Mahama Terminates YEA-Zoomlion Deal After Corruption Exposé

By Mavis Emefa Goka / June 12, 2025

President John Dramani Mahama has announced that the government will not renew the 19-year contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited. This decision follows a petition by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who highlighted corruption and mismanagement under the contract.

In a letter dated June 11, 2025, and signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr. Callistus Mahama, the Presidency confirmed:

“1. Expiration of Contract: The contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited has expired and will not be renewed.”

The letter also addressed concerns raised by Manasseh in his petition, specifically citing the low wages paid to sweepers and Zoomlion's near-monopoly on sanitation contracts in Ghana.

Manasseh's decade-long investigation into the contract began in 2013, revealing corruption and prompting a 12-year campaign advocating for its termination. Under the contract, GHS850 was allocated per sweeper, with Zoomlion retaining GHS600 and paying the sweepers GHS250 monthly.
Zoomlion also charges interest if the YEA delays payment for more than three months. In 2024, the company charged an interest of GHS90 million.

In his April 2025 petition, Manasseh Azure Awuni proposed discontinuing the contract and allowing the assemblies and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) to directly supervise the sweepers. This arrangement would give the assemblies control over the payments to sweepers, which are funded by the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF).

Manasseh argued that removing Zoomlion as the intermediary would enable sweepers to earn better wages, motivating them to work more effectively and keep the country clean.
President Mahama responded positively to all the issues raised in Manasseh's petition. While Manasseh plans to release a formal statement, he has already praised the President's response as “one of the best pieces of news” in his journalism career.

Here is the full response from the president to Manasseh:

RE: PETITION TO DISCONTINUE THE EXPIRED CONTRACT BETWEEN THE YOUTH EMPLOYMENT AGENCY (YEA) AND ZOOMLION GHANA LIMITED.

I refer to your letter dated April 27, 2025, on the above matter. His Excellency the President acknowledges the serious concerns raised in your letter and responds as follows:

1. Expiration of Contract: The contract between Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited (“Zoomlion”) has expired and will not be renewed.

2. Audit of Payments and Claims: All payments made to Zoomlion after the contract’s expiration will be thoroughly audited. No further payments will be authorised without proper verification, and any unauthorised payments will be recovered.

3. Conduct competitive procurement: Cabinet has directed that future sanitation contracts be subjected to a competitive procurement process. Rather than one national contract, there should be regional or district-based tenders for private firms. This could reduce costs through competitive pricing and stimulate innovation, as companies compete on service quality to secure contracts. A cabinet subcommittee will develop the modalities for implementing this.

4. Sweeper Fees: With probable cost savings, the government intends to increase the sweeper fees to a more liveable income.
5. Fumigation contracts: contracts that have not been performed satisfactorily will be reviewed and, where appropriate, terminated in accordance with their terms and upon the advice of the Attorney-General.
Please accept the assurances of my highest esteem.

Signed
Callistus Mahama, PhD
Secretary to the President