National Service: Leveraging technology

In an era where technology is reshaping governance and public service delivery, the Ghana National Service Authority (NSA) has emerged as a beacon of innovation and efficiency. 

The authority has introduced a suite of groundbreaking initiatives that are revolutionising the way national service is managed in Ghana.

The groundwork for the digital evolution was laid by the administration of immediate predecessor, Mustapha Yussif, which introduced the paperless registration system and the digitised certificate delivery system.

These initiatives marked a significant departure from the cumbersome manual processes that had long plagued the NSA. The ‘game-changer’ paperless registration system, implemented in 2018, integrated seamlessly with various national databases, including those of the National Identification Authority (NIA), the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Electoral Commission, Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This integration has facilitated the identification and verification of prospective service personnel, effectively addressing many of the challenges associated with the previous manual system.

Moreover, the digitised certificate delivery system has transformed the experience for personnel who have completed their service.

By allowing them to apply for their certificates online and have them delivered directly to their homes, this innovation has not only improved collection rates but also ensured proper inventory management.

The ability to track certificate collections in real-time and the option for quick self-pickup have further alleviated the stress often associated with certificate retrieval.

Initiatives

Building on this solid foundation, the NS administration has embraced technology: One of the standout innovations is the Metric App, which has virtually eliminated "ghost names" from the payroll. It has resulted in substantial savings for the nation, GH¢300,000,000 as of August 2024.

In addition to the Metric App, the NSA has introduced a more enhanced digital ID generation service.

This initiative leverages the capabilities of the Metric App to authenticate against national IDs, allowing for the instant generation of electronic IDs. These IDs are conveniently delivered to validated emails and can be downloaded for ease of access.

For those who prefer hard copies, the NSA has made provisions to minimise unclaimed cards by offering them on request.

The NSA has also made significant strides in enhancing data management through the Electronic School List Submissions initiative.

This intervention has effectively mitigated issues related to data breaches, late submissions and processing errors that previously plagued the Scheme.

By facilitating electronic submissions, the NSA has enhanced transparency, streamlined class list management, and provided educational institutions with real-time processing updates.

Furthermore, the introduction of the Seamless Billing and IGF Administration App has revolutionised the financial management of the NSA. This app integrates with the

Ghana.GOV payment platform, providing a comprehensive solution for NSA finances. 

It automates the generation of invoices and receipts, offers diverse payment options, and features an online portal for tracking outstanding bills and payments.

Additionally, the app incorporates a revenue module for calculating administrative charges, ensuring a more efficient and transparent financial process.

The Ghana Pay platform has significantly streamlined the payment of personnel allowances. The system enables effortless verification and direct disbursement of payments to personnel's bank accounts.

Compared to the E-zwich payment platform, which was plagued with several challenges, Ghana Pay provides a more reliable, user-friendly and efficient method for accessing allowances.

The FLAIR Employment Platform stands as a testament to the NSA's commitment to connecting user agencies with graduates possessing the specific skills needed for national service.

This online platform not only facilitates access to skilled university graduates for businesses but also offers free training sessions and acts as a central database for skill matching and information on service personnel and agencies.

Future

The digitisation initiatives undertaken by the NSA represent a significant leap forward in the management of national service in Ghana.

By building upon the foundations laid by the previous administration and introducing innovative solutions, the NSA is not only enhancing operational efficiency but also ensuring that the needs of service personnel and user agencies are met with the utmost professionalism and care.

As Ghana continues to embrace the digital age, the NSA stands as a model for other institutions seeking to harness technology for improved service delivery and accountability.

The writer is Director, 
Corporate Affairs, NSA.