Controversial National Service insurance policy suspended

The National Service Secretariat has suspended the compulsory deductions from service personnel’s allowances as insurance.

In a press statement copied to Myjoyonline.com, the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) said the decision was arrived at after an emergency executive council meeting with major stakeholders on the policy.

“Management has therefore decided to suspend the mandatory monthly deductions of GH015.OO from personnel allowances,” the statement said.

Management urged all national service personnel to remain calm as “their concerns regarding the insurance policy are being addressed.”

The National Service Scheme launched a 12- month insurance policy package for National Service Personnel across the country.

The package was supposed to cover death, injury, medicals among other serious implications that may affect their wellbeing during the year of service.

According to the agreement, insurance company, Glico will be required to pay a claim of GHS15,000 to the next of kin of a personnel in case of death of any personnel during the period of service. 

But the Secretariat has been forced to reverse the policy after service personnel kicked against the deductions.

Some of them who spoke to Joy News questioned why the policy was rolled out on their blind side.

“From all angles, it shows that there was not much stakeholder consultation, there is a big problem with it,” one of them said.

Others raised questions about why the policy was made compulsory. Some even threatened legal action against Scheme.

The policy has since been reversed.

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