The President’s Office has officially replied to a petition from investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, confirming that the contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and waste management company Zoomlion Ghana Limited has ended and will not be renewed.
In a letter dated June 11, 2025, signed by the President’s Secretary, Dr. Callistus Mahama, the Jubilee House recognized the issues raised in Azure’s petition from April 27 and detailed several government decisions resulting from the review.
Contract Expired – No Renewal
“The contract between Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited (‘Zoomlion’) has ended and will not be renewed,” the statement said.
This represents a major change in a long-standing agreement that has faced years of public scrutiny regarding value for money, transparency, and performance.
Audit and Accountability Measures
The Presidency also announced that all payments made to Zoomlion after the contract expired will be thoroughly audited. No additional payments will be made without verification, and any unauthorized payments will be recovered.
Shift to Competitive Tendering
In a step towards reform, the Cabinet has instructed that future sanitation contracts be subject to competitive procurement processes. Instead of one nationwide contract, regional and district-based tenders will now be promoted.
“This could lower costs through competitive pricing and encourage innovation, as companies compete on service quality to win contracts,” the statement mentioned.
A Cabinet subcommittee will be tasked with creating the new contracting framework.
Improved Conditions for Sweepers
The government also plans to raise the fees for sanitation workers, commonly known as “sweepers,” to ensure a more livable income—suggesting a potential reallocation of savings from the restructuring of sanitation contracts.
Fumigation Contracts Under Review
Additionally, fumigation contracts currently in place will be **reviewed for performance**, and any that fall short of acceptable standards will be terminated, following advice from the Attorney-General.