{
  "id": 15889781,
  "title": "YEA calls for review of Communications Service Tax funding cap",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/yea-calls-for-review-of-communications-service-tax-funding-cap",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-21T12:53:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "GBC Ghana",
    "slug": "gbc-ghana",
    "url": "https://www.gbcghanaonline.com/general-news/yea-calls-for-review/2026/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The Chief Executive of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, is advocating for a reassessment of the cap on Communications Service Tax income. He warned that this restriction hampers the agency's capability to plan and execute employment initiatives for young individuals. During a Government Accountability Series presentation, Basintale unveiled funding and operational challenges as significant hurdles faced by YEA. He noted that the capping system impacts the predictability and accessibility of resources necessary for implementing their programs. Section 23(b) of the Youth Employment Act, 2015 (Act 887) permits 80% of Communications Service Tax revenue to be utilized by the agency. Basintale urged for a revision of this provision to facilitate the agency's effective execution of its employment interventions. Apart from financial concerns, the YEA leader emphasized the agency's skills development endeavors, specifically its Trades and Vocations program, which imparts practical skills to youth in areas such as carpentry, welding, and hairstyling. This program also aids beneficiaries in establishing their own ventures by providing essential start-up tools. Basintale also shared that around 1,000 beneficiaries have been sent abroad to explore opportunities, aiming to broaden their prospects. His remarks were part of the Government Accountability Series, a platform for public entities to evaluate their performance, challenges, and resource utilization.",
  "summary": "By Melissa Sackey The Chief Executive of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Malik Basintale, has called for a review of the cap on Communications Service Tax revenue, warning that the arrangement affects the agency’s ability to plan and implement employment interventions for young people. Speaking during the Government Accountability Series, where he presented an account […]",
  "key_points": [
    "YEA CEO Malik Basintale calls for review of Communications Service Tax funding cap.",
    "Restriction on cap hampers YEA's ability to plan and execute employment initiatives.",
    "Section 23(b) permits 80% of Communications Service Tax revenue for YEA."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Removing the current tax revenue cap would provide the Youth Employment Agency with the predictable funding necessary to scale its vocational training and international job placement programs.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "MyJoyOnline Ghana",
        "title": "YEA calls for review of Communication Service Tax funding cap",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/21/yea-calls-for-review-of-communication-service-tax-funding-cap",
        "published": "2026-10-21T12:05:17.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}