The defense minister explains that NSS personnel are not required to undergo military training.
Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defense, has made it clear that participation in the recently launched National Service Emergency Response Readiness Programme (NSERRP) is completely voluntary and not required.
Ten thousand (10,000) National Service volunteers have already signed up to take part in the program, which is set to start in August or September of 2025, he said. Basic Military Orientation, First Aid, Basic Life Support, Disaster and Fire Management, Nationalism and Patriotism, Loyalty and Discipline, and Leadership Development are just a few of the training programs these individuals will go through.
Speaking on Monday, July 21, at the Government Accountability Series, Dr. Boamah emphasized that the program will be run in two batches and that there will likely be a significant increase in the number of volunteers the following year.
The areas of training will include Basic Military Orientation, First Aid, Basic Life Support, Disaster and Fire Management, Nationalism and Patriotism, Loyalty and Discipline, Leadership, Mentorship, and Physical Training.
The core objective of the NSERRP is to equip National Service Personnel with relevant skills in security, disaster preparedness, and public safety. It must be made clear, however, that participation in the training programme is optional.
