The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) on Friday, July 19 launched their 10th-anniversary celebration on the theme, ‘Rearing for food and jobs; the role of National Service Personnel’.

After a successful musical walk on the principal streets of Ho to climax this year’s celebration, various heads of department and government appointees gathered to commemorate and launch the weeklong celebration.

Speaking at the event, the National President of the association, Steven Twumasi was grateful to the government for introducing the Planting and Rearing for food and jobs programme.

The programme, according to him will serve as an opportunity for  Ghanaian youth who may not get employment after their education and that several members of the Association have already taken to farming.

He said the Association would soon launch an online portal to welcome more of their members who have an interest in farming. He said the Association would also organize Entrepreneurial and Business Challenges on Animal Farming to award winners a start-up fund to venture into the rearing of animals.

“Let’s take charge and change the narration out there, Ghana imports as high as $400 million worth of meat products, this can be a story of the past even if a quarter of the total number of National Service Persons who are already doing well in the business are encouraged,” he said.

The Volta Regional Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) Ambrose Entsiwah Jnr said NASPA since inception is contributing to the development of the country through commitment and selfishness of persons under the scheme.

He said Volta region is one of the places where National Service persons are doing tremendously for the development of Ghana.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Volta Regional Minister, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Ho Nelson Akorli said the government is aware of the unemployment situation in the country and that concerted efforts are being made to tackle it.

The NASPA anniversary is celebrated every year to mark an end of serving the country and to welcome new persons unto the scheme and this year’s marked the 10th celebration.

Other activities including awards and dinner night will be held in the Volta region.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/ Albert Kuzor