A leading sanitation advocacy group, Damak Sanitation Health Watch-Ghana, has issued a strong warning to the government over plans to cancel the sanitation contract of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, cautioning that such a move could trigger a sanitation crisis nationwide.
In a public statement released on Monday, 28th July, 2025, the organization expressed deep concern over the deteriorating sanitation conditions in urban centers and questioned the government’s timing and rationale behind the potential repeal of a long-standing contract with one of the country’s key sanitation service providers.
“The decision to cancel Zoomlion’s contract, if not carefully thought through, will have far-reaching public health and economic consequences,” said Mr. B. B. Asalimba, General Secretary of Damak Sanitation Health Watch-Ghana.
READ THE FULL STATEMENT BELOW:
DAMAK SANITATION HEALTH WATCH- GHANA
Contact us:
Phone: (+233) 595826420 / 248998510
Email: hello@damakmedia.com
Bantama, Kumasi, Ashanti Region – Ghana
Date: 28th July, 2025
PRESS RELEASE ON SANITATION AND GOVERNMENT PLAN TO REPEAL ZOOMLION GHANA CONTRACT
Damak Sanitation Health Watch Ghana has found it imperative to report the grievous and worrying situation of Sanitation challenges that have been yearly affecting the country.
The country continues to grapple with significant sanitation challenges, particularly in urban areas where rapid population growth has strained existing waste management systems following periodic and consistent participation of government institutions.
Damak Sanitation Health Watch-Ghana has strenuously engaged in many innovative methodologies in our quest to facilitate a resolution to the fight against a clean environment.
Many organisations, NGO, Civil Society Groups, and government agencies have, over the years, strived hard to bring finality to the situation.
That notwithstanding, among the various players that have played a key role in this sector is Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a prominent sanitation service provider for many years. However, recent discussions regarding the potential cancellation of the company’s sanitation contract have raised crucial concerns about the implications for public health, environmental sustainability, and community well-being.
Since the inception of Zoomlion Ghana Limited as a sanitation service provider, our checks have proven that they have built a robust waste management infrastructure, including a fleet of vehicles and a network of staff trained in effective sanitation practices. Canceling the contract would disrupt these established services, leading to substantial waste accumulation and adversely affecting public health.
We have rectified a pressing concern of how the country’s sanitation crisis has seen far-reaching implications for public health, contributing to the possible spread of diseases. Consistent waste collection and management provided by Zoomlion are vital in preventing outbreaks that could overwhelm local health systems.
Besides the health risks, canceling or removing a major sanitation provider like Zoomlion could lead to job losses for thousands of workers in the waste management sector.
While it is crucial to retain and enhance the partnership with Zoomlion, addressing sanitation challenges at the local level also necessitates new ideas and community engagement.
However, Damak Sanitation Health Watch-Ghana would like to recommend “Community-Based Waste Management Programs”. These programs will encourage local communities to take ownership of waste management to yield positive results.
Implementing community clean-up days, educational campaigns on waste segregation, and forming community waste management committees to enhance public participation and accountability. We will also appeal to the government to, as a matter of national interest, engage in Competitive Tendering to Replace Sole Contracting carefully.
As the world is being driven by technology, Damak Sanitation Health Watch has, in some of ur programs, contributed our quota in the fight. We adopted ” Google Digital Address System” to access and monitor sanitation-challenged areas.
Thus, bringing in technology, such as mobile apps for reporting waste collection issues or tracking cleanliness in neighborhoods, can improve local waste management.When these innovative ideas or approaches are being adopted at the local level of governance, the country’s sanitation front would be proven.
Thank you.
….Signed…..
Mr. B. B. Asalimba
General Secretary
(+233) 243358644
