All the 9,199 nurses were posted to health facilities in various parts of all the 10 regions of the country.

A statement signed by the Acting Executive Director of the NSS, Mustapha Ussif, and copied to citifmonline.com urged all eligible nurses who registered for national service to log onto the scheme’s website (https://www.nss.gov.gh) to check their placements.

Nurses who confirm their postings are also to proceed to their respective user agencies and NSS regional secretariat(s) to complete the registration processes.

“Management wishes to urge all the posted nurses to accept their placements and consider them as part of their contribution towards building a healthy nation,” the statement added.

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According to some of them, they had not received their allowances over the past four months, leaving them in serious debt.

[contextly_sidebar id=”LycGap2mTrOz3zoxfjYc6z2LJHlFs0hk”]One of the personnel who spoke to Citi News’ Caleb Kudah said, “I’m coming from Hohoe in the Volta Region and this is my second time here chasing the same issue. For four months, I have not received any of the month’s allowance. I have been borrowing since. The last time, I was asked to re-do the biometric registration which I did in December but still, I’m yet to receive my allowance.”

Another aggrieved personnel who spoke to Citi News said the situation had landed him in a debt of about Ghc2,000 excluding the month’s rent to his landlord.

“I first came here in September 2017. I’ve been to the district office, I’ve been to the regional office and now, I’m here at the National Office. They said I had an issue with my name, that was in November. I went to the district and corrected it and I was assured that my allowance will come. I owe a lot of people, I owe about 2,000, I even owe my Landlord. Today, the plan is that, if the NSS does not give me my money, I’m not leaving here.”

Others said they were paid for just one month’s work and the remaining allowance has not been forthcoming.

The personnel have vowed not to leave the NSS premises until they are paid.

But the the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, Mustapha Ussif, has told Citi News that most of the angry personnel who besieged the secretariat’s Head Office have been paid.

According to him, nearly 98% of all National Service Personnel have been paid their allowances.

He suggested that persons who were struggling to receive their allowances were persons who were attempting to defraud the scheme.

The National Service Secretariat has over the years dealt with challenges of non-payment of some personnel for various reasons including wrong details provided to the scheme.

The Secretariat currently pays GHS559 as a monthly allowance to personnel.

The amount is an increase from the GHS350 which was being paid before April 2017.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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According to them, the imposition of the insurance package infringes on their basic human rights since the decisions taken by the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA), does not bind all service personnel.

[contextly_sidebar id=”68wjEFpiy0eVtCGrSqemTwrKmJv0unZd”]“We are of the firm belief that once you are National Service Person you are not bound to join NASPA and for that matter, when NASPA goes to take a decision, that decision should not bind you, so this decision undermines and infringes on our fundamental human rights, and we will not sit aloof and allow this policy to pass. We will shoot it down,” the lead petitioner, Eric Dawda told citifmonline.com in an interview.

The petitioners, from all ten regions of the country, who described the arrangement as “fraudulent extortion couched under a purported insurance policy”, are urging CHRAJ to direct the NSS to “halt the implementation of this policy until the substantive matter before the commission is determined in order to avert any irreparable damage that may arise as a result of the implementation of this policy.”

In the petition, they said they were not privy to the terms and conditions of the insurance contract that has been entered into on their behalf by the previous NASPA executives, adding that “the compulsion with regards to the deduction infringes on our freedom as enshrined in Article 21 clause (e) of the constitution of Ghana, because no law imposes an association on citizens in a complete absence of their freewill, and for that being a National service person is not and cannot be an automatic definition of being a member of National service Personnel Association in whose name we are told this fraudulent policy emanated from, and under implementation by GLICO and NSS respectively.”

The petitioners also accused the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, Mustapha Ussif, of abusing his power as the leader of the scheme to impose the decision on them.

Read their full petition below:

TO: THE COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS AND ADMINISTRATIVE JUSTICE

THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA

Dear Sir,

A PETITION UNDER ARTICLE 218: CLAUSES (A) AND (C) OF THE 1992 CONSTITUTION OF THE REPUBLIC OF GHANA.

We the undersigned are citizens of Ghana and are currently undergoing our mandatory National services as enshrined in the National Service Act1980 (ACT 426) of Ghana. It is in the collective interest of the Republic of Ghana that is why we have taken it upon ourselves to officially drag National service secretariat before the commission for investigation into the following

1. A breach and violation of our fundamental human right as enshrined in Article 21 clause (e) of the 1992 constitution of Ghana
2. Abuse of power and unfair treatment by the National service secretariat against us National service Personnel.

The above which is a joint looting agreement that has been entered on our behalf without our consent as service personnel between GLICO, an insurance company and the National service secretariat for monthly deduction of GHC 15 from our allowance towards an insurance policy that is seeking to bind each and every National Service person paid by the National service secretariat of which our consent has not been sought by those behind the implementation of this fraudulent policy.

On the 29th November, 2017, the National service boss in a communiqué instructed all Regional NSS directors to ensure the deduction of GH ¢15 each from the allowance of Personnel starting from November. The evidence of this is contained in the archives of Citifmonline.com on 29th of November, 2017. This decision as we are told is for the welfare and benefit of every National Service person but as we speak, our colleagues whose allowances are not paid by NSS have been exempted from this policy. We are therefore of the firm belief that, this policy is discriminatory and has no legal backing to that effect aside how dubious and fraudulent it is with clear intentions to milk the ordinary Service Persons in such a criminal manner. This policy is tainted with fraud and the paragraph below is our stands.

1. This was not stated in our appointment letters which gave birth to our legitimate service that we are currently undergoing with legal backing emanated from the National Service Scheme Act neither were we communicated to by any other formal means.
2. That, we are not privy to the terms and conditions of this contract that has been entered on our behalf by NSS without our consent or mandate.

III.           That, the mandatory deduction from the allowance is not grounded in law

1. That, the compulsion with regards to the deduction infringes on our freedom as enshrined in Article 21 clause (e) of the constitution of Ghana because no law imposes association on citizens in a complete absence of their free will and for that being a National service person is not and cannot be an automatic definition of being a member of National service Personnel Association in whose name we are told this fraudulent policy emanated from and under implementation by GLICO and NSS respectively.
2. That, the said policy undermines the letter and spirit of “freedom to join associations” as stated in an explicit provision of Article 21 clause (e) of the highest law of the land.
3. It is also our contention that, since this is not grounded in any law, such a move by NSS constitute an abuse of office by those whose names have been mentioned in this petition as managers of NSS and hence ought to be struck out.

The above bulletins are reasons why we vehemently object to this by the National service secretariat. We are verily aware and believe same to be true that, the Commission on Human Right and Administrative Justice will look into this criminal conduct by managers of the National service scheme hereinafter Mr. Mustapha Ussif and Mr. Henry Nana Boakye. It is also our prayer that, the National service secretariat will be directed to halt the implementation of this policy until the substantive matter before the commission is determined in order to avert any irreparable damage that may arise as a result of the implementation of this policy.

Thank You

Service personnel agreed to ‘compulsory’ insurance – NSS Boss

The National Service Scheme’s head, Mustapha Ussif, has denied suggestions that the compulsory insurance package meant for all service personnel in the country is being imposed on the personnel.

He insisted that the personnel backed the insurance package, and even pushed the management of the Scheme to implement it. He said the National Service Personnel Association of Ghana (NASPA), the group which represents service personnel across the country, decided unanimously at their Congress to back the policy.

Some Service Personnel oppose insurance package

Some National Service personnel have opposed the policy, calling for it to be made optional, whereas others have called for it to be scrapped.

The insurance package

The NSS partnered with MTN and Glico Life Insurance, earlier this week, to launch the life insurance cover for the over 90,000 personnel.

This compulsory insurance package spearheaded by various insurance companies is expected to pay claims to service personnel who get involved in accidents in their line of duty.

The claims vary from GHc 15,000 in cases of death or incapacitation and GHS3,000 for cases of disability. As part of the insurance package, National Service personnel are entitled to a GHc 500 loan which is payable within six months.

NSS insurance meant to reward NPP financier – Kpessah Whyte

A former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Dr. Michael Kpessah-Whyte, had alleged that the compulsory insurance package is a venture to pay back a financier of the governing New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) election campaign.

According to him, the insurance scheme may have been put together to reward the owner of a known insurance company, who supported the NPP’s campaign with GH¢1 million.
He is thus of the view that the policy is not in the interest of National Service persons, and that it constitutes “daylight robbery.”

NSS insurance scheme not a reward from NPP – GLICO

However, GLICO Life has denied allegations that its engagement with the NSS to provide an insurance package for National Service personnel, is a reward for the company because the owner was a financier of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The Managing Director of GLICO Life, Forkuo Kyei, in a statement to citifmonline.com said the allegations are unfounded as GLICO Life is part of five other companies offering the insurance package to the service personnel.

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They want the insurance payment to be optional and not mandatory for all service personnel.

[contextly_sidebar id=”WWJ2HfCHUexVMljGdzehHMgB6V3eyflL”]Following the launch of the insurance package earlier in November, the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Ussif Mustapha, in a circular this week, directed all regional directors to deduct GH¢ 15 from the GH¢559 monthly allowances of service personnel beginning this month.

But speaking to Citi News, the NASPA president for Awutu Senya Municipal, Luis Kwame Anane said the decision is arbitrary and must be reviewed.

“Even though it is a congress decision, all the service personnel are against it. I suggest that the outgoing NSS and the necessary stakeholders listen but if they want to face the outrage of personnel of people picketing and refusing to go to work and cause that mayhem before they react, it will be bad because they need to be proactive.”

“Listen to the voice of the people. When you look at accommodation and employment issues of personnel, delay in [payment of] allowances and all that, they should look at policies that that will address these concerns. That is what they should focus on,” he said.

About the NSS Insurance Package

The NSS partnered with MTN and Glico Life Insurance, earlier this week, to launch the life insurance cover for the over 90,000 personnel.

This compulsory insurance package, spearheaded by various insurance companies, is expected to pay claims to service personnel who get involved in accidents in their line of duty.

The claims vary from GH¢ 15,000 in cases of death or incapacitation and GH¢3,000 for cases of disability.

As part of the insurance package, National Service personnel are entitled to a GH¢ 500 loan which is payable within six months.

But some service personnel have kicked against the package, saying that it is being imposed on them. According to them, they were not informed about the package before it was formally launched.

They also expressed disappointment that it was not made optional but compulsory.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The doctors have also issued a month’s ultimatum to the government, threatening that they may take legal action if the government fails to meet their demand.

[contextly_sidebar id=”0zxlpRK4m03DJGM0afwPM3gJypwZ4Tbb”]Speaking to Citi News, one of the affected doctors, Dr. Emmanuel Kodua, said all efforts to get the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to address the concerns have proven futile.

He noted that, about 65 doctors, for three batches, were currently yet to be given their appointment letters although they had completed their respective academic studies.

He noted that, although the affected groups had submitted all relevant documents for their postings, they are yet to get a positive response from the government.

“What we are demanding is that, for the first and second batch, we need employment… We have not been given our appointment letters. Meanwhile, we have finished our National Service and even we have sent our report to the registrar as he requested.”

“As we speak now, two batches are in the house; they’ve not been posted, and the third batch is doing their housemanship now, but they have not been served their appointment letters but have been asked to do their housemanship, so they are also demanding their appointment letters,” he said.

“Even though we’ve finished, and the council is supposed to arrange for our license, as at now, they’ve not arranged for our license, which means that we are not supposed to do anything related to veterinary medicine because we do not have a license. We are looking for employment and also the appointment letters that have not been given, they should make that available,” he added.

The demands of the veterinary doctors come at a time when many different trained professional health groups are protesting against government for failing to absorb them into the public health system which has a huge gap in terms of human resource.

Some have had to picket at the Health Ministry before securing financial clearance to be employed.

245 jobless doctors get financial clearance after Citi FM’s ‘intervention’

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Finance has finally cleared some 245 doctors after six months of being unemployed.

Earlier this week, the commitment of the government to absorbing these doctors, and healthcare in general, was questioned when one of the doctors wrote to Citi FM conveying the frustration of the jobless doctors who appear ready to serve the country.

The concerns of the medical doctors and the delays in financial clearance for these doctors and many other public sector workers, was also widely discussed on Ghana’s award-winning morning show, the Citi CBS.

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It said the extension is to enable service personnel who have not been able to complete their biometric registration to do so “to avoid being locked out.”

A statement issued and signed the acting Executive Director of the Scheme, Ussif Mustapha said, “The Management of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has extended the deadline for the 2017/2018 service year registration to Thursday, August 31, 2017.”

“Management therefore urges all prospective national service personnel, who for varied reasons have not yet been able to complete their registration processes, to take advantage of the extension and do so to avoid being locked out.”

“Management further directs all prospective national service personnel who have issues with their postings, to contact their respective NSS regional secretariats across the country or the head office for direction and assistance.”

It also reminded personnel that the service year begins on Friday, September 1, 2017.

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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The presence of the military was necessitated by a long disorganized queue of prospective personnel.

[contextly_sidebar id=”XJGFHUhwnIjmWZJ1ZHuepLPotBKMg4aT”]Some prospective service personnel told Citi News’ Caleb Kudah that the military in an attempt to maintain order assaulted them by using belts and sticks on them.

They lamented that they began forming a queue at about 5:00am on Monday, but at daybreak, the military personnel asked them to re-form the queue which resulted in some confusion and an attempt to restore calm by the military led to a stampede.

A lady reportedly suffered serious injury and bled profusely when a military officer hit her head with a stick in a bid to control the chaotic scene.

Those affected by the Monday morning chaos were personnel who have been posted to serve within Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA) and La Dade-Kotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA).

Registration of service personnel every year is fraught with chaos as personnel struggle to go through the process at most centers especially in the Greater Accra and Ashanti Regions where the most number of personnel are posted.

A total of 91,871 personnel were deployed this year to serve in various institutions as part of their 1-year mandatory service to the country.

Most of the personnel were deployed to serve in the Greater Accra Region.

Meanwhile, the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, Ussif Mustapha, who visited the scene says he has not been briefed about the incident.

He also challenged calls for an online registration system to replace the current manual system which is often fraught with such chaotic and long queues.

Registration for this year’s National Service personnel ends on 24th August, 2017

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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A statement from the secretariat on Thursday said the postponement was to afford the stakeholders ample time to prepare for the process.

[contextly_sidebar id=”rnYwmuwTAGSykd06n7pcph22JRmthFuL”]“All prospective national service personnel and the general public are to note that the new period of registration would be from Monday, 24th July, 2017 to Thursday, 24th August, 2017 at all the NSS registration centres across the country,” the statement said.

“The requirements for the registration, however, remain the same. These include provision of students’ Identity card, in addition to any one of the national Identity cards – i.e. valid Voter I.D., passport or drivers’ license. All must note that National Health Insurance cards would NOT be accepted,” it added.

The National Service Secretariate announced the deployment of 91,871 personnel to serve their 1-year mandatory service last week.

According to the acting Executive Director of the scheme, about 76,908 (85%) of the service personnel deployed would service in the public sector while the remaining 14,963  (15%) have been posted to the private sector.

He said about 2,170 of the personnel had been deployed to serve in various agric-related positions as part of President’s Akufo-Addo’s ‘Planting for food and jobs’ program.

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By: Jonas Nyabor/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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The acting Executive Director of the scheme, Ussif Mustapha made the announcement at a press conference in Accra to release postings for the 2017/2018 service year.

[contextly_sidebar id=”MA33v8N72D7E7GA24H4xP6AC1EtuHq1N”]According to him, about 76,908 (85%) of the service personnel deployed would service in the public sector while the remaining 14,963  (15%) have been posted to the private sector.

He said about 2,170 of the personnel will be deployed to serve in various agric-related positions as part of President’s Akufo-Addo’s ‘Planting for food and jobs’ program.

He noted that majority of the personnel will be serving in the Greater Accra Region, a development which is consistent with the previous statistics.

Ussif Mustapha said the Secretariat has put in place various measures to ensure that this year’s service registration was without challenges of the previous year.

He said the Secretariat has decided to provide ample time for prospective personnel to complete their registration and also make the necessary accommodation and transportation arrangements ahead of their service.

Service personnel are expected to complete their biometric registration at their respective district offices between 17th July and 17th August, 2017.

They are to report to work on September 1, 2017.

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A statement issued by the Executive Director of the Scheme, Mustapha Ussif on Tuesday, said the validation comes as a follow-up exercise to their reforms in the E-zwich payment system.

[contextly_sidebar id=”DyqZi5RZDbIsZgtXkpwuiKw3aYuWuK1D”]The statement said all personnel are required to complete the validation process by Monday, May 15, 2017.

“All national service personnel are therefore expected to obtain validation forms from the district secretariats of the NSS, fill them with their respective heads of departments, and personally submit them to the district secretariats by Monday, 15th May, 2017 to complete the validation process.”

“It is important for national service personnel to note that, anyone who is not validated by the stipulated date, will be considered nonexistent and therefore, WILL NOT be paid his/her allowance,” the statement added.

In a related development, the Management of the Scheme, has expressed their readiness to work with the newly elected national executives of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA).

The new executives were elected at the just ended National Delegates Congress at Koforidua over the weekend.

A statement signed by the Deputy Executive Director in charge of Finance and Administration, Gifty Oware-Aboagye, said management is looking forward to a cordial working relationship with the new executives.

It further advised that, they “live above individual and parochial interests and make the interests of the entire membership of NASPA their priority.”

The new executives are;  Philip Burberry Quaye (President), Adam Mohammed Hardi (General Secretary), Thonney Aidoo (Financial Secretary), James K. Bamaalazone (Organizing Secretary), and Gloria Offei Addo (Women Commissioner).

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