Abesim (B/A), Sept. 21, GNA - Mr Ignatius Baffour-Awuah, Brong-Ahafo Regional Minister on Thursday, recommended the re-introduction of military training as part of national service to ensure discipline among the youth and at work. He said this would help to inculcate the spirit of nationalism and patriotism needed for nation building. Mr Baffour-Awuah made the recommendation at the Annual Coordinators Conference of Ghana National Service Scheme (NSS) at Abesim near Sunyani.

The five-day conference is on the theme "Positive contribution of Ghana National Service Scheme to nation's development." Mr Baffour-Awuah explained that NSS in addition to contributing to national development had also strengthened the bonds between ethnic groups in the country.

He said the scheme had exposed disparities in development in the country to the youth and given them the depth of problems in health, sanitation, agriculture, education and environment.

"The trained manpower of the scheme has saved Ghana from acute shortage of professionals and skilled personnel during the exodus of skilled labour from Ghana to other countries in the 1970's that made the country to lose many trained professionals," he added.

Mr Osei Bonsu Amoah, Deputy Minister of Education, Science and Sports, said the initial scheme that enrolled less than 2,000 service personnel from the country's three major universities was expected to enrol more than 30,000 personnel online from over 30 accredited tertiary institutions throughout the country.

Beyond this, he said, the scheme had made major impact on community improvement and poverty reduction while improved significantly services provided to ministries, departments, agencies and private sector.

Mr Amoah explained that NSS was playing a strategic role in government's employment drive, especially with regard to the National Youth Employment Programme and urged coordinators of the scheme to exhibit sense of willingness, perseverance and hard work to ensure sustainability of the scheme.

Mr Kofi Obiri Yeboah, Director of the scheme disclosed that, in addition to the online enrolment, and posting, the scheme intended to network all its regional offices so that regional coordinators could deal directly with headquarters without travelling to Accra.

He said the scheme was venturing into areas to be self-sufficient and not rely solely on government for the payment of allowances to service personnel.

Mr Yeboah explained that the scheme had been in the forefront of national development for the past 34 years and stressed the need to be accorded the necessary support and encouragement to grow and strengthened.