It’s military orientation, not training – NSS clarifies
The Deputy Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Fuseini Donkor, has clarified widespread misconceptions surrounding the recently announced military-related component of national service.
According to Mr. Donkor, the programme is not “military training” in the conventional sense, but rather a “military orientation” module aimed at instilling discipline, civic responsibility, and essential life skills in Ghanaian graduates.
He explained that the new module is designed to prepare young people for both national service and life beyond school, not to train them as soldiers.
“People have been referring to it as ‘military training’, but the Ghana Armed Forces have been very clear, it’s military orientation. It’s not about weapons, combat, or survival drills. It’s about developing discipline, leadership, and essential soft skills,” he emphasised.
Mr. Donkor acknowledged that many Ghanaians associate military training with harsh survival stories and extreme physical drills.
“We all grew up hearing tales of soldiers being dumped in forests with no food or water. But that’s an outdated view. Today, the military also teaches communication, emergency response, time management, teamwork, and report writing all of which are highly relevant in both professional and civic life.”
Even within the NSS, there were initial misconceptions about the nature of the programme.
It wasn’t until NSS leadership engaged directly with the Ghana Armed Forces that the full scope and purpose of the orientation became clear.
The programme is currently in its pilot phase and is voluntary.
However, the NSS plans to expand it and make it mandatory in the near future.
The broader goal of the programme, Mr. Donkor said, is to raise a generation of young Ghanaians who are disciplined, patriotic, and prepared for real-world challenges.
He stressed that academic qualifications alone are no longer sufficient in today’s competitive job market.
“This training provides an edge. It builds resilience, professionalism, and a sense of national duty. Every graduate should bring more to the table than just a degree,” he noted.