The petition, submitted two weeks ago, calls for an end to the 19-year-old partnership, which Manasseh claims is riddled with corruption and fails to deliver value for money.
Under the now-expired contract, each sweeper was allocated GH₵850 monthly, out of which Zoomlion retained GH₵600, leaving only GH₵250 for the actual workers. In addition, Zoomlion imposed hefty interest charges — reportedly up to GH₵90 million in 2024 — if YEA delayed payments.
The latest proposal by Zoomlion, currently under review, seeks to raise the allocation per sweeper to GH₵1,308, with the company retaining GH₵888 and passing GH₵420 to each worker.
However, serious concerns remain about the credibility of Zoomlion’s claims. Despite Zoomlion stating it manages 45,000 sweepers, a YEA headcount in 2018 revealed only 38,884. Attempts to verify payroll data were allegedly stonewalled by the company.
Adding to the controversy, former YEA CEO Kofi Baah Agyepong had recommended terminating the Zoomlion contract entirely, citing the agency’s ability to manage the sweepers’ module directly — as it does with other employment modules where beneficiaries receive higher pay.
In his petition, Manasseh proposed allowing the district assemblies and YEA to take over supervision and payment of sweepers using their share of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). This, he argues, would eliminate the costly middleman, improve worker wages, and enhance accountability.
Manasseh emphasized that he is not calling for a complete severing of ties with Zoomlion. He recommends retaining the company’s separate Sanitation Improvement Package (SIP), which handles waste transportation — though he notes many assemblies lack the trucks needed due to budget deductions favoring Zoomlion.
Reflecting on his past exposé of the Ghana Youth Employment and Entrepreneurial Development Agency (GYEEDA) in 2013 — which led to cancelled contracts, prosecutions, and reform — Manasseh said he remains hopeful.
“This is the only contract that survived the fallout from that investigation, despite serious findings against Zoomlion,” he noted, expressing confidence that President Mahama would now act on the latest evidence.
