The government intends to introduce mandatory military training for National Service personnel
Some final-year tertiary students and potential national service personnel have expressed mixed reactions to the government’s plans to introduce a short military training programme as part of the National Service Scheme (NSS).
This was after President John Dramani Mahama in his first State of the Nation Address (SONA), announced that the government would introduce a short military training programme for national service personnel to instill a sense of fitness and discipline among the youth.
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) on their views on the training, some believed that the move was a step in the right direction, while others thought the programme would not be of value for personnel.
Mavis Anokye Mensah, a final-year student of the University of Media, Arts and Communications—Institute of Journalism (UNIMAC-IJ), said the military training would instill discipline, resilience, and a spirit of teamwork among the youth for nation-building.
She said, “For me, I think what the government is bringing on board is good, because the training will help us to learn basic training that will build our resilience to face any difficulties head-on.”
Ransford Dorgbor, another final-year student of UNIMAC-IJ, also expressed a similar opinion and said instilling discipline among the youth would significantly improve productivity and ultimately help to drive socio-economic growth.
He said, “I think this policy used to exist in our national service laws, and so I do not really have any issue with it being reintroduced.”
He, however, said the training should not be made compulsory for all national service personnel “because some people may have special health issues, and some may not also be able to endure.
Gideon Owusu, also a final-year student of UNIMAC-IJ, told the GNA that, “In my opinion, I do not see any value this training will add to my life so the government should not bring this as part of the NSS.”