Ghana’s Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation has defended the Youth Employment Authority’s (YEA) ongoing contract with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies.

This comes after journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni urged YEA to cancel the agreement. He accused Zoomlion of exploiting sanitation workers and breaching contract terms.

John Kwabena Bless Oti, the Committee Chairman and MP for Nkwanta North, disagreed with Azure’s claims. During a visit to the Kumasi Compost and Recycling Plant on April 24, he emphasized that the Committee welcomes further discussion.

“We plan to invite Manasseh Azure when Parliament resumes,” Mr. Oti said. “Thousands of jobs are at stake if this contract ends.”

He stressed that the Committee will consider all perspectives before making a final decision.

Mr. Oti warned that terminating the deal could increase unemployment, since Zoomlion currently hires thousands of workers across the country.

He also recommended creating a dedicated sanitation fund to support long-term waste management projects.

Reaffirming the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government’s commitment, Mr. Oti said it would pay outstanding wages owed to YEA workers and Zoomlion.

“Zoomlion is among the entities owed under the GH¢13 billion arrears-clearing budget,” he noted. “Jospong is Ghanaian. If problems exist, leaders must resolve them.”

Ranking Committee Member and Achiase MP, Kofi Ahenkorah Marfo, backed Oti’s views. He also called for a sanitation fund with strong transparency measures.

The Committee praised the Jospong Group for creating jobs and improving sanitation through recycling and waste management efforts.