A former Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Vincent Kuagbenu, has raised concerns over Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia's proposal to make National Service voluntary if he is voted as President.

According to Mr Kuagbenu, Dr Bawumia's proposal reflects a lack of understanding of the significance of National Service for both individuals and the country.

He emphasised that National Service personnel are not paid by the state but rather receive stipends, which represents significant savings for the country.

• Read also: National Service will no longer be mandatory, says Bawumia

Speaking in an interview with Citi FM, Kuagbenu urged the Vice President to present a more beneficial alternative for the numerous unemployed youth.

“National Service is free. What is paid to service personnel is a stipend. That is about 40% of what graduates will earn if they are employed in the public service or civil service. They are rather saving the state billions of cedi…I know for a fact that he [Bawumia] didn’t do national service, so he doesn’t understand how much this country is saving from the services of personnel.”

The flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) for the 2024 elections, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia has promised that when voted into office, National Service will no longer be mandatory.

According to the Vice President, "To help our youth get jobs, I believe it is time to rethink the concept of our current National Service Scheme."

He was emphatic that "My government will propose that those who after completion of their education can secure jobs would be exempted from National Service.

"National Service will no longer be mandatory, and students will have the option to decide whether to do National Service. This will also encourage companies to go to campuses for recruitment annually."

About NSS

The National Service Scheme (NSS) in Ghana is 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 other tertiary institutions, eligible individuals are required to register with the NSS and undergo a one-year National Service programme. During this period, participants are assigned to work in government agencies, educational institutions, health facilities, private sector organisations, or other approved institutions across Ghana.

The NSS provides participants with valuable work experience, exposure to different sectors, and the opportunity to contribute to national development. Participants are expected to perform their duties diligently and actively engage in community service projects to support local communities.

The scheme also includes components such as orientation programmes, where participants receive training on their roles and responsibilities, as well as seminars and workshops to enhance their skills and knowledge.

Upon successful completion of the National Service programme, participants are issued with certificates, which are often required for employment in both the public and private sectors in Ghana. Additionally, participants may qualify for certain benefits, such as priority consideration for government employment and eligibility for loans and scholarships.

Overall, the National Service Scheme plays a crucial role in shaping the professional and personal development of Ghanaian graduates while contributing to national development efforts.