The Office of the President has announced that the long-standing contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and waste management company Zoomlion Ghana Limited will not be renewed following its expiration.
The confirmation, contained in a June 11, 2025 letter signed by Secretary to the President Dr. Callistus Mahama, came in direct response to a petition from investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni.
End of an Era
“The contract between Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited (‘Zoomlion’) has expired and will not be renewed,” the statement read—signaling a major shift after years of public scrutiny over the deal’s transparency, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Audits and Accountability on the Horizon
The Presidency further stated that all payments made to Zoomlion post-contract expiration will be audited. Any unverified or unauthorised disbursements will be fully recovered, indicating a firm stance on fiscal discipline.
Competitive Tendering to Replace Monopoly
In a bid to overhaul sanitation service procurement, the government has scrapped the nationwide single-vendor model. Future contracts will now go through competitive, district-based tendering. This new approach aims to slash costs, boost innovation, and improve service delivery through market competition.
Better Pay for Sweepers
As part of the reforms, the government plans to increase the stipends of sanitation workers (popularly known as sweepers), ensuring more sustainable livelihoods. Funds previously tied to centralized contracts may be redirected to support this initiative.
Fumigation Contracts Under Scrutiny
The government is also reviewing existing fumigation contracts. Those that fail to meet performance standards will be terminated upon recommendations from the Attorney-General.
A Step Toward Reform
The YEA-Zoomlion partnership had long been a lightning rod for criticism, particularly over concerns raised by Awuni about mismanagement and lack of oversight. The Presidency’s decision underscores a commitment to transparency, decentralisation, and efficiency in public-private partnerships.
This marks not just the end of a controversial contract—but potentially the dawn of a new era in Ghana’s sanitation sector governance.
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