Malik Basintale, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament Friday queried the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) over a sharp 72 percent increase in rent payments.
The rent soared from GH¢3.2 million in 2023 to GH¢5.5 million in 2024.
Malik Basintale, the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of YEA and other officials faced tough questions during PAC’s public hearing in Parliament House for not speaking out against the steep rise in rental costs.
According to the YEA management, the rent charges began after the Ministry of Works and Housing handed over the facility currently occupied by the Agency to Messrs K&A Developers as private managers in 2023.
George Opare Addo, the Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, told the Committee that discussions were ongoing with the Office of the Chief of Staff to secure permanent office space for the Agency.
“Madam Chairperson, we have engaged with the Chief of Staff on getting permanent accommodation for the YEA. In due time, we will report to this august House on the plans made and the facilities made available to the Agency,” Mr. Addo said.
That, he explained, aimed to ease the financial burden on the Agency.
The PAC’s scrutiny forms part of Parliament’s oversight mandate to ensure value for money in the use of state resources. The Committee’s concerns highlight the need for accountability in the Agency’s expenditure.
The PAC public hearing slated from Tuesday, August 19, to Tuesday, August 26, would consider the Auditor-General’s report on MDAs for the year ended December 31, 2024.
The six-day public hearing will examine the Auditor-General’s report, which highlighted significant issues, including Ghana’s public debt and weaknesses in financial reporting and asset management.