The University of Ghana branch of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) has urged the National Service Scheme (NSS) to concentrate on enhancing the service within the country rather than sending fresh graduates abroad.
In a recent interview with campus-based Radio Univers, NSS Director of Corporate Affairs, Armstrong Essah, revealed that a key component of the Scheme’s 10-year policy, launched on April 15, 2024, in Accra, includes plans for personnel exchanges with countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Nigeria.
However, Dr. Jerry-Joe Harrison, Secretary of UTAG-UG, voiced his concerns in an interview with JoyNews, stressing that the NSS should prioritise local improvements.
Read also: NSS pays January allowance of personnel
“The major reason to set up the NSS was to give people who have just finished university the opportunity to gain job experience.
"Over the years some of the challenges have been the poor enumeration which is not enough to feed them and provide for accommodation.
"The reluctance you see that everyone wants to be in the city because of accommodation and other related issues.
"Merely changing the scheme by sending people outside is not what is going to help rather focus on improving it in its current form. There are many areas where the service of these people is needed,” he stated.
Read also: Ghanaian youth are being taken for granted – NSS Association scribe
Dr Harrison also highlighted the risks of global deployment, warning that it could lead to brain drain and likening it to a form of modern-day slave trade.
“Even if it is going to be implemented in the right way where the right people are sent to these countries, you are inherently sending the best for them to work on them.
"It is not different from the slave trade where our best were sent to these countries under very dehumanising conditions. It is going to be a major contributor to brain drain in the long term also,” he added.
Latest Stories
-
‘Speaker’s declaration of vacant seats sets a dangerous precedent’ – Kwaku Azar
19 seconds -
Election 2024: Ghana to strengthen peace, stability – Akufo-Addo assures
1 min -
Obuasi SHTS wins 2024 Stemnnovation competition
7 mins -
Akufo-Addo gov’t has outperformed NDC in Zongo communities – Ben Abdallah Banda
13 mins -
Ghana’s industrial sector sees mixed performances in second quarter
23 mins -
Journalists urged to avoid victim-blaming narratives in road crash coverage
25 mins -
Vote for positive human development – Nana Kwame Bediako
43 mins -
GES releases 2024/25 academic calendar for Basic and Senior High Schools
45 mins -
Chambas appeals to Ghanaians to ensure violence-free elections
1 hour -
We need to hang our coat on private sector – Nana Osei Bonsu on path to economic recovery
2 hours -
I was suspended in SHS after making a dance video with my uniform – Lisa Quama
2 hours -
Unemployed man sentenced to 5 years for causing harm
2 hours -
GTA gears up for National Tourism Awards 2024
2 hours -
Police foil robbery attempt, arrest four suspects
2 hours -
EU leaders set course for tougher policy to send back irregular migrants
4 hours