The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, paid a courtesy visit to the National Service Authority (NSA) Headquarters in Accra.
The visit provided an opportunity for the minister to engage with the NSA staff and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Authority’s operations, challenges, and initiatives.
Addressing the staff, Mr. Opare Addo praised the leadership of the NSA, commending President John Dramani Mahama for appointing Felix and Ruth, describing them as capable leaders to steer the affairs of the Authority.
“If there is anybody I would trust to run the affairs of National Service, His Excellency President Mahama made no mistake by bringing you these two people. Felix, one of your own, has risen through the ranks to become your Director-General,” he noted.
The Minister emphasised his commitment to supporting the Authority during its transition from a scheme to a fully-fledged authority.
He stated, “I want to assure you that at the Ministry level, we will give you all the support you require so that the transition becomes easy. Together, we can transform the National Service to become the lead organisation for youth development in this country.”
Mr. Opare Addo highlighted the pivotal role the NSA can play in advancing youth development, particularly in agriculture.
He spoke of leveraging the Authority’s existing farms to contribute to national food security and reduce food prices.
“We can turn around your farms into mechanised ones and make them a model for others to follow. The state can leverage your farms to bring down the cost of some staples on the market,” he explained.
He also pledged collaboration with the NSA to implement key government initiatives such as the One Million Codex Program, the Jumairah Project, and the Youth in Agriculture Project, emphasising the need for alignment with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s policies.
One of the critical issues raised during the visit was the delay in payment of allowances for service personnel. Acknowledging the difficulties faced by young people serving far from home, Mr. Opare Addo revealed plans to address the problem.
“When you take a young person from Bindure to Accra for service, and they go months without their allowance, it is simply unacceptable.
“I have already engaged the Minister for Finance and the Chief of Staff to ensure that by the end of next year, service personnel receive timely payments,” he assured.
The Minister also promised to advocate for better pay structures for NSA staff, although he refrained from making concrete promises, saying “I will engage the relevant sector ministers to see to it that at least some improvement is brought to your lives.”
The Minister called for transparency and accountability within the NSA, particularly in addressing the issue of ghost names on the Authority’s payroll.
“The issue of ghost names has been recurring, and it cannot continue. These ghosts do not come from outside, they are within us.
“We will liaise with investigative bodies to bring this issue to an end, and anyone found culpable will face the full force of the law,” he stressed.
He urged the staff to embrace a new era of integrity and efficiency, warning, “It is not going to be business as usual. Things are going to change, and we are going to change very fast.”
Mr. Opare Addo expressed confidence in the NSA’s leadership and staff, urging them to remain dedicated to their roles.
“Continue to give out your very best. Together, we can make National Service the transformative force for youth development that we all envision,” he said.
