Renowned Ghanaian journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has advised the BuzStopBoys, a group of young volunteers dedicated to cleaning Accra, to reject an offer of support from waste management giant Zoomlion.
In a social media post, Manasseh raised concerns over Zoomlion’s long-standing dominance in the sanitation sector, alleging that successive governments have funneled billions of cedis into the company through questionable contracts while the country remains unclean.
Questioning Zoomlion’s Role
According to Manasseh, Zoomlion’s monopoly was created when the Kufuor administration sidelined other well-established sanitation companies in 2006 and awarded lucrative nationwide contracts to Zoomlion, which at the time lacked the necessary resources. He argued that any company given similar opportunities could have grown just as Zoomlion did.
BuzStopBoys’ Impact
Manasseh praised BuzStopBoys for making a visible impact on sanitation in Accra despite having limited resources. Unlike Zoomlion, which receives millions annually in government contracts, BuzStopBoys rely on public goodwill and small-scale support to carry out their work.
Zoomlion’s Meeting with Bloggers
Manasseh’s comments come after a video surfaced showing Zoomlion’s CEO, Elder Joseph Siaw Agyepong, in a meeting with Ghanaian bloggers where BuzStopBoys were discussed. Zoomlion reportedly intends to donate to the group, with plans for bloggers to publicize the gesture widely.
However, Manasseh believes this is an attempt by Zoomlion to gain credit for work it has failed to do. He urged BuzStopBoys to reject the offer, insisting that sanitation funds should be redirected to local assemblies, which could then contract efficient groups like BuzStopBoys to handle waste management.
Growing Support for BuzStopBoys
BuzStopBoys have gained national recognition for their voluntary efforts in cleaning Accra, with individuals and organizations donating equipment to support their cause. Their work has drawn praise from the public, with many using them as a benchmark to criticize Zoomlion for failing to keep Ghana clean despite its vast resources.
It remains to be seen whether BuzStopBoys will heed Manasseh’s call and decline Zoomlion’s support.
