On April 24, 2025, a significant conversation unfolded on X, sparked by the National Service Authority (NSA) of Ghana’s announcement to introduce military training for National Service personnel starting in August 2025. While the initiative, dubbed NSERRP, aims to instill discipline and skills, it has drawn criticism from voices like @scientect, who argue that the funds could be better allocated to address more pressing needs for Ghanaian youth.
In a series of thought-provoking posts, @scientect proposed three actionable recommendations to redirect resources toward empowering National Service personnel (NSS) as drivers of economic growth. This blog post explores these ideas, weaving them into a compelling narrative about the untapped potential of Ghana’s youth and the transformative power of entrepreneurship.
The Context: Why NSS Personnel Deserve Better
The NSA’s decision to implement military training, announced via a meeting with the Military High Command on April 23, 2025, has stirred debate. @scientect, in a reply to @Joy997FM, pointed out a critical issue: “NSS personnel are underpaid! And significantly below the poverty line! Why should any Ghanaian worker earn less than a living wage?”
This sentiment echoes a broader concern in Ghana, where youth unemployment remains a major challenge, as noted by the National Entrepreneurship & Innovation Programme (NEIP). The NEIP, a flagship policy initiative, emphasises the need to support startups and small businesses to consolidate Ghana’s middle-income status and create sustainable jobs. Yet, the current NSS allowance—far below the GH₵3000 per month @scientect advocates for—leaves many young graduates struggling to make ends meet.
Instead of military training, @scientect argues that the government should invest in NSS personnel as catalysts for economic growth. The three recommendations outlined in their posts offer a roadmap for doing just that, focusing on entrepreneurship, job creation, and skill-building.
Recommendation 1: NSS Entrepreneurship Startup Grant
@scientect’s first proposal is bold yet practical: “Establish NSS Entrepreneurship Startup Grant of about GH₵100,000 to 10 NSS personnel annually.” This initiative would provide seed funding to young entrepreneurs, enabling them to launch or scale their ventures. The idea aligns seamlessly with NEIP’s mission to provide integrated support for startups, including business development services, incubators, and funding. NEIP’s Presidential Pitch for Young Entrepreneurs has already demonstrated the potential of such programs, offering funding and mentorship to successful pitches and boosting Ghana’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Imagine the impact: ten NSS personnel each year, equipped with GH₵100,000, could create businesses that address local needs—whether it’s a tech startup in Accra, an agribusiness in the Northern Region, or a creative enterprise in Kumasi. These ventures could generate jobs, stimulate innovation, and contribute to Ghana’s long-term vision of an industry-driven economy. By redirecting funds from military training to entrepreneurship, the government could empower the youth to tackle unemployment head-on, turning NSS personnel into job creators rather than job seekers.
Recommendation 2: NSS Local & Rural Job Creation Initiative
The second recommendation focuses on sustainable development through eco-tourism: “Government should create at least one modern eco-tourism project in one region annually, employing NSS personnel. A good example is the Eden Project in UK.” @scientect shared an image of the Eden Project, a world-renowned eco-tourism site in the UK, to illustrate the potential of such initiatives. In Ghana, eco-tourism could be a game-changer, especially in rural areas where poverty and unemployment are most acute.
Research supports this idea. A study on ecotourism in Ghana’s Kakum Conservation Area highlights its potential to create jobs while promoting local culture and products (Cobbinah et al., 2017). However, the study also notes a challenge: inequity in the distribution of tourism benefits often leaves rural communities worse off. To address this, @scientect’s proposal emphasises employing NSS personnel in these projects, ensuring that young Ghanaians are at the forefront of development. For instance, a modern eco-tourism site in the Volta Region could employ NSS graduates as tour guides, project managers, or conservationists, while also attracting visitors and boosting the local economy. Such initiatives could help Ghana achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals by fostering sustainable tourism and reducing poverty in rural areas.
Recommendation 3: NSS Entrepreneurship Apprenticeship Programme
The third recommendation is a call for hands-on learning: “NSS Entrepreneurship Apprenticeship Programme. Selected NSS personnel (1000+) will gain hands-on business creation skills through direct mentorship from experienced & successful entrepreneurs.” Under this program, candidates would work in teams to develop and pilot new businesses, gaining practical experience that prepares them for the real world.
This idea builds on existing models like the Young Africa Works – Apprenticeship to Entrepreneurship (A2E) program, which provides vocational training, apprenticeships, and startup kits to unemployed youth in Ghana. By integrating mentorship and teamwork, @scientect’s proposal takes this concept further, ensuring that NSS personnel not only learn skills but also apply them in a collaborative, entrepreneurial setting. Imagine 1,000+ NSS graduates each year, mentored by successful Ghanaian entrepreneurs, launching businesses that address local challenges—whether it’s a renewable energy startup, a digital education platform, or a healthcare service for rural communities. This program could create a pipeline of skilled, confident entrepreneurs ready to drive Ghana’s economic growth.
The Bigger Picture: Investing in Youth for a Brighter Future
@scientect’s overarching argument is clear: “NSS personnel can greatly contribute to the economic growth of the country if the government invests in them correctly and strategically.” The three recommendations—startup grants, eco-tourism projects, and apprenticeship programs—offer a holistic approach to empowering the youth. They address immediate needs, like financial support and skill-building, while also tackling systemic issues, such as rural unemployment and inequitable development.
The debate around military training highlights a broader question: what is the true purpose of National Service? Is it to prepare the youth for discipline through military drills, or to equip them with the tools to shape Ghana’s future? @scientect’s vision leans toward the latter, advocating for a National Service that invests in its personnel as entrepreneurs, innovators, and community builders. As the Kakum Conservation Area study suggests, when local communities lead development efforts, the results are transformative—increased facilities, successful conservation, and improved livelihoods. NSS personnel, with the right support, could lead similar transformations across Ghana.
Conclusion: A Call to Action
The conversation sparked by @scientect on X is a wake-up call for Ghana’s policymakers. Instead of channeling resources into military training, the government has an opportunity to invest in its youth—tomorrow’s leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs. The proposed NSS Entrepreneurship Startup Grant, Local & Rural Job Creation Initiative, and Entrepreneurship Apprenticeship Programme are not just ideas; they are actionable steps toward a more inclusive, prosperous Ghana.
As we approach August 2025, when the military training program is set to begin, let’s amplify voices like @scientect’s and push for a reimagined National Service—one that prioritises entrepreneurship, sustainability, and youth empowerment. The future of Ghana depends on its youth. It’s time to give them the tools to build it.
Call to Action: Share your thoughts on these recommendations! Do you agree with @scientect’s vision for National Service in Ghana? How else can the government support NSS personnel in driving economic growth? Join the conversation using #NSSTopPriority, and let’s advocate for a brighter future together.
Disclosure: This blog post was written with the assistance of Grok, an AI tool created by xAI, based on my concept and direction. I am fully responsible for the content and any errors herein.
References
Cobbinah, P. B., Amenuvor, D., Black, R., & Peprah, C. (2017). Ecotourism in the Kakum Conservation Area, Ghana: Local politics, practice and outcome. Journal of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, 20, 34–44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jort.2017.09.003
Scientect 
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