Over 3,500 graduates barred from National Service over unaccredited institutions

More than 3,500 graduates from 22 tertiary institutions without valid accreditation have been disqualified from participating in the upcoming 2025/2026 national service programme, pending the regularisation of their schools’ status with the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC).

According to the National Service Authority (NSA), these institutions have either lost or failed to verify their accreditation status. Until they rectify this with GTEC and provide official documentation, their graduates will not be mobilised for service.

“This is part of broad efforts to clean up the national service system and safeguard public resources,” the NSA said in a statement. The Authority has given the affected institutions a 30-day ultimatum to resolve their accreditation status or risk permanently disenfranchising their graduates.

“This is a huge cost-saving measure,” said NSA Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi at a pre-service orientation in Kumasi on Tuesday, 17 June. “If you run the figures, we’re saving the government nearly GH¢600 million already.”

This year, over 132,000 PIN codes have been issued for prospective national service personnel—a sharp decline from last year’s 176,000. The reduction follows improved data validation processes and the elimination of exaggerated institutional submissions.

SMEs Targeted for Graduate Deployment

In a bid to enhance skills development and promote youth employment, the NSA is encouraging Small and Medium-Scale Enterprises (SMEs) across the country to recruit more national service personnel.

“We believe SMEs are key drivers of economic growth,” said the Director-General. “If you’re a small business owner, and we verify that your operations are credible and impactful, we can assign service personnel to support you.”

He challenged existing stereotypes about service placement, noting that informal sectors such as Abossey Okai, Suame Magazine, and Kokompe could offer valuable on-the-job experience.

“Why are we not posting service personnel to places like Suame or Abossey Okai?” he queried. “These places hold more capital and opportunity than some so-called formal businesses.”
Military Training for 10,000 Personnel

As part of efforts to instil discipline and readiness among graduates, the NSA announced plans to send 10,000 service personnel through basic military training. The curriculum, which focuses on discipline, alertness, and emergency response, has already been developed.

“This training is not just about the military; it’s about building responsible, prepared citizens,” Mr Antwi explained, urging young graduates to embrace the diverse opportunities available through the scheme.

The reforms and initiatives reflect a renewed push by the NSA to enhance the value and impact of national service in Ghana’s development landscape.

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