Minority demands YEA funding source

The Minority in Parliament has charged the government to reveal its source of funding to sustain the newly passed Youth Employment Agency Bill.

According to the MPs, government has failed in recent years to pay statutory funds to run state institutions, thus must clearly spell out the funding source for the programme meant to fight joblessness among the youth.

“Already the District Assembly Common Fund is in chaos, you know the whole of last year, it was only the fourth quarter that was released”, Kyei Mensah added.

Parliament on Monday passed the new Youth Employment Agency Bill.

The new Ghana Youth Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) Bill, according to Labour Minister, Haruna Iddrisu will make the youth-oriented programme more robust and efficient.

The bill, which seeks to create over 100,000 jobs for the youth was twice deferred by the House over legislation deficiencies.

President John Mahama is expected to sign the bill into law within seven days.

Mr Mensah Bonsu, told Ultimate Breakfast Show host Prince Minkah, Wednesday that government should have waited for the outcome of the current GYEEDA scandal case in court before rushing to pass the new bill.

Former GYEEDA boss, Abuga Pele and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Goodwill International Group (GIG), Philip Akpeena Assibit, are standing trial for the various roles they played, which the Attorney General’s Department said caused huge financial loss to the state. All contracts under GYEEDA were cancelled by President Mahama following the rot.

But new GYEEDA Boss, Kobby Acheampong assured that “no contract will be awarded without going through the requisite procurement procedures”.