Turkey Berry Project: PRO Refutes GH¢9 Million Claims

In a forceful rebuttal, the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) has categorically denied allegations that it expended GH¢9 million on a turkey berry production project, dismissing the claims as “false and deliberately misleading.”

The agency’s Public Relations Officer, Abdul-Wahab Jawando, condemned the reports as a calculated attempt to damage the reputation of an organization dedicated to youth empowerment and job creation in Ghana.

“As of today, the Youth Employment Agency is not running any project or module related to turkey berry production, let alone spending GH¢9 million on it,” Jawando stated emphatically, attempting to quell the growing controversy.

According to YEA officials, the misunderstanding appears to have originated from a proposal included in the agency’s 2025 approved budget. This proposal outlined intentions to train approximately 2,000 young Ghanaians in turkey berry cultivation and value-added processing, aiming to diversify agricultural opportunities for the country’s youth population.

While the Ministry of Finance had provisionally approved the initiative in concept, YEA representatives clarified that the project never advanced beyond preliminary planning stages. Financial limitations ultimately halted its implementation, meaning no contracts were awarded, no training programs were conducted, and most significantly, no funds were disbursed for the project.

Turkey berry (Solanum torvum), locally known as “abeduru” or “kwahu nsusua” in Ghana, has gained popularity in recent years for its nutritional properties and potential medicinal benefits. The fruit has become increasingly important in Ghana’s agricultural sector, with growing demand both domestically and internationally.

The controversy emerges against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of public spending in Ghana, where government agencies face increasing pressure to demonstrate fiscal responsibility amid economic challenges. The country has been grappling with inflation, currency depreciation, and public debt concerns, making allegations of significant expenditures particularly sensitive.

Youth unemployment remains a critical issue in Ghana, with rates estimated between 12-15% according to recent labor surveys. Agencies like YEA play a crucial role in the government’s strategy to address this challenge through skills development, entrepreneurship support, and job placement programs.

Despite the swirling allegations, the YEA maintains that its financial records remain transparent and above reproach. The agency reiterated its commitment to accountability and prudent management of public resources, emphasizing that all funds entrusted to it are handled responsibly.

The incident highlights the growing challenge of misinformation in Ghana’s public discourse, particularly regarding government spending and project implementation. Public institutions increasingly find themselves needing to respond to unverified claims that can rapidly spread through social media and informal news channels.

Economic analysts note that agricultural development projects like the proposed turkey berry initiative represent an important avenue for addressing youth unemployment in Ghana. The agricultural sector employs approximately 44% of the country’s workforce and contributes about 19% to GDP, making it a significant focus for youth employment strategies.

As the controversy continues to generate public interest, the YEA has urged citizens to rely on verified information from official sources and disregard unfounded claims. For an agency tasked with creating meaningful opportunities for Ghana’s youth population, maintaining public trust remains paramount to fulfilling its mandate effectively.

The YEA has not indicated whether it plans to revive the turkey berry project in the future or pursue legal action against those spreading the allegations.