The National Service Personnel Association is demanding the payment of two-month outstanding allowances owed to members serving in the public sector.

The Association, in an interview with Joy News, lamented that the delay in disbursement of the allowances has become a norm, causing untold hardship for graduates who depend on the stipend for their survival. 

The Association is demanding the immediate payment to avert an industrial action.

This comes after the National Service Personnel in the public sector complained of struggling to meet basic needs as the delay in the payment of their monthly allowances extends.

These allowances are sometimes delayed for several months before they are paid to fresh graduates undertaking the one-year mandatory service.

Some personnel under the 2023-2024 batch say they have not received their allowances since January 2024. 

In an interview with JoyNews, one of the service persons, Prince Boadi, said he is worried about the delayed payment of allowances.

“The delayed payment is a worry to us because as graduates our parents someway want us to be fending for ourselves so most of us depend on the allowance. If it delays, we really get worried,” he indicated.

Meanwhile, the Secretary of the National Service Personnel Association, Nana Adu Gyamfi Mensah, noted that the delayed payment of allowances has become a worry to members. 

He explained that they have been paid only two of four months outstanding allowances.

"We are telling the scheme and government that this is unacceptable."

Nana Gyamfi said that the association is negotiating with the government but warned that if they don't come to an agreement, a strike will follow.

“In the coming days, after probably our last meeting with the board and government, we will announce our next line of action which is to call for a strike and subsequently a demonstration,” he said.