The Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources has reassured Zoomlion Ghana Limited that the government will settle its outstanding debts for sanitation services provided over the past two years.
Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies (JGC), has been owed to the tune of 1.2 billion Ghana cedis for its services during this period.
Speaking to the media during a tour of the company’s Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) at Adjen-Kotoku, Accra on April 23, 2025, the Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. John Oti Bless, affirmed that the finance minister has pledged to clear outstanding debts, including those owed to Zoomlion.
“About GHS 13 billion has been budgeted for this purpose. I trust the finance minister will fulfill this promise,” he revealed.
He expressed concern about Zoomlion’s unpaid services, saying, “We just visited one of his warehouses, where we saw a large number of imported tricycles meant for district assemblies. Unfortunately, he hasn’t received payments from the government for the past two years. How can a company function effectively without resources?”
The committee members took turns to praise Zoomlion for its significant investment in the country’s sanitation sector.
“I am truly impressed by the level of investment that has gone into these major companies,” the Chairman said, adding that Zoomlion’s facilities and plants were functioning effectively.
He also commended Zoomlion’s innovation and productivity and urged Ghanaians to support and buy local products. “This fight is about public health. It’s not about us as individuals or political affiliations—it concerns every Ghanaian,” he noted, giving the assurance that his committee was committed to delivering positive change in Ghana’s sanitation sector.
However, Hon. Oti Bless noted that the current challenge lied in implementing effective sanitation management on the ground, particularly in streets and communities. “We want to see stronger action where it matters most—in the streets and communities,” he emphasised.
He highlighted the need for a dedicated sanitation fund, public education campaigns, and enforcement of local bye-laws.
“Sanitation is a daily necessity that requires a dedicated source of funding. If 40 pesewas is being raised through the levy, 20 pesewas should go to sanitation while the other 20 pesewas goes to energy. This will bring real change,” he recommended.
Hon. Oti Bless also stressed the importance of public awareness and support for sanitation initiatives. “We need the media’s support for a nationwide public education campaign. We must ensure the enforcement of local bye-laws. Many district assemblies’ bye-laws are not gazetted, which renders them unenforceable,” he said.
The Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, urged the committee to support Zoomlion by ensuring that sanitation and environmental bye-laws are implemented and offenders prosecuted.
“What we do here goes beyond just cleaning. We are tackling cholera, environmental issues, and even tourism-related concerns, all while improving public health and sanitation infrastructure,” he noted.
He lamented the lack of adequate incentives and support for the vital work being done in this sector.
“The work we do often lacks the recognition it deserves, which is quite discouraging,” he expressed, requesting the committee’s assistance with taxes imposed on essential equipment.
With the right support, Dr. Agyepong believed that Zoomlion can do even more for the country. “Your support can help us do even more for the country,” he noted.
Story By: Dennis Ato Keelson
