Clarification on Allowance Payment Platform for Service Personnel
The (NSA) has issued an official clarification regarding the payment of monthly allowances, following widespread confusion among personnel over claims that the payment system has been changed from GhanaPay to bank accounts.
Is It True That NSA Has Changed the Payment System From Ghana Pay to Bank Account?
The simple answer is NO — not for current service personnel.
The Authority has clearly stated that there has been no change in the payment system for the 2025/2026 batch. Allowances will continue to be paid through GhanaPay, and no transition to regular bank accounts has been implemented for this group.
The confusion arose due to a new directive, but this only applies to the incoming 2026/2027 cohort, not those currently serving.
No Change for 2025/2026 Service Personnel
According to the NSA, personnel currently serving under the 2025/2026 service year should continue using the existing payment platform without any modifications.
| Category | Payment Platform | Action Required |
|---|---|---|
| 2025/2026 National Service Personnel | GhanaPay | No action required |
Officials emphasized that:
“GhanaPay remains the only valid medium for the payment of monthly allowances for the 2025/2026 batch.”
Personnel have therefore been strongly advised to ignore any messages or instructions asking them to update or link bank account details for allowance payments.
New Requirement for 2026/2027 Service Personnel
The directive about updating bank account details is strictly for prospective personnel who will be enrolling for the 2026/2027 service year.
Under this new arrangement, incoming personnel will be required to provide valid banking details on the official service portal, especially those who wish to benefit from financial services such as loan facilities.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Applicable Batch | 2026/2027 National Service Personnel |
| Requirement | Update bank details on the service portal |
| Account Option | Open or link a bank account |
| Example | Ignition Account |
| Deadline | April 25, 2026 |
Those without bank accounts will have the option to open one directly through the portal, including the Absa Ignition Account, which has been integrated into the system for convenience.
Call for Calm Among Personnel
The NSA has urged all service personnel to remain calm and ensure they are following instructions that are relevant to their specific service year.
“We urge all personnel to stay calm and ensure they are following the guidelines specific to their service year.”
Affected prospective personnel are also encouraged to complete the required updates before the deadline to avoid any delays in future processes.
Final Verdict
- 2025/2026 Personnel: No change — continue using GhanaPay
- 2026/2027 Personnel: Will use bank account system (new requirement)
So, reports claiming that NSA has fully switched from GhanaPay to bank accounts are misleading the change is partial and only applies to the next batch.