The Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, has said the agency has undergone a comprehensive transformation since he assumed office, describing it as being in a “reset mode” with the introduction of new employment initiatives, improved staff engagement and prompt payment of beneficiaries.
Speaking in an interview with the Media in Kumasi, the YEA Chief Executive said the management’s approach has been to engage employees directly to understand their concerns and incorporate their views into the agency’s future plans.
According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity to assess the agency’s achievements, discuss challenges and chart a clear path for future operations.
“We run our agency by engaging with our staff directly to ascertain their needs, so we are able to factor them into our future plans,” he said, adding that staff had welcomed the new initiatives and expressed optimism about the agency’s direction.
He noted that management was committed to setting higher performance standards and continuously improving the agency’s operations.
“It is in our interest to always set records, break them and continue setting new ones. That is how we build a formidable agency,” he stated.
Agency reset
Assessing the current state of the agency, the Chief Executive said YEA had been placed in a “reset mode,” with several programmes being introduced or revived to expand employment opportunities for young people.
Among the initiatives, he cited the introduction of the Community First Responders and Medical First Responders programmes, which he said had not previously existed under the agency.
He also announced the reintroduction of the Arabic Instructors Programme, the Labour Exchange Programme and the revitalisation of the agency’s Job Centre.
According to him, one of the agency’s flagship interventions is the ongoing training of more than 30,000 young people in 18 different vocational and technical skills, aimed at improving employability and supporting entrepreneurship.
The Chief Executive said the agency had recorded significant progress and would continue addressing operational challenges as it pursued its mandate of creating sustainable employment opportunities.
Sanitation programme
Touching on public concerns about the sanitation programme previously managed under YEA, the Chief Executive clarified that the matter was not about a specific private service provider but rather the broader sanitation model.
He explained that the sanitation programme had since been decentralised and placed under the control of the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
“The question should be whether the sanitation model will be returned to YEA. That decision lies with Cabinet,” he said.
He noted that when he assumed office, the agency was unable to implement the sanitation programme because of unresolved issues surrounding the arrangement.
He, however, expressed YEA’s readiness to resume responsibility for the programme should Cabinet decide to return it to the agency.
“If we ever get the opportunity to implement it again, we will do our best and the nation will be proud of us,” he added.
Digital jobs platform
The Chief Executive also highlighted plans to strengthen YEA’s digital employment platform, which would enable certified artisans to connect with customers online.
He explained that the platform would allow people to request the services of plumbers, electricians, carpenters and other skilled professionals from the comfort of their homes, similar to ride-hailing applications.
According to him, all service providers on the platform would undergo security screening by the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and possess recognised qualifications from institutions such as the National Vocational Training Institute (NVTI) and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) system.
He said the initiative would reduce the cost of establishing physical businesses while expanding employment opportunities for skilled youth.
Beneficiary payments
The YEA Chief Executive also assured beneficiaries that the agency had cleared outstanding stipend payments and was processing the next round of allowances.
He contrasted the current situation with previous years when beneficiaries reportedly waited several months, and in some cases up to a year, before receiving payments.
“Currently, we are not owing beneficiaries. We have paid them up to date, and we are processing their next payment,” he said.
He urged beneficiaries to remain committed to their work, stressing that the stipends they receive are funded through taxpayers’ contributions and should be justified through diligence and professionalism.
The Chief Executive acknowledged receiving reports of a few beneficiaries exhibiting poor work attitudes but said the agency would continue engaging them to improve performance while maintaining accountability across all its programmes.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
