Committee to review GYEEDA regulatory framework

A Ministerial Impact Assessment Committee has been formed to investigate financial irregularities and challenges at the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA).

Mr Elvis Afriyie-Ankrah, Minister for Youth and Sports, who announced this, said the Committee was mandated to review the regulatory framework of GYEEDA.

It is also expected to perform in-depth investigation to determine possible irregularities of crime and related financial losses as well as actions taken by management to recover possible embezzled money and other assets.

Mr Afriyie-Ankrah, who made the remarks at a press briefing on Wednesday in Accra, said the Committee would evaluate and investigate any potential conflict of interest, evaluate the administrative and accounting procedures and disbursements that had been followed.

He said it would review the capacity of persons entrusted with key responsibilities and to perform current state of financial management, procurement, human resource and contracting procedures.

Mr Afriyie-Ankrah noted that Government had been deeply committed to ensuring that GYEEDA contributed significantly to the creation and provision of the needed opportunities to employ the teaming youth hence the formation of the Committee to make recommendations, improve the long term viability and sustainability of the programme.

Mr Afriyie-Ankrah indicated that the Committee, which was inaugurated in April 2013, would soon present its report for a decision to be taken on GYEEDA.

He observed that GYEEDA had been fraught with challenges that continued to impede government’s efforts at implementing planned programmes and other social interventions for the youth.

Mr Afriyie-Ankrah expressed concern about the challenges that were gaining prominence, especially with the recent media speculations about the possibilities of financial irregularities.

He lamented that media discussions failed to tackle issues in the proper perspective despite government’s recognition of the problem and steps such as the formation of the Committee to resolve the matter.

Mr Afriyie-Ankrah called on the media to be fair in dealing with the Committee to allow it to perform its duties until the final report was presented.

He announced that beneficiaries of the programme would be paid their allowances by the end of June while awaiting the final report.

The Minister expressed hope that the restructuring of GYEEDA would enable it to introduce a comprehensive biometric means of payment to beneficiaries.

Source: GNA