Economists will today gather at the Accra International Conference Centre to propose Economic measures to get Ghana out of its woes.

The programme is expected to take place from today March 3 -4,2025 and will have the President,  John Dramani Mahama as the Special Guest of Honour.

The Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson in a post indicated that he is excited that the historic National Economic Dialogue 2025 is starting this morning. 

Additionally, he noted that its outcomes will find clear expression in the upcoming National Budget which will be read on March 11,2025, as they work together to reset Ghana’s economy and drive sustainable growth.

This dialogue is in fulfilment of his promise to convene a National Economic Dialogue as part of his 120-

day Social Contract with Ghanaians.

Against this backdrop,  President John Dramani Mahama set up a

seven-member National Economic Dialogue Planning Committee chaired by Dr Ishmael Yamson.

The members are Dr K.Y. Amoako, Professor John Gatsi, Mohammed Samara, Nelly Mireku, Anthony Sarpong and Ernest De-Graft Egyir.

The National Economic Dialogue (NED) will offer a platform for dialogue and

consultation on the country’s pressing development challenges. 

It will also discuss policy trade-offs and build consensus on reforms needed to transform Ghana into a

high-growth, inclusive, and resilient economy.

Government envisions the National Economic Dialogue to achieve the following objectives: Communicate the true state of Ghana’s economy to stakeholders and the people of Ghana,

Develop a homegrown fiscal consolidation programme to guide the national budget and Highlight key structural reforms and policy priorities essential for resetting the economy.

By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme 

The National Service Authority (NSA) has held a high-level management session on Strategic Deployment as a Driver for National Service Growth at the Best Western Premier Hotel in Accra.

The meeting, which took place on Friday, brought together Regional and District Managers from across the country to deliberate on how deployment to Non-Subvented Organisations can drive growth for the Authority and increase its Internally Generated Funds (IGF).

Rationale

Speaking on the rationale behind the session, the Director-General of NSA, Mr. Felix Gyamfi, underscored the need for proper engagement and strategic deployment to enhance the financial standing of the Authority. 

He stressed that posting National Service Personnel (NSP) to Non-Subvented Organisations, which contribute 20% service charges to the NSA, is a key strategy to improve revenue generation and sustain operations.

 “I am very clear in my mind that this is the way to go. That way, we can generate a lot of money for the running of the Authority and, by extension, create an enabling environment for staff welfare to be realised,” he stated.

Beyond revenue, the Director-General expressed concern over the inefficiencies in the current system, where some NSP are left idle under trees due to improper deployment, yet receive monthly allowances.

 “I believe this is a waste of time and expertise. The service year is meant to expose these personnel to a structured working environment that enhances their career experience in the job market,” he pointed out.

He called on NSA staff at all levels to demonstrate commitment in achieving the new strategic direction, emphasising that once an NSP is posted to a Non-Subvented Organisation, reposting should not be entertained.

 “This approach will not only increase our IGF but also reduce the financial burden on the government in paying allowances, thereby creating an enabling environment for improved staff welfare,” he outlined.

Crucial step

The Deputy Director-General of NSA, Ruth Dela Seddoh applauded the initiative, describing it as a crucial step towards national growth. She called for support from all NSA staff to ensure the success of this new direction. 

“This is a great initiative, and we all need to align with it to drive national growth. Supporting this agenda will benefit NSP, NSA staff, stakeholders, and the nation as a whole,” she noted.

The session also featured a presentation by a consultant, Samuel Colley, who shared insights on how research into Non-Subvented Organisations can contribute to NSA’s growth. 

He highlighted a major challenge where NSP originally posted to private entities often ends up elsewhere, leaving these companies with little or no personnel despite their willingness to absorb them.

 “From our research findings, some private entities have expressed frustration with NSA’s deployment system. I suggest that we engage them more effectively to ensure that the Authority generates significant revenue through service charges,” he stated.

The consultant stressed the need for pragmatic interventions to ensure that private sector engagement is effective and mutually beneficial.

During the interactive session, NSA District Directors from various regions shared their perspectives on how to achieve the new strategic targets.

 They acknowledged the pressing need for more human resources, better motivation for staff, and adequate logistics, particularly vehicles, to facilitate engagement with private sector organisations. 

They opined that with improved resources, NSA could expand its revenue streams and explore alternative means of income generation.

Market Demands

For his part, the Director of Corporate Affairs, Armstrong Esaah, emphasised the need for greater awareness and education on market demands when it comes to deploying NSP. 

He highlighted that understanding industry requirements is critical to achieving the set targets. “We need to inform university management about the specific demands of the job market. Fields like IT, Engineering, Sciences, and Architecture are in higher demand than traditional disciplines such as Arts and Marketing. Aligning NSP deployment with these market realities will enhance our efficiency and revenue generation,” he explained.

He urged NSA to take a more proactive approach in bridging the gap between academia and the job market.

The Director-General reassured staff members of his full support to ensure that NSA generates the needed IGF to boost staff morale and improve working conditions.

 “For me, I will fully support any good initiative that generates funds for the activities of the Authority. We should all come together to make this happen, and we will see how NSA will improve, “he assured. 

He further stated that leveraging private sector deployment is a game-changer for NSA’s financial sustainability, saying, “The discussions reinforced the need for strategic partnerships, improved research, proactive engagement, and commitment from all NSA staff”.

He added that with a clear roadmap and collaborative efforts, the NSA is poised to transform its deployment strategy, ensuring that National Service Personnel gain valuable work experience, contribute meaningfully to national development, and boost the Authority’s revenue streams.