YEA dismisses claims of 10-month salary arrears

The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has dismissed media reports alleging that some 300 of its staff have gone without pay for ten months, describing the claims as “factually inaccurate and misleading”.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, October 8, and signed by Suadique Musah, Director of Corporate Affairs, the Agency clarified that all legitimate employees on its official payroll have been paid consistently from February to September 2025.

“It is factually inaccurate for any group to allege that the CEO has failed to pay them for ten months when he has been in office for only eight months,” the statement said, referring to Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale, who assumed office in February 2025.

According to YEA, the current management inherited an existing payroll, which was reviewed and approved by the Board.

Since then, “no individual whose name was duly verified and approved has been left out of the payroll.”

The Agency also confirmed that a staff audit was conducted earlier this year to ensure transparency and protect public funds.

“This exercise, far from being punitive, was to protect the integrity of the Agency and safeguard public funds. All staff who participated in the audit have been paid accordingly and continue to receive their entitlements,” it explained.

YEA further noted that some affected individuals might have been those whose contracts expired before the new CEO’s appointment.

“In such cases, management directed that they reapply for renewal through their respective directors. Those whose contracts were renewed have since been placed on the payroll,” the agency said.

Addressing reports of hardship and mental distress among unemployed youth, YEA reaffirmed its commitment to creating sustainable opportunities for young people.

“Management views with deep concern reports of hardship, including alleged cases of suicide attempts among Ghanaian youth arising from unemployment pressures,” the statement added.

The Agency stated that it remains committed to the welfare of its personnel and to “protecting the interests of its staff, ensuring accountability, and delivering on its mandate to create sustainable employment for Ghanaian youth.”