an NSS personnel, said the delay in the payment pushed him to switch his posting station from a public institution to a private company where he believed the allowance would be paid promptly.
Miss Mawuena Adade, another service personnel, said since they started the service, they only received one pay in December, which was for October arrears.
She added that the delay in the payments had resulted in her seeking support from her brother, which she described as frustrating.
“I eat once a day now, and my brother always complains anytime I ask for money because he says I’m working.”
Miss Adade complained that the government does not consider their struggles, stating that “our concerns are not being taken seriously, and I know other personnel have taken steps to address this issue. We are not the first batch to do NSS, so I think they should know that they are delaying it, and it’s affecting us badly.”
She emphasised that the government should allocate funds in advance and set timelines for disbursing them to personnel.
GNA