The Director General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, has called on the 2024/2025 National Service Personnel (NSP) to uphold integrity and hard work throughout the service year.
He cautioned them against unethical practices, such as cutting corners, and emphasized the importance of maintaining high ethical standards.
Mr. Antwi made the call during an orientation program organised by the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) in collaboration with the NSA to provide essential information to the personnel about their roles and responsibilities in the revenue-generating body.
Preference
Speaking during his address, Osei Assibey Antwi emphasised the importance of diligence and hard work. He admonished personnel deployed to the organization to prioritize experience over the mere strong desire to work for the GRA because of the prestige. He encouraged the service personnel to embrace their postings, regardless of the department, and give their best effort.
"I must indicate that GRA is a vast institution, and wherever you are posted, you must embrace it wholeheartedly. Don’t cut corners. Besides, God might be orchestrating something big for you," he stated.
Innovation
The Director General also mentioned the value of being proactive and innovative, recounting a success story of seven previous service personnel who identified and solved a problem during their service year. According to him, these personnel collaborated with the NSA's business development unit to address the issue, which eventually led to them securing permanent employment with the company.
Permanent jobs
“You see the need to identify problems and solve them. Years ago, some seven NSP realised a problem and confronted me with it. With my business development unit, solutions were proffered, and as I speak, they’re permanent staff of the company simply because they were proactive," he shared, encouraging the personnel to use their service year as a stepping stone for future career success.
Osei Assibey also stressed the significance of networking and personal development during the service year, urging the personnel to take advantage of every opportunity to learn and grow.
Diligent and dedication
The Head of Revenue Mobilisation at the NSA, Eric Okyei, advised the personnel to set themselves apart through dedication and diligence. He shared statistics indicating that only 10% of National Service Personnel secure employment immediately after completing their service, underscoring the importance of making the most of the service year.
“Research has proven that only 10% of you as personnel land job offers after completing your national service. The onus lies on you; carve a niche for yourself and be very dedicated,” he stated.
For his part, Assistant Commissioner for Employee Relations and Welfare at GRA, David Debbie, warned against lateness, truancy, and indecent dressing. He urged the personnel to exhibit professionalism and be mindful of their behaviour in the workplace.
"Such irresponsible behaviours are not worthwhile in the world of work. Be time-conscious and act responsibly," he advised.
The Assistant Commissioner of Recruitment, Placements, and Promotions, Patrick Larteh, also encouraged the personnel to embrace their postings and view them as opportunities for learning and networking, noting that national service provides a unique platform for professional growth.
The event was attended by several key officials, including the Revenue Officer Training and Development Department, Sylvia Ankrah, and Assistant to the Director of the Corporate Affairs Department, Ernest Owusu Antwi among others.
