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About 300 staff members of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) across the country are demanding the immediate payment of 10 months’ unpaid salaries, accusing the agency of neglect and inhumane treatment.
The aggrieved employees, who say they were permanently employed in November 2024, claim they have not received any salaries since assuming their roles on December 1, 2024, despite receiving clearance from both the Public Service Commission and the Ministry of Finance.
At a press conference in Kumasi on Wednesday, the affected staff issued a heartfelt appeal to President John Dramani Mahama, urging his urgent intervention to address what they described as a worsening humanitarian crisis.
“Mr. President, please hear our cry and save us and our families from further starvation,” pleaded Osei Yaw Akoto, the group’s convener.
“We Are Starving”: Human Toll of Salary Delays
The workers painted a grim picture of the toll the salary delays have taken on their lives. Some, they say, are now unable to feed their families, pay school fees, or sustain their marriages. There are also reports of strokes and suicide attempts among colleagues, as financial pressures mount.
“We are starving,” Akoto said, visibly emotional. “This is no longer just about money—it’s about our health, our dignity, and our basic human rights.”
Long-Service Workers Left in Limbo
According to the group, most of them had served the YEA as contract staff for between two and eight years before being transitioned to permanent roles. Their confirmation, they say, was supported by formal clearance and documentation.
In February 2025, during a virtual meeting, YEA CEO Malik Basintale reportedly affirmed that their appointments were legitimate but noted that an audit would be conducted to verify the status of some staff.
The audit, they claim, was completed in March 2025, but no official communication has been made since—despite repeated petitions, including one sent through a lawyer in June.
Accusations of Silence and Frustration
The affected employees have accused YEA management of deliberately frustrating them out of their jobs. They describe the situation as a clear human rights violation, citing the psychological and physical toll it has taken on staff nationwide.
They are demanding full payment of salary arrears, along with formal updates on their employment status.
“We’ve done our part. We report to work every day. We deserve to be treated with dignity—not silence,” said one aggrieved worker.
Calls for Immediate Action
With no official word from YEA or the Ministry of Finance, the workers are turning to President Mahama as their last hope.
“We believe the President will listen,” Akoto added. “We’re not asking for charity—we’re demanding what we’ve rightfully earned.”
As the pressure mounts, the government and the YEA are yet to issue any public statement on the matter.
