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Todays Trends Blog of Monday, 24 February 2025
Source: Samuel Osei
The Deputy Minister of Finance nominee, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has revealed that he did not undertake his mandatory National Service. This disclosure was made during his vetting before the Appointments Committee of Parliament on February 24.
During the vetting session, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, questioned Mr. Ampem about his compliance with the National Service requirement, leading to the following exchange:
**Afenyo-Markin:“Did you do National Service?”
**Thomas Ampem:“Mr Chairman, I did not do National Service…”
Afenyo-Markin: “Have you done National Service? Yes or No?”
Thomas Ampem: “No.”
Mr. Ampem’s admission appears to contradict the Ghana National Service Scheme Act, 1980 (Act 426), which mandates a compulsory one-year National Service for all Ghanaian citizens aged 18 and above at the time of deployment.
According to Section 7(1) of Act 426:
> “A person who has not commenced and completed his period of national service shall not—
(a) obtain employment outside the Scheme; or
(b) be employed by any other person outside the Scheme; or
(c) be engaged in any employment outside the Scheme, whether self-employed or otherwise, without the prior permission, in writing, of the Board.”
Additionally, Section 7(2) places a duty on employers to verify the National Service status of their employees and notify the Board if necessary.
However, Section 8 of the Act provides room for exemptions and deferrals, stating:
> “The Board may exempt any person to whom the Scheme applies from compliance with the provisions of this Act, or postpone the date on which any person shall be first engaged under the Scheme.”
Ghana’s National Service Scheme, which commenced in 1973, was designed to instill a sense of national duty and participation among citizens. The program aims to address societal challenges such as hunger, illiteracy, disease, and unemployment while improving essential services, particularly in rural areas.
The revelation by Mr. Ampem has sparked discussions regarding compliance with the National Service requirement, especially among individuals seeking public office.
