Final year students of the Sunyani Technical University (STU) have undergone a day’s orientation session on their forthcoming mandatory national service.
The Human Resources Directorate of STU, in collaboration with the National Service Scheme (NSS), held the vibrant and informative orientation session at the university’s main auditorium to adequately prepare the final-year students to undertake their national service smoothly.
The session featured a distinguished delegation from the Bono Regional NSS Office, led by the Regional Director, Chief Nandi Kwabena Baagensum. He was joined by his Human Resource Manager, Ms. Valentina Ako-Ese, Regional Administrator, Mr. Akwasi Agyepong, and the Sunyani Municipal Manager, Mr. Samuel Adjei Adusei.
Together, they delivered a comprehensive overview of the NSS, detailing key processes such as online registration, the posting system, and allowance payments.
Mr. Stephen Yeboah, the Head of STU’s Human Resources Directorate, urged students to fully engage in the session and ask thoughtful questions, emphasizing that proper understanding now would make the registration and service process much smoother.
Chairing the session was the Dean of Students, Dr. (Mrs.) Vida Owusu Prempeh, who delivered an inspiring message. She encouraged students to approach their national service with passion and a deep sense of patriotism, describing it as an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to the nation. She also advised them to remain focused, disciplined, and committed to excellence, cautioning against distractions that could derail their professional growth during the service period.
The orientation was not only informative but also motivational, setting the tone for what lies ahead as these future graduates prepare to serve Mother Ghana.
The National Service Scheme (NSS) in Ghana began in 1973 and is a mandatory one-year program for tertiary graduates to participate in national development. Officially established by the National Service Scheme Act of 1980 (Act 426), the NSS aims to mobilize manpower for national development projects, strengthen national unity, and promote practical training.
Over time, its objectives have expanded to include areas like education and healthcare, with recent reforms focused on ensuring accreditation and transparency in deployment.
In 2024, Ghana’s parliament passed Act 1119, also called Ghana’s National Service Authority Act 2024, to transform the National Service Scheme into a fully-fledged National Service Authority (NSA) with an expanded role.
Key provisions of the Act include requirements for personnel to complete biometric validation, report to their agencies within a set timeframe to avoid nullification of their registration and posting and be validated before being placed on the payroll.
