The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, has taken a bold stand against the current contract with Zoomlion Ghana Limited. He has pledged not to renew the agreement if the meager GH¢250 salary for sanitation workers remains unchanged, labeling the arrangement as exploitative and detrimental to Ghanaian youth.
In a strongly worded Facebook post on Friday, April 25, Basintale criticized the current terms of the contract, describing them as a betrayal of the workers’ dignity and hard work. His remarks have gained traction amid growing public discontent, amplified by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who has consistently highlighted the poor treatment of workers under the arrangement.
“A Rip-Off of Poor Ghanaians”
Basintale minced no words in condemning the agreement. “This contract is a blatant rip-off of poor Ghanaians. It is unjust, and it cannot continue under this administration,” he asserted.
Reaffirming his commitment to fighting for equity and fairness, he passionately declared, “All my life, I have fought for integrity and the betterment of Ghana’s youth. I promise on my honor—and on the memory of my late father—not to renew this contract in its current form. It is an injustice brought upon us by the previous government, and I will put an end to it.”
Personal Connection to Workers’ Struggles
Expressing empathy for the workers, Basintale highlighted how deeply the issue resonates with him. “If my own mother, brother, or sister were among these sanitation workers, I would never accept them taking home GH¢250 as a salary. This is not the Ghana we should aspire to build.”
Call to Action
To underscore his commitment to reform, Basintale has invited the public to join a live discussion on Facebook at 8:00 pm, where he will outline the agency’s plans to address the contentious contract and explore pathways to improve the conditions of sanitation workers.
This decisive stance by the Acting YEA CEO reflects a broader push for accountability and fairness in government contracts, setting a precedent for how public institutions should advocate for the well-being of workers.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson #ahotoronline.com
