NSA employment summit: Authority targets 70 private placement

The National Service Authority (NSA) is targeting approximately 70% of its national service personnel to place them in private institutions as it aims to tackle the rising unemployment among young people in the country. The NSA claims that government institutions are already saturated with limited opportunities for retaining personnel post-service, whereas private institutions have a greater capacity to absorb these individuals.

Ashanti Regional Director of the NSA, Fynn Emmanuel Reagan, highlights the need for skills training for personnel after their national service to enhance their prospects of securing stable employment.

Reagan pointed out that the government faces a daunting unemployment rate, and without appropriate measures, the situation could deteriorate further. He emphasized that beyond their service, personnel must be guided towards better employment options, and partnerships like the one with AngloGold Ashanti are crucial in this direction.

At the Empowerment Summit in Kumasi, hosted by AngloGold Ashanti's Obuasi Mine in collaboration with the Ashanti Regional NSA Secretariat, stakeholders discussed strategies to bridge the gap between national service and the job market. The summit is part of the NSA's broader youth empowerment initiatives as outlined in its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan (SEDP).

AngloGold's Economic Development Superintendent, Daniel Arthur Bretwum, explained that this collaborative approach will enhance skills, improve employability, encourage entrepreneurship, and expand access to opportunities. He encouraged young people to view their studied fields through a lens of problem-solving, suggesting that opportunities exist in various sectors including engineering, technology, logistics, construction, environmental services, agriculture, catering, equipment maintenance, and more.

Bretwum advised that for those inclined towards entrepreneurship, it is essential not to wait for everything to be perfect; starting with what one has, identifying a problem to solve, engaging with customers, beginning small, and continuously learning are vital steps towards building a successful business.

The summit convened over 100 young individuals who had completed their national service, offering them training, networking opportunities, and pathways into employment and entrepreneurship. Ashanti Regional Minister Dr. Frank Amoakohene urged the participants to utilize the news and avail themselves of the government's youth employment interventions.