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NSA olds Strategic Management Session on Deployment for Growth
The National Service Authority (NSA) has held a high-level management session on Strategic Deployment as a Driver for National Service Growth at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Accra.
The meeting, which took place on Friday, brought together Regional and District Managers from across the country to deliberate on how deployment to Non-Subvented Organisations can drive growth for the Authority and increase its Internally Generated Funds (IGF).
Rationale
Speaking on the rationale behind the session, the Director-General of NSA, Mr. Felix Gyamfi, underscored the need for proper engagement and strategic deployment to enhance the financial standing of the Authority.
He stressed that posting National Service Personnel (NSP) to Non-Subvented Organisations, which contribute 20% service charges to the NSA, is a key strategy to improve revenue generation and sustain operations.
“I am very clear in my mind that this is the way to go. That way, we can generate a lot of money for the running of the Authority and, by extension, create an enabling environment for staff welfare to be realised,” he stated.
Beyond revenue, the Director-General expressed concern over the inefficiencies in the current system, where some NSP are left idle under trees due to improper deployment, yet receive monthly allowances.
“I believe this is a waste of time and expertise. The service year is meant to expose these personnel to a structured working environment that enhances their career experience in the job market,” he pointed out.
He called on NSA staff at all levels to demonstrate commitment in achieving the new strategic direction, emphasising that once an NSP is posted to a Non-Subvented Organisation, reposting should not be entertained.
“This approach will not only increase our IGF but also reduce the financial burden on the government in paying allowances, thereby creating an enabling environment for improved staff welfare,” he outlined.
Crucial step
The Deputy Director-General of NSA, Ruth Dela Seddoh applauded the initiative, describing it as a crucial step towards national growth. She called for support from all NSA staff to ensure the success of this new direction.
“This is a great initiative, and we all need to align with it to drive national growth. Supporting this agenda will benefit NSP, NSA staff, stakeholders, and the nation as a whole,” she noted.
The session also featured a presentation by a consultant, Samuel Colley, who shared insights on how research into Non-Subvented Organisations can contribute to NSA’s growth.
He highlighted a major challenge where NSP originally posted to private entities often ends up elsewhere, leaving these companies with little or no personnel despite their willingness to absorb them.
“From our research findings, some private entities have expressed frustration with NSA’s deployment system. I suggest that we engage them more effectively to ensure that the Authority generates significant revenue through service charges,” he stated.
The consultant stressed the need for pragmatic interventions to ensure that private sector engagement is effective and mutually beneficial.
During the interactive session, NSA District Directors from various regions shared their perspectives on how to achieve the new strategic targets.
They acknowledged the pressing need for more human resources, better motivation for staff, and adequate logistics, particularly vehicles, to facilitate engagement with private sector organisations.
They opined that with improved resources, NSA could expand its revenue streams and explore alternative means of income generation.
Market Demands
For his part, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Armstrong Esaah, emphasised the need for greater awareness and education on market demands when it comes to deploying NSP.
He highlighted that understanding industry requirements is critical to achieving the set targets. “We need to inform university management about the specific demands of the job market. Fields like IT, Engineering, Sciences, and Architecture are in higher demand than traditional disciplines such as Arts and Marketing. Aligning NSP deployment with these market realities will enhance our efficiency and revenue generation,” he explained.
He urged NSA to take a more proactive approach in bridging the gap between academia and the job market.
The Director-General reassured staff members of his full support to ensure that NSA generates the needed IGF to boost staff morale and improve working conditions.
“For me, I will fully support any good initiative that generates funds for the activities of the Authority. We should all come together to make this happen, and we will see how NSA will improve, “he assured.
He further stated that leveraging private sector deployment is a game-changer for NSA’s financial sustainability, saying, “The discussions reinforced the need for strategic partnerships, improved research, proactive engagement, and commitment from all NSA staff”.
He added that with a clear roadmap and collaborative efforts, the NSA is poised to transform its deployment strategy, ensuring that National Service Personnel gain valuable work experience, contribute meaningfully to national development, and boost the Authority’s revenue streams.
ODORGONNO Senior High School (SHS) has won the maiden 2026 Senior High School Plastic Waste Reuse Innovation Awards, organised among five SHSs in Accra to promote plastic waste recycling and reuse.
Odorgonno SHS received a cash prize of GH¢8,000 after securing 97 points. Accra Senior High School placed second with 96 points and received GH¢4,000, while O’Reilly SHS placed third with 90 points and received GH¢2,000.
Forces Senior High Technical School placed fourth with 83 points, while St John’s Grammar SHS came fifth with 72 points. Both schools received GH¢1,000 each as cash prizes.
Outstanding students from the participating school clubs were also recognised with gold medals and certificates. St John’s Grammar SHS received five plastic recovery cages as the school with the highest volume of recovered plastic waste.
The awards formed part of the CSIR-Institute of Industrial Research (CSIR-IIR) Schools Plastics Recovery Project, an initiative aimed at promoting plastic waste recovery, responsible environmental practices and the productive use of recovered materials.
The project included educational campaigns in all five participating schools, the provision of metal cages for plastic source segregation, an educational excursion to a Miniplast recycling factory and a plastics challenge that encouraged innovative reuse of plastic waste.
The Project Lead and Senior Research Scientist at CSIR-IIR, Dr Boniface Yeboah Antwi, said the project demonstrated how young people could become active contributors to solving Ghana’s environmental challenges while providing financial incentives to sustain their efforts.
He said when schools generated income from recovered materials, they could support the maintenance of collection infrastructure, reinforce responsible waste management and instil an entrepreneurial mindset in students.
Dr Antwi explained that within the first month, the participating schools recovered 1.5 tonnes, or 1,500 kilogrammes, of plastic waste—equivalent to the weight of approximately 15,000 one-litre water bottles.
He said the recovery generated GH¢2,000 in revenue for the schools, demonstrating that plastic waste could become a source of value rather than an environmental burden.
The Group Head of General Operations at OmniBSIC Bank, Mr Dominic Donkoh, urged the participating schools to sustain their plastic waste segregation, collection and sales activities.
He said the proceeds could support school environmental clubs and other worthwhile initiatives while providing students with practical lessons in saving, budgeting and responsible financial management.
“We encourage students to apply the financial literacy lessons acquired during this engagement. Learn to manage the proceeds from your recycling activities responsibly, appreciate the importance of saving, and explore innovative ways to create both environmental and financial value,” he added.
–GNA
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Parents have been urged to prioritise girls’ education over early marriage to protect them from losing their childhood, education and opportunities for a better future.
The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Girl Child Coordinator, Madam Margaret Blay, said child marriage disrupted girls’ education, threatened their health and well-being, and limited their ability to realise their full potential.
“Keep her in school, not in a man’s house,” she urged parents, stressing the need for families and communities to protect girls’ right to education and personal development.
She made the call in a welcome address at the 2026 celebration of the International Day of the Girl Child in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, held under the theme: “End Child Marriage and Invest in Girls’ Rights.”
Madam Blay said ending child marriage required collective action from parents, teachers, traditional leaders, government institutions and communities to ensure that girls were protected and given the opportunity to pursue their aspirations.
She noted that child marriage often forced girls out of school before they were physically, emotionally and socially prepared for the responsibilities associated with marriage.
She said investing in girls’ rights was not merely a moral obligation but also an investment in the future of communities and the nation.
According to her, girls who remained in school, had their voices heard and received the necessary support could grow into leaders, professionals, innovators and active contributors to national development.
Madam Blay called on teachers to protect girls’ access to education, create supportive learning environments and empower them to express themselves confidently.
She also appealed to traditional leaders to help address harmful cultural practices and social norms that denied girls opportunities to develop their potential.
The government and relevant institutions, she said, must strengthen the enforcement of child protection laws to ensure that every girl received adequate protection.
She further urged communities to speak out against child marriage, report cases and work together to create safe environments where girls could learn, grow and thrive.
Madam Blay said every girl deserved the freedom to dream, acquire an education and determine her own future.
She expressed the hope that the celebration would strengthen stakeholders’ collective resolve to end child marriage and invest in the rights, education and future of every girl.
Madam Karen Ama Moses, Assembly Member for the Takoradi Railway and Harbour Electoral Area, said keeping girls in school would lead to enlightened mothers, well-informed families, resilient communities and, ultimately, a better Ghana.
She stressed that no child should be forced into marriage, adding that “every child must have the freedom to learn, grow, dream and choose her future.”
Some of the schoolchildren expressed concern that their parents did not always listen to their concerns during difficult times, while others said some children were exposed to abuse and early marriage.
Madam Henrietta Quabu, the Metropolitan School Health Coordinator, urged children experiencing abuse or any situation that threatened their well-being to report to the police, the Department of Social Welfare, the media, their teachers or the Metropolitan Education Directorate for assistance.
— GNA
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