Group Chief Executive Officer of Agri-Impact Limited, Mr. Dan Acquaye, has called for a shift in how national service persons are perceived and utilised in Ghana, stressing that they should be treated as valuable assets to institutions rather than as errand boys and girls.

Speaking in an interview, Mr. Acquaye emphasised the need for organisations to provide national service persons with opportunities to learn, develop industry-relevant skills, and contribute meaningfully to their workplaces.

According to him, this approach would not only empower the youth but also enhance institutional productivity.

He urged organisations and mentors to offer guidance, encouragement, and support to service personnel, highlighting that such an environment would enable them to grow into competent professionals.

He added that national service should be a platform for skill-building and professional development, not limited to menial tasks.

Mr. Acquaye further noted that many service personnel are often retained by organisations after their one-year programme due to the skills they acquire, while others are deployed to partner institutions where they continue to add value.

He explained that investing in service personnel helps close skills gaps in the labour market, increases productivity, and prepares young people for Ghana’s workforce.

“When we treat them with dignity and invest in their growth, we are also investing in the future of our industries,” he stressed.

Mr. Acquaye reaffirmed Agri-Impact Limited’s commitment to developing initiatives such as the Young Agribusiness Professionals Programme (YAPP), which equips service personnel with modern agribusiness skills, mentorship, and field experience to make them more valuable to the sector and the economy at large.