The Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) programme is an initiative by the Government of Ghana as a move or response to resolving the issue of social imbalance by creating jobs for the youth.
It is a programme that the government hopes would be useful in providing a solution that will curb the issue of unemployment in addition to helping the youth to be better prepared for real work environments by exposing them to the exact positions with a small payment as they await opportunities of employment in other organisations.
The programme is also aimed at exposing graduates in Ghana to opportunities that would help open better doors for them. In addition, it focuses on solving public service delivery challenges, through NABCo.
As such, qualified candidates will be absorbed into different public sectors, including health, agriculture, education technology and governance. There are also those that will be helping with government revenue collection and mobilisation.
Despite the laudable objectives of the NABCo programme, it has been unfortunately dogged by the non-payment of allowances to the beneficiaries on time. Time without number, the media landscape has been inundated with news about arrears owed to the beneficiaries, and The Chronicle is asking when this will end.
Once again, the NABCO beneficiaries have gone to town with their grievances, and one cannot, but sympathise with them.
The Aggrieved Nation Builders Corps (NABCo) beneficiaries have again raised concerns about the continuous delay in the payment of the nine months’ arrears owed to them. Despite multiple attempts to seek payment from the government, the beneficiaries say they have been unsuccessful in their efforts.
The National Convener of the Aggrieved NABCo Beneficiaries, David Petterson, says life has been unbearable for them. He has, therefore, called on the government to as a matter of urgency fulfill its promises by paying them their nine months arrears so as to enable them get back on their feet.
Meanwhile, these beneficiaries in December last year gave the government a one-week ultimatum to pay their 9-month arrears.
The effects of delayed salaries for over 9-months on NABCo beneficiaries can have wide-ranging consequences, impacting both the individuals and the overall economy. Delayed allowances can cause significant financial hardship for the youthful beneficiaries.
These individuals often come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds and they rely on their salaries to meet their basic needs such as food, housing and healthcare.
When payments are delayed, beneficiaries may struggle to pay bills, accumulate debt or even face eviction from landlords, pushing them further into poverty.
Also, the uncertainty and anxiety caused by delayed salaries can have severe emotional consequences for the youthful beneficiaries.
They may experience increased stress, frustration, and a sense of helplessness as they struggle to make ends meet. This can lead to a decline in mental health, affecting their overall well-being and ability to perform effectively at work.
The Chronicle is of the view that the repeated occurrences of delayed salaries can erode the morale and motivation of NABCo beneficiaries. They may feel undervalued, unappreciated and de-motivated, leading to decreased job satisfaction and engagement.
This can result in increased turnover rates and difficulties in attracting new beneficiaries, ultimately hampering the long-term success and sustainability of the NABCo programme.
To help address these issues, The Chronicle suggests that the issue of delayed allowances is crucial to mitigate these negative effects.
It requires prompt action from the NABCO management, government authorities and relevant stakeholders to ensure timely disbursement of allowances and establish robust mechanisms to prevent future delays. By doing so, the financial well-being, productivity and overall livelihoods of NABCo beneficiaries can be safeguarded.
