National service is compulsory

Graduates who have completed any tertiary institution in the country but fail to do national service can be arrested and prosecuted, Abdul Armah Aziz, Acting Central Regional Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has said.

Speaking at an orientation course for 140 National Service personnel working in the Gomoa West District at Apam on Thursday, Armah Aziz stated that such persons could not be employed in any government establishment.

He explained that National Service was introduced to prepare graduates for the realities of life during their working period, and appealed to parents to stop interfering in the postings of their wards.

Mr Aziz warned service personnel not to be influenced into getting rich quick; a situation which he said could push them into indulging in malpractices. He also cautioned them against getting involved in industrial actions while on national service.

Mr Daniel Osei Asibey, Gomoa West District Co-ordinating Director, advised the service persons to desist from engaging in activities which will retard the progress of their work.

He cautioned them against sexual harassment, and urged them to stay away from school girls and married women.

The District Co-ordinating Director advised the service personnel to let people in the community see them as role models so as to respect them.

He urged them to impact positively on the lives of people who will come into contact with them.

Mr Frank Amankrah, Community Development Officer, pointed out that knowledge without character was useless, and urged the service personnel to behave well not only at their work places, but also in the communities. “Brighten the corner where you will be posted to,” he said.

Mr Kwesi Coffie, Guidance and Counseling Officer at the District Directorate of the Ghana Education Service, cautioned the personnel against indulging in excessive drinking of alcohol and the use of drugs.

He advised them to live within their means and stop borrowing from town folks.

Miss Akosua Forfoe, District Women in Agriculture Development Officer who chaired the function, urged the personnel to put God first in all their endeavours.