The Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) Osei Assibey-Antwi, has urged national service personnel to explore the option of becoming self-employed.

He stressed that “entrepreneurship is not just about creating businesses; it is about creating solutions, driving innovation, and effecting change. It is an avenue to transform not only your own life but also the lives of those around you and, ultimately, our beloved nation.”

Mr. Assibey Antwi gave the advice during a webinar held for national service personnel across the country on Sunday September 17 in collaboration with the Salt Institute.

The three-hour webinar, titled "Positioning Yourself for the Job Market after National Service," drew over 3,000 participants nationwide, indicating the desire among young graduates for guidance and mentorship as they embark on their career journeys.

“The ‘Deployment to Employment’ policy underscores our commitment to transitioning our National Service Personnel into the world of work seamlessly. We understand that completing your National Service is not just a milestone but the beginning of a new chapter in your life. It is the NSS' mission to equip you with the skills and knowledge necessary to navigate the complexities of the job market.”

Mr. Assibey also expressed appreciation to the Salt Institute for its commitment towards youth empowerment in the country.

“I want to take a moment to express our sincere appreciation to the SALT Institute for their steadfast commitment to worthwhile partnerships. Their dedication to empowering our youth aligns seamlessly with our vision for the NSS. We firmly believe that collaboration with institutions like SALT Institute is essential to providing our service personnel with the best possible opportunities for growth and development.”

In his welcome address, Rector of the SALT Institute, Ambassador Dr. Kodzo Alabo, described the SALT Institute, as a center of excellence for postgraduate education programme, recognizes the need to train and mentor transformational leaders who would bring comprehensive change to the country.

He added that skill development and training of the youth were critical in African countries' preparations to participate in and even leapfrog other continents in the fourth industrial revolution.

“Our commitment to nurturing and producing transformational leaders for Africa and the global marketplace is unwavering. We take pride in our alumni, who are accomplishing remarkable feats across various sectors on the continent.”

The webinar's main speaker, Dr. Emmanuel Dei-Tumi, a renowned leadership strategist, took center stage and gave a spectacular presentation. His insights and engaging delivery encouraged and prepared participants to face the challenges of the job market. Dr. Dei-Tumi's talk covered CV creation and optimization, successful job search techniques, interview preparation, personal branding, and networking. He also discussed the benefits and processes of becoming self-employed, and awakening the entrepreneurial spirit in the audience.

The question-and-answer session, which allowed participants to engage the main speaker and obtain further clarity on numerous issues, was one of the webinar's major highlights. The engagement during the segment was lively and enlightening, showcasing the enthusiasm of young graduates to learn, grow and succeed.

The webinar recorded participation from all the regions of Ghana, and attendees were excited about the maiden event.

The feedback shared during the live chats of the webinar and across other social media channels, including Facebook and YouTube, indicated the need for mentoring and guidance for the youth.
Most of the service personnel who joined the event expressed their desire for more of these initiatives, demonstrating the appetite for knowledge and growth among graduates.