The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, John Oti Bless, has rejected calls by investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, for the government not to renew Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s contract under the Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP).
In an open letter to Malik Basintalle, Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Manasseh Azure Awuni urged him not to sign a new contract with Zoomlion, alleging that “the cleaners’ deal is just one of them and it stinks to the heavens.”
However, addressing journalists after a tour of Zoomlion’s Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant (KCARP) in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, on April 24, 2025, Mr. Oti Bless clearly disagreed with Manasseh, warning that thousands of Ghanaians who are employed by Zoomlion will lose their jobs if the contract is not renewed.
“If there are issues with the contract that’s why we are leaders, we have to address them,” he said.
He disclosed that his committee plans to invite Manasseh Azure Awuni to appear before them to share his concerns on the subject and find a way forward.
“We want to invite Manasseh Azure to appear before the committee sometime next week… to come and share the information he has as far as this issue is concerned, so we find a way out,” he said.
According to him, Zoomlion and Jospong Group of Companies (JGC) employ many Ghanaians, and rather than terminating their contract, the best approach would be to support them to grow and create more jobs.
The Chairman emphasised the importance of supporting Ghanaian businesses and job creation, highlighting Zoomlion’s significant role in sanitation management.
“Definitely, once it has to do with Ghanaians, thousands of Ghanaians will lose their jobs if this contract is not renewed, so we as a committee and representatives of the people… a non-renewal will affect a lot of Ghanaians,” he warned.
Mr. Oti Bless expressed confidence that the government would settle the GHC 1.2 billion owed to Zoomlion, as promised by the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson.
He also mentioned discussions already with the YEA CEO who will soon be invited before the committee to see how best to improve remunerations for sweepers.
Mr. Oti Bless, who was highly impressed after the tour, commended Zoomlion and JGC for their huge investments and urged Ghanaians to support them.
“In fact, I am impressed! This is the first time I’m witnessing this kind of investment. Zoomlion and Jospong are Ghanaians, and I commend them for the wisdom and knowledge given to him [making reference to Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, the Executive Chairman of JGC] by God. I urge the public, service providers, farmers, civil society organisations, and everyone to support Jospong Group, especially the government. A private company’s growth and success largely depend on government support,” the Chairman indicated.
The General Manager of KCARP, Samuel Ntummy, expressed appreciation for the committee’s visit to inspect their facilities.
He urged them to support private waste management companies like Zoomlion to further improve sanitation in the country.