The National Service Authority (NSA) is preparing to raise monthly stipends for the country’s service personnel, marking the first such increase in several years as economic pressures mount and public-sector compensation comes under renewed scrutiny.
Currently, National Service personnel receive GH¢715 (approximately $58) per month. Speaking to reporters in Accra on Tuesday, Acting Director-General Ruth Dela Seddoh said the Authority is in “advanced discussions” with relevant ministries to finalize a new rate, though she declined to give a figure.
“It is something the President has expressed interest in,” Ms. Seddoh said. “We don’t want to press too hard, considering the economic situation, but there’s reason to be hopeful. We believe the increase will be meaningful.”
The proposed adjustment comes as the Authority rolls out a sweeping overhaul of its digital registration system, prompted by findings from a Technical and Forensic Audit that deemed the previous Central Service Management Platform inadequate. The audit, ordered by President John Dramani Mahama, flagged widespread data inconsistencies, including discrepancies in age records.
As part of the reforms, the NSA announced that online registration for the 2025/2026 service year will now run from Wednesday, October 8 to Wednesday, October 15. Registrations previously completed in June 2025 have been declared invalid, and all prospective service personnel are required to re-register on the new platform.
The Authority says the redesigned system is aimed at strengthening transparency, improving data integrity, and enabling real-time verification.
“This is a reset,” an NSA spokesperson said in a statement. “The old system simply did not meet the standards required for national accountability.”
The service, which is mandatory for graduates of tertiary institutions in Ghana, has long faced challenges related to funding, logistics, and administrative efficiency.
The allowance adjustment and digital revamp appear to signal the administration’s commitment to addressing at least some of these concerns ahead of the new service year.
