BY Nadia Ntiamoah
Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has petitioned President John Dramani Mahama to terminate a long-standing contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and sanitation contractor Zoomlion Ghana Limited, citing widespread financial irregularities and exploitation of sanitation workers.
The contract, which dates back to nearly two decades, has been a recurring subject of public scrutiny. Under the most recent version, which expired in September 2024, the government allocated GHS850 per sanitation worker (commonly referred to as sweepers).
However, Zoomlion retained GHS600 of this amount and paid the workers a monthly wage of just GHS250.
Zoomlion has faced criticism for the disproportionate distribution of funds under the YEA module, with many arguing that the workers — who perform the bulk of the labour — receive a fraction of the money.
Manasseh’s petition reveals that Zoomlion’s latest proposal, which is currently under discussion, seeks to raise the allocation per sweeper to GHS1,308. Of this, GHS888 would go to the company, while sweepers would receive GHS420.
Critics argue that such terms not only continue to shortchange low-income workers but also obscure the true financial structure of the contract.
According to Manasseh, the YEA has no verifiable data to support Zoomlion’s claim that it employs 45,000 sweepers each month.
This is despite a 2018 audit that showed only 38,884 active sweepers, raising red flags about potential inflation of beneficiary numbers.
Accountability Concerns
In 2022, the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) raised concerns that most sweepers had abandoned their duties, yet Zoomlion continued to bill the state for a full workforce.
The YEA reportedly failed to provide data to verify actual working numbers, suggesting a major gap in oversight.
Adding to the financial burden, Zoomlion also charges interest when the YEA delays payments.
In 2024 alone, the company reportedly charged GHS90 million in interest — a figure that Manasseh claims places additional strain on public funds.
Calls for Direct Management
The immediate past CEO of YEA, Kofi Baah Agyepong, previously recommended terminating the Zoomlion contract.
He argued that the agency was fully capable of managing the sweeper module internally, just as it does with other employment programs, all of which pay beneficiaries directly and more fairly than the sweepers under Zoomlion’s management.
Manasseh’s petition urges President Mahama to allow district assemblies and the YEA to directly oversee the sanitation workers.
This, he says, would not only save public funds but also empower the workers with better wages and improved accountability.
Separate Waste Contract
The journalist also drew attention to a separate arrangement between Zoomlion and the assemblies — the Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP).
This contract requires assemblies to pay Zoomlion for waste collection and transportation services.
However, some assemblies reportedly lack the necessary trucks and equipment, as a significant portion of their budgets is automatically deducted to fund Zoomlion’s services.
Manasseh proposes that while the SIP contract can remain temporarily to avoid immediate sanitation disruptions, the main YEA-Zoomlion contract should be scrapped without delay.
History of Investigations
This is not the first time Manasseh has taken on Zoomlion or the YEA.
In 2013, his groundbreaking exposé on the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA, now YEA) led to sweeping reforms.
Then-President Mahama responded by commissioning a report, terminating several contracts, jailing two officials, and recovering misappropriated funds.
Despite serious adverse findings in the GYEEDA report about Zoomlion, its contract remained untouched — a point that Manasseh now finds indefensible.
Final Plea
In his petition, Manasseh expressed hope that President Mahama will once again rise to the occasion and act decisively to end what he calls “massive corruption” that continues to deprive vulnerable workers of fair compensation.
