NYA procured GHC2m worth of equipment without warehouse to keep them – Report

An Audit report in possession of Starr News has revealed that the National Youth Authority (NYA) hastened to procure Vocational and Technical tools and equipment at the cost of Ghc2,374,497.27 without the necessary infrastructure to accommodate them.

The lack of Proper warehouse for the safe keeping of the items coupled with the fact that workshop Infrastructures for its installations at the various Youth Leadership Skill and Training Institutions were not ready was questioned by Internal Auditors who charged the Authority to ensure that conducive environment, workshop and spacious stores are provided for the Institutions as early as Possible while urging NYA to speed up construction of the various workshops for installation of the tools.

Management of NYA in their response to this specific query captured in 2018 audit report explained that “funds for the tools was released and procured ahead of the workshops due to the urgent need for tools for training at the Institutes”

Management also explained that the items were procured through a collaboration with Youth Employment Authority (YEA) to help in retooling the various Youth leadership training Institutes adding that the Ministry of Labour and Employment Relation through YEA had agreed to support the NYA’s institutes put up the workshops for the Institutes.

Currently, there are eleven(11) Youth Leadership and Skills Training Institutes (YLSTI) dotted across the country providing skill in agri-business, technical skills, entrepreneurship training, ICT training amongst other modules purposely designed for the youth.

President Akufo-Addo sacks NYA CEO, two deputies

President Akufo-Addo has sacked the CEO of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Emmanuel Sin-nyet Asigri, and his two deputies over procurement breaches.

The two deputies are Mr. Richard Ebbah Obeng and Bright Acheampong.

“I regret to inform you that the President of the Republic has terminated your appointment,” the sports minister Isaac Asiamah who has oversight responsibility on the Authority said in their termination letters.

“Please ensure that you hand over and cease to act” not later than close of business on Wednesday, 4th September 2019, the termination letter dated Tuesday, September 3, 2019 said.

The trio will hand over to the Director of Technical Projects of the Authority, Emmanuel Anaman-Mensah.

A few weeks ago, a member of the board of the Authority Arnold Boateng resigned over what he termed as “real issues.”

Background

The Chief of Staff, Akosua Frema Osei-Opare, last Friday ordered Mr. Asigri to step aside over a petition brought before her against the CEO for engaging in questionable procurement practices.

The Public Procurement Authority has reportedly being asked to investigate the allegations against Asigri.

Procurement breaches

The NYA chair, Francisca Oteng, confirmed one procurement in which the CEO had allegedly breached procedures, awarding the said contract without the knowledge of the board, the Daily Statesman reports.

This matter was referred to the PPA last month to investigate. The PPA assigned a team of investigators to gather information on it.

The NYA board acted following receipt of a petition from one Ibrahim Ofori alleging corruption relating to procurement. The board met to confer on the matter on July 2 2019.

The NYA chair followed this up with a letter to the Minister of Youth and Sports on July 10.

Criminal investigations?

In contention is the procurement method used to engage Prefos Ltd for training 500 young people o instal, maintain and repair streetlights. The value of the procurement in question is GHS4.5 million.

Security officials will look to the PPA investigation to determine whether the matter should be reported to the Ghana Police Service’s Criminal Investigation Department for further investigation.