YEA Turns GHS77m Deficit into GHS110m Surplus in 2025

Accra: The Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has staged a strong financial recovery, posting a GHS110.45 million surplus in 2025 after recording a deficit of GHS77.58 million the previous year. According to Ghana Web, the turnaround, detailed in the 2025 State Ownership Report, marks an overall improvement of about GHS188.03 million and puts the Agency in a much healthier position to support its youth employment programmes. The recovery was driven largely by a sharp rise in revenue, which grew by 52.9 per cent, while expenditure increased at a slower pace of 18.6 per cent. A key contributor was Communication Service Tax receipts, which rose by 27.5 per cent from GHS472.13 million in 2024 to GHS602.01 million in 2025. Funding from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) also surged, climbing 159.7 per cent from GHS115.50 million to GHS300 million. Despite the positive results, the report warned that YEA remains exposed to risks linked to its heavy dependence on a few major revenue sources. It also flagged a st eep rise in staff-related costs. Compensation of employees jumped by 79.6 per cent from GHS103.28 million in 2024 to GHS185.48 million in 2025, accounting for 23.4 per cent of total expenditure, up from 15.4 per cent the year before. Even so, the Agency's improved revenue translated into a healthier surplus margin, moving from a negative 13.13 per cent in 2024 to a positive 12.23 per cent in 2025. In practical terms, YEA spent about GHS0.88 for every GHS1 it generated last year, compared with GHS1.13 for every GHS1 earned in 2024. Its short-term financial health also strengthened significantly. The current ratio improved from 1.94:1 in 2024 to 20.05:1 in 2025, reflecting higher cash and receivables built up from the stronger performance. Long-term debt exposure dropped sharply, with the debt-to-asset ratio falling from 0.26:1 to 0.04:1. Net assets more than doubled, rising from GHS88.18 million to GHS199.21 million, while total assets grew by 74.6 per cent to GHS207.18 million. The stronger equity position and reduced reliance on debt leave the Agency on firmer ground as it continues its mandate of creating opportunities for Ghana's young people.