Accra: Developers Net, an organisation focused on youth advocacy and skills development, has strongly condemned recent comments made by Mr. Osman Ayariga, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA). The group is demanding an immediate retraction of his remarks and a firm commitment to impartiality in the Authority's operations.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Ayariga recently stated during a national television interview, "My first preference is the NDC youth; that, I am not going to lie about." This comment, made in response to questions about job recruitment for the youth, has sparked widespread criticism for suggesting a bias in employment opportunities within the National Youth Authority.
In an official statement released by Developers Net, the organisation described Mr. Ayariga's comments as "discriminatory and biased." Developers Net argued that the statement contradicts the fundamental principles of fairness, equality, and inclusivity that should govern any public institution responsible for youth development and employment.
Mr. Yonnah Keleku, founder and project lead for Developers Net, emphasised in an exclusive discussion with the Ghana News Agency that the NYA, as a state institution, has a mandate to promote the welfare of all Ghanaian youth, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, or background. He noted that any attempt to favour a specific political group is not only ethically questionable but also violates Ghana's constitutional principles and legal frameworks that uphold fairness and non-discrimination.
The statement highlighted that Mr. Ayariga's comments breach several legal provisions in Ghana's laws, including Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which ensures equality before the law and prohibits favouritism based on political, ethnic, or economic status. It also referenced Article 296 of the 1992 Constitution, which mandates state officials to exercise discretionary powers fairly and without bias, as well as the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which promotes equal opportunity and fair treatment in employment and public service.
Developers Net is urging Mr. Ayariga to retract his statement and assure the public that the NYA will operate in a non-partisan manner. The organisation also urged President John Dramani Mahama to direct public officials to refrain from divisive language and actions that could alienate portions of the youth population and ensure that all youth-related state agencies remain politically neutral and serve all citizens equally.
Developers Net reaffirmed its commitment to holding public officials accountable and ensuring equal access to opportunities for all Ghanaian youth. "We will continue to push for fairness, inclusivity, and justice in our national policies and institutions," the group stated.
