The Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Osei Assibey Antwi, has welcomed the passage of the NSS Bill which converts the Scheme into an Authority.
Mr. Antwi described the passage as the greatest day for the NSS and expressed confidence the President would assent to the Bill as soon as possible.
The Bill, if assented to will establish the National Service Authority (NSA) to mobilize and post persons qualified to undertake national service in national priority areas for national development.
Addressing the media soon after Tuesday, July 9, the NSS Executive Director indicated that the bill’s passage will transform the scheme into an autonomous authority and open up new opportunities.
According to him, the new status as an Authority will empower the NSS to implement more robust policies and reduce the burden on the central government.
Mr. Antwi stressed that this autonomy will enhance entrepreneurial opportunities within the national service framework.
He said, “Parliament has given us autonomy or authority that is vested with powers in the areas where it is going to enhance entrepreneurs with regards to national service.”
He explained that the transformation into an authority also means that the NSS will be able to undertake initiatives that were previously unfeasible due to bureaucratic constraints.
“We couldn’t even establish certain initiatives, and all problems were loaded onto the doorstep of the government. Now, with the increased autonomy and resources, the National Service can work to achieve a lot of ideas and reduce the burden from the central government.”
“We know that the President will assent to it, to give it final approval. Those who will be part of the National Service in the future will see a new life because there will be a lot of policies that are going to be legally backed,” he said.
The transformation of the NSS into an authority signifies a major step forward in enhancing the scheme’s efficiency and effectiveness in serving the youth and the nation.
The Bill was laid in Parliament by the Minister of Education under a certificate of urgency on Friday, June 14, 2024.
It was referred to the Committee on Education to determine its urgency. The committee determined the bill was urgent and urged the House to pass it under a certificate of urgency.
The Executive Director expressed gratitude to the members of parliament for their unity and collaborative effort in passing the bill.