RTI response raises serious questions over Bryan Acheampong’s Military service claims

An official response from Parliament, issued under Ghana’s Right to Information Act, has raised significant questions regarding claims of military service attributed to Bryan Acheampong, one of the five contenders in the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) flagbearer race scheduled for 31 January 2026.

The disclosure follows a formal Right to Information (RTI) request submitted on 4 November 2025 to the Clerk to Parliament, seeking clarification on whether Parliament received any
documentation from Hon. Acheampong confirming alleged service in the United States Air Force or any related branch of the United States Armed Forces.

Parliament: No Record of Any Military Service Documentation

In a written response signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror,
Parliament stated unequivocally that:
● There is no record that Hon. Bryan Acheampong submitted details of any rank of
enlistment or discharge from the United States Air Force or any other branch of the
U.S. Armed Forces.
● Parliament did not receive any Certificate of Honorable Discharge or any other
documentation confirming such service.
● As a result, Parliament is unable to provide certified copies or particulars of any
alleged military service, since no such documentation was ever presented.

The response was issued in compliance with the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) and represents Parliament’s official position on the matter.

Potential Legal Consequences If Parliament Acts Further
Legal analysts note that the implications of the RTI response extend beyond political optics.

Under Ghanaian law, statements made to Parliament or relied upon during vetting and parliamentary proceedings carry legal weight.

Should Parliament decide to formally pursue the matter, and should it be established that
false representations were made under oath or in official proceedings, such a finding could potentially amount to perjury, an offence punishable under Ghana’s criminal law.

Any such determination would be contingent on parliamentary inquiry and due process, but the RTI response provides a factual baseline that could trigger further institutional action.

Heightened Scrutiny Ahead of NPP Flagbearer Election

The revelation comes at a sensitive time for the NPP, as internal contestation intensifies ahead of the party’s presidential primary. Hon. Acheampong is one of five aspirants seeking to lead the party into the 2028 general elections.

With delegates increasingly focused on credibility, integrity, and eligibility, the issue is
expected to attract heightened scrutiny both within the party and in the broader public space.

No Finding of Guilt, But Questions Remain

It is important to note that the RTI response does not constitute a finding of wrongdoing against Hon. Acheampong. It merely confirms that Parliament has no official record of the
military service documentation in question.

However, the absence of such records, now formally acknowledged by Parliament, raises questions that may not easily dissipate, particularly if Parliament, civil society, or political actors elect to pursue the matter further.

As the flagbearer contest approaches, how these questions are addressed may prove consequential for both the aspirant.