The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) is calling for a review of the funding cap affecting revenue from the Communication Service Tax (CST), arguing that the arrangement has implications for the resources available to implement its employment programmes.
Chief Executive Officer Malik Basintale raised the concern when he addressed the Government Accountability Series at Jubilee House today, Wednesday, October 21.
He said Section 23(b) of the Youth Employment Agency Act, 2015 (Act 887), provides for 80% of CST revenue as a funding source for the Agency. However, he said the application of the earmarked funds capping regime affected the predictability and adequacy of resources available for its activities.
“While we appreciate the broader fiscal considerations underpinning this arrangement, we respectfully believe that a possible review of the capping framework, particularly as it affects youth employment financing, would significantly enhance the Agency’s capacity to deliver on its mandate,” he said.
Mr Basintale also identified stringent procurement and commitment authorisation processes as challenges that could delay programme implementation. He acknowledged that the procedures were necessary to ensure transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline but called for administrative streamlining to improve efficiency without compromising safeguards.
“Our objective is not to circumvent established financial controls, but to strengthen collaboration, improve implementation efficiency and ensure that available resources translate into timely and meaningful employment opportunities for Ghanaian youth,” he said.
The YEA says more predictable funding would help it expand its interventions and improve the delivery of employment opportunities to young people across the country.