Gov't owes Zoomlion GHC1.2 billion for unpaid waste management services – Minister Reveals

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has revealed that the government owes Zoomlion Ghana Limited a staggering GH¢1.2 billion for services rendered over the past two years.

Speaking on Adom TV, the Minister attributed the debt to obligations inherited from the previous Akufo-Addo administration, adding that it has become a pressing financial burden for the current government.

Despite these challenges, Ibrahim stressed the importance of working with private waste management firms like Zoomlion to tackle Ghana’s sanitation issues. He highlighted the company’s advanced sanitation infrastructure, particularly in solid and liquid waste treatment, which the government currently lacks.

He warned that Ghana could face a sanitation crisis if Zoomlion ceases operations, particularly in faecal waste management. He commended the company’s liquid waste recycling plants, which now convert sewage into compost and charcoal—an initiative aligned with the 2016 ban on sea disposal introduced by former President John Dramani Mahama.

Additionally, the Minister called for increased government attention to sanitation, citing a Cholera outbreak in October 2023 in coastal areas like Cape Coast, Winneba, and Takoradi. He urged public education on sanitation risks to prevent future outbreaks.