Concerned National Service personnel have protested an alleged compulsory GH¢180 deduction from their allowances, questioning its legality and demanding the intervention of President John Mahama.

The personnel claim more than 70,000 service members are affected, with the deductions expected to generate over GH¢12.6 million. According to them, the funds are intended to finance a programme being implemented by Zeus Atlas Ltd.

In a statement, the personnel alleged that the agreement with Zeus Atlas Ltd was signed by the newly elected NASPA President and his executive. They further claimed the Director of the Ghana National Service Authority granted the company access to the payroll system to facilitate the deductions.

According to the statement, the NASPA President disclosed during a Zoom engagement on Monday that each service person would contribute GH¢180 through monthly deductions of GH¢60 beginning in May. The contract, he reportedly said, spans three years and would also apply to current Level 400 students when they begin their national service next year.

Responding to concerns over why participation was compulsory, the NASPA President was quoted as saying: "Those asking the questions should speak for themselves and not speak for others because we are over 70,000 and only few were present at the meeting."

The aggrieved personnel insist the deductions were introduced without prior notice or their consent. They also claim some NASPA executives have distanced themselves from the arrangement, saying they were unaware of both the contract and the payroll deductions.

The group is appealing to media organisations, opinion leaders and youth advocates to draw President John Dramani Mahama's attention to the matter, alleging that the GNSA Director has declined to comment on their concerns.

Questioning the legality of the deductions, the personnel asked: "Which Constitutional provision in the NASPA Constitution permits the NASPA President to burden Service personnel with a deduction of over GH¢12.6 million without their consent? Must it be compulsory?"

They concluded their statement by insisting that national service personnel deserve fair treatment, declaring: "National Service is not national slavery. National Service personnel deserve better."