NASPA condemns critics of service allowance increment
The Greater Accra Regional Leadership of the National Service Personnel Association, (NASPA) has condemned criticisms leveled against the outgoing National Democratic Congress (NDC) government over the increment of the National Service personnel allowance from Ghc350.00 to Ghc559.00
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A statement signed by the President Kojo S.A Danquah said, service personnel had not experienced increment in the past 3 years despite the high level of inflation in the Ghanaian economy.
He said such criticisms were uncalled for, selfish and unfair because the amount was arrived at after stakeholder engagements involving the Fair Wages and Salary Commission, (FWSC).
Mr Danquah stated that the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT) and the organized labour bodies should desist from pointing fingers at the 60% upward adjustment of National Service personnel allowance.
“We therefore take strong exception to this behaviour perpetrated by GNAT and other bodies, and hence implore them to desist from using our 60% increment as benchmark for their bargain, pointing fingers at it or indirectly criticising it in any manner” he said.
The President added that, service personnel are not entitled to bungalows, bonuses and other benefits enjoyed by GNAT members and other critics and that the increment is in the right direction to cater for the high expenses in the process of rendering service to the country.
He stressed that, the 60% upward adjustment in allowance for service personnel is very fair and due them as determined by FWSC based on 40% of fresh graduate salary on a single spine.
Last week, the Ministry of Finance approved an increase in the allowances of national service personnel from GH¢350 to GH¢549.04.
The increment is to take effect January 1, 2017.
A letter signed by the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr Patrick Nomo dated December 14, 2016 said, “Approval is hereby given for the National Service personnel allowance to be adjusted as follows: Current rate - GH¢350 Approved rate - GH¢549.04.”
The approved rate translates to 40 per cent of the graduate entry level on the 2017 Single Spine Salary Structure.