Members of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Sanitation and Water Resources have expressed admiration for Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies’, significant investment in the country’s sanitation sector.
During a tour of the company’s state-of-the-art Accra Compost and Recycling Plant (ACARP) at Adjen-Kotoku in Accra on April 23, 2025, the members of the committee praised Zoomlion’s commitment to improving sanitation in Ghana.
The tour, which formed part of the committee’s mandate, aimed to explore ways the country can effectively address its sanitation problems.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the tour, the Chairman of the Committee, Mr. John Oti Bless, said: “I am truly impressed by the level of investment that has gone into these major companies.”
He noted that Zoomlion’s huge investment in sanitation management has been commendable, adding that its facilities and plants were functioning effectively.
“We’ve seen significant progress since 2000, and especially from 2004,” he said.
However, he noted that the current challenge lies 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.
While underscoring that there were sanitation issues that required urgent attention, the Chairman contended that after visiting ACARP and other state-of-the-art facilities of Zoomlion, including its Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited (SSGL), members of the committee were convinced that the capacity existed, but the major constraint was funding.
On this score, Mr. Oti Bless said the committee was working to address funding constraints and ensure prompt payments to service providers like Zoomlion, who the government owes to the tune of 1.2 billion Ghana cedis.
He was upbeat that the Finance Minister would fulfill a pledge to clear outstanding debts, including those owed to Zoomlion.
“About GHS 13 billion has been budgeted for this purpose, and we expect prompt action,” he said. “Zoomlion hasn’t received payments from the government for the past two years. How can a company function effectively without resources?” he quizzed.
He also highlighted the need for a dedicated sanitation fund, public education campaigns, and enforcement of local bye-laws to promote sanitation and accountability.
“Sanitation is a daily necessity that requires a dedicated source of funding,” he said. “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.
According to him, his committee plans to work with the media to promote 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 byelaws. Many district assemblies’ bye-laws are not gazetted, which renders them unenforceable,” Mr. Oti Bless said.
Furthermore, Mr. Oti Bless, who doubles as the Member of Parliament for Nkwanta North Constituency in the Oti Region, commended Zoomlion’s innovation and productivity, including the production of tricycles, waste processing, and furniture.
“We urge Ghanaians and civil society to support and buy local products from Zoomlion,” he said. “This fight is about public health. It’s not about us as individuals or political affiliations—it concerns every Ghanaian,” he noted.
He gave the assurance that his committee was committed to delivering positive change in Ghana’s sanitation sector over the next four years. “We have hit the ground running, and we will not stop until the right things are done,” Hon. Oti Bless declared.
Early, in a presentation, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group of Companies, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, made a passionate appeal to the committee to support Zoomlion by ensuring that the sanitation and environmental bye-laws are implemented to the latter and offenders prosecuted.
This, he stressed, will help curb the practice of indiscriminate dumping of refuse on the streets and other public spaces.
According to him, “What we [Zoomlion] 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 intimated that the impact of a clean and safe environment cannot be overstated, insisting that “A clean and safe environment can significantly extend people’s lives.”
He however, 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.
One pressing issue Dr. Agyepong highlighted was the taxes imposed on essential equipment. “We are currently engaging in discussions about the taxes imposed on some of our equipment, and we kindly appeal to the members present to take up this matter on our behalf,” he requested.
With the right support, he was of the firm belief that Zoomlion can do even more for the country. “Your support can help us do even more for the country.
Story By: Dennis Ato Keelson
