YEA dismisses claims of 10-month salary arrears; says it’s ‘factually inaccurate’

The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has strongly refuted widespread media reports alleging that about 300 of its staff nationwide have gone unpaid for a period of ten months, describing the claims as “factually inaccurate and misleading.”

In a detailed statement released on Wednesday, October 8, 2025, and signed by its Director of Communications, Suadique Musah, the Agency sought to set the record straight regarding staff remuneration and the ongoing payroll audit that has sparked public discussion.

According to the statement, the current Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Malik Basintale, who assumed office in February 2025, has ensured that all duly verified employees captured on the official payroll have received their salaries up to September 2025.

“It is therefore factually inaccurate for any group or individual to allege that the CEO has failed to pay staff for ten months when he has been in office for only eight months,” the statement clarified.

The YEA emphasized that a comprehensive nationwide staff audit was undertaken earlier this year to clean up the payroll, eliminate ghost names, and promote accountability in the use of public funds. The exercise, according to management, was not meant to target or punish any particular group but to ensure the proper utilization of resources.

“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,” the release noted.

The Agency further explained that certain employees whose contracts had expired before Mr. Basintale’s appointment were required to reapply for renewal under new administrative guidelines. It said only those whose contracts were successfully renewed were subsequently restored to the payroll.

“Those whose contracts were renewed have since been placed on the payroll. It is therefore misleading to confuse expired or unrenewed contracts with cases of unpaid staff,” the statement added.

Addressing public concerns about the welfare of YEA workers, the Agency reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the prompt payment of legitimate staff while continuing to reform its internal management systems to enhance efficiency.

“At no point has the Agency deliberately neglected its verified staff or failed in its obligation to pay those legitimately captured on its payroll,” YEA asserted.

The Agency also expressed concern about the spread of misinformation that could potentially undermine its reputation and the morale of its workforce. It urged media outlets and stakeholders to verify facts before publication, especially on matters involving public institutions and employees.

Looking ahead, the YEA reiterated its dedication to delivering on its core mandate of youth empowerment and job creation, noting that several new initiatives are being rolled out to address unemployment and expand the scope of its programs across all 16 regions.

“The YEA remains steadfast in its mission to create sustainable employment opportunities for Ghana’s youth. We call on the public to support our ongoing efforts to transform the lives of young people across the country,” the statement concluded.

The clarification from the YEA follows growing social media commentary and media speculation over alleged salary delays, which the Agency insists are unfounded and based on misinformation surrounding its internal audit and contract renewal processes.