Waste management giant, Zoomlion Ghana Limited has clarified that its sanitation contract with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) simply expired and was not terminated or cancelled by the government.
A statement issued by the company’s Directorate of Communications and Corporate Affairs noted that the said contract involved the Street Sweeping Programme (Youth in Sanitation module), which reached its natural end in September 2024 after a six-month extension from its original March 2024 expiration.
The clarification follows recent public commentaries and media reports concerning the sanitation contract and claims that it has been cancelled.
“The expiration followed its natural course and does not constitute a termination or cancellation, contrary to claims in some media reports. Zoomlion has worked consistently with successive governments on the YEA module for over 19 years — a clear testament to our unwavering commitment to sustainable development in Ghana,” the company emphasized.
In the wake of the government’s intention to open new sanitation contracts to competitive bidding, Zoomlion has thrown its full weight behind the move, welcoming the initiative and reaffirming its readiness to participate.
“We are ready to participate actively in any upcoming competitive procurement process,” the company said, citing its “long-standing track record of technical and operational competence, innovation, and nationwide reach.”
Zoomlion also pledged full cooperation with accountability mechanisms instituted by the government and the Presidency, including audits and claims verification.
“Zoomlion Ghana Limited has always opened up our books to the Auditor-General for scrutiny as a civil responsibility. We remain committed to transparency, integrity, and value-for-money in all our operations,” the statement noted.
Touching on the welfare of frontline sanitation workers, the company lauded the government’s pledge to improve remuneration under new sector reforms and stressed its advocacy in that direction over the years.
“Zoomlion has long championed better wages for these essential sanitation workers. We remain deeply committed to ensuring that they enjoy dignified, fair, and sustainable employment,” the statement said.
The company also explained its growing influence across the continent, disclosing that 24 African countries have either signed Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), or concession agreements or are undertaking feasibility studies with Zoomlion.
These nations, it said, are impressed by Zoomlion’s two decades of innovation and impact and are seeking to replicate the company’s sustainable waste management model.
Currently, Zoomlion operates 36 waste treatment facilities in Ghana, including 18 Material Recovery and Waste Treatment Plants that process organic waste into compost for agriculture — an achievement the company described as ‘unmatched across the African continent.’
Zoomlion aligned its corporate mission with the Government of Ghana’s RESET agenda — focusing on Rebuilding, Equity, Sustainability, Empowerment, and Transformation — and restated its willingness to partner in shaping a resilient and environmentally sound future.
“Our mission continues to be aligned with national development goals and the broader aspirations of the Ghanaian people: to reset our sanitation systems, create dignified jobs, protect the environment, and uphold the highest standards of public service,” the statement added.