Reports that three hundred (300) staff of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) have not been paid their ten (10) months' salary have been debunked by the agency.

According to the agency, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA, Mr. Malik Basintale, assumed office in February 2025, therefore, 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.

Upon assumption of office, the CEO inherited the existing payroll, which was presented to the Board of YEA and duly approved. Since February 2025, all staff members captured on the official payroll have been paid consistently up to September 2025. No individual whose name was duly verified and approved has been left out of the payroll," the agency wrote in a statement signed by the Director of Corporate Affairs, Suadique Musah.

The statement further shared that, in keeping with transparency, the YEA management undertook a comprehensive staff audit earlier this year to ensure that only legitimate employees are maintained on the payroll.

"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."

However, the YEA emphasised that certain categories of staff had their contracts expire before the CEO assumed office.

In such cases, management directed that they reapply for renewal through their respective directors.

As such, those whose contracts were renewed have since been placed on the payroll.

The Youth Employment Agency assures the public and all stakeholders that the Agency remains committed to protecting the interests of its staff, ensuring accountability, and delivering on its mandate to create sustainable employment for Ghanaian youth.

In May this year, the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) announced a fully sponsored employment opportunity for eligible Ghanaians to work in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, as factory hands.

According to details released by the agency, the programme is entirely free of charge, with no application fees, intermediary charges, or hidden costs. Selected candidates will be placed in well-paying roles, with all recruitment facilitated directly by YEA.

Applicants must meet specific criteria to qualify. Interested individuals should be between the ages of 22 and 35 years, stand at least 1.65 meters tall, and weigh between 65 and 75 kilograms. While a Higher National Diploma (HND) or higher qualification is considered advantageous, it is not a strict requirement.

The agency is particularly encouraging women to take advantage of this international job opportunity, as part of efforts to promote gender inclusivity in the workforce.

This initiative forms part of YEA’s broader goal of creating sustainable employment pathways for Ghanaian youth, both locally and abroad.

In the same month, the Agency signed a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) to recruit 5,000 young people as Fire Assistants nationwide to address youth unemployment and boost emergency response capacity.

The partnership, led by YEA’s Chief Executive Officer, Malik Basintale, is expected to create thousands of job opportunities for the youth while supporting the Ghana Fire Service in its mission to protect lives and property.

The signing ceremony, held in Accra, attracted high-level government officials including the Minister for the Interior and the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, signalling a strong endorsement of the initiative by the state.

This collaboration reflects a broader national strategy aimed at equipping young Ghanaians with practical roles in public service, while also enhancing the country’s capacity to respond to fire and related emergencies effectively.

When he first assumed office Malik Basintale, issued a bold message to staff, emphasizing the need for selfless service over personal gain.

Addressing employees during an engagement at the agency, Basintale cautioned against prioritizing personal enrichment over the mission of the organization.

“If your intention is to make money and look for money, then today, you better resign and go home. We are not here to look for money; we are here to work and make His Excellency President of the Republic of Ghana, John Mahama, proud,” he declared.

He reassured staff of a supportive and collaborative work environment, urging them to remain focused on the core objective of creating jobs for Ghanaian youth.

“I feel the environment is safe and conducive for all of us to cohabitate. There shouldn’t be any fear. I have one mandate: to achieve in delivering jobs to the unemployed youth. It is very dear to my heart,” he added.

The appointment of Basintale, who also serves as the Deputy National Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has drawn significant attention. On January 26, he invited all well-wishers to join him as he officially assumed his new role at YEA.

A group of supporters believed to be affiliated with Basintale was seen at the agency’s premises to celebrate his appointment.

This leadership change follows the resignation of Kofi Baah Agyepong, who stepped down after two years at the helm, citing personal commitments and future aspirations. President John Dramani Mahama subsequently appointed Basintale to steer the agency toward its mission of tackling youth unemployment in Ghana.

In a message shared on X (formerly Twitter), Malik Basintale expressed his gratitude to President Mahama and vowed to fulfill the responsibilities of his new role. “Thank you, Mr President, H.E John D. Mahama. We shall not fail you❤️🙏🏽🇬🇭,” he wrote.