I Have Done No Wrong, I’m Rather Correcting Errors – NEIP CEO Eric Adjei

I meant no harm or seek to create any havoc by the internal memo to the workers of NEIP when I took over my new role directing all staff not to report to work starting Monday, February 24, 2025, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Mr. Eric Adjei has explained.

Mr. Eric Adjei said his directive is to correct series of irregularities he has observed at the institution, adding that, he would surely recall necessary workers back to operation when all aspect is sorted out which he says would be sooner.

He gave the vivid explanations in an interview on Radio XYZ last Monday, February 24, 2025.

“I told them to go home temporarily; I didn’t dismiss them. You read the letter, right? I haven’t fired anyone. Indeed, the Chief of Staff issued directives. I have been assigned an office to manage, and after assuming my role, I noticed that things were not running smoothly, aside from the directive that was given. Following administrative procedures, this is how I intend to resolve the issue. Those at the office are also part of the problem, so I sent them home temporarily to sort things out. Once the issues are resolved, I will recall the necessary staff to return to work. It was not a dismissal letter; it was an internal memo and not meant for public circulation. However, I realized the memo had been circulated the following morning. After all, it was not a dismissal letter. If you believe I have sacked you, then you may go home” he explained.

He said his direction is intended to allow for due process in obtaining financial clearance to regularize employment and integrate the staff into the government payroll system.

He added, “Some staff members were employed from 2017 to 2023. These individuals were issued appointment letters stating that in the event of a change in management, if they were to be dismissed, they would receive a three-month salary in advance. I am aware that all staff members are paid from the presidency. If people are being recruited internally and are being paid, there should be a corresponding compensation allocation within NEIP’s budget: of which we have none. The operational funds provided are used to run NEIP’s activities, and it is from these funds that staff salaries are paid”

“These employees are neither under the Public Services Commission nor the Civil Service. Upon reviewing the situation, I realized this was improper. I have been following up with the ministries for the past few weeks to clarify the employment status of my workers. As I speak, I am scheduled to be at the Finance Ministry tomorrow to submit my budget, and I need to factor in all these concerns. Upon reviewing records from the finance department, I discovered that the salaries of staff with appointment letters are classified as allowances. Who receives an allowance for seven years in a government institution? Furthermore, the issue of legality arises: every salaried worker is required to pay withholding tax. And you know the criminality in this? Since these employees are categorized as receiving allowances, they do not pay taxes to the government. I will not continue with this irregularity because if a different government assumes power, I could be held accountable.”

He further indicated that no staff member at NEIP, has been dismissed adding that, the directive is a temporary measure to facilitate proper procedural processes, ensure compliance with public financial regulations, and avoid further legal violations.

According to him, this is due to unresolved legal and administrative issues related to employment and salary payments.

He concluded, “In this case, both the employees and employers have engaged in an unlawful practice. Not paying taxes is a criminal offense. Employees are issued checks to withdraw their salaries, yet none of the NEIP staff members have pay slips like government workers. I came in for the right thing to be done.

“I didn’t give them a timeline to stay off work. After the Auditor-General’s audit on Monday, it will be clear whether there has been any foul play or not. As a reasonable person entrusted with this office, conducting an audit of the past before starting on a clean slate is not a bad idea. This is not just my decision; it comes from management.

“I have already commissioned different teams to audit the projects I inherited. If I find that certain initiatives do not benefit the masses but serve selfish interests, I will neither continue nor tolerate them. There are still staff members working, including 12 national service personnel. They have created a mess, even now before the finance minister prepares to present the budget on the 11th of next month, some of us in our offices don’t know the way forward. We cannot run any programs because no funds were left behind.”

About NEIP

The National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) previously known as the Youth Enterprise Support (YES) under the previous Administration (NDC) was launched in August 2014 to provide support to the youth who are in business.

The NPP government under President Akufo-Addo took over YES and relaunched it with a new outlook on the 13 July, 2017 to be known as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) with five (5) clear key mandates.

The first is to provide Technical Support and Business Advisory Services for Start-ups, Micro and Small businesses. Second, to provide training, Incubation and Mentorship for early-stage businesses.