The transformation of the National Service Scheme into the National Service Authority (NSA) is one of the most significant milestones in the country’s recent public sector development.
For years, the scheme operated without the necessary policy direction and structural power to fully harness its potential. But today, the Authority stands on a new foundation, guided by a governing board and backed by legislation that strengthens its role in national development.
Just recently, Emmanuel Okai Mintah was sworn in as the Board Chair of the newly constituted 15-member Governing Board, an important step forward for the institution.
While we celebrate this new era, we must also pause to acknowledge the visionaries whose dedication and leadership made this possible. Great institutions are not built overnight.
They are the product of years of sacrifice, strategic reforms, and relentless pursuit of progress. One such transformational leader is the former Director General, Mr Osei Assibey Antwi.
Leadership
Under Mr Assibey Antwi’s leadership, the scheme was not just managed. It was reimagined. He brought a new sense of purpose, energy, and innovation that set the tone for the Authority’s current success.
His tenure was marked by several bold reforms that redefined the national service experience for both personnel and the country at large.
One of the most notable initiatives was the Metric App, a digital monitoring and evaluation tool that brought real-time visibility into personnel deployment and performance.
It revolutionised how data was collected and used, ensuring greater transparency and accountability across the board.
Another programme was Accounting Aid, which placed service personnel in metropolitan municipal and district assemblies to support public financial management. But its impact went beyond the formal sector. It also extended to the informal economy.
Young graduates helped traders and small businesses understand basic bookkeeping and accounting principles, promoting financial discipline and business sustainability in communities across Ghana.
Key intervention
The administration also introduced Biometric Registration and Verification, a key intervention that helped eliminate impersonation, ensured accurate records, and secured the integrity of the deployment process.
These digital reforms marked a new era of credibility for the institution.
It must be noted that in the area of agriculture, Mr Assibey Antwi rejuvenated NSA’s farming projects, turning them into functional learning and production centres. These farms were not symbolic. They were real platforms for young people to gain hands-on experience in agribusiness while contributing to national food security.
His commitment to youth empowerment was further amplified through strategic partnerships with organisations like Agri Impact Consult, CAMFED Ghana, and the World Food Programme. These partnerships attracted technical expertise, resources, and training opportunities that expanded the scope and impact of national service.
Apart from programmes and partnerships, Mr Assibey instilled a culture of purpose and patriotism. He saw national service not as a mere requirement but as a platform to build leaders, promote innovation, and drive community development.
We shouldn’t forget that as the National Service Authority steps into its new chapter, we must remember the foundations laid by leaders like Mr Osei Assibey Antwi. His legacy lives on in the systems, programmes, and culture of excellence that continue to shape the authority. In celebrating him and all who contributed to this journey, we affirm that national development is a relay. One generation builds so the next can soar higher.
