Opinions of Tuesday, 1 August 2017

Columnist: Patrick Oppong-Sekyere

NSS episode down but cycle continues

2016/2017 National Service is over 2016/2017 National Service is over

Time they say waits for no man is a popular saying which is evident. Success or failure becomes the measurement of time depending on the circumstances at hand.

The journey of serving our dear country began on the 1st September 2016. We numbered the days, counted the months and elaborated in how long this journey will be.

Today it seems just like yesterday and one will be like "can't it last another day?"

Some made new friends, others found acquaintances and companions not forgetting those who found love ones.

Through the hustle and tussle, the shortfalls and comebacks, grieve and joy one is still happy to have seen the end. A minute of silence to the colleagues who lost their soul, in unison we say may their souls rest in peace.

At a point, one will ask "what's the need of serving this country?" When the going becomes tough we rant and curse a thousand reasons why we should serve the nation, in the moment of joy we forget the hullabaloo about serving the nation. Some said "it should have been optional while others just had no reason to complain.

As a matter of fact, some people diligently served the nation, others did what they term as their best and for some, it was just like skipping lectures way back in tertiary. At the end, experience gained and impact on institutions served will tell the story in a more honest way.

Some people were eager and anxiously waiting for this day just to say bye bye to National Service. My question is "does it mean service to our mother land Ghana has ended?"

This I have been asking myself for a while now, do we only have to serve the country because it is a Constitutional mandate or we are going to do that because it is a Voluntary one?

I believe Obligatory Service to the country has ended and it is time to birth the voluntary service to help build the nation. Organize a group of friends and mentor pupils in schools around, Clean up the environment and lead community issues when need be.

I am reckoning us all, even though the service year has ended, THE LIFE CYCLE still continues. Let's learn to make the world a better place more than we are going to meet. It won't be easy but let's make it count.

It is my prayer that we never get weary of the hustle but push with joy knowing the end shall pay off.