When National Service Personnel Smile…

In Ghana, every year, thousands of National Service Personnel (NSPs) are posted to various institutions to undertake their mandatory service to the nation. For many, the service lasts close to a year. Within that period, a lot can happen. Experiences are gathered, relationships are built, skills are developed and, sometimes, lives are changed.

But there is something I have observed over the years that may leave you wondering.

Do you wish to know what it is?

In many organisations across Ghana, as soon as postings are announced, National Service Personnel report to their assigned institutions with mixed feelings. Some are excited about the opportunity, while others are anxious about what awaits them.

In my workplace, I have seen anxiety on the faces of some of these young people. At times, there is uncertainty about whether they will be accepted, supported and given meaningful work to do.

I once spoke with one of them. He gave a sigh of relief after I made him feel that he had someone he could count on.

Interestingly, having worked with National Service Personnel over the years, I have noticed one simple trait that seems to distinguish those who are prepared to give their best and work from their hearts; A smile.

A smile can calm nerves. It can create a connection. It can even open doors to places you never imagined you would enter.

But I have also come to realise that a smile does not always come from within. Sometimes, it is triggered by the environment. How?

When a National Service Personnel feels welcomed, they smile.

When they feel supported to perform at their best, they smile.

When they feel respected, they smile.

When they see unity among office colleagues, they smile.

When their mistakes are handled with patience and understanding, they smile.

When they experience unit heads and leaders who are cordial, jovial and approachable, they smile.

When they see hope beyond their service period, they smile.

That smile may be more than an expression of happiness. It may be a sign that the working environment is conducive to learning, contributing and becoming better.

Beyond menial tasks

Unfortunately, not every National Service Personnel enjoys such an environment.

In some organisations, I have seen service personnel turned into errand boys and girls. They may be asked to perform tasks that are not challenging or related to their areas of study. Others are left idle without proper direction. Some are spoken to with disdain, as though they do not matter.

Such behaviors can create discomfort and discouragement. It may also cause young people to lose confidence in themselves. Some eventually leave their places of service feeling hopeless and wondering what they actually gained from the experience.

But National Service should be more than that.

It is a period for young graduates to test the knowledge acquired from tertiary education and develop practical skills that may not have been taught in school. It is also an opportunity to understand the realities of the workplace, build professional relationships and discover their strengths.

The Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact, Daniel Fahene Acquaye, has advised institutions across Ghana to rethink how they handle National Service Personnel and prioritise training and skills development instead of relegating them to menial tasks.

“Normally when they post National Service persons to institutions, some see them as a worry, some see them as business as usual. Oh, the National Service people have come. They shouldn’t be sending them, go and buy me gob3, go and buy me Coke, take this far from this office to that.” (starrfm.com.gh, 2025).

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has urged leaders of both public and private institutions to refrain from relegating National Service Personnel (NSP) to mere errand-runners.

Mr. Bagbin emphasized the significance of the national service period, highlighting its critical role in the development of these personnel. He stressed that this valuable time should not be squandered on menial tasks that do not contribute to their growth. (GraphicOnline, 2023).

Their comment highlights an important concern: National Service Personnel should not simply be seen as extra hands for running errands. They are young graduates who need opportunities to learn, contribute and develop.

Expectations meet reality

While some National Service Personnel are excited when they receive their postings, others struggle to settle into their assigned locations. Some may not like where they have been posted. Others may find the location far from home or very different from what they expected. Their stay can become stressful, especially when they feel they have no choice but to remain there.

Some are happy when they receive their posting letters, only to arrive at the organisation and discover that the reality is different from what they imagined. The name of the organisation may sound attractive, but the actual working environment may disappoint them.

Their expectations are not met. What a pity!

This is why institutions must recognise that the experience of a National Service Personnel is shaped not only by the posting, but also by the people and environment they meet.

A welcoming supervisor can make an anxious young person feel confident.

A patient colleague can turn a mistake into a lesson.

A meaningful assignment can transform classroom knowledge into practical experience.

A supportive workplace can turn National Service into a foundation for a successful career.

Some institutions also provide opportunities for NSPs to extend their service or continue working after their official period, where possible. Such opportunities can give them more time to strengthen their competencies, build professional networks and prepare for life beyond national service.

National Service Personnel are an important part of effective office administration and service delivery. Can we afford to honour them? Year after year. Day after day. Moment after moment.

At the heart of it all is something very simple; A smile. Sometimes, all it takes to see a National Service Personnel give their best is a reason to smile.

By Henry Atta Nyame, Institutional Assessment Practitioner

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