Ghana's Parliament has officially confirmed it possesses no record of documentation substantiating claims of military service in the United States Armed Forces by Dr. Bryan Acheampong, a prominent contender in the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) flagbearer race. This revelation stems from a formal Right to Information (RTI) request submitted on November 4, 2025, by a Ghanaian citizen, Edison Osbert Lartey, to the Clerk to Parliament.

The RTI request specifically sought clarification on whether Parliament had received details of Dr. Acheampong's rank of enlistment and discharge from the United States Air Force or any other branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. It also inquired if Parliament was provided with a Certificate of Honourable Discharge or any other official documentation confirming such service.

In a detailed written response dated December 11, 2025, signed by the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Dzietror, Parliament unequivocally stated its position. The response affirmed that there is no record indicating that Dr. 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. Furthermore, Parliament did not receive any Certificate of Honourable Discharge or any other documentation confirming his alleged service.

The parliamentary response specifically referenced a vetting meeting on Monday, February 20, 2023, for the Minister-designate for Food and Agriculture, noting that no such documents were submitted to the leadership of Parliament or the Appointments Committee at that time.

Consequently, Parliament declared itself unable to provide certified copies or further particulars relating to the alleged military service, as no such documentation was ever presented. This official communication was issued in strict compliance with the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), representing Parliament’s formal stance on the matter.

The implications of this RTI response extend significantly into both political and legal spheres. Dr. Acheampong, currently the Member of Parliament for Abetifi, is one of five aspirants vying to lead the NPP as its flagbearer in the primary election scheduled for January 31, 2026. The winner of this primary will represent the party in the 2028 general elections. The absence of official records regarding his military service claims is expected to draw heightened scrutiny, particularly as delegates and the public increasingly focus on candidates' credibility, integrity, and eligibility.

Legal analysts have pointed out that declarations made to Parliament or relied upon during vetting and parliamentary proceedings carry substantial legal weight under Ghanaian law. Should any past declarations regarding military service be proven false, they could potentially constitute perjury, a serious offense punishable under the country's criminal statutes.

It is crucial to note that while Parliament's RTI response confirms the absence of official records, it does not, in itself, constitute a finding of wrongdoing or guilt against Dr. Acheampong. However, the formal acknowledgment of this absence by a legislative body raises significant questions that are unlikely to dissipate quickly, especially if civil society groups, political actors, or Parliament itself opt to pursue further investigations into the matter.

The other candidates challenging Dr. Acheampong in the NPP flagbearer contest include Ken Ohene Agyapong (former MP for Assin Central), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia (former Vice President and the party's 2024 flagbearer), Dr. Yaw Osei Adutwum (former Minister of Education and MP for Bosomtwe), and Kwabena Agyei Agyepong (former General Secretary of the NPP).