President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has unveiled a landmark policy for the National Service Scheme (NSS), aimed at revolutionizing its operations for the next decade.
The event was under the theme “Innovative Deployment: Developing Prospects for the Future”.
Speaking at the launch held at the College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra yesterday, the President expressed his enthusiasm for the NSS 2024-2034 policy document.
He emphasised that the policy marked a significant departure from the past, focusing on transforming the NSS into a world-class institution that not only mobilizes and deploys graduates, but also shapes them for success in their respective fields.
Importance
President Akufo-Addo stressed that the policy document should be embraced by various stakeholders, including the government, international partners, user agencies, universities and other institutions.
He assured that the government was fully committed to providing the necessary support and resources to ensure its successful implementation.
“This policy document should be cherished by the state, international partners and friends of Ghana, the diplomatic corps, user agencies, universities and other institutions, and its operationalisation must be well effected,” he said.
The President noted that the NSS had operated without a clear policy guideline for years, and this document represents a paradigm shift, providing much-needed direction for the Scheme’s delivery.
Govt agenda
He reiterated the government’s agenda to prepare service personnel adequately for the transition from school to the workforce. President Akufo-Addo emphasised the crucial role of the state in providing direction and opportunities for the development of its citizens’ full potential.
He cited initiatives such as the Free SHS and Free TVET programmes as evidence of the government’s commitment to building human capital in the country. With the number of institutional graduates increasing annually, reaching 150,000, the President stressed the importance of strengthening the NSS to effectively transform this critical mass.
He stressed that the policy document would enhance capacities, reinforce structures, and enable the NSS to mobilize and deploy a growing number of graduates to areas of national priority.
“The future of Ghana hinges evidently and largely on the youth; the youth of Ghana, like many African countries around the world, constitute a significant portion of our population,” he stated.
He cited statistics from the 2021 National Population and Housing Census, which revealed that the youth, particularly tertiary graduates, constitute a significant portion of the country’s population. He, therefore, reaffirmed his government’s commitment to providing the youth with opportunities to realize their dreams.
Commendation
In his welcome address, the Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, Osei Assibey Antwi, emphasised the significance of the stakeholders’ presence at the unveiling of the NSS policy document.
He acknowledged the personnel and staff as primary beneficiaries of the policy, highlighting their crucial role in ensuring its success.
He lauded their tremendous contributions to creating flourishing opportunities under the policy. He underscored the direct correlation between the establishment of the policy and operational and institutional productivity.
The NSS has been in existence for many years, and Mr Assibey Antwi noted that its effectiveness had relied heavily on factors such as knowledge, skills, competence, creativity, and leadership innovation.
This approach, he indicated, provided direction, created value, and enhanced impact. However, he said with a direct and structured framework, operations would be streamlined, resources would be aligned, projects, and programmes would be targeted, leading to high service delivery.
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