National Service Personnel Allowances to be increased
The outgoing National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration seems to be taking more critical decisions that are likely to affect the incoming New Patriotic Party (NPP) government.
Concerns have been raised about sudden promotions and contracts being awarded by the NDC administration, most of which are being done on the blind side of the incoming government and without recourse to the possible effect on the national budget.
Latest is the increment of the allowances of National Service personnel without the knowledge or approval of the Transition Team which is overseeing a smooth transfer of power from the NDC to the NPP.
CHRAJ
The president has also confirmed the appointments of Commissioners of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), creating fresh hullabaloo by constitution watch-dogs.
Letter
DAILY GUIDE has stumbled on a letter dated December 14, 2016 (seven days after the elections which saw the defeat of the Mahama-led NDC administration) signed by the Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Patrick Nomo for the minister, addressed to the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Michael Kpessa-Whyte, under the heading, “Upward adjustment in National Service personnel allowance,” notifying him of the decision.
The letter was copied to the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Seth Terkper, his deputy, Cassiel Ato Forson, the Director of Budget at the ministry, Head of the Compensation Unit of the ministry, the Chief Executive Officer of the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) and the Auditor-General.
It indicated, “Approval is hereby given for the National Service allowance to be adjusted as follows; from the current rate of GH¢350.00 to the approved rate of GH¢559.04.”
The newly approved rate translates into 40 percent of the graduate entry level on the 2017 Single Spine Salary Structure (SSSS) with the effective date of implementation set for January 1, 2017.
By a copy of the said letter, the Auditor General has been requested to audit the new rate to enable the Ministry of Finance authorize payment.
But issues are being raised as to why the outgoing administration is committing the incoming one to make these payments when it (NDC government) has less than a month to hand over power.
Concern
The representative of the president-elect on the Transition Team, who happens to be a former Minister of Finance, Yaw Osafo-Maafo expressed concern about the development last week, saying that that was part of several complaints and allegations which had come to the attention of the NPP on the Transition Team.
According to him, there were allegations that the National Democratic Congress was recruiting its people into the security services and also selling off government properties and assets.
Mr Yaw Osafo-Maafo said some temporary staff of government institutions and assistants of some NDC officials were being given permanent employment in the civil and public services.
Even though he expressed hope that the information might not be true, he indicated that the NPP would investigate the allegations when it is sworn into office on January 7, 2017.
“We do not want to believe that these allegations are true,” Yaw Osafo-Maafo said and called on government officials to be circumspect in their actions.
“We need to be cautious. We need to be transparent. We need to be candid and we need to be factual,” he charged.
He said the outgoing NDC administration must consult the incoming one in the transition period before binding agreements are finalised.
“We are therefore, appealing to our colleagues…if there is a need for an agreement to be concluded, it is only fair that you bring in the in-waiting government, discuss and get the green light to carry it out,” Osafo-Maafo said, adding that that is in line with international convention.
By Charles Takyi-Boadu