Pius Hadzide, Chief Executive Officer of the National Youth Authority (NYA), has acknowledged delays in the construction of the flagship Youth Resource Centres due to challenges that have led to increased prices of goods. He made this statement during a media meeting alongside Minister of Youth and Sports, Mustapha Ussif, and Deputy Minister Evans Bobie Opoku to discuss pressing sports-related issues.

Echoing the sentiments of Minister Mustapha Ussif, Hadzide highlighted financial difficulties as a key factor in the delay of some centre completions. “We are hopeful that within the coming months, we should commission the five other projects and then we can put them to use. Regarding costs, as you know, the Phase Two contract was signed in 2020. Due to certain challenges, work was delayed, requiring us to adjust for variations because prices have changed.”

He added, “We are in the process of completing the variations, and I would prefer to wait until these processes conclude to determine the real costs. The Public Procurement Authority will soon approve the variations.”

The NYA and the Ministry of Youth and Sports have faced criticism for seemingly neglecting nearly completed projects, which have suffered significant damage.