A report authorized by the  Board of the Youth Employment Agency found Jacob Adongo unfit for the job of Deputy CEO even though he was recommended by the president.

The report found that there were “too many queries on Mr. Adongo’s file some of which are serious matters cited in the Auditor-General’s report for the year ended December 2013”.

Jacob Adongo, who is visually impaired accused the outgoing Chief Executive Officer of  YEA Vincent Kuagbenu of stalling his appointment as the Deputy CEO despite a directive from the Presidency.

He accused Vincent Kuabgenu of discrimination and belittling his abilities because of his impairment - a claim Kuagbenu has vehemently dismissed. Mr. Kuagbenu has maintained that as a trained professional with a Master's in Social Work, he has invested eight years of his professional life working to improve on the lives of the disabled in society.

He would not hold Jacob Adongo in contempt because he is blind, he explained to Joy FM's Super Morning Show last week.

Vincent Kuagbenu

It has emerged however that Jacob Adongo’s nomination was shot down by a three-member sub-committee set up by the YEA Board. The Board had been asked for advice by the Minister of Employment, Haruna Iddrisu in a letter dated October 20, 2015.

In a report addressed to the Employment and Labour Relations Minister Haruna Iddrisu on the 27 November 2015, the subcommittee chaired by Alice Attipoe noted; “Mr. Adongo Jacob, an officer of GYEEDA used an official vehicle with registration number GE 2888-X (Nissan Patrol) belonging to the Agency for an unauthorized programme he organized at Angel Hotel, East Legon.”

“Further investigation revealed that the vehicle has been seized by the Hotel Management for over a year now because Mr. Adongo could not settle the bill,” the report said.

The Board took notice that the Auditor-General has indicted Jacob Adongo and recommended disciplinary action against him.

The sub-committee report further stated that "for the position of Deputy Chief Executive Officer, discipline is an essential requirement" and pointed out flaws in Adongo's personal file.

It said on 13 October 2015, Adongo violated rules of seeking internal redress after he wrote a letter reporting Vincent Kuagbenu to the Minister and the Presidency.

A former Executive Director of YEA, Kobby Acheampong in a letter dated 20 March 2015, also cited Jacob Adongo for "unruly behaviour". The committee also described this as "insubordination".

"Mr. Adongo is often in the media, undermining authority and thereby bringing the name of the Youth Employment Agency to public ridicule and disrepute".

YEA Board

The Board also found Jacob Adongo does not have the required Masters’ in Public/Business Administration or related courses plus 12 years experience for the position.

"Unfortunately, Mr. Adongo has only a first degree and has not worked in the required capacity".

The Board has since copied the Employment Minister in its report advising that Mr. Adongo "lacks the requisite qualification, discipline and work ethics and so does not recommend him for the said position".

Jacob Adongo has however maintained that he was cleared of all the charges contained in the Auditor-General's report which formed the basis of the Board's discrediting report.

Mr. Adongo fiercely maintained that he was not contacted for his account of events when the audit report was being prepared.

He said the external auditors have stated that the report indicting him was wrong because the programme he organised was authorised.

Mr. Adongo also maintained that he has produced documents to show the programme he organised at Angel Hotel was authorised by the Minister of Youth and Sports and the Chief Director of the Ministry and National Coordinator of the Youth Employment programme.

According to Adongo, his former boss Kobby Acheampong took steps to pay the bill incurred at the Hotel.

He said the sub-committee also never contacted him in preparing its report. Mr. Adongo maintained that the Board has not met to take a decision on the report of the sub-committee.

"Call the Board members one after the other, find out when was the last time they met. [Their meeting] is public knowledge."

He rejected the view that the Board has the power to advise the Minister on the President's nomination. According to Adongo, the president only asked the Public Service Commission and the YEA Board to "ratify" his "appointment"

"You don't expect that the president will do an appointment without following due diligence...I have been appointed by the president," he told Joy FM's Super Morning Show Monday.

Mr. Jacob Adongo, however, stated he does not have a Master's degree.