The NSS Ghana is undoubtedly a welcome development. As it comes with some benefits that expose tertiary institution graduates to a firsthand taste of what the labour market is like. Nevertheless, you’ll see other benefits the scheme has in this article.
This scheme requires Ghanaian students who graduate from accredited tertiary institutions to do a one-year national service to the country. There is an agency of the Ghanaian government that is mandated to plan policies and structures for national service. The agency is the National Service Secretariat. As you read along, you’ll know more about NSS Ghana, their objectives, how to check and activate your pin, etc.
About NSS Ghana
They established the National Service Scheme (NSS) in 1973. This scheme is a program under the Ministry of Education with a National Secretariat in Accra. It also has offices in all administrative regions and districts across the country. They officially require this scheme to deploy a pool of skilled human resources. And this should come primarily from tertiary institutions to support development efforts of both the private and public sectors in Ghana.
It is a requirement for all citizens of Ghana eighteen years and above. Because of this, they limit and mandate it to Ghanaians graduating from tertiary educational institutions.
What are the objectives of NSS Ghana?
There is always something the government aims to achieve by setting up a scheme.
The following are the objectives of the NSS scheme:
- In the effort of nation-building through active participation, they aim to encourage the spirit of national service among all segments of Ghanaian society.
- To combat hunger, illiteracy, disease and unemployment in Ghana through projects designed for that.
- Help deliver essential services and amenities, especially in towns and villages of the rural areas of Ghana.
- Development of skilled human resources through practical training.
- It helps to foster national unity and strengthen the bonds of common citizenship among Ghanaians.
How can I check and activate NSS Pin Code before registration?
They have simplified the activation of your PIN Code prior to registration for your national service obligation. This process could take less than five minutes to complete. Please follow the instructions below:
- Visit the link https://portal.nss.gov.gh/check-pin
- Enter your Index Number / student ID number. Then put your date of birth in the space there and “SEARCH”
- Then they will give you a bio data of your pin code, full name, Institution, Course of study and year of enrollment. After that, kindly copy the pin code.
- Thereafter, use your pin code as reference to payment for its activation.
- They prefer the use of MTN Mobile money and Agricultural Development Bank Ltd. (ADB).
How can I activate NSS PIN with MTN Mobile Money?
- Just dial *170#
- Select (option 2) for “PAY BILL”
- Select (option 6) General Payments
- Enter your payment code as ‘NSS PINCODE’. Type NSS, leave a space, then type your PINCODE. Thereafter, the menu will return to your name for confirmation.
- Select deposit amount (GH¢41.00).
- Enter “NSS” as reference
- Enter PIN to confirm payment
- They will send you a message to confirm the transaction. Then you can go ahead to your NSS Registration.
What are the various National Service Scheme deployments?
The National Service Scheme has various deployments for fresh graduates across the country.
The following are the deployments of the National Service Scheme:
- Agriculture
- Health
- Education
- Local Government
- Rural Development (surveying, physical planning, civil engineering and rural industries).
- Youth Programmes.
Is the National Service Scheme important?
Every tertiary institution graduate at some point would want to know if the National Service Scheme is important. The scheme is important primarily because it offers Ghanaian youths the chance to enter the labour market. And they will have the advantage of developing early contact while they work in either private or public sectors. Besides that, they can pick business ideas, reflect on career options, acquire practical on-the-job training. As they do this, they will contribute to socio-economic transformation development at the same time.
Is the NSS Ghana compulsory?
Having seen the importance of the National Service Scheme. You might also want to know if it’s compulsory to partake in the scheme. The answer is, ‘Yes’. The National Service Scheme is compulsory for all Ghanaian citizens. Most especially for youths 18 years and above at the time of deployment.
Who is eligible to partake in the NSS Ghana?
Just like every other scheme or program of the government. Before you can partake, you must be eligible for a particular program. This is because they designed every given program for a target group of the populace. Therefore, for the National Service Scheme, every Ghanaian youth eighteen years and above is eligible to partake. Especially young Ghanaians of that age, at the time of completing or getting their first tertiary education degree or diploma.
What are some benefits of the NSS Ghana?
There are some benefits that come with the National Service Scheme, some of them are:
- Personality Development
- Incentive
- Preference in Admission / Employment
- There is a national integration camp. Besides that, there is also, adventure programme, including state level and national level programmes.
- Through the scheme, youths can gain leadership qualities and democratic attitude.
- Students in colleges and universities can have diversified opportunities to develop their personality through community service.
- It helps foster a sense of involvement in building the nation.
What are the contact details of NSS Ghana?
For further enquiries, you can contact NSS Ghana through the following contact details:
- Phone numbers: 055-440-4422, 055-440-0078, 055-440-0069.
- Email: info@nss.gov.gh
- Address: 46 Patrice Lumumba Road, Airport Residential Area, Accra.
Conclusion
Each year, the NSS assigns over 70,000 tertiary graduates to 12-month employment postings (throughout the country). This scheme undoubtedly creates an avenue for youths to partake in civic responsibility in the state. Of all the benefits mentioned in this article, permanent job placements could also come out of this scheme. This is because the youths who connect with employers and are of great value to a company. Because of this, they could stand a better chance of landing a permanent job placement.
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