The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, has cautioned staff against using the institution as a means to amass personal wealth.

Addressing YEA staff at a ceremony to welcome him on Monday, January 27, 2025, following the transition from the outgoing CEO Kofi Agyepong, Basintale emphasised that the mandate of all staff is to work and contribute to the growth and development of the country, not to use the institution as a means to enrich themselves.

According to him, individuals who may have such intentions might consider resigning and allowing space for those who are more ready and committed to serving the institution and contributing to the governance of President John Dramani Mahama, in order to make him proud.

“What I don’t like and keep saying is that if your intention is to make and look for money, then today you better resign and go. We are not here to look for but rather are here to work to make President John Dramani Mahama proud,” he said.

The Deputy National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) further expressed concern over the high unemployment rate, highlighting its negative impacts on the country.

Basintale specifically pointed out how youth unemployment contributes to an increase in crime rates in the country, posing a threat to the nation’s security.

He reaffirmed his commitment to addressing the high youth unemployment rate, assuring that he would implement strategies and come up with ideas to create sustainable jobs for the youth.

“I have one mandate to achieve and that is to deliver jobs to the unemployed youths. It is very dear to my heart. Many of you who watched me on TV and social media during the campaign, I’d never appear without feeling the plight of the many unemployed Ghanaian youth. I feel it’s a national security threat.

“The more unemployed people, the more they pick arms and engage in all sorts of things. You and I who are employed will be at risk and so it is incumbent on us to find amicable ways of creating sustainable jobs for the Ghanaian youth. It is incumbent on us to give them the skills so they can also create jobs for themselves…” he added.

Basintale’s appointment was confirmed in a post on his social media on January 23, 2025, expressing his gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama.

The Youth Employment Agency is a critical government institution tasked with addressing unemployment among Ghanaian youth by creating sustainable job opportunities and providing skills development programs.