The National Service Authority (NSA) has announced that it expects to begin refunding the GH¢41 registration fee to eligible national service personnel by Monday or Tuesday, following the completion of an audit of records from the old registration system.
An NSA official, speaking on the AM Show on Friday, September 11, 2026, confirmed that the Authority had been auditing old records to determine which personnel had actually paid the fee before processing refunds.
“The 41 Ghana cedis that they said we promised them a refund, it is true,” he said.
Why the Refund Was Delayed
The official explained that the old registration system was shut down following concerns over its integrity, including the presence of suspected ghost names. The government subsequently directed the Authority to procure a new system, leaving it with less than three weeks to establish a replacement registration platform.
He said the Authority could not simply transfer the old records into the new system because it first needed to establish which personnel had actually paid the registration fee.
“We needed to also liaise with the administrator of the previous system to ensure that we conduct an audit and then those who actually paid for it are given the refund,” he said.
“We are almost done with the audit, and I’m sure by Monday or Tuesday, they’ll get their monies.”
Insurance Deductions: Consent or Coercion?
The NSA official also rejected claims that the Authority enrolled personnel in insurance schemes without their consent, following reports of GH¢5 monthly deductions.
He said insurance companies engaged personnel directly at registration centres and provided forms for those who wanted to subscribe.
“Insurance companies came to our registration centres to seek clients. They engaged them, gave them forms, and once you fill the form, it means that you have subscribed to it,” he said.
He, however, acknowledged complaints from some personnel who said deductions continued even after they had cancelled their insurance subscriptions—an issue he said the Authority was aware of.
GH¢50 Validation Fee: Administrative Costs, Not Printing
The official disputed claims that the GH¢50 charged at some validation centres was a printing fee. He said the charge was intended to cover administrative arrangements at the centres, including canopies, chairs and water for personnel who sometimes waited several hours to complete the process.
“Nobody will say that you should pay 50 Ghana cedis for printing. How much is a sheet of paper?” he said.
“These are administrative costs. When you come to the registration centre, you need a canopy, you need chairs, you need water because some people come at 5am and sit there until maybe 12pm or 1pm.”
Zeus Atlas Deductions: NASPA’s Deal, Not NSA’s
On the GH¢60 deduction linked to the Zeus Atlas capacity-building programme, the official said the arrangement was entered into by the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA), rather than the NSA.
He said the NSA governing board had directed that the deductions be stopped and an investigation conducted.
“When the issue came up, the governing board of National Service instructed that we should cease deductions and then institute an investigation into the matter. We have started the investigation,” he said.
He said the NSA could not immediately commit to refunding money already deducted because the Authority was not the entity that contracted the company.
“The authority is not the one that engaged them. It should be between NASPA and then the company,” he said.
Allowance Arrears: One Month Outstanding
The official also disputed claims that national service personnel were owed two or three months of allowances. He said the July allowance was paid in August, meaning personnel were currently owed one month as of September.
He explained that the payment process begins at the district level, where evaluation forms are completed and validated before being forwarded for payment.
“The July allowance was paid last month, which is August. So currently, in September, they are owed one month,” he said.
He added that the Authority still had to process September allowances and other payments, including transport and travel-related claims, before personnel complete their service.
Background: The National Service Scheme and Recent Controversies
The National Service Scheme, established in 1973, is a mandatory one-year programme for all Ghanaian graduates of tertiary institutions. It aims to mobilise the country’s human resources for national development, with personnel deployed to various sectors including education, health, agriculture, and local government.
In recent years, the scheme has faced persistent challenges, including delays in allowance payments, registration system failures, and concerns about ghost names on the payroll. The government’s decision to procure a new registration system followed the discovery of irregularities in the old platform, which had been in use for several years.
The GH¢41 registration fee refund issue dates back to the 2025/2026 service year, when personnel who attempted to register under the old system were charged the fee before the platform was shut down. The government subsequently promised a refund, but processing was delayed by the need to audit the old records.
The NSA official said the Authority remained open to engaging personnel and addressing concerns raised about registration, deductions and allowance payments.
