National Service Authority receives GH¢40m for basic military training

The National Service Authority has received GH¢40 million from the government to initiate basic military training for National Service personnel, according to the Authority's Director-General, Ruth Dela Seddoh. The funds were allocated by President John Dramani Mahama to support the implementation of the program. The training aims to instill discipline, resilience, and other foundational skills in military training among the National Service personnel.

This announcement came during the inaugural National Youth Forum, convened by the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment to discuss challenges and opportunities for the youth. Attendees at the forum included various stakeholders such as the Youth Employment Agency, National Service Authority, and National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme.

One of the forum's key highlights was a demand for stronger financial support for young entrepreneurs, with the Ghana Chamber of Young Entrepreneurs' CEO, Sherif Ghali, proposing the establishment of a National Youth Development Fund. This proposed fund would be legally established and financed through a dedicated percentage of national revenue.

Ghali emphasized the need for such a fund to empower young people to become economically independent and reduce instances of conflict at public spaces like KFC. Young participants also emphasized the necessity for improved access to information about government agencies and entrepreneurship programs. They proposed educational initiatives to inform young people, especially university students, about available opportunities and institutions within the entrepreneurship sector.

The National Youth Forum serves to enhance the interaction between policymakers and young people, promoting initiatives in employment, entrepreneurship, skills development, and economic empowerment. Additionally, the Ministry is leveraging the forum to bolster its "Red Means Stop" campaign, which aims to raise awareness about drug abuse and encourage healthier choices among young people.