Youth Employment Agency beneficiaries will now take home GH¢800 a month instead of GH¢500, Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale announced at the Accountability Series on Wednesday, October 21, framing the increase as part of a broader push to improve welfare for young Ghanaians enrolled in the agency's programmes.
Basintale said the agency has also recorded 100,628 beneficiaries as of September 30, representing 25.7 percent of its annual target, a figure he tied directly to changes made since he took office.
"I am particularly pleased to announce that since assuming office, we have increased beneficiary recruitment by 566.67% of the number we met. Under our stewardship, monthly beneficiaries' allowance has been increased from 500 cedis to 800 cedis." - Malik Basintale
For Basintale, the growth in beneficiary figures represents something beyond statistics. It reflects young people actually earning a living and contributing to the economy rather than sitting idle, which he frames as the real point of the programme.
Retention Deals With Security Agencies
Beyond the allowance bump, YEA has struck retention agreements with security agencies aimed at absorbing at least 60 percent of beneficiaries into permanent jobs once their two-year service period ends.
The move addresses a complaint that has followed the agency for years, namely what happens to young people once their temporary engagement runs out.
"Our vision is simple. Youth employment is increasingly becoming a bridge to lasting careers rather than a temporary response to unemployment," Basintale said.
The agency has also worked to pay allowances on schedule, cutting down on the delays that beneficiaries have long complained about and giving them a more predictable income.
Basintale admitted challenges still exist within the agency's operations but insisted beneficiary welfare remains central to how YEA plans to move forward under his leadership.
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