The Concerned National Service Personnel Association has given the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) a two-week deadline to refund GH¢60 deducted from the allowances of national service personnel, describing the deductions as unacceptable and demanding greater transparency from the leadership of the association.
The group says NASPA’s decision to suspend the deductions does not resolve the concerns of service personnel, insisting that the money already taken must be returned and a full account provided on how the funds collected have been managed.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, President of the Concerned National Service Personnel Association, Samuel Ye-largi, said the suspension of the deductions was only a temporary measure and failed to address key issues bordering on accountability and transparency.
He called on NASPA to refund all GH¢60 deductions made from personnel across the country and publish the total amount collected, together with a detailed financial statement explaining how the funds have been used.
The association also raised concerns over the compulsory GH¢100 deduction for the purchase of the NASPA cloth, questioning the legal basis for the charge and whether service personnel were properly consulted before the deduction was introduced.
According to the group, the continued practice of collecting money from personnel over the years does not automatically make it lawful or transparent.
It is demanding answers from NASPA on the process used to select suppliers of the cloth, the total value of the contract, reasons behind any changes in suppliers, and whether procurement documents related to the deal will be made public.
Mr Ye-largi warned that if NASPA fails to refund the deducted funds and provide the requested information within the two-week period, the group will not consider the matter resolved and may take further action.
“What we are demanding here is the refund of the GH¢100 which was deducted from our allowance to cater for cloth, and we are calling on NASPA to immediately refund the GH¢60 that they deducted from the poor NSS person,” he said.
The group maintains that national service personnel deserve clarity and accountability regarding all deductions made from their allowances.
