John Mahama and Malik Basintaale Will Be Cowards If the Government Surrenders to Manasseh’s Blackmail on Waste Management Contract

John Mahama and Malik Basintaale Will Be Cowards if the Gov’t Kowtows to Manasseh’s Command and Blackmails Them Not to Renew the Waste Management Contract
By Mashoud Bawa

Manasseh Azure Awuni’s newest outburst, captioned “Malik Basintale, Please, Don’t Push This Thievery!”, is yet another desperate attempt to tarnish Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s hard-earned reputation and that of its Executive Chairman, Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong.

This sensationalist and deceptive story is not only unjust but also profoundly wrong, lacking the technical depth necessary in the complex and dynamic field of waste management.

To begin with, how can Manasseh, who insulted, disrespected, maligned, and lied against H.E. John Dramani Mahama during his first term—on several grounds, including the Ford saga—turn around and command his appointee not to renew a contract that has helped Ghana become the most sought-after country in Africa in terms of waste management infrastructure? And who is Manasseh to command Malik, anyway? Is Manasseh more youthful than any of us, or than Malik himself, who is the Youth President? Manasseh is a disrespectful individual who believes he can use his pen to bring down people he has targeted.

Today, countries such as Nigeria, Liberia, Kenya, Uganda, Angola, Gambia, and about 18 others have engaged Zoomlion to replicate the waste infrastructure it has constructed in Ghana. Work is progressing briskly in these nations.

If Manasseh had any shame, he would bow his head and sin no more. Is it not the same Manasseh who refused to comment on the defunct Capital Bank saga because his church elder, Dr. Mensah Otabil, was involved as the board chairman, and several millions of Ghana cedis went unaccounted for? Where was his gatekeeper principle then?

Anyway, let me not waste too much time on that. I came here to react to his lies and threats against Malik Basintaale and Zoomlion Ghana, a company I deeply cherish.

1. Assemblies Lack the Capacity

Contrary to Manasseh’s assertions that the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Ghana can manage waste more effectively, I state unequivocally that the MMDAs currently lack the capacity, both in terms of logistics and skilled manpower, to manage waste efficiently. Most assemblies do not possess functional equipment such as compactor trucks, skip loaders, tricycles, or modern waste segregation and treatment infrastructure. Zoomlion, on the other hand, has built a national infrastructure backbone for waste collection, transportation, and processing through its IRECOPs, recycling plants, and composting facilities. No single assembly in Ghana can match that on any day.

In addition to the lack of capacity, MMDAs will face significant challenges due to political interference. In most cases, party loyalists will be assigned to execute the work, while Members of Parliament and Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs), who are also affiliated with the ruling party, will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring the work is done. Realistically, would they be strict on their own party members and risk making the party unpopular?

2. Human Resource and Professionalism

Manasseh asserts that the MMDAs have more competent workers than Zoomlion. Says who? Zoomlion’s district and regional staff are more than just workers; many hold master’s degrees in environmental science, engineering, or public health. They have received extensive training in waste management both locally and internationally. Over 120 Ghanaian youth are currently receiving training in Russia through scholarships provided by Zoomlion and its affiliates in fields such as waste-to-energy, environmental engineering, and climate-resilient sanitation. This is a long-term investment in Ghana’s future, yet Manasseh claims that the assemblies have more competent personnel. Which schools did they attend, and where did they gain their experience? I know that since 2006, waste management and environmental sanitation have been Zoomlion’s focus, with the exception of the MMDAs’ Environmental Health Officers, who work hand-in-hand with Zoomlion. So, who are the more qualified personnel he refers to?

3. YEA Sweepers Are Just a Fraction

Sweepers employed by the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) account for only a small portion of Zoomlion’s national workforce. In reality, Zoomlion employs almost 7,200 people directly at its trash recycling plants alone. According to my sources, the entire Jospong Group, which includes Zoomlion, employs more than 1,000,000 Ghanaians and other nationals. These are legitimate jobs that are institutionalized, supervised, and tied to a larger ecosystem of environmental, economic, and social impact. So, if you are campaigning for the company’s demise, know who will be affected. And I know you are working for your personal interests and satisfying your paymasters, rather than advocating for Ghanaian youth.

4. Documented Transformation

Manasseh conveniently omits any mention of Zoomlion’s transformative impact on Ghana’s sanitation and waste management sector. He fails to acknowledge:

• The establishment of the 16 IRECOPs across all regions, wastewater treatment plants, the ACARP and KCARP, and medical waste treatment plants across the regions—totalling 36 plants aimed at reducing environmental pollution.

• The massive job creation drive, which has absorbed thousands of otherwise unemployed youth.

• The National Material Recovery program and recycling initiatives that are contributing to Ghana’s circular economy.

If Manasseh truly cares about journalistic balance, he should visit these facilities or request audited impact reports. But he has never written a single article that appreciates any aspect of this transformation. That, by definition, is not journalism; it is absolute vendetta. So, he should spare us his anthem of “I don’t hate Jospong.” Who are your children here?

5. Claims of Ghost Workers Are Misleading

Claims of ghost workers or unverifiable numbers have been addressed repeatedly by the appropriate authorities. Payroll systems for sweepers have transitioned to biometric and digitized formats over the years. If specific anomalies existed in the past, they were systematically resolved. It is misleading to use isolated historical issues to discredit an entire nationwide operational framework.

6. The Real Agenda

Manasseh has made a name for himself by attacking institutions, especially Zoomlion and its Executive Chairman. But let us ask: who benefits when a company that has invested over two decades in Ghana’s sanitation architecture is demonized? Who benefits when thousands of Ghanaian youth risk losing their jobs due to manipulated narratives? Is this journalism or sabotage?

7. Zoomlion’s Broader National Contribution

Beyond waste management, the Jospong Group is a significant contributor to Ghana’s economy. From insurance to ICT, from health to hospitality, the group’s footprint in job creation and national development is unmatched by any local conglomerate. Manasseh’s refusal to ever highlight these contributions is evidence of bias, not oversight.

8. Call to Stakeholders

As a lover and advocate for the environment, I urge stakeholders, government officials, media, civil society, and the general public to reject Manasseh’s one-sided accusations. Ghana’s sanitation success story must not be derailed by one man’s obsession with tarnishing a visionary leader and his institution. Constructive criticism is welcome, but libelous propaganda must be called out for what it is.

Conclusion

Ghana deserves better than manipulated narratives. It deserves factual reporting, balanced journalism, and patriotic support for home-grown solutions. Zoomlion Ghana Limited and its partners should continue to innovate, employ, and deliver for Ghana, regardless of the noise.

If, in the end, Manasseh’s instruction or direct command to Malik Basintaale yields results, the entire government will have acted cluelessly, like Manasseh himself, and will be seen as a government that acts cowardly.

End