My Brief Take On Dr Mahamudu Bawumia’s Proposition Of Making National Service Optional

All too soon, another election season is here with us in Ghana, and all manner of promises are being made by the ruling New Patriotic Party flagbearer, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, as we witnessed before the 2016 general elections. On the promise to make national service optional, the first question is what necessitated or occasioned the introduction of National Service? If Bawumia is proposing to make it optional, what does it mean? What is the alternative policy of National Service, if any? Is the time ripe for such a proposition, especially when the unemployment rate has been on the rise in the past few years due to the mismanagement of the economy, which has caused the collapse of many private companies and businesses? A little reading showed that Ghana’s NSS started in 1973, governed by Act 1980 (Act 426). The mission of NSS is to “Mobilise and deploy Ghanaian citizens of 18 years and above for national development” to " develop the potentials of young people and create opportunities for them to deliver quality services to the disadvantaged”. There are several reasons why the proposition is untenable, especially in our current dispensation. For the avoidance of doubt, let me share some of the reasons below:

One:NSS imbibes in graduates the spirit of volunteerism, patriotism and service to one’s community, society and nation.

Two:NSS provides temporary financial relief to fresh graduates transitioning from school to job markets. If it’s made optional, what will be the alternative?

Three: NSS provides temporary mitigation to spiralling graduate unemployment or joblessness.

Four: NSS provides opportunities for many graduates to save some small income to establish their start-ups. The impact could even be more significant if service conditions are improved or enhanced.

Five: NSS provides minimum job experience for graduates. Employers often require at least two years of working experience for many working entry levels. Not all graduates have the opportunity to do internships during their studies in school. Therefore, NSS comes in handy with minimum experience.

Six: NSS also offers opportunities to many graduates who are retained or given permanent employment after satisfactory completion of their service by the institutions where they do the service.

Seven: NSS is a way of giving back to our country and society. In my understanding, the country's education costs at various levels are partly absorbed by the government except perhaps for fee-paying or international students. Therefore, mandatory national service is a way to give back to our country after school. One good turn deserves another.

There are many other equally important reasons why the proposition by Dr Bawumia is a misplaced idea, especially when he failed to indicate the alternative in place of National Service. Another election season is here with us, so Dr Bawumia has started throwing another batch of lofty and fanfare slogans and pronouncements to the Ghanaian public in earnest. The desperation to hang onto power is obvious, so anything that looks like it can attract votes is being thrown to the public by the ruling government without any critical examination. Once beaten twice shy. The most important thing to do now should be to enhance the scheme and welfare of service personnel to reflect on the ideal that occasioned its establishment or introduction.

Baba Musah, PhD
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