The rising flooding crisis in Ghana and urgent need to reinstate the YEA-Zoomlion contract

Ghana is once again witnessing severe and devastating flooding across several parts of the country, particularly within the Greater Accra Region. Homes, shops, roads, businesses, and public infrastructure have been destroyed, while many citizens continue to suffer painful losses, displacement, and economic hardship due to the recurring floods.

A major contributing factor to the worsening flooding situation is the discontinuation of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) street sweeping and public cleansing contract with Zoomlion Ghana Limited. Since the expiration and non-renewal of the contract, visible sanitation challenges have resurfaced in many communities. Choked gutters, uncollected waste, silted drains, and indiscriminate dumping of refuse have become increasingly common, significantly affecting the free flow of water during heavy rains.

It is important to recall that following the devastating June 3, 2015 floods and disaster, Ghana did not experience flooding of that magnitude for several years. One of the major reasons for this improvement was the continuous public cleansing, dredging, desilting, and sanitation interventions undertaken by Zoomlion Ghana Limited in partnership with the YEA and various Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies.

Through routine street sweeping, drain cleaning, waste evacuation, and environmental sanitation campaigns, gutters and waterways were consistently kept free from plastics, silt, and other waste materials that obstructed water flow.

For over two decades, Zoomlion has played a significant role in Ghana’s sanitation sector and established itself as a leading waste management and environmental sanitation company in the country and across Africa.

Before its emergence, many communities were overwhelmed with heaps of refuse, poor sanitation conditions, and uncontrolled dumping sites. Through strategic interventions and sustained investment, the company contributed to improving environmental cleanliness across the country.

Among the achievements attributed to Zoomlion Ghana Limited are:

Distribution of over one million waste bins to households and communities across Ghana between 2008 and 2020.

Nationwide public education campaigns on sanitation through radio, television, churches, mosques, markets, schools, and community engagements.

Establishment of Zoom Kids Clubs in schools nationwide to promote sanitation and environmental responsibility among children.

Participation in major international assignments, including sanitation management during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana and the 2010 tournament in Angola.

Construction and operation of Integrated Recycling and Compost Plants (IRECOPs) across Ghana to support recycling and compost production.

Establishment of medical waste treatment facilities using advanced technology for safe hazardous waste disposal.

Development of liquid waste treatment plants to address sewerage and liquid waste management challenges.

Creation of waste transfer stations to improve efficiency in waste haulage.

Reengineering of landfill sites to improve environmental safety and sustainability.

Establishment of Dredge Masters Company following the 2015 floods to dredge drains, lagoons, and waterways to facilitate the free flow of water and reduce flooding risks.

Creation of thousands of jobs for Ghanaians through sanitation and environmental management services.

Introduction of modern waste collection systems, recycling initiatives, climate-smart sanitation practices, and circular economy solutions.

Zoomlion’s impact has not only been recognized in Ghana but across the African continent. More than 25 African countries have engaged or expressed interest in adopting its waste management model due to its perceived effectiveness, innovation, and scalability.

The current flooding situation demonstrates the direct relationship between environmental sanitation and flood prevention. Environmental experts consistently point out that blocked drains caused by indiscriminate waste disposal remain one of the leading causes of flooding in Accra and other urban centres. Without sustained street sweeping, desilting, and public cleansing operations, drains inevitably become choked, resulting in severe flooding during heavy rainfall.

The suffering of ordinary citizens today could have been significantly reduced if the YEA sanitation contract with Zoomlion had been renewed to ensure continuity of the public cleansing programme across the country.

The current situation calls for urgent action, not only to address the immediate flooding crisis but also to restore long-term sanitation and environmental management systems.

We therefore respectfully call on the Government of Ghana to urgently reconsider and renew the YEA sanitation contract with Zoomlion Ghana Limited in the interest of public health, environmental protection, flood prevention, and national development.

The reinstatement of the contract will:

Strengthen nationwide sanitation and public cleansing activities.

Enhance regular desilting and drainage maintenance.

Reduce flooding risks in vulnerable communities.

Create and sustain jobs for thousands of Ghanaian youth.

Improve public health and environmental safety.

Support Ghana’s long-term climate resilience and sustainable urban management agenda.

At this critical moment, Ghana needs strong partnerships, practical solutions, and experienced institutions capable of delivering immediate and sustainable results. Zoomlion has demonstrated over the years that it possesses the expertise, infrastructure, technology, manpower, and commitment required to support sanitation and flood management efforts.

The lives, livelihoods, and properties of citizens must be protected through decisive action and sustained investment in sanitation and environmental management.