Manasseh Azure: Corruption, Not Assemblies' Capacity, Is Ghana's Biggest Sanitation Challenge

Investigative journalist says MMDAs can manage sanitation if government redirects Zoomlion funds and strengthens accountability.

Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has rejected assertions that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) lack the capacity to manage sanitation services if the government's contract with Zoomlion Ghana Limited is terminated.

Speaking on the Bubune Morning Show on Bubune FM, hosted by Nana Yaw Asiamah, on Friday, July 10, 2026, Mr. Awuni said corruption—not capacity—is the fundamental problem undermining Ghana's sanitation management system.

His comments follow recent concerns raised by former Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, who urged the government to exercise caution in terminating Zoomlion's sanitation contract, arguing that many assemblies may not be adequately prepared to assume responsibility.

Responding to the claims, Mr. Awuni argued that the current arrangement deprives assemblies of effective oversight because payments are made centrally regardless of whether the contracted services are delivered.

"The biggest problem is corruption. Whether the company works or not, it still gets paid, so the assemblies have little incentive or authority to enforce accountability," he said.

Mr. Awuni said the government's decision to terminate only the street sweeping component of the contract has created public misunderstanding because, according to him, Zoomlion still retains responsibility for refuse evacuation and waste transportation under separate agreements.

"There is misinformation around this issue. Many people think every Zoomlion contract has been terminated, but the refuse collection and evacuation contracts are still in force," he explained.

Mr. Awuni dismissed claims that local assemblies lack the logistics required to manage sanitation services independently.

He noted that street sweeping is largely manual work requiring only basic tools such as brooms and wheelbarrows, while the equipment needed for waste transportation could be acquired if assemblies retained the funds currently paid to the private contractor.

"If assemblies keep the money paid to Zoomlion for about a year, many of them can procure their own refuse trucks and equipment," he stated.

He further advocated for sanitation workers to be employed directly by the assemblies instead of through private contractors.

According to him, such an arrangement would guarantee workers better salaries, pension contributions and improved working conditions.

"It is unacceptable for sanitation workers, who face serious occupational health risks, to earn amounts below the national minimum wage," he stressed.

Mr. Awuni also rejected suggestions that his long-standing criticism of Zoomlion is motivated by personal bias.

He maintained that his investigations have consistently focused on the use of public funds rather than individuals.

"This is not personal. I have never reported on anybody's family or private life. I only investigate whether taxpayers' money is being used properly," he said.

He challenged supporters of the company to identify a single sanitation contract executed by Zoomlion that meets the highest standards of performance.

The investigative journalist further argued that responsibility for the challenges surrounding the contract extends beyond the company itself.

He argued that successive governments, ministers and public officials should be held accountable for approving or maintaining the arrangement despite concerns over transparency and value for money.

According to him, journalists have a constitutional duty to hold both public officials and contractors accountable for the management of public resources.

Mr. Awuni insisted that Ghana's sanitation sector would be better managed if assemblies were empowered to directly supervise sanitation services while government strengthened accountability and oversight in the use of public funds.

Story by Asiamah Coomson Samuel.