On the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the National Service Scheme (NSS), President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced that the NSS has expanded its operations to respond to the changing needs of the times. The scheme has implemented initiatives that have harnessed the potential of the youth for civic duty, national cohesion, and employment opportunities, furthering sustainable development in Ghana.
Speaking at the NSS’s golden jubilee celebration on Tuesday, October 10, 2023, President Akufo-Addo revealed that the Scheme had strategically broadened its scope to position itself as a dynamic agent in shaping young talents for the workforce.
“Looking forward, the NSS is poised for comprehensive transformation. Recognizing the evolving global landscape and the imperative for sustainable development, my administration is committed to elevating the Scheme beyond its current role,” he stated.
Ghana was one of the first countries in Africa to establish programmes and schemes aimed at mobilizing its youth, who are of a certain age or have obtained higher educational qualifications, to provide services of strategic significance to the state. The NSS, which started in 1973, currently operates under Act 426 (of 1980).
President Akufo-Addo added that since 2017, his government has engaged young people, including National Service Personnel, in intentional, productive, and constructive ways. These initiatives prioritize the needs of young adults and build the skills necessary for them to become productive and successful members of society while enhancing their sense of identity and belief in the future.
Some of the youth development programs implemented by the government include the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the Ghana Enterprises Agency’s (GEA) YouStart Programme, and the Commission for Technical and Vocational Educational and Training (CTVET).
The NSS’s expanded role and initiatives have been fundamental in fostering national development, empowering the youth, and ensuring the Scheme’s relevance in contemporary Ghana. Further developments in the NSS’s transformation and programs will be closely monitored.