President Akufo-Addo launched the National Service Authority (NSA) on Friday, marking a significant step toward enhancing youth development in Ghana.
The elevation of the former National Service Scheme (NSS) to the NSA, he said, reflects the government's commitment to equipping the youth for national service and leadership roles, in line with the country’s development goals.
Speaking at the official launch in Accra, President Akufo-Addo emphasized that this transformation was aimed at promoting sustainable socio-economic growth.
He highlighted the need to modernize the Authority's operations to meet contemporary standards, ensuring that Ghanaian youth are better prepared for national service and future leadership positions.
The event, themed "The Dawn of a New Era," comes after the passage of the National Service Authority Bill, 2024, by Ghana's Parliament, which paved the way for a restructuring and expansion of the national service framework.
This initiative seeks to address the employment needs of fresh graduates by enhancing their training and skills development, with a focus on fostering nationalism, voluntarism, and discipline among the youth.
The national service concept has long been central to Ghana's development agenda, with millions of service personnel deployed across various sectors over the years to support the national workforce.
President Akufo-Addo expressed optimism that the transformation into the National Service Authority would further instill values such as civic responsibility, discipline, patriotism, national cohesion, and voluntarism among service personnel.
The President also urged the leadership of the NSA to prioritize key sectors such as health, agriculture, Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and other technical fields vital to the nation's development.
He commended the Authority for its achievements over the years and assured that the government would continue to support the national service concept for its sustainable growth.
He expressed confidence that the passage of the National Service Bill into law would foster collaboration between relevant institutions, creating a safety net for graduates who successfully complete their mandatory national service.
The President called on the NSA’s leadership to fine-tune its operations for the benefit of the nation, pledging his continued support as Patron of the Authority.
Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum, Minister of Education, also lauded the President for his strong backing of the NSA and its mission.
GNA