The Minister of Public Enterprises, Joseph Cudjoe, has stressed the importance of leveraging the National Service Scheme’s revenue streams by deploying more service personnel to the private sector, particularly those with expertise in computer science, marketing, accounting, economics, and engineering, among other disciplines.
He made the call yesterday when he paid a courtesy visit to NSS Executive Director, Osei Assibey Antwi.
The visit was aimed at enhancing operational efficiency and revenue generation avenues within the Scheme as well as charting a path for increasing its profitability to enhance national development.
Mr. Cudjoe also took the opportunity to commission the Business Development Unit Block of the Scheme.
Contributions
“The contributions of NSS to the development of the nation cannot be overemphasised. I believe the one-year service transition is crucial as a transformative period for young graduates. It is important to inculcate the right mindset among service personnel, ensuring they exit the programme equipped for success in the workforce,” he said.
The Minister lauded the NSS’s efforts in agricultural development, but urged a more targeted approach, suggesting a focus on producing for the school feeding programme.
“It is essential that by aligning production with this programme’s needs, the NSS could secure a reliable market and contribute significantly to the nation's food security goals,” he added.
A Deputy Director at the Ministry of Public Enterprises, Mark Kofi Cobblah, also commended the NSS boss for his transformative leadership, stressing the significance of his initiatives as models for emulation.
Commitment
In response, the NSS Executive Director reaffirmed the Scheme's commitment to supporting the government's efforts to reduce imports of staple foods like rice, maize and beans.
Mr. Assibey Antwi highlighted the vast potential of NSS-operated farmlands in Kumawu, stressing the Scheme's role in enhancing domestic food production.
“Let me crave your indulgence to indicate that with support from the central government, the Scheme can assist the nation greatly in terms of food security. This will even lead to an end to the importation of cereals in the country,” he said.
He indicated that “the NSP across the country are doing very well. Even in some remote areas where professional teachers are not willing to go, you will see the NSP delivering to the community’s educational needs.”
