Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has raised concerns over the government’s long-standing partnership with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a major player in the country’s sanitation sector.
Awuni, known for his outspoken views on corruption and governance, questioned why successive governments have continued awarding lucrative contracts to Zoomlion despite persistent sanitation challenges across Ghana.
Awuni revealed that various administrations, starting from the era of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, have funneled billions of cedis into multiple Jospong Group subsidiaries, primarily Zoomlion, under the pretext of improving sanitation.
However, he asserted that many of these contracts are riddled with corruption, and despite the heavy financial investment, Ghana’s sanitation conditions remain poor.
“Governments since Kufuor have siphoned billions of cedis from different ministries to multiple Jospong companies (mainly Zoomlion) in the name of sanitation. Many of these contracts are tainted with corruption.
“The country remains filthy, but the politicians claim they cannot cut Zoomlion’s monopoly because Jospong has the resources.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni
He further argued that Zoomlion did not originally possess the resources that politicians now cite as justification for its continued dominance.
He recalled how, in 2006, the Kufuor administration sidelined established sanitation firms like City and Country Waste in favor of awarding nationwide contracts to Zoomlion, which was then an upstart without the requisite equipment and expertise.
“They lie, forgetting that when the Kufuor administration sidelined City and Country Waste and other well-established sanitation companies in 2006 and awarded shady, nationwide sanitation contracts to Zoomlion…”
Manasseh Azure Awuni
He pointed out that despite Zoomlion’s initial lack of equipment and resources, the company was still awarded lucrative nationwide sanitation contracts.
These contracts, he argued, enabled Zoomlion to build its capacity over time.
He stressed that if any other sanitation company had been given the same opportunities and financial backing that Zoomlion received, they, too, would have developed the necessary resources and expertise to compete effectively in the sector.
BuzStopBoys and Zoomlion’s Influence
Furthermore, Manasseh Azure Awuni pointed to a recent meeting between Zoomlion’s CEO, Joseph Siaw Agyepong, and a group of Ghanaian bloggers and influencers.
According to Awuni, this meeting focused on BuzStopBoys, a grassroots sanitation movement that has been making remarkable strides in keeping Accra clean with limited resources.
He suggested that Zoomlion might be attempting to capitalize on BuzStopBoys’ credibility and success by associating with them.
Reports indicate that Zoomlion is considering donating to BuzStopBoys, a move Awuni views with skepticism.
“Elder Joseph Siaw Agyepong, CEO of Zoomlion, [had] a meeting with bloggers, and BuzStopBoys is the subject of this discussion. Zoomlion intends to donate to them, and as the female official says, the bloggers would publicize it widely.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni
He advised BuzStopBoys to reject any support from Zoomlion to prevent the sanitation giant from taking undue credit for their hard work.
“I call on BuzStopBoys to reject Zoomlion’s support. Don’t allow Zoomlion to take credit for your work. Our so-called leaders should do the sensible thing by giving resources to those who can do the job and not those who rely on bloggers and media hype while the country remains filthy.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Awuni further argued that Ghana’s local assemblies should regain control over sanitation management rather than relying on centralized contracts with Zoomlion.
He believes this would lead to more accountability and efficiency in waste management.
According to Awuni, rather than funneling funds to Zoomlion, the government should equip metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) with the necessary resources to handle sanitation directly.
In instances where additional help is required, local initiatives such as BuzStopBoys could be engaged to provide supplementary services.
“The assemblies should be given back their resources to manage sanitation instead of the government channeling the funds to Zoomlion. If the assemblies need services, they can hire groups like BuzStopBoys to help.”
Manasseh Azure Awuni
Awuni’s latest revelations have once again ignited public debate over Ghana’s sanitation contracts and the role of private companies in providing essential public services.
As calls for transparency and accountability grow louder, it remains to be seen whether the government will reconsider its long-standing reliance on Zoomlion or implement more decentralized and competitive approaches to sanitation management.
