The flagbearer of the largest opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has called on the Akufo-Addo government to urgently pay all outstanding allowances, including nine months’ arrears due NABCO participants, National Service personnel, and nursing trainees across the country.

During his two-day tour of the Ahafo Region, Mr. Mahama launched a scathing critique of the government for its failure to adequately compensate National Service personnel for the arrears owed to them.

He expressed frustration at the government’s difficulty in meeting these obligations, despite the relatively small amounts involved.

Mahama explained that every previous government has managed to pay National Service personnel, questioning why this government, which boasted about its achievements in its manifesto, is struggling to fulfill these commitments.

“Since the inception of National Service, every successive government has settled allowances. How costly is the National Service Allowance? Seven hundred cedis. For six months, the government has been unable to settle the service personnel allowances.

“For 30 months, teacher and nursing trainee allowances have not been paid. You’ve been unable to pay after claiming you could do it,” former President Mahama said.

He noted that while the NPP introduced NABCO with promises of training and employment, they have failed to pay participants for the past nine months.

Mahama argued that, given the Vice President’s position, he should address and resolve these outstanding payments as a matter of urgency.