Deputy Minister for Education and Member of Parliament (MP) for Assin South Constituency, Reverend John Ntim Fordjour, says national service is the most patriotic way Ghanaians could serve the country.
Rev. Fordjour made this remark during the “NSS Remembrance Day” held at the forecourt of the headquarters of the Ghana National Service Scheme (NSS) Secretariat on September 7 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the scheme and to honour all fallen heroes who served the nation well through national service.
The lawmaker stated that the nation needed the contribution or efforts of all citizens to grow in every aspect to improve the socio-economic development of the state.
He added that the youth must consciously emulate the patriotism of deceased national service personnel who served wholeheartedly.
“Let us rise in patriotism and serve Ghana, our motherland, beyond partisan, religious, or tribal rhetoric that divides us. The Ghana National Service Scheme has impacted our national development and will therefore be strengthened to deliver an enhanced mandate of building entrepreneurship, innovation, and employable skills among our youth,” he stated.
Addressing participants at the event, the Executive Director of the Ghana National Service Scheme (NSS), Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, said the programme has shaped the lives of Ghanaians and has contributed to national development.
“As we observe this remembrance day, let us reflect on the lives of those who are no more with us and appreciate their efforts in the service scheme. Let’s remember their memories and their indomitable spirit in serving the nation”.
‘Let us continue their hard work and ensure we do better than them. Let us rededicate our service, unity and hard work to ensure their toil is not in vain,” he further advised.
The programme is a compulsory one-year service required of all citizens of Ghana who are 18 years and above at the time of deployment. The scheme started in 1973 and operates under Act 426 (of 1980).