By On April 23, 2025, Ghana’s Youth Employment Agency (YEA), under the leadership of Acting CEO Malik Basintale, made headlines by signing a one-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Soccer Bet Ghana. The agreement aims to recruit 500 young Ghanaians into various roles within the betting industry—a move that has sparked both cautious optimism and fierce criticism.
As a nation grappling with economic challenges and a youth unemployment crisis, this initiative raises a critical question: Is promoting jobs in the betting sector a genuine solution for Ghana’s youth, or does it risk deepening a growing societal issue?
The announcement, shared by JoyNews on X, paints a picture of opportunity. The MoU promises to create jobs nationwide, offering a lifeline to hundreds of unemployed young people. On the surface, this aligns with the YEA’s mandate to facilitate employment opportunities, especially in a country where 68 years of independence have not fully resolved systemic economic struggles, as one X user poignantly noted. However, the nature of these jobs—tied to an industry often associated with addiction and financial instability—has ignited a firestorm of debate.
A Troubling Partnership?
The betting industry in Ghana is a double-edged sword. According to a recent analysis by Graphic Online, the sector has seen an unprecedented boom, contributing significantly to government revenue through licensing fees (sports betting companies pay $120,000 annually) and fostering economic growth via partnerships with telecoms, fintechs, and media outlets.
Yet, the same report highlights the darker side: gambling addiction is a growing concern, particularly among the youth, who are increasingly vulnerable to its risks. By tying youth employment to this industry, the YEA’s initiative seems to walk a fine line between economic pragmatism and ethical responsibility.
Critics on X were quick to point out the flaws in this approach. One user, claiming to be a former branch manager at Soccer Bet Ghana, accused the company of underpaying workers, closing shops, and laying off staff indiscriminately due to low patronage. “They’re opting for a one-shift system and citing losses—yet now they’re hiring 500 more?” the user questioned.
Another commenter highlighted the meager salary of GH¢550 per month, sarcastically noting, “550 monthly salary job 😂😂😂.” These reactions suggest that the jobs being created may not only be unsustainable but also exploitative, offering little in the way of financial stability or career growth.
A Shift in Focus for the YEA
This isn’t the first time the YEA has made headlines for its employment initiatives. Just months ago, the agency signed an MoU with the National Sports Authority (NSA) to provide monthly stimulus packages for athletes—a program that aimed to support 500 individuals, with a focus on female footballers and athletes from the Ghana Olympic Committee and National Paralympic Committee. That initiative was lauded for its focus on sports development, an area often neglected during economic downturns like the COVID-19 period. So why the pivot to the betting industry?
Some X users see this as a step backward. “Herrr jobs creation expert is now deepening rather looming societal canker (betting) just to say we created x amount of jobs,” one user lamented, calling for a return to more sustainable initiatives like the proposed 24-hour economy policy.
Another pointed out the irony of Malik Basintale’s involvement, noting that the same official who once criticized a political figure for alleged religious hypocrisy is now spearheading youth employment in an industry that many view as morally questionable. “God is wonderful 😂😂😂,” the user quipped.
The Bigger Picture: Jobs vs. Social Impact
The betting industry’s role in Ghana’s economy cannot be ignored. It has created opportunities for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) through collaborations with local businesses, and some companies, like 22Bet, have invested in community projects such as building boreholes in the Central and Volta regions.
But these contributions come with a cost. The industry’s rapid growth has fueled concerns about economic instability and youth vulnerability, with critics arguing that promoting betting-related jobs could exacerbate these issues rather than solve them.
One X user posed a thought-provoking question: “Those going to stick the bet, where do they get money to bet if they are not working? What kind of job creation is this?” The comment underscores a fundamental flaw in the YEA’s strategy—if the jobs being created rely on an industry that thrives on financial risk, how can they offer a stable foundation for Ghana’s youth?
Moreover, with salaries as low as GH¢500, as some users have claimed, these roles are unlikely to provide the kind of economic empowerment that young Ghanaians need to break free from the “trenches” of poverty, as another user described.
A Call for Sustainable Solutions
The YEA’s partnership with Soccer Bet Ghana highlights a broader challenge facing Ghana: the tension between short-term job creation and long-term societal well-being. While the initiative may provide immediate relief for 500 individuals, it risks normalizing an industry that many believe does more harm than good. The government and agencies like the YEA must prioritize sustainable employment opportunities that empower youth without exposing them to exploitation or ethical dilemmas.
Drawing from global examples, the gaming industry offers a cautionary tale. In a 2024 GeekWire article, Microsoft’s layoffs in its gaming division were described as a symptom of larger labor rights issues, with low wages and job insecurity driving calls for unionization.
Ghana’s betting sector appears to face similar challenges, as evidenced by the allegations of underpayment and layoffs at Soccer Bet Ghana. If the YEA is to truly serve the youth, it must ensure that its partnerships uphold fair labor practices and provide meaningful opportunities for growth.
Looking Ahead
As Ghana navigates its economic future, initiatives like the YEA’s MoU with Soccer Bet Ghana must be scrutinized not just for their immediate impact but for their long-term consequences. Job creation is a noble goal, but it should not come at the expense of the very youth it seeks to uplift.
Instead of leaning on industries with questionable social impacts, the government could invest in sectors like sports development—as seen in the YEA’s earlier NSA partnership—or technology and education, which offer more sustainable pathways to empowerment.
For now, the 500 young Ghanaians set to join Soccer Bet Ghana may find temporary relief in their new roles. But if the concerns raised on X are any indication, this initiative may be more of a gamble than a solution—one that Ghana’s youth cannot afford to lose.
