Developers Net has condemned remarks by the Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Youth Authority (NYA), Mr Osman Ayariga, made to the effect that his primary focus in terms of employment and empowerment is the youth of the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).
Mr. Ayariga made the controversial statement during an interview on GHOne Television regarding youth employment, in which he said, "My first preference is the NDC youth; that, I am not going to lie about," suggesting a preferential treatment for youth affiliated with the NDC.
In a press release dated February 27, 2025, and signed by its Founder, Mr Yonnah Keleku, Developers Net described the remarks as discriminatory and a violation of the principles of fairness, equality and inclusivity.
“Developers Net finds this statement not only discriminatory and biased but also a direct contradiction to the fundamental principles of fairness, equality, and inclusivity that should guide any institution entrusted with youth development and job creation in Ghana,” the release stated.
The organization emphasized that the NYA is mandated to promote the welfare of all Ghanaian youth, irrespective of political affiliation, ethnicity, or background, adding that Mr Ayariga’s comments contradict H.E. President John Dramani Mahama’s goal of youth empowerment and inclusive governance.
“Any attempt to create an undue advantage in favour of a certain political group is not only ethically ignominious but also in direct violation of Ghana’s constitutional principles and legal frameworks that uphold fairness and nondiscrimination,” it said.
Developers Net cited Article 17 of the 1992 Constitution, which guarantees equality before the law, and Article 296, which requires state officials to exercise their powers fairly and sincerely.
The press release further referenced the Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651), which promotes equal opportunity and fair treatment in employment and work-related matters.
Developers Net, therefore, called on the NYA CEO to retract his statement and assure that the NYA will operate in a non-partisan manner in all its youth development initiatives.
While urging Mr Ayariga to align the operations of the NYA with legal and constitutional provisions that uphold fairness, equity and national development, Developers Net also called on President H.E. John Dramani Mahama to “direct all appointees to avoid divisive language and actions, to restore hope in young Ghanaians.”
“We further call on the Presidency and the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment, to ensure that all public institutions such as the NYA and other youth-related state agencies remain impartial and serve all citizens equally because the Ghanaian Youth deserve institutions that work in their best interests, free from political bias and discrimination,” it further appealed.
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