MESSAGE TO ALL FRESH NATIONAL SERVICE PERSONNEL

*MESSAGE TO ALL FRESH NATIONAL SERVICE PERSONNEL*
written by: Daniel Fenyi

Congrats on your posting to serve the nation as a national service person and also thumps up on your successful completion of school. However, don't be too over-excited because, peculiarly in Ghana, National Service is just the thin line between school and unemployment.

The decisions you take in your eleven (11) months of national service (September to July) can make and unmake you. By the end of the service, you would have accumulated a total amount of *GH¢6,708* in your account given that each month brings *GH¢559.* Use this money wisely.

Don't rent a house or room. Take advantage of free bangalows, hostel, etc where available. If you have to rent, form a partner group of two/three members and rent together. I know you love to have your privacy but don't worry, life after service will give you overwhelming privacy. Just one year with a roomie won't kill you, Save Money!

Don't dress to compete with permanent staff. Don't spend too much on dresses just to appear as "expensive" as the permanent staff. In fact, your allowance is just about one-third (1/3) of the salary of the permanent staff and everybody knows that. Don't try to compete with them. You'll waste money. Be simple but presentable.

Appropriately, be the first to always report to work. If the official time of report is 8.00am, try to be there always within 7.30am-7.45am each day. Don't wait for the bosses and permanent staff to report before you do. That's not good!

If you have a Diploma or HND, just target a degree programme immediately after the service. That is why you should save money. Ask around for a "good" degree course and pursue it. Forget about looking for employment. Society can understand if you are unemployed but pursuing a degree.

If you are a degree holder, you have an array of choices to make. Some of these choices are pursuing a masters degree, a professional programme, a top-up course, finding a job, etc. Think critically about what you'll do after service. That will greatly inform your spending culture.

Not everybody at your place of posting will like you. Accept that. Some will hate you with as weak reasons as your style of talking, dressing, walking, etc. Don't mind them, just do your job. You are just there for one year, leave a mark in any positive way you can.

*© Daniel Fenyi*
(Counselor, Educator and Life Coach)

Send your relationship, academic and career needs to Counselor Daniel on whatsapp/call *+233242937017* and Facebook page *www.facebook.com/counselor.fenyi.7*

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