The National Service Scheme (NSS) recently organized a Remembrance Day service. This service was intended to honor those service personnel who had sadly lost their lives while performing their duties. During this event, there was a call to action directed at all citizens. They were urged to safeguard and improve the NSS for the benefit of everyone.
This special service took place at the National Service Secretariat’s headquarters in Accra, and it occurred last Thursday. It was a part of the celebrations marking the 50th anniversary of the NSS.
A Deputy Minister of Education by the name of Rev. John Ntim Fordjour made this call during the event. He emphasized that the NSS had played a significant role over the years. Specifically, it had been instrumental in identifying and nurturing talents and potential from diverse backgrounds, all in the interest of national development.
Rev. John Ntim Fordjour also pointed out that the NSS is a nonpartisan institution. It has had a substantial impact, both directly and indirectly, on the lives of many Ghanaians. This impact has been realized through the opportunities it provides for individuals to serve their country.
Given these important contributions, Rev. John Ntim Fordjour stressed the need for all citizens to recognize the significance of the NSS and to actively protect and support it. This, he argued, would enable the scheme to continue nurturing and harnessing the talents of more individuals for the betterment of the nation.
“Today we recognise the toils and sacrifices of young men and women who were brimming with a sense of patriotism, ready to try it on the grounds in underserved areas where people would not even go. Hard to reach areas without electricity and potable drinking water. These are some of the people we grew up looking up to,” he said.
Osei Assibey Antwi, the Executive Director of NSS, added that the day served as a moment to not just commemorate the dedication and sacrifices made by service personnel but also to rekindle their commitment to the principles they upheld.
“We must remind ourselves that the work they began is far from finished and their legacy depends on us to carry it forward with renewed vigour and dedication”, he said.
He encouraged all national service personnel to reaffirm their commitment to service, unity, and progress, ensuring that their efforts were meaningful. He emphasized the importance of remembering those who laid the foundation for the scheme, acknowledging their significant contributions, and stating that they deserved to be honored.
Edward Boateng, the Director-General of State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), highlighted the critical role played by the national service secretariat. He noted that it had been instrumental in bridging the gap between academia and young graduates by instilling in them a strong sense of national duty and work ethic. Boateng also pointed out that the secretariat had served not only as a launching platform for young graduates but also as a valuable resource for numerous private and public organizations across the country.
‘Together we will continue to provide opportunities for our youth to grow, learn and serve their nation with pride”, he said.
The President of the Ghana Journalist’s Association, Albert Kwabena Dwumfour, commended the management of the scheme for their efforts over the years.
He said the scheme had instilled in many students a sense of discipline and maturity, which had contributed to the growth and the progress of the nation.
“The scheme has accomplished a great deal over the years, and I would like to take this opportunity to commend the executive directors past and present for their unwavering contributions to the scheme,” he said.
Assuring the scheme of the media’s support and commitment, he promised that the scheme would achieve its goals.