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Military drills for NSS personnel to begin August
Military drills for NSS personnel to begin August
By: Nii Ammui Fio | 2 mins read
Ghana is set to introduce a two-month military training programme for all National Service Personnel (NSPs) beginning August 2025, as part of a broader national service reform initiative.
The new scheme, known as the National Service Emergency Response Readiness Programme (NSERRP), is a collaborative effort between the National Service Authority (NSA) and the Ghana Armed Forces. It aims to instill discipline, resilience, and a stronger sense of patriotism in young graduates undertaking their mandatory service.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on April 23, NSA Director-General Felix Gyamfi stressed the transformative potential of the programme.
“The introduction of this military training is a step in the right direction and must be embraced by all and sundry as one of the indicators for resetting the country, particularly the youth,” he said.
Gyamfi added that the military training and accompanying orientation would become a core component of national service, preparing personnel with not just physical endurance, but also values crucial to national development.
Representing the Military High Command, Brigadier General Amoah-Boakye affirmed the Armed Forces’ commitment to the programme. He assured the NSA of their readiness to deliver the needed training and infrastructure to ensure the initiative’s success.
The NSERRP aligns with President John Dramani Mahama’s vision for national service reform. The President first announced the initiative in his inaugural State of the Nation Address on February 27, 2025.
“To achieve a legally robust regime to govern National Service, I have also tasked the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment to coordinate and present to Parliament a Legislative Instrument (L.I.) to support the implementation of the newly passed National Service Authority Act 2024 (Act 1119),” President Mahama stated.
Ghana joins the ranks of over 80 countries—such as Sweden, Norway, Denmark, and China—that incorporate some form of compulsory or preparatory military service for their citizens. While approaches vary, they often serve to build civic responsibility and emergency preparedness among the youth.
The NSERRP is expected to serve as a cornerstone in shaping a new generation of Ghanaians grounded in discipline, service, and national pride. The detailed framework for its rollout will be outlined in the upcoming Legislative Instrument to be laid before Parliament.
