Court rejects NSS’ plea for out of court settlement

An Accra High Court has declined a request by lawyer for the National Service Scheme (NSS) for an out of court settlement in the case of mandatory deduction of GH¢15.00 as insurance. 

Earlier this month, four National service personnel filed a motion for an interlocutory injunction retraining managers of the NSS from deducting GH¢15.00 from the allowances on all service personnel for an insurance policy.

The decision to introduce an insurance package was taken by the erstwhile executives of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) but was largely resisted by service personnel some of whom filed the suit.

Counsel for the respondents [NSS and Attorney general], Gifty Oware, Friday asked the court presided over by Justice K. Baffour for an out of court settlement because the NSS had revoked the policy earlier this week.

This was, however, declined on grounds that, the case was filed prior to revocation of the policy and that a decision needed to be taken to lay a precedent.

The case has been adjourned to December, 20 for hearing of the substantive matter.

The insurance package which took retrospective effect from September 1, 2017, will among other benefits make GH¢3,000 available to service persons who suffer accidents that will keep them off their duties at user agencies for a month.

There will also be free inter MTN calls for service personnel each month.

Each of the more than 91,000 personnel would have paid ¢135 by the end of 9-months service period. It works out as ¢12,402,585 paid to the insurance company, Glico.

But resisting the plan, some of the personnel say this insurance package is a misplaced priority.

Some NSS personnel have described the package as a 'create, loot and share' scheme, comparing it to a judge's description of wrongful payment of about ¢51.2million to a businessman Alfred Woyome.

Caleb Toxla, one of the plaintiffs, who spoke to Myjoyonline.com said he believes the case must be pursued to the end since it will serve as a precedent for subsequent cases where NASPA takes decisions for service personnel without seeking their consent.

 

 

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