The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) has suspended its capacity-building programme following concerns from national service personnel over deductions made from their monthly allowances to fund the initiative.

The suspension follows public criticism of a GH¢60 deduction from the allowances of some service personnel, who argued that they were not adequately consulted before the deductions were made.

Addressing a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, July 21, NASPA National President Abdul-Wahab Bala Mohammed said the association had initially considered the programme beneficial because of its potential to improve the employability of service personnel.

Read Also: National Service Authority denies authorising allowance deductions, says NASPA approved GH¢60 charge

"We believe that the package represented value for money, especially considering the potential return on investment in terms of your future employability. However, we fully acknowledge that the financial commitment required may not have been reasonable for all service personnel."

He explained that following discussions, NASPA formally requested the National Service Authority (NSA) to reduce the amount to GH¢60, spread over a four-month period at GH¢15 per month.

"Based on this progress, NASPA formally requested the National Service Authority to facilitate a reduction of 60 Ghana cedis to represent the duration of the training over a four-month learning period, i.e. 15 cedis per month, to offset part of the programme costs already incurred, which was deducted in the last allowance."

Mr Mohammed said the association reviewed the programme after concerns over the deductions and the level of consultation intensified.

He said NASPA engaged its newly elected regional executives, gathered feedback from service personnel and held discussions with the management of the National Service Authority.

"As concerns about the programme intensified, particularly regarding the deductions and the level of consultation, we took our time to engage our newly elected regional executives, receive feedback from service personnel, as well as carefully review the issues that had been raised."

According to him, following the engagements and directives from the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment and the National Service Authority's governing board, the programme has been suspended.

"In response to the feedback from the service personnel and general public, and as well as in line with the sector minister's and board's directive, the management have issued this directive to NASPA."

"The capacity building programme, as currently structured, is hereby suspended with immediate effect, pending a comprehensive review of the programme for a decisive action to be taken, which is in line with our sector minister, the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, Honourable George Opare-Addo's directive."

Mr Mohammed assured service personnel that no further deductions would be made towards the programme while the review is underway.

"Again, we wish to assure every National Service person that there will be no further deductions on behalf of or in relation to the capacity building training."

He welcomed the decision to suspend the programme and thanked the ministry, the National Service Authority's board and management for responding to the concerns raised.