Dr Gideon Boako, spokesperson for Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has maintained the flagbearers’ commitment to make National Service optional if elected.
On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, the Vice President spoke to the public about his vision and vowed to make National Service optional for graduates who want to find instant employment after completing their university degree.
He feels that the current national service plan needs to be revised to meet the career demands of graduates.
This declaration from the flagbearer has provoked uproar, with some critics claiming it will encourage corruption.
On Citi FM on Thursday, February 8, 2024, Vincent Kuagbenu, former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), accused Dr. Bawumia of making national service optional since he did not finish his mandated national duty when he graduated from university.
However, in response to the charges, Dr. Boako said skipping national duty is not a crime.
“Whether he did National Service or not, I don’t know, and I’m not interested in knowing that. It is not everybody in this country who did National Service. In fact, today, it is not everybody who does National Service. If you attain a certain age and you’ve not done National Service, it waits for you.”
“There are people who don’t do National Service but under certain circumstances, it is waived for them. It is not a crime to say you haven’t done National Service. If the authorities consider the precedent and the prevailing conditions and they think they have to waive it for you, it happens.”