By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), June 20, GNA – Mr. Bill Godson Ocloo, the Executive Director of African Center for Human Security, has hailed the decision by the National Service Authority (NSA) to provide military training for national service personnel.
He said the initiative would instill discipline, patriotism and responsibilities among others in the youth.
Mr. Ocloo, in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), on the recent announcement by the NSA of introducing a six-weeks military training programme for the 2025/2026 National Service personnel before posting, said the training would reshape the personnels’ skills.
“The training is not just going to be about combat skills, it’s also about discipline, teamwork, leadership and sacrifice,” he said.
He also explained that incorporation of military training into the National Service programmes would enable young people to develop essential skills and sense of patriotism, and the initiative has the potential to reshape the next generation of leaders to promote national pride.
Mr. Ocloo told the GNA that the military training would benefit the personnel in various ways, which include enhancement of discipline and responsibilities, improvement of national security, promotion of patriotism and national pride and development of leadership and teamwork skills and increase capacity for emergency response and disaster management.
He said: “The national service scheme offers a unique opportunity to instill vital values in young people and investing in the youth can shape the next generation of leaders and promote national development.”
Mr. Ocloo, who is also a security analyst, said that a similar programme such as the National Service Training Programme (NSTP) in other countries like Philipine, have shown a positive result in fostering civic consciousness among young people and urged the general public to support the initiative for the progress and development of the country.
He said the decision to provide military training in the national service was a step in a right direction which would further build confidence and inspire the participants to become active citizens that would contribute to the development of various communities and the country.
He said that the future prospect of the initiative was promising, and proper implementation and investment could lead to a generation of young people who would not only be patriotic but also equipped with essential skills on national development and security.
He said the programmes may face some common challenges ahead which could require careful planning, resources and support.
He appealed to corporate organisations and stakeholders to support the government for proper and successful implementation.
Mr. Ocloo said: “Investing in the future generation of youths would also curb youth involvement in unpleasant acts.”
Some National Service Personnel preparing for their mandatory services at Keta, who spoke to the GNA expressed excitement about initiatives which would allow them to choose to complete a six-weeks military training programme before their official posting.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Benjamin Mensah