Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has formally petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to reconsider the Youth Employment Agency’s (YEA) renewed sanitation contract with waste management giant Zoomlion Ghana Limited. The petition raises transparency and accountability concerns surrounding the long-standing arrangement.
Concerns Raised in the Petition
Manasseh’s petition questions the cost-effectiveness and value of the contract, citing past investigations which revealed that workers under the module were paid a fraction of the funds allocated, while Zoomlion received significant sums with limited oversight.
He argues that despite years of partnership, the sanitation module has not yielded commensurate improvements in waste management or youth development.
Background: Zoomlion and the YEA Sanitation Module
Zoomlion’s partnership with the government under the YEA’s sanitation module has faced scrutiny for years. Critics say the arrangement lacks transparency and disproportionately benefits the company while keeping sanitation workers in poverty.
The renewed contract is said to be a multi-year agreement that will continue to see Zoomlion manage sanitation laborers under the government program.
Call for Accountability and Reform
Manasseh, who previously released a documentary on the matter, is urging President Mahama to investigate the contract’s terms and ensure that taxpayers’ money is not misused. He suggests the need for an open, competitive process to improve efficiency, worker welfare, and public trust.
Public Reaction and Next Steps
The petition has stirred public interest, with civil society groups backing Manasseh’s call for a review. The presidency is yet to issue an official response, though some insiders suggest the concerns may be referred to the appropriate oversight bodies.
Conclusion
As Ghana intensifies its focus on youth employment and sanitation, the transparency of public-private partnerships like that between YEA and Zoomlion remains a pressing issue. Manasseh’s petition could reignite national debate and possibly influence the structure of future government contracts.
Read Also: “I Will Not Renew the Zoomlion Contract in Its Current State” – YEA CEO Malik Basintale Declares