The National Service Scheme has reviewed its planned mandatory insurance policy after a massive public backlash and rejection by some personnel.
The scheme which was going to see a monthly deduction of GHC15.00 from the allowance of all personnel has now been made optional.
Some personnel opposed to the insurance package are currently in court seeking an order to restrain the management of the scheme from going ahead with implementation.
In a statement Wednesday, the NSS said: “The insurance policy for national service personnel has no been made optional for personnel who wish to sign onto the policy”.
It continued “ Management has therefore decided to suspend the mandated monthly deductions of GHC15.00 from personnel allowances”.
The Insurance
According to the NSS, National service personnel who suffer permanent or temporary disability through accidents during the service year will now be entitled to GH¢15,000 insurance cover.
The next of kin of service persons who die while undertaking the mandatory national exercise, will receive the same amount from Glico Life
“As part of this comprehensive initiative, there is a special package for free inter MTN calls for service persons each month, GH¢5 recharge airtime from MTN to other networks every month, free browsing on social media, 500 free messages, 100 per cent bonus on all MTN recharge made by service persons, as well as free viewing of a movie twice a year at Silver Star Cinema,” the NSS boss said about the insurance when he first announced it in Accra.
Also in his speech to officially launch the insurance policy, the Chairman of the NSS Board, Professor Kofi Osei-Akuoku, said the policy had come at an opportune time.
“The NSS board endorsed this insurance policy because we took into consideration the vulnerability of a large number of the service persons who are working under harsh and challenging situations, including health challenges and loss of life in the line of duty.
“It is for these and other reasons that the board lends its support to ensuring that the insurance policy comes to fruition,” he said.
Prof. Osei-Akuoku urged the management of Glico Life to ensure that qualified service persons had prompt access to claims in times of need, stressing “we will not hesitate at all to abrogate the agreement if the quality of the service is compromised.”
Source: Ghana/StarrFMonline.com
