A total of 10,000 National Service personnel are set to begin basic military training on August 31, 2025, as part of a newly introduced military orientation programme by the National Service Authority (NSA). This marks the launch of the pilot phase of the initiative, which was first announced in June 2025.
The six-week training, which is entirely voluntary, was developed to instill discipline, civic responsibility, and patriotism in young graduates. It reflects the government’s broader aim of preparing the youth for national development roles beyond their academic qualifications.
At a press briefing held on Monday, August 4, under the theme "Government Accountability Series," Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, emphasized that the training aligns with the National Service Act, 2024 (Act 1119), and is a key feature of the new national service strategy.
He clarified that the initiative is not designed to militarize the National Service structure. “This policy is not about the militarisation of service personnel,” Mr. Opare Addo explained. “It is about leadership, resilience, and civic responsibility.”
The Ghana Armed Forces will collaborate with the NSA to deliver the programme. Two cohorts of 10,000 personnel will be trained initially, with plans to scale the programme up to accommodate 100,000 participants in the coming years.
Personnel selected for the pilot phase will undergo training prior to being posted to their respective user agencies. Final postings will follow the successful completion of the training.
Registration for the optional programme was integrated into the NSA’s online enrolment system, which was open from June 17 to July 1, 2025. The NSA has also confirmed that participation in the training will not interfere with regular service placements.
Source: Graphic.com.gh