NSS Personnel to Undergo Military Orientation, Not Full Training – Deputy Director Clarifies

Deputy Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Fuseini Donkor, has clarified that the newly introduced military-related component of the NSS is strictly an orientation programme—not full military training, as widely misunderstood by the public.

Speaking on JoyNews’ AM Show, Mr. Donkor addressed growing concerns and misconceptions surrounding the programme, which forms part of a new module aimed at instilling discipline, preparedness, and civic responsibility in Ghanaian youth.

“People have been referring to it as ‘military training’, but according to the Ghana Armed Forces, the accurate term is ‘military orientation’. This distinction is important,” he stated. “It’s not about learning to shoot or surviving in the jungle.”

He explained that the orientation will focus on soft skills such as report writing, effective communication, emergency response, and time management—areas the Ghana Armed Forces already incorporate in their non-combat training modules.

“Many still picture military training as being thrown into the forest with no food or water,” Donkor said. “But what the military actually teaches includes a range of practical and professional skills that are relevant for both national service and life after school.”

Mr. Donkor admitted that even the NSS management initially misunderstood the nature of the programme. “It wasn’t until we engaged directly with the military and reviewed their programme structure that we realised it’s far more comprehensive than we thought.”

The pilot phase of the orientation is set to launch this August, targeting 10,000 NSS personnel across the country. Of these, 5,000 will be trained at military centres, with the remaining 5,000 accommodated through a partnership with a local university.

Participation is currently voluntary, but the NSS intends to make it mandatory once the pilot phase is successfully assessed.

“We’ll monitor its impact on discipline, performance, and overall preparedness. Once we’re confident in the outcomes, we’ll scale it up nationwide,” Donkor noted.

President John Dramani Mahama, in his 2025 State of the Nation Address, announced the programme as part of efforts to build a patriotic and responsible generation. He described it as a key step toward preparing graduates not only for the job market but also for their roles as nation-builders.

Mr. Donkor echoed this vision, saying: “Once these young people grasp discipline, time management, and civic duty, they will graduate not just with academic qualifications but with the personal development needed to make a real impact in society.”