Secretariat succumbs to pressure; pays arrears of NSS personnel

The Forum for Accountability, led by Klenam Tamakloe, has successfully pressured the National Service Secretariat to address the long-standing issue of unpaid allowances for 2023–2024 national service personnel.

At a press conference held on May 12, 2024, Tamakloe threatened to initiate a strike if all arrears were not settled promptly. This bold move sparked widespread attention and debate, putting a spotlight on the financial struggles faced by the 2023–2024 national service personnel.

 

Their demand was simple yet urgent: the secretariat must release the necessary allowances owed to the national service personnel. The call for a strike was a response to what they described as the secretariat's unwillingness to fulfil its financial obligations, leaving many service members in a precarious situation.

The Forum for Accountability boasts over 3,000 members on their WhatsApp platform. Co-convener Patience Naki Tei also urged members on the platform to support the strike.

The situation took another twist when the national NASPA president issued a statement asserting that the strike had not been officially sanctioned by NASPA.

This led to a public confrontation between Klenam Tamakloe and the NASPA president, resulting in a heated exchange on TV3. Tamakloe argued that the current national service personnel did not recognise the NASPA president's authority, as he represented the previous year's cohort and had failed to act in their best interests.

The NASPA president of Jasikan Municipal also weighed in, engaging in a similar debate on WTV.

 

This call to arms did not go unnoticed. The secretariat, perhaps feeling the heat from mounting public pressure and the potential disruption of essential services, moved quickly to address the issue.

The secretariat made payments for the April and May arrears, as this action has temporarily halted the strike.

 

This resolution has brought temporary relief to the national service personnel, but the episode has raised critical questions about the governance and financial management within the secretariat.