The Deputy Minister of Finance nominee, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed that he has not undertaken his National Service duties.

The nominee, who is the Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman Constituency said this during his vetting by the Appointment Committee of Parliament on February 24.

During the vetting, the following dialogue ensued between him and the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin:

Afenyo- Amarkin: 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.

This disclosure by Mr Ampem goes contrary to the provisions of Ghana National Service Scheme Act, 1980 (Act 426). According to information on the National Service Authority’s website, “The National Service programme is a compulsory one-year service required of all citizens of Ghana who are 18 years and above, at the time of deployment.

Indeed, Section 7 (1) of Act 426 states, “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.
(2) It shall be the duty of every employer to ascertain from every employee, upon his appointment, whether or not he is liable to national service and if he is, the employer shall notify the fact to the Board forthwith.

However, Section 8 of the Act provides for an exemption, “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.

It remains to be seen whether, Mr Ampem has been exempted, as the Minority Leader did not probe further.

The National Service Scheme which started in 1973, among others, is aimed at encouraging the spirit of national service among all segments of Ghanaian society in the effort of nation-building through active participation, undertaking projects designed to combat hunger, illiteracy, disease and unemployment in Ghana, as well as helping provide essential services and amenities, particularly in towns and villages of the rural areas of Ghana.

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