YEA CEO Basintale Defends Private Security Jobs for Interested Youth, Slams NPP’s “Azaa” NABCO

Malik Basintale, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), has responded to criticism from members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) regarding the agency’s recent initiative to secure 6,000 private security jobs for interested youth. Basintale defended the program, highlighting the favorable terms of employment, while simultaneously criticizing the NPP’s past “Nation Builders Corps” (NABCO) initiative.

According to Basintale, the YEA successfully negotiated favourable terms for the young people securing the private security positions. These terms include salaries ranging from GH¢1,000 to GH¢2,500, depending on the assigned work station. He expressed surprise and disappointment at the NPP’s criticism, given the perceived benefits of the YEA program compared to the NPP’s own youth employment initiative.

In a statement released to the public, Basintale referenced the NPP’s NABCO program, which was launched with considerable fanfare and publicity during their time in office. He characterized NABCO as an “Azaa” (potentially meaning ineffective or flawed) policy, particularly due to its low monthly stipend of GH¢700 for university graduates. Basintale further alleged that the NPP government continues to owe NABCO trainees outstanding payments, adding insult to injury.

Basintale’s comments frame the YEA’s private security job initiative as a more effective and beneficial solution for youth employment compared to the NPP’s NABCO program. By highlighting the higher salary range and criticizing the alleged outstanding payments to NABCO trainees, he aims to portray the YEA program as a more responsible and sustainable approach to addressing unemployment among young Ghanaians. The exchange underscores the ongoing political debate surrounding youth employment strategies in Ghana and the effectiveness of different government initiatives in creating meaningful opportunities for young people.