Zoomlion contract: People should be jailed, but there’s a lack of political will – Manasseh Azure
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni says that despite the government’s termination of the nearly two-decade Youth Employment Agency (YEA)–Zoomlion contract, effective prosecution remains unlikely due to a lack of political will.
Speaking on JoyFM’s Top Story on Thursday, June 12, Mr Awuni stated that while the proof is abundant, prosecutions could fail without commitment from those in power.
“To be sincere, the evidence that I have, a third‑year law student should be able to jail some people under this contract. But knowing what I know, the political will may not be there,” he said.
His remarks follow President John Mahama’s announcement in a letter dated June 11, confirming that the 19-year agreement with Zoomlion Ghana Limited would not be renewed, and promising increased pay for sweepers, using savings from the terminated deal.
Read also: Zoomlion contract will not be renewed, Sweepers’ fees to increase—President Mahama
Mr Awuni praised this decision as one of the boldest political moves involving Zoomlion, a company he describes as “shrouded in a lot of corruption”, yet he remained sceptical about follow-through.
“When it has to do with Zoomlion … I don’t sincerely believe that there is a political will of either the NDC or NPP to want to prosecute when Jospong or Zoomlion is involved.”
He noted that individuals across both the NDC and NPP who have benefited from the YEA-Zoomlion contract could face legal consequences if the will to prosecute truly existed.
This development is the culmination of 12 years of investigative reporting by Azure. His petition in May this year to President Mahama detailed alleged mismanagement, underpayment of sweepers, and inflated staff numbers, calling for the contract’s termination.
President Mahama’s response also pledged a review of all payments post-contract expiry, the introduction of competitive tenders for future sanitation contracts, and a planned increase in sweepers’ fees.
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