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President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not renew the long-standing contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a decision expected to lead to increased wages for sweepers and potential cost savings for the state.
The president made this known in a letter dated June 11, 2025, addressed to investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who petitioned the presidency to terminate the 19-year-old sanitation contract citing widespread corruption and mismanagement.
“The contract between Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited has expired and will not be renewed,” the letter stated. It was signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama.
President Mahama also noted that the expected cost savings from discontinuing the Zoomlion contract would be used to increase fees paid to sweepers, who for years have decried low and delayed wages.
Background
Zoomlion’s near-monopoly over public sanitation contracts in Ghana has long drawn criticism from civil society groups, journalists, and opposition figures. Manasseh Azure Awuni first exposed alleged corruption within the contract in a 2013 investigative documentary, and has since campaigned for its termination.
Despite the controversy, successive governments under both the National Democratic Congress (NDC) and the New Patriotic Party (NPP) continued to renew the contract — a pattern many attributed to Zoomlion’s influence across the political divide.
Response to Petition
The president’s letter acknowledged several issues raised by Manasseh in his petition, including:
- The paltry fees paid to sanitation workers under the contract.
- Concerns about Zoomlion’s near-exclusive control of major sanitation contracts in the country.
- Allegations of mismanagement and poor oversight of public funds linked to the agreement.
Looking Ahead
This move is being seen as a landmark decision in Ghana’s fight against entrenched procurement practices and political favoritism. It also marks a significant victory for investigative journalism and citizen advocacy.
The government is expected to announce a new model for sanitation service delivery in the coming weeks, which may include more transparent procurement processes and improved labor conditions for sanitation workers.
