Speaker Alban Bagbin
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, has emphasised the critical role of the National Service Scheme (NSS) in the socio-economic development of Ghana, calling for increased resources to enhance its operations.
Mr. Bagbin made the call during the official launching of the National Service Scheme @ 50, held in Accra, under the theme “National Service at 50: Repositioning the Scheme for Sustainable National Development”.
Highlighting the significance of the NSS, the Speaker stressed that its role cannot be underestimated, as it continually introduces sustainable strategies for integration into the country’s socio-economic fabric.
He commended the Scheme for serving as a platform for training the next generation of leaders, problem solvers, and change agents who contribute commitment to their duties during their service.
Service
Drawing from his own experience during his National Service in 1981, the Speaker emphasised how this programme had prepared the minds of the personnel for the world of work, instilling in them the values of dedication and service to the nation.
Mr. Bagbin further appealed to heads of both public institutions and private sector organisations not to relegate NSS personnel to roles such as messengers and errand runners.
The Speaker advised, “Please don’t turn them into buyers of ‘Kofi Brokeman’, highlighting the need for these individuals to be given tasks that match their qualifications and potential.
For his part, the Minister of Education, Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, also praised the NSS leadership for the innovative measures they have implemented to uplift the institution’s image and the nation as a whole.
Dr. Adutwum used the occasion to discuss the various development initiatives introduced to the nation’s education sector, which aim to transform the economy through education. He underscored the significance of ongoing reforms in the education sector for the rapid transformation of Ghana and pledged to work diligently to further enhance the sector.
Commitment
The Executive Director of the NSS, Osei Assibey Antwi, echoed the commitment to the Scheme’s mission, assuring that it would not only deploy personnel for service but also focus on upgrading their skills to make them more employable or capable of creating their own job opportunities.
He encouraged service personnel to continue working hard to contribute to the development of the nation’s economy.
The launch of the National Service Scheme @ 50 brought together people from all walks of life, including President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, reinforcing the importance of the NSS in the nation’s socio-economic development.
