Scrap National Service – Franklin Cudjoe

The founding president of IMANI Ghana, Franklin Cudjoe, has suggested an end to mandatory National Service.

Ghanaians who study in public tertiary institutions are mandated by law to serve the country in various capacities for a year upon graduation.

But Mr Cudjoe, who was a guest on Citi FM’s ‘The Big Issue’ on Saturday, February 4, held the view that the scheme had not been productive over the years and “needs to be scrapped”.

“What is the biggest national service than paying taxes and actually getting to do something enterprising?” he asked.

The debate on National Service has been rekindled by parliament’s decision to defer the approval of Minister-designate Otiko Afisah Djaba for her failure to undertake the required one-year service to the nation after completing her undergraduate programme at the University for Development Studies.

When the issue came up for discussion in parliament for a decision to be taken by the house on Friday, February 3, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu maintained that refusal to participate in National Service disqualifies her from public service.

Mr Iddrisu said he was “referring to Act 426 section 7 of the Constitution”, adding: “It is also a national obligation. She, in her answers, was forthright and was candid with the committee that ‘I have not done National Service’. Therefore, can she work in the public service of Ghana and hold the high office of a minister of state?”

Act 426 section 7 of the Constitutions deals with matters concerning persons liable to national service and instructs against employment contrary to the provisions of the Act.

It states:

“(1) 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, Suhum MP Frederick Opare-Ansah pointed out that the requirement of ministers is similar to that of parliamentarians and if parliamentarians were not requested to present a National Service certificate before being cleared to contest as MPs, it would be needless to request for a National Service certificate from Ms Djaba.

The case will be recalled on Tuesday, February 7 for the house to vote on the decision to approve her nomination or otherwise.