Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 elections, has made a bold statement about the future of the National Service Scheme in Ghana.
He mentioned that if he is elected into office, National Service will no longer be mandatory for graduates.
Bawumia stated that to help the youth secure jobs, there is a need to rethink the current National Service Scheme. His government will propose that graduates who can secure jobs after completing their education will be exempted from National Service. This proposal aims to give students the option to decide whether to do National Service and will encourage companies to go to campuses for recruitment annually.
The National Service Scheme (NSS) in Ghana is currently a mandatory programme for all Ghanaian citizens who have completed tertiary education. Established by the National Service Act of 1980 (Act 426), the scheme aims to foster national unity and development by deploying graduates to serve in various sectors of the country’s economy.
Upon graduation from university or tertiary institutions, eligible individuals are required to register with the NSS and undergo a one-year National Service programme.
Participants are assigned to work in government agencies, educational institutions, health facilities, private sector organisations, or other approved institutions across Ghana, providing valuable work experience and contributing to national development.
Bawumia’s proposal to make National Service optional will undoubtedly spark discussions about the future of the National Service Scheme and its impact on national development.
This move may lead to changes in the structure and implementation of the programme, ultimately shaping the professional and personal development of Ghanaian graduates in the coming years.
