A former Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Vincent Kuagbenu, has criticized Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia’s proposal to make National Service voluntary if he becomes President.
Mr Kuagbenu stated that the proposal reflects a lack of understanding of the significance of National Service for both individuals and the country. He emphasized that National Service personnel are not paid by the state but rather receive stipends, which represents significant savings for the country.
Speaking in an interview with Citi FM, Kuagbenu urged the Vice President to present a more beneficial alternative for the numerous unemployed youth. He emphasized that National Service is free and the stipend paid to service personnel is about 40% of what graduates would earn if they were employed in the public service or civil service. He highlighted that the service personnel are rather saving the state billions of cedi.
Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, who is the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 elections, had promised that when voted into office, National Service will no longer be mandatory. He believes it is time to rethink the concept of the current National Service Scheme, proposing that those who are able to secure jobs after completing their education would be exempted from National Service. The Vice President also proposed that National Service should no longer be mandatory, and students should have the option to decide whether to participate in National Service.
The National Service Scheme (NSS) in Ghana is a mandatory programme for all Ghanaian citizens who have completed tertiary education. It was established to foster national unity and development by deploying graduates to serve in various sectors of the country’s economy. Participants are expected to perform their duties diligently and actively engage in community service projects to support local communities.
The scheme provides participants with valuable work experience, exposure to different sectors, and the opportunity to contribute to national development efforts. Upon successful completion of the National Service programme, participants are issued with certificates, which are often required for employment in both the public and private sectors in Ghana. Additionally, participants may qualify for certain benefits, such as priority consideration for government employment and eligibility for loans and scholarships.
Overall, the National Service Scheme plays a crucial role in shaping the professional and personal development of Ghanaian graduates while contributing to national development efforts.
