The National Service Authority (NSA) has announced that eligible national service personnel who paid the GH¢41 registration fee under the old registration system should begin receiving their refunds by Monday or Tuesday.
The announcement was made by the NSA Deputy Director-General in charge of Programmes and Operations, Lt Col Moses Dok Nach Kpeung.
According to the official, the refund will not apply to every national service personnel. It is specifically for personnel who paid the GH¢41 while attempting to register or successfully completed their registration under the previous registration system.
“The GH¢41 that they said we promised them a refund, it is true. That GH¢41 basically is for those who attempted to register or who were successfully registered in the old system,” he explained.
Why the GH¢41 Refund Was Delayed
Lt Col Kpeung explained that the old national service registration system was shut down after concerns were raised about its credibility, including suspected ghost names on the system.
The NSA subsequently introduced a new registration platform within a short period.
Before processing the refunds, the Authority had to verify the old registration records to establish which individuals actually paid the GH¢41.
He said the NSA worked with the administrator of the previous registration system to conduct an audit.
“We needed to also liaise with the administrator of the previous system to ensure that we conduct an audit and then those who actually paid for it are given the refund,” he said.
The official indicated that the audit was almost complete and expressed confidence that the refunds would begin soon.
“We are almost done with the audit, and I’m sure by Monday or Tuesday, they’ll get their monies.”
NSA Explains GH¢5 Insurance Deductions
Lt Col Kpeung also addressed complaints concerning GH¢5 monthly insurance deductions from some national service personnel.
He denied claims that the NSA automatically enrolled personnel in insurance schemes without their consent.
According to him, insurance companies approached personnel at registration centres and offered them insurance products.
He explained that personnel who completed and signed the relevant insurance forms were considered to have subscribed to the service.
However, he acknowledged complaints from some personnel who claimed that deductions continued even after they had cancelled their insurance subscriptions.
Explanation on the GH¢50 Validation Centre Charge
The NSA official also rejected claims that the GH¢50 charged at some validation centres was a printing fee.
He explained that the money was intended to cover administrative arrangements at the centres.
According to him, the funds were used to provide facilities such as canopies, chairs and water for personnel who arrived early and had to wait for their turn.
> “These are administrative costs. When you come to the registration centre, you need a canopy, you need chairs, you need water because some people come at 5am and sit there until maybe 12pm or 1pm.”
NSA Addresses GH¢60 Zeus Atlas Deduction
Lt Col Kpeung further spoke about the GH¢60 deduction connected to the Zeus Atlas capacity-building programme.
He explained that the arrangement was made by the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) and not directly by the NSA.
According to him, the NSA governing board ordered that the deductions be stopped and that an investigation be conducted after concerns were raised.
“When the issue came up, the governing board of National Service instructed that we should cease deductions and then institute an investigation into the matter. We have started the investigation,” he said.
He added that the Authority could not immediately promise a refund for money that had already been deducted because the NSA was not the organisation that entered into the arrangement.
“The authority is not the one that engaged them. It should be between NASPA and then the company,” he stated.
NSA Clarifies National Service Allowance Arrears
The Deputy Director-General also responded to claims that national service personnel were owed two or three months of allowances.
He explained that the July allowance was paid in August, meaning that as of September, personnel were owed one month.
“The July allowance was paid last month, which is August. So currently, in September, they are owed one month,” he said.
He added that the Authority still had to process the September allowance, as well as other payments including transportation and travel-related claims, before personnel complete their service.
GH¢41 Refund Expected Soon
The NSA says it remains open to engaging national service personnel and addressing concerns surrounding registration fees, insurance deductions, validation charges, allowances and other issues.
For eligible personnel who paid the GH¢41 under the old registration system, the Authority says the refund is expected to begin by Monday or Tuesday, following the completion of the verification and audit process.
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