“Malik Basintale is one of the people who sees the future of Ghana” — Shatta Wale Praises YEA CEO

When dancehall heavyweight Shatta Wale took to social media to commend Malik Basintale, calling him “one of the people who sees the future of Ghana,” the praise carried more than celebrity admiration. It pointed to a rising public confidence in a young leader who now sits at the helm of a pivotal national agency: the Youth Employment Agency (YEA).

Malik Basintale’s role as CEO of YEA has become a focal point in conversations about youth empowerment, innovation, and the future of Ghana’s labor force. Under his stewardship, the agency has undertaken bold strategies to transform itself from a bureaucratic entity into a proactive, youth-focused institution. From signing strategic partnerships to introducing new programs aimed at job creation, Basintale’s leadership style has garnered attention not only among youth activists and policymakers, but also in popular culture. That Shatta Wale, a figure with reach across Ghanaian society, would highlight Basintale is a testimony to the CEO’s growing influence.

Basintale’s ascent to the top role at YEA was itself a turning point. As acting CEO, he officially introduced new deputies to staff at the Head Office in February 2025, signaling his intent to reorganize and revitalize internal structures. The move was widely reported and interpreted as his effort to bring renewed coherence and energy to an agency historically plagued by underwhelming impact and bureaucratic gridlock.

One of his more visible initiatives has been forging Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with the private sector. Under his leadership, the YEA has inked pacts with organizations such as SoccaBet Ghana — an agreement aimed at leveraging corporate support for youth employment programs. These collaborations serve twin purposes: financial support and real-world placements for youth, bridging the persistent disconnect between governmental intentions and on-ground realities.

A key element of Basintale’s strategy has involved shifting the focus from mere job placement to sustainable employment. He has publicly championed projects tailored to integrate persons with disabilities into the workforce, underlining his belief that inclusive growth is essential for Ghana to harness its full demographic potential. Basintale has also emphasized digital skilling, agripreneurship, and local value chain development — areas that many analysts see as essential for Ghana’s transition to a more diversified and resilient economy.

His leadership has not come without scrutiny. Ghana’s youth sector is notoriously demanding, and many are skeptical of bold promises that fail to deliver. Critics point to YEA’s chronic funding gaps, the difficulty of scaling programs, and the persistent challenge of ensuring that trainees actually translate into gainful employment. Yet, Basintale has shown a willingness to engage these criticisms openly, advocating greater transparency, performance indicators, and feedback mechanisms that allow program beneficiaries to hold the agency accountable.

Shatta Wale’s endorsement underscores a deeper trend: as cultural figures increasingly intersect with national development discourses, the boundaries between entertainment and governance blur. His public recognition of Basintale sends a signal to young Ghanaians — that politics, public service, and leadership are not distant domains but arenas in which the country’s future is actively shaped. For many youth who admire Shatta Wale, his affirmation adds a layer of legitimacy to the narrative of Basintale as a man of vision, not merely administration.

The challenge ahead for Malik Basintale is multi-faceted. He must build on momentum from early wins, ensure internal capacity within YEA is up to match ambitions, and navigate the political dynamics that come with being a young, high-profile agency head. The forthcoming rollout of new projects, the execution of partnerships, and the delivery of measurable employment outcomes will determine whether praise like Shatta Wale’s is prelude or foreshadowing.

For now, Basintale carries not just the responsibilities of his office, but the hopes of many who view his leadership as a litmus test for Ghana’s commitment to youth inclusion. In performing his duties publicly and visibly, he invites both expectation and accountability. Whether he lives up to the mantle depends on whether he can translate vision into results.

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