Kumasi, Feb 25, GNA - National Service personnel in the Kumasi Metropolis have kicked against plans to pay their allowances through the national electronic system, e-zwich.

They insist the decision to enroll onto the e-zwich should not be forced on them, but be left to the individual's voluntary choice. They expressed the sentiments at a day's orientation organized for them by the Ashanti Regional Secretariat of the National Service Scheme (NSS).

Service personnel in selected districts, including parts of Kumasi, under an arrangement between the NSS and the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), would from next month receive their allowances through the e-zwich.

This is being implemented on pilot basis and would eventually be extended nationwide.

Stating their opposition during an open forum, various contributors including Opoku Agyeman, Miss Alexis Okogba, Eastmond Nketia, Amos Mensah, Miss Beatrice Oppong and Miss Hannah Nsowaah described the decision by the NSS as an "unwelcome imposition that must be shelved." Mr Kwesi Quainoo, the Regional Director, however defended the new system, saying the e-zwich would promote efficiency and timely payment of allowances. The success of the pilot phase would pave way for its replication in the other districts, he said. A total of 7,526 service persons were posted to Ashanti, last year.

Mr Quainoo praised those in deprived communities for accepting to work in those areas. Mr Asiedu Boafo, Kumasi Metropolitan Director of the Scheme, urged them to be patriotic by giving of their best towards the nation's socio-economic development. Representatives from the GhIPSS, operators of the e-zwich and the Amalgamated Bank, earlier educated the service persons on the use and advantages of the e-zwich card. 25 Feb. 10