The National Service Authority (NSA) has officially released PIN codes for 132,393 eligible graduates from 100 accredited tertiary institutions for the 2025/2026 service year.

In a statement dated June 17, Acting Director General of the NSA, Felix Gyamfi, announced the development and highlighted major reforms in data validation that have significantly reduced inflated submissions. According to him, this year’s approved figure marks a 26% average drop compared to the last three years, with a peak decline of 36% from the 2022/2023 period.

“This process has effectively eliminated any form of inflated or bogus submissions,” Mr. Gyamfi noted.

Out of 135,990 submissions received from 122 institutions, only 132,393 were approved. Notably, 3,597 entries from 22 unaccredited institutions were excluded due to their lack of recognition by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC). The NSA has given these institutions 30 days to regularise their status or risk having their graduates barred from the national service.

In addition, 908 PINs for private applicants — including Ghanaians who studied abroad and individuals who deferred or defaulted in previous years — are pending final verification before release.

Mr. Gyamfi encouraged all applicants to verify their status by June 24, 2025, and reach out via NSA’s support lines if their PINs remain inaccessible.

Military Training Option Introduced

In a new initiative to enhance service discipline and national preparedness, the NSA is introducing a six-week basic military training programme for selected 2025/2026 service personnel.

Interested applicants can opt in during the online registration period from June 17 to July 1, 2025. Those who select this option will receive their agency postings only after completing the training.

“All eligible applicants are advised to complete their registration within the stated period and use available support resources for a smooth enrolment experience,” Mr. Gyamfi added.

Justice Sir Dennis Dominic Adjei, a nominee for the Supreme Court, has called for stricter regulation of digital misconduct, stating that offences committed on social media should be treated with the same seriousness as those committed offline.

Speaking during his vetting by Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Monday, June 16, 2025, Justice Adjei emphasized that Ghana’s existing laws should apply equally across both physical and digital platforms.

Responding to concerns about the rise in fake news, impersonation, and misinformation online, he said:

“If an act is considered a criminal offence in Ghana in the physical world, it should equally be an offence on social media.”

He cited the Communications Act, which already addresses issues like exposing private information or making statements that threaten national security, regardless of the medium used.

Addressing concerns over freedom of expression, Justice Adjei stressed the importance of legal consistency.

“It would be inappropriate to criminalize an act online if it’s not an offence offline. But where the law already exists, the digital space should not offer protection from accountability,” he added.

Justice Adjei currently serves as the Director of the Judicial Training Institute and has contributed significantly to judicial education and legal reforms. He is one of seven individuals being considered for elevation to Ghana’s highest court.

His comments come amid ongoing discussions about the regulation of online platforms in Ghana, particularly during election seasons, when the circulation of misinformation becomes more rampant.

Hundreds of Ghanaians are currently stranded in Israel as escalating tensions with Iran force the Israeli government to declare a state of emergency and shut all borders, effectively halting any immediate evacuation efforts.

Foreign Affairs Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed this urgent development in a Twitter update on Monday, June 16, highlighting the government’s ongoing efforts to protect its citizens caught in the volatile conflict.

In what he referred to as “UPDATE No. 2,” the Minister revealed that Ghana’s Embassy in Israel has identified 922 Ghanaians residing in the country. This number includes 65 students enrolled in six different Israeli universities, showing that the affected population cuts across various groups.

So far, there have been no reported injuries or deaths among Ghanaians in the region. Minister Ablakwa noted that while evacuation efforts from Iran are progressing successfully, the situation in Israel remains more complex.

“With Israeli authorities declaring a state of emergency and closing all borders, an evacuation from Israel cannot be carried out now except with the express authorization of Israeli authorities,” Ablakwa explained. He added that the government is actively working to obtain those necessary clearances to begin a safe evacuation.

An Emergency Evacuation Plan for Israel has already been approved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and is ready for activation once conditions permit.

Meanwhile, Ghanaian authorities have established direct communication lines with the Ghanaian community in Israel to keep them informed and supported. In compliance with safety directives from the Israeli Foreign Ministry, Ghana’s embassy staff are also working remotely to minimize risk.

Ablakwa further emphasized that efforts are being made to ensure that all Ghanaians in Israel have access to bomb shelters and other essential protections.

The Mahama Administration has reiterated its unwavering commitment to the safety of Ghanaian nationals.

“President Mahama’s Administration is resolved to spare no effort in ensuring that Ghanaians caught up in this Israeli-Iranian conflict are offered full protection and removed from danger. We shall not fail our compatriots,” the Minister assured.

As diplomatic efforts continue, the government remains focused on securing safe passage for its citizens amid one of the region’s most volatile crises in recent years.