60,000 graduates to do national service

Kumasi, April 28, GNA - Over 60,000 graduates from tertiary institutions across the country would be posted to various institutions by October this year to begin their one year national service. The number is 20,000 higher than last year's, which stood at 40,000.

Mr Kwasi Quainoo, Ashanti Regional Director of the National Service Scheme who announced this, therefore appealed to the personnel to accept any part of the country to which they would be posted, since that was where their services would be most needed. Mr. Quainoo was addressing a day's orientation programme organised by his outfit in collaboration with Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) for over 6,000 final year students of the University.

He said to help reduce congestion at the regional office in Kumasi during the registration of the personnel; two new registration centres have been opened at the old laundry block at KNUST and another at the Kumasi Technical Institute (KTI) to expedite action on the registration of the personnel.

The Regional Director said since National Service Persons were always seen as role models in society, it would be prudent for them to abide by the rules and regulations binding the institution where they would be posted, to enable the youth in the area to emulate their good examples.

He charged them to be good ambassadors of the scheme, by helping to meet the objective for which it was established; to help them gain some experience at the various work places, as well as supporting the man-power needs of various institutions across the country. Mr Quainoo urged the personnel to strive to be agents of change wherever they found themselves, by working hard, showing dedication and commitment to whatever job they found themselves. He appealed to opinion leaders, government agencies and all institutions that would be hosting National Service Personnel to support them.