No MMDA should allow itself to be coerced into any sanitation contract — Majority on Zoomlion/YEA deal

The Majority Caucus in Parliament has waded into the conversation regarding whether the long-standing sanitation module contract between Zoomlion Ghana Limited and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) should be discontinued or reviewed.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Members of Parliament urged Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) not to allow themselves to be coerced into signing any sanitation contract against their will.

In a statement issued on Friday, April 25, and signed by Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga, the caucus noted that Parliament has implemented a directive that mandates 80% of the District Assemblies Common Fund to be disbursed directly to the Assemblies. This, according to them, grants the Assemblies autonomy to determine their development priorities.

“No Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly should in any form or manner allow itself to be intimidated by any authority to enter into any sanitation contract with any particular company.

“In the last session of Parliament, the House implemented the directive of President John Dramani Mahama that 80% of the Common Fund should be delivered directly to the Assemblies. As such, the Assemblies are independent to decide their development priorities,” the caucus stated.

Meanwhile, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation has reportedly rejected calls for the YEA to discontinue its contract with Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

The Committee’s Chairman and Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North, John Kwabena Bless Oti, is reported to have cited potential job losses as the reason for the Committee’s stance.

However, the Majority Caucus has dissociated itself from the comments, clarifying that it will not interfere in the matter and has not authorized the Committee to take such a position.

“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament shall not interfere in the Youth Employment Agency (YEA)–Zoomlion sanitation contract.

“The NDC Parliamentary Caucus has not authorized the Sanitation Committee of Parliament to interfere with the work of the YEA regarding its decision on the sanitation module contract with Zoomlion. The Chairman of the Committee has reported to me that, contrary to media reports, neither he nor any Committee member has attempted to do any such thing,” the statement added.

Investigative journalist and author Manasseh Azure Awuni has also urged the government not to renew its contract with Zoomlion over alleged unfair treatment of sweepers under the sanitation module.

Under the current arrangement, a total of GHS850 is allocated per worker, but only GHS250 is paid directly to each sweeper, with the remaining amount retained by Zoomlion for administrative and operational purposes.

Responding to this in a social media post on Friday, April 25, the YEA Chief Executive Officer, Malik Basintale, vowed never to renew the contract in its current form, citing the government’s commitment to prioritising the welfare of workers.

Read the full statement below:
PRESS STATEMENT FROM NDC MAJORITY IN PARLIAMENT ON ZOOMLION CONTRACT

25th April 2025
For Immediate Release
National Democratic Congress (NDC) Caucus in Parliament shall not interfere in Youth Employment Agency (YEA) Zoomlion Sanitation Contract.

The National Democratic Congress’ (NDC) Parliamentary Caucus in Parliament has not authorized the Sanitation Committee of Parliament to interfere with the work of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) in the YEA’s decision regarding the sanitation module contract of the Zoomlion company. The Chairman of the Committee has reported to me that, contrary to media reports, neither he nor any committee member, has attempted to do any such thing.

Any comments made by any member of the Sanitation Committee which appears to defend Zoomlion’s sanitation contract with YEA should be ignored by YEA or the public as they do not represent the decision or opinion of the Committer or Parliament.

In the same vain, no Metropolitan, Municipal or District Assembly should in any form or manner allow itself to be intimidated by any authority to enter into any sanitation contract with any particular company. In the last session of Parliament, the House implemented the directive of President John Dramani Mahama that 80% of the Common Fund should be delivered directly to the Assemblies and, as such, the Assemblies are independent to decide their development priorities.

Thank you.
Mahama Ayariga MP
Majority Leader & Leader of Government Business