Rev. Kwasi Deh, General Secretary of the Ghana Charismatic Bishops Conference, has urged the government to abolish the National Service Scheme, suggesting it represents a misuse of the youth’s talent and time.
In his article, “Cancel the National Service Scheme: A Bold Proposal for Economic Transformation,” Rev. Deh argues that the mandatory national service for tertiary graduates hinders their progress and development, deeming it an ineffective use of their time.
“One significant obstacle to youth potential in Ghana is the National Service Scheme. With an annual budget approximating $100 million, it aims to instill patriotism in university (and before secondary school) graduates. As student populations have grown, so too has the scheme over the past two decades. It places young graduates in clerical roles, teaching positions, and increasingly in private sector firms.
However, this scheme is a gross waste of talent and time, arguably one of the greatest misuses of Ghanaian youth potential,” he argued.
Rev. Deh argued that the allowances provided to service personnel are so minimal that they set a low standard for employers when these individuals enter the job market.
“Graduates on the scheme receive an allowance barely above the national minimum wage. This allowance sets a low benchmark for what employers are willing to pay graduates post-service. It can take up to five years for an average graduate to earn a regular salary after school. This adversely affects the earning potential of Ghanaian youth, with long-term impacts on their careers and pensions. One wasteful policy thus reduces the earning potential of our people throughout their lives,” he added.
He suggested that the funds allocated to the National Service Scheme should be redirected toward more productive and beneficial initiatives.
“The financial cost is only part of the problem. Deploying young people to roles they are not trained for is a massive loss for everyone, including the nation. We expect untrained, poorly paid national service teachers to produce capable students.
Many service personnel now work in offices as clerks and messengers, performing menial tasks – buying waakye and Kofi Brokeman – for senior officers. Other unethical and immoral practices are too troubling to mention. This is not how we should treat our young people.
The National Service Scheme should be abolished. Its $100 million budget, I am suggesting, should be redirected towards entrepreneurial and industrial development,” he suggested.