Mr Mustapha Ussif, the Acting Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has denied a statement attributed to him to the effect that government cannot pay the GH¢550 allowance for personnel announced by the previous government.

According to him during an interaction with a Ugandan delegation, he stated that the previous government though announced the increment, failed to make budgetary allocation in the first quarter of 2017 submitted to Parliament.

“Let me categorically state that such reportage is absolutely false. In response to a question about the anticipated “NSS alawa” increment, I indicated as follows: that although the previous government announced the intended increment of “NSS alawa”, they failed to make budgetary allocation in the first quarter, 2017 budget submitted to Parliament.

That, as part of the actual 2017 budget, the NSS made submissions to the Finance Ministry for consideration; and that, until Parliament ‘appropriates’ to legitimize expenditure, nothing contained in the proposed NSS budget would be realised.

Moreover, the NSS is scheduled to meet with the relevant Parliamentary Select Committee to justify the essentials of its budget so submitted, and until such happens, no assurances in respect of “NSS alawa” increment could be made. This position was corroborated by my Deputy, who was present at the event”

He called on the public to disregard the report saying “to all National Service Personnel, I pledge absolute commitment to the pursuit of your welfare and interest.

I admonish that you ignore whatever publication churned out, that sought to suffocate your passion in service unto our dear country Ghana.

Until authoritatively communicated by the National Service Secretariat (NSS), please ignore all comments about your “alawa” increment”