Minister designate for Gender and Social Protection, Otiko Afisa Djaba has written a letter giving further explanations on why she didn't do her national service.
The issues of national service was among several issues that were raised when the Minister designate appeared before the Appointment Committee of Parliament.
Currently, all the Minority legislators on the Appointments Committee are against Ms Djaba’s approval citing her inability to undertake her national service as well as for her posture during her vetting.
Debating the issues on the floor of parliament on Friday, February 3, Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu said: “She does not have our support and she will not have our support until she behaves in a manner befitting a minister.”
In a letter addressed to the chairman of the Committee, Otiko said: "I wish to explain further that I did not undertake National Service upon completion of a course of study at the University of Development Studies (UDS), Wa Campus, in 2009, because I was informed that persons who were over forty (40) years of age were exempted from national service," she stated in the letter.
Read the full letter below:
P.O. Box CT8799
Cantonments
Accra
2nd February, 2017
The Chairman
Appointments Committee
Parliament of Ghana
Parliament House
ACCRA
Dear Sir,
FURTHER EXPLANATION ON NON-PARTICIPATION IN NATIONAL SERVICE SCHEME
I am writing to clarify responses I gave in answer to a question posed to me about my national service during my appearance at the Appointments Committee, as part of the vetting processes to assume the office of Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
I wish to explain further that I did not undertake National Service upon completion of a course of study at the University of Development Studies (UDS), Wa Campus, in 2009, because I was informed that persons who were over forty (40) years of age were exempt from national service.
I completed UDS in 2009 at the age of 47, and consequently, was under the impression that I was exempt from national service.
As a Ghanaian patriot, who has worked in the most inhospitable parts of Ghana like the Sissala District for over six years, and provided various services to my nation in many other fields of endeavour, it would be inconceivable that I would deliberately abstain serving my nation.
I hope that this explanation would inform your decision in respect of my non-participation in the National Service Scheme upon completion of UDS in 2009.
Yours faithfully,
Otiko Djaba
Minister-Designate
Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
Source: Peacefmonline.com
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MADAM MINISTER DON,T WORRY OK. IF PRESIDENT CAN USE HIS EXERCUTIVE POWERS TO PARDON PEOPLE WITH TREASONABLE OFFENCE LIKE MONTIE 3 THEN WHY THIS SMALL SERVICE TO THE NATION? GO ON OTIKO AFISA DJABA, LET THE MINORITY GO TO HELL.
This woman is making me laugh. Aah hmmmm you see, that is why is good to be romouse and respectful. Now you are struggling to find reasons just for you to be approved. This issue of national service would not have be a problem to your approval if you had shown respect before the appointment committee. Look at your colleague Madam Catherine(Minister designate for tourism)she did not also do her national service but see her posture before the committee very calm keep her body language so cool and i belief she is going to be approved easily without national service. But for you Otiko even if you are approved you would not be respected as a true minister because only one side approved you.
Such a lame and a lousy excuse. You did not think about this when you were in the hot seat? Now you've gone back and gotten advice on what to say. You can't even think on your feet and you want to be a minister. Mtcheeeew
Your hair do was more important to them than your failure to do national service.Shame on them.
SHAMEEEE, TO ALL AGAINST. NOW YOU HAVE NO CASE FOR NATIONAL SERVICE MATTER. SHE DID NOT DO IT BCOZ SHE WAS EXEMPTED. SHE WAS GOING TO MENTION IT BUT YOU MADE HER FORGOT WITH THE PRESSURE PUT ON HER. IN HER PEACEFUL QUIET STATE SHE CAN NOW REMEMBER.
SHAMEEEE, OKODJATO AND CO. NOW YOU HAVE NO CASE FOR NATIONAL SERVICE MATTER. SHE DID NOT DO IT BCOZ SHE WAS EXCEPTED. SHE SHOULD WAS GOING TO MENTION IT BUT YOU MADE HER FORGOT WITH THE PRESSURE PUT ON HER. IN HER PEACEFUL QUIET STATE SHE CAN NOW REMEMBER.