The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, has assured Ghanaians that the agency’s initiative to develop two mobile applications for job placement will come at no cost to taxpayers.
His clarification follows concerns raised on social media, with some users questioning the necessity of the apps and suggesting they could be a scheme to siphon public funds.
In a detailed Facebook post on Wednesday, March 12, 2025, Basintale outlined the purpose of the applications, emphasizing their role in connecting jobseekers with potential employers.
“The first app is specifically designed for artisans and skilled labour. Anyone in search of a plumber, carpenter, tailor, mason, or electrician can easily connect with one. This will serve as a major exit plan for our already trained skilled labour,” he explained.
He further noted that the app will operate both locally and internationally through the agency’s Work Abroad Directorate, set to be launched soon. The platform, developed through a Private-Public Partnership (PPP), will require YEA to provide a database of skilled labour, enabling the creation of over 100,000 jobs within the informal sector.
The second app, he stated, will be a Job Centre fully owned by YEA, designed to connect job seekers to employers daily.
“This will operate as easily and simply as possible for anyone in Ghana to utilize in their job search,” he added.
Speaking to Citi News, on March 13, Basintale reinforced that both apps would be operational by the end of March 2025.
“Both apps come at no cost, the youth employment agency has an information technology directorate that is going to develop this app. We are optimistic that by the end of this month, we should be able to launch this app, all things being equal.” He stated.
He further explained that while the agency already has a job centre website, an app is needed to expand opportunities, particularly for those in the informal sector.
“We currently have the website, but it only caters to the needs of those in the formal sector. These apps will create an avenue for artisans and those in the informal sector,” he clarified.