Association of Ghana Industries calls for review of 20% National Service levy
By Solomon Nartey Tetteh
Private businesses and industries in the Ashanti Region are calling on government to review the mandatory 20 per cent quota charged on allowances of National Service personnel posted to their facilities.
According to the firms, the policy is adding an extra financial burden to their operations, despite their role in supporting the training of fresh tertiary graduates.
Chairman of the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) for the Ashanti, Bono, Ahafo and Bono East regions, Akwasi Nyamekye, described the levy as unfair and urged authorities to consider a downward adjustment.
“They should bring it to 10 per cent or 5 per cent for us to take more. Though we are training the graduates on behalf of government, they are still charging us for that. I think it’s unfair,” Mr Nyamekye said on the sidelines of the AGI Annual General Meeting in Kumasi.
He argued that companies already contribute significantly by providing internship and training opportunities to university students, and therefore should not be burdened with such high deductions.
“Every year, I have an arrangement with universities in Kumasi, including KNUST and KsTU, to take students on internships. When I take a national service personnel and pay their allowance, sometimes even more than the stipulated amount, I still have to give 20 per cent to the secretariat. I think it is too much,” Mr Nyamekye stressed.
The AGI has already engaged the National Service Secretariat on the matter and says it is awaiting a possible announcement of a reduction in the quota.
