The Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has dismissed claims of a strained relationship with the CEO of the Youth Employment Authority (YEA), Malik Basintale, describing them as mere fabrications.
The National Youth Organiser of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) clarified these rumours following his absence at the launch of the Work Abroad Programme, an event that generated concerns among some members of the public.
The programme, a collaboration between the Ministry of Labour, Jobs & Employment, YEA, and GIZ Ghana, aims to offer international job opportunities to young Ghanaians.
Despite not being present, Opare Addo explained that Malik Basintale represented him at the event, refuting claims that he was excluded from the proceedings.
In an interview on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen show, Opare Addo revealed, “It is not true that I was not invited. The Labour Minister even informed me first before Malik.”
He further urged Ghanaians to disregard any speculations regarding his relationship with Malik Basintale, adding that the absence was purely due to the transitional phase of his new ministry.
Opare Addo explained that because the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment was newly established, certain responsibilities, like the agreement between YEA and GIZ, were handled by the Ministry of Labour until the transition was complete.
He emphasized that “YEA effectively represented George Opare Addo” at the event, and added that Malik Basintale had briefed him on the programme, which he had fully approved.
“When they signed the agreement with the GIZ, my ministry is not in existence so the Labour Minister has to handle it but let me put it on record that YEA effectively represented George Opare Addo; that morning, Malik even briefed me on the programme and I okayed it,” he said.
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