Thugs prevented me from entering my office - Mahama’s appointed deputy NYA CEO ‘cries’

Adongo Atule Jacob, who was appointed by President John Dramani Mahama as Deputy Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), has said that he has been prevented from taking office.

Speaking in an interview on Metro TV, Atule Jacob, a blind staff member of the National Youth Authority, said that some thugs besieged the agency to stop him from entering his office to assume duties as deputy CEO.

He indicated that the thugs claimed that his appointment had been revoked by the president, which was not the case.

“I received a call to the Flagstaff House for us to discuss the issue, and so, I went to the office. I was actually going to the office to pick my file and dash into the presidency for us to discuss the impasse and find an amicable solution. But the people literally prevented me from entering my office. They wouldn't even allow me to enter the office I used to work in previously.

“Have you seen any revocation letter? Have you seen it anywhere? My appointment hasn't been revoked by the president, and he's the only one who has the power to revoke an appointment. He hasn't revoked my appointment. That is it,” he said.

The deputy CEO said that a group of people at the agency are behind the attempt to prevent him from assuming office.

He claimed that the said persons are aiding some previous management members of the NYA to return to the agency to continue their corrupt activities.

“The reason some skeletal staff of the agency are probably protesting against my coming is because there's so much rot in the agency. Some previous management members who occupied management positions around 2014-15 now want to find their way back to the agency and continue the loot,” he added.

The issue has infuriated members of the Gender and Disability Desk, who say Atule Jacob is well deserving of his appointment.

They expressed admiration for Atule Jacob's hard work and dedication, emphasising that the appointment of a person with a disability to the position of deputy CEO is a significant achievement.

They, therefore, urged the president to take action so that Atule Jacob can assume his new role.

About Atule Jacob’s appointment:

President Mahama appointed Adongo Atule Jacob as the Deputy Acting Chief Executive Officer (Finance and Administration) of the YEA, pending approval from the YEA’s governing board and consultation with the Public Services Commission.

His appointment, in accordance with Article 195(1) of the Constitution and the Youth Employment Agency Act, 2015 (Act 887), took effect from January 27, 2025.

Atule Jacob is expected to oversee the financial management and administrative operations of the NYA, ensuring efficiency in the agency’s mission to empower the youth through employment programmes.

Watch Atule Jacob's remarks in the video below:

YEA Leadership Dispute: I was denied access to my office - Deputy CEO#MetroNews pic.twitter.com/N9zzoSQyvX

— Metro TV Ghana (@metrotvgh) February 4, 2025