Imagine you just graduated from university and are about to start your mandatory National Service in Ghana. You’re excited but also wondering, “How much will I be paid?” Well, over the years, the National Service Scheme (NSS) allowance has changed quite a bit. Let’s take a trip down memory lane and see how much the monthly allowance has increased since 2013.

What is the NSS Allowance?

The NSS allowance is the monthly stipend paid to graduates who are completing their one-year mandatory National Service. This money helps them cover transportation, food, and other daily expenses. While it may not be a full salary, it is meant to support service personnel as they gain work experience.

How Has the NSS Allowance Changed Over the Years?

To make this clear, here’s a breakdown of how much the NSS allowance has increased since 2013:

Year	NSS Monthly Allowance (GH₵)	Percentage Increase
2013	243.48	–
2014	350.00	43.8%
2017	559.04	59.7%
2023	715.57	28%
2025*	1,200.00 (Projected)	67.7%

(*Projected increase based on reports for April 2025)

Now, let’s break it down and see what these increases really mean.

2013

In 2013, the NSS allowance was GH₵243.48 per month. Back then, this amount could cover basic transportation and food, but many service personnel still found it challenging to survive on it alone.

2014

In January 2014, the allowance was increased to GH₵350. That was a 43.8% increase! This was a relief for service personnel because things were getting more expensive. With this raise, they could afford slightly better living conditions, but it was still not enough for major expenses like rent.

2017

In 2017, the government increased the NSS allowance to GH₵559.04. This was a significant jump of 59.7%, making it the biggest increase in recent history. Many service personnel felt this raise was long overdue, considering the rising cost of living.

At this point, the allowance could now cover transportation, food, and small personal expenses. But for those who lived far from their assigned places of work, the money still wasn’t enough to cover everything.

2023

By 2023, the cost of goods and services had increased significantly, so the allowance was raised again to GH₵715.57. While this was a 28% increase, many service personnel felt that it still wasn’t enough to match the rising prices of essentials.

For example, let’s say a bowl of waakye cost GH₵10 in 2017. By 2023, that same bowl could cost GH₵20 or more. So even though the allowance was higher, it didn’t stretch as far as before.

2025

There are reports that in April 2025, the allowance will rise to GH₵1,200. If this happens, it will be the highest NSS allowance ever. This would be a 67.7% increase from the 2023 amount.

With GH₵1,200, service personnel might finally have enough to cover their basic needs more comfortably. However, whether this increase will happen as planned remains to be seen.

What These Changes Mean for Service Personnel

The NSS allowance increases have been helpful, but many service personnel still struggle to make ends meet. Prices of food, rent, and transportation keep going up, sometimes making the raises feel smaller than they actually are.

For example:

• In 2017, you could take a trotro from Accra to Madina for about GH₵2. Today, the same trip might cost GH₵6 or more.
• A simple lunch that used to cost GH₵10 might now be GH₵20 or GH₵30.

So while the allowance has increased, the cost of living has risen alongside it, making life for NSS personnel still quite challenging.

The NSS allowance has come a long way since 2013, moving from GH₵243.48 to a possible GH₵1,200 in 2025. While these increases help, service personnel often feel that they are still not enough to live comfortably.

Will the 2025 increase happen as planned? And if it does, will it be enough to keep up with rising costs? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: the NSS allowance must continue to grow if it is to truly support young graduates entering the workforce.

For now, let’s keep an eye on the upcoming changes and hope for the best!