The speaker of the Ghanaian Parliament, Rt. Hon Alban Sumana Kingsford Gbabin has pleaded with institutions not to turn national service personnel into messengers and errand runners.
He made this plea at the scheme’s 50th-anniversary held at the University of Professional Studies Accra (UPSA). According to the Speaker, leaders in such institutions should rather prioritise the development of the personnels, further encouraging them to show care for the individuals.
“I want to plead with my brothers and sisters who are leaders in public institutions, private sector organisations not to turn service personnels into messengers, errand boys and girls. It’s a very critical year for the their development, don’t waste it. These are lovely souls, that has been sent into your hands and that one year is meant for you to mold the person.”
He added his voice to the call for the national service scheme to be properly positioned and integrated into the country’s development strategies with proper resourcing well resourced.
The Speaker also remarked how the scheme serves as an avenue to provide sustainable solutions, developing the next generation of leaders problem solvers, and change makers, as he subsequently entreated the youth to make substantial use of the opportunities.
“We must offer services and offer the youth the opportunities in key areas that can anchor sustainable development in our nation. I will want to particularly pinpoint areas such as environmental conservation. I’m happy that you have entered into the built industry. The national service scheme offer a lot of skill development and I think all young men and women should take advantage of it,” he said.
Hon. Gbabin further assured the scheme of the Parliament’s committment to support their direction and their allocations of their money would be scrutinized by Parliament. He acknowledged and applauded the scheme’s interest and progress in agriculture, where he advised the youth to accept agriculture as the sustainable means of livelihood.
He lastly called for the scheme to continually be a symbol of sacrifice and not suicide, a catalyst for cultural alignment, building a prosperous and an inclusive country.
A ceremony was held on Tuesday 10th October, 2023 at the UPSA auditorium to celebrate the scheme’s 50th year of existence since inception. At the event, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo announced that the scheme would be elevated to become an authority to provide legal framework for the employment of e-models in the country. He also revealed that a draft bill is underway to be presented to parliament for review.
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Story by: Prince Kumah | univers.ug.edu.gh
