Casley Hayford petitions CHRAJ over ‘new’ GYEEDA bill

General News of Wednesday, 11 February 2015

Source: citifmonline.com

Sydney Casely Hayford Economist

An anti-corruption crusader has declared plans to challenge government’s restructuring of the Youth Employment Agency, formerly known as the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) program.

On Tuesday, Parliament passed the new Youth Employment Agency bill and is now awaiting the Presidential accent.

Sydney Casely Hayford has already petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) over government’s decision to restructure GYEEDA but following the developments on Monday; he said on Eyewitness News that, “I have spoken to my lawyer, we are looking at whether there are any remedies that we can use and if there is a possibility that we can stop this particular deal that is being made an Act and signed into law, we will proceed and do so appropriately.”

The bill was passed by a voice vote by legislators in Parliament on Tuesday.

However, Sydney Casley Hayford believes government’s decision to restructure the bill is unnecessary.

“The modules that were set up in GYEEDA were modules that were set up in order to perpetuate fraud and there is no reason why we should encourage a second resurrection of GYEEDA when it is not going to solve the problem that we have,” Casley Hayford maintained.

He pointed out that the decision is a total dereliction of duty by government.

“You have to pass good laws, and you have to pass proper laws that make governing this country better but if you pass a law when you know very well that there are issues surrounding the whole state, then I consider that as a dereliction of duty. “

According to him, the Minority in Parliament were “swayed” by the majority over the bill, adding that the move was an abuse of authority on the part of the Majority in Parliament.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Labour Relations and Employment, Haruna Iddrisu, who also pushed for the passage of the bill has said it [the bill] will create a legal framework to address youth unemployment.

He noted that the Attorney General has begun processes to prosecute those who were involved in the misappropriation of GYEEDA funds.

“ Government is working on some of the recommendations which includes retrieval of money from persons who are undeserving.”

He also revealed government’s decision to review some contracts to ensure “ value for money”.