Sanitation stakeholders urge government to strengthen engagement with Zoomlion and Jospong Group

Key stakeholders in Ghana's sanitation sector have called on the government to urgently review its relationship with Zoomlion Ghana Limited and the Jospong Group of Companies, warning that disruptions in collaboration could undermine the country's efforts to achieve critical sanitation and public health targets.

The appeal was made on the sidelines of the 5th Executive Breakfast Conversation on Sanitation held in Accra on June 23, 2026. The event brought together industry leaders, environmental service providers, public health advocates, policymakers, and development partners to discuss strategies for elevating sanitation as a national development priority.

The forum was held under the theme, "Sanitation as a Key Performance Indicator for MMDCEs and the Role of Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies: Prospects, Opportunities and Constraints."

It was organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in collaboration with sector agencies, World Vision Ghana, the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (MCODe), and the Ghana WASH Journalists Network.

Stakeholders expressed concern that the current strained relationship between government and Zoomlion, as well as the wider Jospong Group, could create operational challenges in a sector where continuity of service is essential.

According to participants, waste collection, transportation, and disposal services are closely linked to public health outcomes, making effective sanitation management critical to national development.

“Issues of sanitation, especially waste collection, transfer and management, have a direct correlation with our health,” one stakeholder noted. “When collection breaks down, disease vectors multiply, drainage systems become clogged, and health facilities come under pressure. This goes beyond environmental cleanliness to issues of public health and safety.”

The stakeholders described Zoomlion and the Jospong Group as major players within Ghana's environmental services sector, citing their extensive infrastructure, nationwide operations, and workforce capacity developed over several years.

They also linked their concerns to Ghana's commitments under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6 on Clean Water and Sanitation, SDG 3 on Good Health and Well-being, and SDG 11 on Sustainable Cities and Communities.

According to the stakeholders, achieving these targets will require strong collaboration between government and private sector service providers involved in waste management and environmental sanitation.

“We cannot achieve the SDGs related to water, sanitation and hygiene without the active participation of environmental service providers, and the Jospong Group remains an important part of that ecosystem,” they stated.

The stakeholders argued that waste management infrastructure, logistics systems, and transfer facilities operated by private sector providers are vital to meeting national sanitation objectives and municipal performance targets.

While calling for the renewal of Zoomlion's contracts to ensure uninterrupted service delivery, they acknowledged public concerns regarding operational efficiency and value for money.

According to them, such concerns should be addressed through dialogue, performance monitoring, and transparent contractual arrangements rather than disengagement.

“We may have challenges with aspects of operations and pricing. Those concerns require discussion and reflection in the public interest,” they said. “The solution is structured engagement, effective oversight, and transparent agreements that protect both the state and service providers.”

The stakeholders also warned against misinformation and disinformation that could undermine confidence in the sanitation sector, stressing that any breakdown in sanitation services would have far-reaching consequences beyond public health.

“If sanitation collapses, it affects the image of the country and the reputation of government,” they said. “Investors and visitors are attracted to clean and well-managed environments. Poor sanitation carries significant economic and reputational costs.”

As part of their recommendations, the stakeholders called on government to ensure continuity in waste management services, establish a multi-stakeholder platform to address concerns relating to tariffs, efficiency, and accountability, and strengthen regulatory oversight across the sector.

They maintained that achieving Ghana's sanitation and WASH goals by 2030 will require sustained cooperation between government institutions and private operators responsible for waste collection, treatment, and environmental management.

The 5th Executive Breakfast Conversation on Sanitation served as a high-level platform for dialogue on the country's sanitation challenges and brought together ministers, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives, sanitation experts, development partners, private sector operators, communication specialists, and civil society organisations to explore practical solutions under the evolving local governance framework.

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