NASPA suspends capacity building programme after concerns over allowance deductions

The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) has suspended its nationwide Capacity Building Programme following widespread concerns from national service personnel over deductions from their monthly allowances.

Addressing a press conference in Accra, the National President of NASPA, Abdul Wahab B. Muhammed, said the decision follows engagements with the National Service Authority (NSA), feedback from service personnel, and a directive from the Minister for Youth, Empowerment and Development.

According to Mr. Muhammed, the programme was designed to equip national service personnel with practical and industry-relevant skills, including coding, digital marketing, entrepreneurship, project management, agriculture business, and website development, to improve their employability after completing national service.

He explained that the initiative was approved by NASPA’s National Executive Council in December last year after deliberations on addressing youth unemployment and easing graduates’ transition into the job market.

Mr. Muhammed disclosed that NASPA entered into a contractual agreement with Zeus Atlas Limited to implement the nationwide training programme, stressing that the association acted independently in line with its mandate before informing the National Service Authority.

He noted that the programme was expected to cost an estimated GH¢15 per month, amounting to about GH¢180 over the service year, with the funds covering practical training, learning materials, and certificates of completion.

As part of the implementation, NASPA requested the National Service Authority to facilitate an initial GH¢60 deduction, representing four months of training costs, from personnel allowances.

However, following public backlash over the deductions and concerns about consultation, Mr. Muhammed said NASPA reviewed the programme after engaging newly elected regional executives and receiving feedback from service personnel nationwide.

“Following discussions with the Management of the National Service Authority and in line with the directive of the Minister for Youth, Empowerment and Development, the Capacity Building Programme, as currently structured, has been suspended with immediate effect pending a comprehensive review,” Mr. Muhammed announced.

He assured service personnel that no further deductions would be made in relation to the training programme.

Mr. Muhammed welcomed the directive, describing it as one that prioritises the welfare of national service personnel while allowing room for a thorough review of the initiative.

He also expressed appreciation to the Minister, the Board and Management of the National Service Authority for their guidance, the media for holding the association accountable, and service personnel for voicing their concerns constructively.

Mr. Muhammed reaffirmed NASPA’s commitment to transparency and pledged that the association would continue to place the interests and welfare of national service personnel at the centre of its decisions.

Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith and Priscilla Dodoo