Former NSA Boss Osei Assibey Antwi earns praise for transformative leadership

Nana Kofi Boakye, former Vice President of the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) for Ayawaso West during the 2022–2023 service year, has lauded the immediate past Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, for his visionary leadership and impactful reforms.

In a statement highlighting the need to preserve and advance the gains made under Mr. Assibey’s tenure, Nana Kofi Boakye referred to the period as a “golden era” marked by strategic innovation and youth-focused initiatives.

He noted that Mr. Assibey's leadership transformed the NSA from a body focused on routine administration into one that embraced strategic planning and national relevance.

Among the standout achievements, Boakye cited the digital transformation of the Authority, particularly the introduction of the Metric app. He said this app revolutionized internal operations by streamlining identity card issuance, billing systems, and the management of Internally Generated Funds (IGF).

Kofi Boakye also commended the Authority’s integration of the Ghana Card into its systems, describing it as a move that “significantly improved biometric identification, reducing fraud and enhancing efficiency.”

“One of the most notable milestones under his leadership was the successful passage of the National Service Act, 2022 (Act 1119), which transitioned the National Service Scheme into a full-fledged authority. This legislative reform granted the NSA greater autonomy and expanded its mandate in alignment with Ghana’s national development priorities,” he indicated.

He went on to praise Mr. Assibey's focus on youth empowerment through agricultural projects, citing the Sekyere Kumawu Economic Enclave Project (SKEEP) as a major success. According to Boakye, “his flagship project, the Sekyere Kumawu Economic Enclave Project (SKEEP), trained young people in modern agricultural practices, equipping them for self-employment and contributing to national food security.”

Boakye revealed that 600 bags of rice harvested from this initiative were supplied to the Ministry of Education to support the Free SHS programme.

“I must hint that, additionally, over 200 service personnel were trained in agribusiness through a collaboration with the Jospong Group. To boost global competitiveness and academic development, according to him, Osei Assibey facilitated scholarships for 120 national service personnel to pursue higher education in Russia, in partnership with Zoomlion Ghana Limited—an unprecedented initiative in the Authority's history,” he stressed.

He further highlighted Mr. Assibey's commitment to improving service personnel welfare, including increasing the monthly allowance from GHC555.04 to GHC715.57. Boakye also acknowledged the introduction of pedagogical training for service personnel posted to schools, which included the issuance of teaching licences to enable them to continue as professional educators after national service.

Emphasizing the importance of continuity, Boakye urged the new leadership to uphold and build upon these achievements.

“As new leadership emerges at the NSA, under Mr Gyamfi Felix, I call on him to build upon this solid foundation. It is imperative to not only maintain but expand this legacy, ensuring the NSA remains a vital pillar of national development,” he stated.