The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has urged leaders to value National Service Personnel and avoid using them for errands.
During the launch of the Golden Jubilee anniversary of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in Accra, it was stressed that the national service period plays a critical role in the development of service personnel.
It was emphasized that this valuable time should not be wasted on menial tasks that do not contribute to their growth. Public and private sector leaders were urged not to turn service personnel into messengers or errand boys and girls, and to recognize the significance of this critical year for the development of service personnel.
The theme of the anniversary is “National Service at 50: Repositioning the Scheme for a Sustainable National Development.”
He lamented instances where service personnel were ill-treated, often lacking even basic seating arrangements in offices. He emphasized that this period was a crucial stage for their preparation for the professional world.
Addressing the nation’s challenges, Mr. Bagbin advocated for sustainable solutions, identifying NSS as an avenue to nurture the next generation of leaders, problem solvers, and catalysts for change.
He emphasized the imperative to instil in the youth a sense of duty towards the nation, necessitating investment in the operations of NSS.
Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, Executive Director of NSS, noted that the Scheme had successfully deployed more personnel to bolster the health, education, and civil service sectors. He disclosed that this year, approximately 65,000 personnel were dispatched to classrooms.
Regarding the agricultural sector, Mr. Assibey Antwi highlighted that, with the support of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, NSS had secured 20,000 acres of land for various projects.
SOURCE: Graphicsonline
