The Youth Employment Agency has dismissed claims that it spent GH¢9 million on a turkey berries production programme, describing the allegations as false and misleading.
Chief Executive Officer of the Agency, Malik Basintale, said there is no such initiative under the agency and no payments have been made since he assumed office.
Speaking on Ekosii Sen, he explained that although a proposal was presented by a private company to train young people to process turkey berries into products such as tea and spices, the project was never approved or implemented.
He noted that the proposal involved training about 2,000 youth at a cost of GH¢4,500 per person, but stressed that no agreement was reached and no funds were disbursed.
The Agency also reiterated in a statement through its Corporate Affairs Directorate that it has not undertaken any turkey berries-related project and urged the public to disregard the claims.
“There is currently no youth involvement in turkey berry production under our programme. Under my administration, no payments have been made for this initiative. YEA is open to many proposals, and the company that came to discuss turkey berry production had a commendable idea.
“They expressed a desire to train young people on how to convert turkey berry into tea bags and spices. Their proposal included training about 2,000 individuals at a cost of GH¢4,500 per person. However, nothing has materialised from this plan, and no payments have been made. It has all been empty promises,” he stated.
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