Reducing youth unemployment my priority - Malik Basintale

The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA),  Malik Basintale, has pledged to reduce unemployment in Ghana through sustainable job creation and youth empowerment. 

Speaking on his first day in office on Monday, January 27, Mr Basintale outlined his vision to equip young Ghanaians with entrepreneurial skills and transform them into job creators.

“Our focus is to create sustainable jobs and help the youth transition into entrepreneurs who can employ others,” He stressed.

He warned against corruption within the agency, stating, “This is not a place for personal enrichment. Anyone with such intentions should resign immediately.”

Mr Basintali reassured YEA’s employees of job security and called for teamwork to achieve the agency’s goals. 

He also revealed plans to integrate YEA’s operations into the proposed 24-hour economy framework, aimed at maximising opportunities for the youth.

Describing Ghana’s unemployment challenge as “a national security threat,” Basintali promised innovative strategies to address it and ensure the agency becomes a beacon of hope for young people seeking meaningful employment.

On the same day, Ahmed Ibrahim, the new Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, also began his tenure with a vision to strengthen grassroots governance and improve sanitation across the country.

Speaking to staff, he underscored collaboration among local governments, traditional leaders, and religious institutions to deepen decentralization and enhance service delivery. 

“The integration of local government, chieftaincy, and religious affairs is designed to create synergy and ensure resources are used to address the real needs of citizens,” he explained.

The minister made sanitation and waste management a top priority, pledging to clean up cities and towns nationwide. “Keeping our cities clean and towns healthier is not just a goal but a necessity. I expect every member of this ministry to contribute to this effort with urgency and commitment,” he said.

Mr. Ibrahim stressed his collaborative leadership style, focusing on community engagement to ensure policies are tailored to the people’s needs. “This will not be a solo effort,” he said. “We are committed to listening to the people and delivering results that genuinely make a difference.”

Both leaders expressed gratitude to the president for their appointments and committed to fulfilling the government’s manifesto promises, positioning their roles as pivotal to Ghana’s development agenda.