Ghana’s National Service Scheme Bets on Agribusiness to Tackle Jobs Crisis and Cut Costly Food Imports

The National Service Scheme (NSS) is positioning itself as more than just a temporary placement agency for graduates. According to Ms. Ruth Dela Seddoh, Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), the scheme is evolving into a driver of youth employment and food security through an agribusiness expansion strategy.

The Director-General explained that each year, about 150,000 young people are deployed under the NSS. The scheme now intends to channel 50,000 of them into agribusiness, not just as workers, but as entrepreneurs along the poultry and livestock value chains. 

By subsidizing key inputs, such as offering broilers at GH¢70 instead of GH¢150, the NSS is breaking down barriers that often prevent youth, particularly women, from entering agriculture.

“This hands-on involvement in farming and agribusiness changes the perception of agriculture as a job for the aged. It reframes it as a modern, technology-driven venture that can provide dignity, income, and pathways to self-employment,” she said.

She stressed that Ghana spends over $600 million annually importing poultry, while livestock such as goats and cattle are sourced mainly from Burkina Faso and Niger. 

By expanding local production of poultry, livestock, and feed crops like maize, the NSS is not only providing employment but also addressing Ghana’s dependence on imports.

“This shift could reduce foreign exchange pressures, strengthen the cedi, and ensure greater food sovereignty. With initiatives like this, Ghana can demonstrate that Africa has the capacity to feed itself if land, youth, and innovation are mobilized effectively,” she added.

The Director-General acknowledged that the scheme’s subsidized model has raised concerns within the private sector. However, she assured continuous dialogue with the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), which is represented on the NSS Board of Governors, to strike a balance between supporting youth and maintaining a fair marketplace.

“If successful, this partnership-driven approach could create an integrated agribusiness ecosystem, where government, private sector, and development partners work together to build value chains that are profitable, sustainable, and youth-inclusive,” she explained.

She disclosed that within just eight months, the scheme has scaled its poultry capacity from 2,500 birds to over 200,000 and now aims to hit 500,000 birds by next year, split between 300,000 broilers and 200,000 layers. 

Alongside poultry, the NSS is also entering livestock rearing, maize production, and value chain development, positioning itself as a central player in Ghana’s agricultural transformation.

She further noted that what the NSS is building could have impact beyond Ghana. Across Africa, millions of young people are entering job markets that cannot absorb them, while food import bills continue to climb. 

A model that combines mass youth mobilization, agribusiness training, subsidized entry, and value chain linkages could inspire replication in other African countries.

“The NSS vision aligns directly with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 goals of agricultural modernization, industrialization, and youth empowerment. By showing that agriculture can be modern, profitable, and youth-led, we are not just feeding Ghana—we are reshaping the future of African employment,” the Director-General stressed.

From scaling poultry production to recruiting tens of thousands of young graduates, the NSS is proving that national service can be more than a rite of passage. With sustained momentum and the right partnerships, the Director-General believes Ghana’s youth could become the backbone of an agribusiness revolution that inspires Africa as a whole.

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