A high-level delegation from the Gambia embarked on a working visit to officials of the Ghana National Service Scheme (NSS), underscoring a commitment to bolster collaboration and knowledge transfer between the two nations.
The meeting, held at the NSS Headquarters, convened Heads of various Departments, including notable figures like Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi, Executive Director of NSS, and Mr. Kweku Ohene Djan, Deputy Executive Director in Charge of Operations and Director of Administration, Mr. Paul Appiah, among others.
Mandate
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi reiterated the NSS’ mandate to deploy graduates across sectors of the economy for national service, emphasising the pivotal role graduates play in contributing to the nation’s development.
He mentioned the government’s commitment to providing essential services to its citizens, citing initiatives such as the National Health Insurance and Free Senior High School programmes.
Diverse programmes
Hon. Antwi elaborated on the diverse programmes offered by the NSS, ranging from agriculture and health to education and accounting. He emphasised the significance of these programmes in addressing contemporary challenges, such as food deficits, bookkeeping issues, and IT issues, while enabling graduates to contribute meaningfully to national development.
Hon. Assibey further acknowledged the indispensable support from the Finance Ministry.
"The NSS’ success is a result of the unwavering backing received from the Finance Ministry. We recognise their pivotal role in achieving milestones over the years and continually give them plaudits for their immense contributions towards the improvements of the scheme," he noted.
Commendation
For his part, the Gambian Minister of Youth and Sports, Bakary Y. Badjie, lauded Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi and his team for their exemplary service, hailing the Ghana NSS as a model institution.
"I must say Hon. Assibey has done well for the Ghana National Service Scheme, and we from the Gambia intend to tap into his rich experience. Together, we can exchange ideas and network to improve upon how national service is done at our end," he indicated.
Minister Badjie expressed interest in the numerous successes the management of GNSS has chalked up and the need to chart those courses in the Gambia.
Echoing the praise of Minister Badjie, officials including Lamin Camara, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Alic Kolley, Deputy Permanent Secretary of the Office of the President, and Abass Bah, Executive Director of the Gambia National Youth Service Scheme, reaffirmed their commitment to collaboration.
Pledge
They pledged to formalise this partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), thereby deepening dialogue and fostering stronger ties between the two nations.
The visit not only signifies a commitment to bilateral cooperation but also underscores the importance of sharing best practices and expertise in youth empowerment and national development. As Ghana and the Gambia embark on this collaborative journey, the commendation extended to Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi serves as a testament to his leadership and the invaluable contributions of the Ghana NSS in shaping the future of both nations.
