Reconsidering the National Service Military Policy: A Call for Collaborative Implementation and Institutional Integration

The National Service Authority's (NSA) recent announcement of a mandatory three-month military training exercise for all qualified National Service personnel from tertiary institutions has called for a necessary debate about discipline and character development in Ghana's youth.

While the aim of maximizing discipline among personnel is commendable, it is crucial for the government to relook at the implementation procedure to ensure that the policy achieves its intended goals without raising significant concerns about the perception and reputation of our tertiary institutions.

The NSA's argument that four years of education under the guidance of highly qualified and disciplined lecturers, including PhD holders and professors, is insufficient to instill discipline in personnel is difficult to accept. It implicitly questions the effectiveness of our educational system.

One major concern is that the policy seems to undermine the role of tertiary institutions in shaping the character and discipline of students.

Four years of education under the guidance of well-trained and disciplined lecturers, including PhD holders and professors, should ideally equip students with the necessary skills and values to excel in their chosen fields. The notion that a three-month military training exercise is sufficient to instill discipline in students who have spent four years in these institutions raises questions about the efficacy of our academic systems.

Rather than implementing a standalone military training program, it would be more effective to incorporate the policy into the existing curriculum of tertiary institutions. This could be achieved through a compulsory tertiary cadet corps program or by allowing universities to strategically integrate the policy as an internship program during the four-year stay on campus, with the support of the NSA and the military. This approach would not only enhance the discipline and character of students but also promote a more holistic approach to education to protect our institutional integrity and reputation.

Furthermore, the NSA should consider reviewing the personnel allowance rate to motivate service personnel to perform better. Research has shown that wage rates have a direct relationship with employee motivation, and an increment in allowance could significantly boost the morale and productivity of personnel.

The government of Ghana and the NSA's decision to ensure discipline among National Service personnel is a collective concern that requires a collaborative approach. Rather than implementing a policy that may be perceived as undermining the role of tertiary institutions, it would be more effective to work with these institutions to develop a comprehensive approach to discipline and character development.

The National Service Military Policy has good intentions, its implementation procedure requires careful consideration to ensure that it achieves its goals without unintended consequences. By working collaboratively with tertiary institutions and incorporating the policy into existing curriculum, we can develop a more effective and sustainable approach to discipline and character development in Ghana's youth.

BY Christian Anefor, UEW Business Students Alumni Association Assistant Organizer