A delegation from the National Service Secretariat (NSS), led by Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi, Executive Director, NSS, has paid a courtesy call on Management of the University.
Mr. Osei Antwi explained that the purpose of the visit was to highlight the initiatives undertaken by the NSS to enhance the employability of personnel after national service and solicit input from Management of the University to inform deployment for the 2022/2023 service year.
Mr. Antwi said that there was an outstanding gap between academia and industry, stating that there was a shortfall of skills, as against the vacancies in the NSS system. He cited courses in the Arts and Humanities, as courses that were oversupplied in the graduate labour market, while courses such as Engineering, Medicine, and Accounting were under-supplied.
Mr. Osei Assibey Antwi
He further disclosed that the Secretariat has reformulated its mission statement to reflect its new focus on reducing graduate unemployment and outlined various modules that the Secretariat was undertaking to achieve this new mission.
Receiving the delegation, the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Gordon Awandare, expressed appreciation to the NSS delegation for the visit. He noted that the meeting was significant to the Management of the University as it provided an avenue to share ideas and discuss issues pertinent to both parties. Prof. Awandare stated that the National Service Scheme was a great mechanism for any institution since it offered extended training for recruiting or employing the best personnel.
Prof. Gordon Awandare
The Registrar, Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah, commended the leadership of the Secretariat for partnering with the University over the years, stating that the NSS personnel play a crucial role in bolstering the working force of the University.
Mrs. Emelia Agyei-Mensah
Mr. Daniel Oheneku Baidoo, then Director, Human Resource and Organizational Development Directorate (HRODD), pointed out that it was crucial to ensure that the number of personnel posted to the university meet the demands of the various units in the university. He emphasized the need to assign qualified persons to specified designations in order to increase productivity.
Mr. Daniel Oheneku Baidoo
Mrs. Lydia Anowa Nyako-Danquah, Director, Academic Affairs expressed gratitude to the delegation for the visit. She articulated concerns over the financial situation of NSS personnel and appealed to the Secretariat to consider a raise in the allowance.
Mr. Kwaku Ohene Djan, Deputy Executive Director of Operations, NSS, assured Management of the University of the continuous support of the Secretariat. He further solicited for avenues in which industry players could recruit graduates from the University for National Service.
The NSS delegation included Ms. Anastasia M.A. Zanoo, Greater Accra Regional Director; Mr. Armstrong Essah, Director; Corporate Affairs; Ms. Angela Ohene-Boateng, Head of Research, Monitoring and Evaluation; Ms. Jemima Yempaka Kabore, Head, Policy Planning; Mrs. Mariam Tannor-Akyemvi, Municipal Director, La Nkwantanang Madina - Municipal Assembly (LaNMMA), Mrs. Abigail Tsogbe, Head of Enforcement; Mr. Christopher Lokko, Mr. Steve Ansah and Mr. Ernest Owusu Antwi.
Officials from the University present for the meeting were Mrs. Betty Enbonla-Ebo Kallson, Human Resource Officer, College of Humanities; Ms. Matilda Appiah, Assistant Registrar, Academic Affairs and Ms. Matilda Emma Asaam, Senior Administrative Assistant, HRODD.
After the meeting, the NSS delegation interacted with National Service personnel on campus at the Cedi Conference Centre.
