YEA Uncovered About Gh¢50 Million Payroll Fraud

Earlier this year, the Youth Employment Agency suspended the payment of allowances to over 60,000 beneficiaries on suspicions of discrepancies in the report handed to it by the managers under the previous administration.

A full-scale audit revealed that, many people who did not deserve to receive monies from the Agency were doing so fraudulently.

The acting Chief Executive of Youth Employment Agency, Justine Kodua Frimpong, at a press conference on Wednesday 7 June, 2017 revealed that, some 2,716 beneficiaries did not have appointment letters, while 9,442 beneficiaries were above the age required. And a group of 4,681 beneficiaries, also vacated their post, whereas 14,443 beneficiaries were simply non-existent. Also 11,512 beneficiaries were also without the assumption of duty letters.

According to the young CEO and a Lawyer, the country has been saved of some GH¢20 million by deleting the names of illegitimate beneficiaries from the payroll.

He noted that, the Agency is still deliberating on the fate of the thousands of beneficiaries who were receiving monies without having an assumption of duty letters.

“A total of 16,839 beneficiaries have been deleted from the payroll, and this has saved the taxpayer as much as (Gh¢20,206,800). However, in respect of the last two, being Beneficiaries without assumption of duty letters and non-existing beneficiaries, management has given itself a month, to address issues regarding their status,” According to the acting CEO.

He continued that, further investigation will be conducted into the matter to ensure that persons who are found guilty in the fraudulent activity will be dealt with according to the law.

“As part of the physical verification exercise conducted by management, we observed that some district directors connived with some beneficiaries to partake in the verification exercise knowing very well that they have vacated post. I can assure all of you that further investigations will be conducted and those found culpable will be dealt with within the remit of the law,” Mr. Kodua reiterated.

Mr. Frimpong Kodua said in spite of the challenges bedevilling them, YEA is collaborating with the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations to tighten its internal control mechanisms by introducing a pre-monthly validation policy before the issuance of payment.

By : Sammy Adjei/Newsghana.com.gh

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