NSS stands firm on its decision to deploy personnel outside Ghana

 

National service scheme defends it's policy of deploying personals outside Ghana, get ready to do your national service Abroad.

Imagine being a young Ghanaian graduate, eager to serve your nation through the National Service Scheme (NSS). But instead of being deployed to a local community, you're sent to a foreign country, far from family and friends. This is the reality facing some NSS personnel, as the scheme launches its new decade-long policy to deploy members to countries like Nigeria, the UK, and the US.

But not everyone agrees. Prospective national service personnel and some stakeholders fear that this policy could be exploited by politicians to settle scores or reward loyalists. They worry that resources will be diverted away from pressing domestic issues, like unemployment and infrastructure development. "We want to serve our country, not be used as political pawns," says one concerned graduate.

Ambrose Esaah, Director of Corporate Affairs at the NSS, explains that this move aims to explore partnerships and exchange programmes with foreign countries. He believes it's an opportunity for personnel to gain new skills and experiences, just like university students who participate in exchange programmes. "Why can't national service also have a similar one?" he asks.

Despite the opposition, the Education Committee in Parliament has thrown its weight behind the policy, revealing plans to deploy personnel to the Gambia, in collaboration with the Gambian government and national service authority. This initiative is part of the recent passage of the National Service Authority Bill 2024, aimed at establishing the National Service Authority to mobilize and post persons qualified to undertake national service in areas of priority for national development.

The National Service Authority Bill 2024 seeks to inculcate values of civic responsibility, discipline, patriotism, national cohesion, and voluntarism in persons qualified to undertake national service. It also provides for collaboration between relevant institutions to create a safety net for graduates who complete their mandatory national service, promoting employability, entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation. But will it achieve its goals, or will it be hijacked by political interests?

The NSS policy on foreign deployment has sparked a heated debate, with valid arguments on both sides. As the policy unfolds, it's crucial to monitor its implementation and impact on Ghana's national development. The government must ensure that the policy serves the greater good, not political interests. Ultimately, the success of this policy will depend on its ability to balance global engagement with domestic priorities and promote the values of civic responsibility, discipline, and patriotism among national service personnel. The future of Ghana's development depends on it.