Former President and National Democratic Congress (NDC) Flagbearer, John Dramani Mahama, has condemned the failure of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration to promptly pay allowances owed to National Service Personnel in the public sector.
According to Mahama, the delay in payment, which began in November 2023, has caused significant financial hardship for service personnel.
During a recent tour on March 22, Mahama reflected on his presidency, noting that under his leadership, service personnel allowances were consistently paid on time.
He expressed surprise and disappointment at the current situation, questioning the competence of the ruling government to meet the basic needs of the people.
Speaking to the crowd in the local dialect, Mahama criticised the government’s performance, particularly its inability to fulfil its obligations.
“There was never a time in my government where we were unable to pay monthly allowance, but today for five months, they are unable to pay the service personnel, and the money is not so much. About 600 cedis or 700 cedis. What kind of government is this? Nothing seems to be going well. The economy was bad and we are wallowing in debt, and the little amount due these personnel, you are equally unable to pay,” Mahama said.
Meanwhile, National Service personnel nationwide have indicated their intention to go on strike to demand the payment of their allowances.