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NSA Boss commends President Mahama for swift payment of NSP allowances
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The Acting Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Felix Gyamfi, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for his swift intervention in clearing all outstanding allowances owed to National Service Personnel (NSP) across the country.
Speaking at a press conference held at the NSA Headquarters in Accra today, Mr. Gyamfi expressed gratitude to the President for ensuring that all service personnel received their stipends within just 15 days of his administration. 
“I want to sincerely commend His Excellency John Dramani Mahama for his dedication to the welfare of Ghana’s youth. The speed and efficiency with which he addressed the payment of outstanding allowances in just two weeks is highly commendable,” he stated.
Assurance
He assured personnel that delays in allowance payments would now be a thing of the past, as the government, under President Mahama’s leadership, has prioritised timely disbursement.
Mr. Gyamfi revealed that all outstanding allowances for National Service Personnel from September 2024 to January 2025 have been fully settled.
He provided a detailed breakdown of the payments made:
September 2024 (Backlog): 10,712 personnel paid
October 2024 (Backlog): 10,712 personnel paid
November 2024: 98,145 personnel paid
December 2024: 98,145 personnel paid
January 2025: 98,145 personnel paid
He acknowledged the immense contributions of service personnel to Ghana’s socio-economic development, particularly in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and local governance.
“We recognise the vital role that National Service personnel play in driving national development. That is why this government has made it a priority to ensure they receive their allowances on time,” he said.
Appreciation
The NSA boss also extended his appreciation to the Minister of Finance, Hon. Cassiel Ato Forson, and the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, Hon. George Opare-Addo, for their roles in facilitating the prompt payment of the allowances.
In a bid to enhance efficiency and prevent future payment delays, Mr. Gyamfi announced plans to integrate a biometric-driven payroll system into the NSA’s operations.
The new system, according to him, will provide real-time insights into validated payments, allow personnel to access electronic payslips, and introduce a transparent mechanism for addressing payment discrepancies.
He urged all personnel to adhere strictly to the monthly evaluation calendar to ensure smooth processing of allowances. Mr. Gyamfi announced that the NSA had released PIN codes for 16,289 trained teachers from 36 colleges of education to commence their national service registration.
Expired accreditation
However, he noted that 22 institutions had expired accreditation with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC), affecting 9,769 graduates. “To maintain compliance and service credibility, registrations from these institutions will be put on hold until their accreditation status is regularised,” he said, urging affected institutions to renew their accreditation by August 31, 2025.
The NSA boss also revealed plans to revamp the Authority’s farm projects under President Mahama’s “Feed Ghana” agenda. The initiative will focus on increasing productivity in animal husbandry, aquaculture, poultry, and crop production while partnering with schools to revive school farms.
Mr. Gyamfi announced that the NSA Restaurant would now operate 24/7 as part of efforts to support President Mahama’s 24-hour economy policy. The restaurant will introduce delivery services, drive-through options, catering for events, and live band music on Friday nights.
Ghost names
Addressing the issue of ghost names and those allegedly responsible, the Director-General emphasised that the matter was under thorough investigation. He stressed his commitment to upholding due process and ensuring that nothing compromises the integrity of the inquiry.
“If you judge me by my demeanour, you might think I would hesitate to take action against those found culpable. But let me assure you that once the state investigative machinery completes its work, anyone implicated will face the full force of the law. There will be no exemptions, no leniency,” he cautioned.
He reiterated the NSA’s commitment to financial transparency, revealing that all user agencies had been directed to use the Ghana.Gov platform for payments to the Authority.
The measure, he explained, would ensure accountability and prevent fraudulent activities.
The Acting Director-General reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening the NSA, ensuring that national service becomes more impactful.
“The NSA is at a turning point, and my leadership is committed to prioritising and promoting initiatives that matter to personnel, staff, stakeholders, and the nation. With strategic planning, efficient deployment, agricultural innovation, and financial transparency, we will transform the NSA into a world-class institution,” he promised.
The 29th Annual Dagaaba-Frafra Friendly Games have once again demonstrated that sports can be a powerful vehicle for cultural preservation, business networking, friendship and peaceful coexistence.
Held at the El-Wak Sports Stadium in Accra last Saturday, the games brought together members of the two ethnic groups from across Ghana and abroad for a colourful celebration under the theme, “Unity in Diversity: The Dagaaba-Frafra Model for Peaceful Co-existence.”
The event, which has evolved from a friendly football match into a major annual gathering, featured football, volleyball, sack races, lime and spoon, tug-of-peace and a penalty shootout for senior citizens.
At the end of the competitions, the Frafra won four events, while the Dagaaba secured victories in five, with the men’s soccer match ending in a draw.
The Frafra triumphed in the men’s lime and spoon, men’s sack race, women’s sack race and women’s soccer, while the Dagaaba won the women’s lime and spoon, men’s volleyball, women’s volleyball, women’s tug-of-peace and the senior citizens’ penalty shootout.
However, the games extended far beyond the sporting arena. The stadium grounds and surrounding spaces became a vibrant marketplace, with patrons enjoying and purchasing a variety of traditional foods, drinks and cultural products.
Local delicacies, including TZ, tubaani, bambara beans, pork, guinea fowl, local fowls, dog meat and kosie, were sold alongside traditional alcoholic beverages. Traditional dresses and other culturally inspired items also attracted buyers, turning the gathering into an important platform for small businesses and vendors to make sales while promoting northern Ghanaian culture.
The cultural exchange continued long after the final sporting contests, as patrons remained at the venue to eat, drink, socialise, dance and party well into the night.
In her remarks, the Guest of Honour, Dr Matilda Aberese-Ako, said the gathering represented much more than competition, describing the Dagaaba-Frafra relationship as a historic bond that had evolved into a modern sporting tradition and an instrument for peace.
MTN Ghana has been the headline sponsor for the games for the past 10 years.
By Gordon Wellu
By Gordon Wellu
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MTN Ghana has undertaken a tree-planting exercise at the Chipa Forest Reserve as part of its commitment to protecting the planet and support the restoration of degraded sections of the forest.
The activity forms part of the company’s 2026 Sustainability Month celebration held under the theme “Small Actions: Big Impact,” and its 30th anniversary celebration.
It was held in partnership with the Forestry Commission (FC) and the Rainforest Alliance with MTN Ghana supporting the restoration of approximately two hectares of degraded forest through the planting of 1,666 trees.
Due to the current dry weather conditions, 833 trees were planted during the exercise, with the remaining 833 to be planted when the rain commences.
The exercise brought together MTN employee volunteers, officials from the Forestry Commission and representatives of the Rainforest Alliance, demonstrating the importance of collaboration in driving environmental sustainability.
Speaking at the event, the Acting General Manager for Sustainability and Shared Value at MTN Ghana, Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, emphasized the critical role trees play in sustaining life and protecting the environment.
“Trees are essential to human survival and healthy ecosystems. They absorb carbon dioxide, release oxygen, regulate temperatures, protect soil, support biodiversity and provide habitats for many species. They also conserve water, reduce erosion and help communities adapt to the effects of climate change,” she said.
The District Manager of the Tema-Ada Forest Services Division of the Forestry Commission, Linda Ansah, welcomed MTN Ghana’s support, describing it as a valuable contribution to efforts aimed at restoring degraded sections of the reserve.
The Country Director of the Rainforest Alliance, Nicholas Jengri, also welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of collective action in addressing environmental challenges.
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