All graduates from Ghanaian tertiary
institutions must complete a one year national service. Every year several ten
of thousands of graduates are posted to various sectors as service personnel.
I smile with friends as the national service
ends today. I smile with pride, knowing that I have served my country well. I love my country so much that when the small
allowance wasn’t paid on time I never gave up going to work. Sometimes the
delayed of the allowance makes living difficult for those of us who were
traveling from long distance to work.
It has not been easy at all during the service. Sometimes, I have to
walk from circle to ministries due to the delay of allowance. I have to be
economical to able to go to work why because I wanted served country with
dignity and pride. I wanted to be a patriotic citizen. Today, I bow out
graciously into the elites of extraordinary employees as one of the benefits.
Perhaps the first and biggest benefit
people can ever get from national service is the satisfaction of incorporating
service into their lives and making a difference in their community and country.
The intangible benefits alone such as pride, satisfaction, make new friends and
accomplishment are worthwhile reasons to serve. But there are other benefits as
well tangible benefits such as awards, job and education certifications,
professional development, and more.
What I will advise the up- coming
graduates is that, think of what you can do when you give your time to help
your community or where you were posted.
Help your community: Know that you
are giving your time, talent, wisdom, and experience to your community and
neighbors who need you.
Help yourself: Through service, you
can add to the quality and health of your life. Research indicates that
volunteers enjoy better health, make new friendships, stay active and involved
in the community, and learn new skills.
Make a difference: Be part of a
national movement to transform Ghana through the involvement of its national
service.
