The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has praised Zoomlion Ghana Limited for its outstanding contributions to sanitation infrastructure across West Africa.
His comments came during a strategic collaboration between the government and the waste management company to address Ghana’s escalating waste crisis, particularly plastic pollution. Speaking on Adom TV in Accra on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the minister highlighted Zoomlion’s advanced facilities and their role in establishing Ghana as a regional leader in sustainable waste management. “The sanitation infrastructure that Zoomlion has developed—both for municipal solid and liquid waste—is unmatched. Their advanced recycling and waste management plants are truly transformative,” he stated.
Ahmed Ibrahim further applauded Zoomlion’s nationwide network of modern recycling plants, faecal waste management systems, and sewage-to-resource technologies that convert waste into compost and charcoal. These innovations align with Ghana’s 2016 ban on ocean dumping of faecal waste, a policy introduced under former President John Dramani Mahama to curb coastal pollution. “Before Zoomlion, faecal waste was released into the sea, causing deadly diseases like cholera. Their infrastructure is now our lifeline,” he emphasized.
While acknowledging Zoomlion’s positive impact, the minister raised concerns about the significant GHS 1.2 billion debt owed to the company by the government, inherited from the previous Akufo-Addo administration.
“This debt is a major challenge, but we are working closely with Zoomlion to ensure the effectiveness of Ghana’s waste management sector,” he said. He also reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening partnerships with private waste management firms, urging Zoomlion to continue its efforts in transforming waste infrastructure.
The minister linked recent cholera outbreaks in coastal cities like Cape Coast, Winneba, and Takoradi (October 24, 2023) to gaps in public sanitation education. He called for more advocacy to combat improper waste disposal, especially in water bodies crucial for domestic and agricultural use. “Zoomlion’s work is not just about cleaning our streets—it’s about safeguarding public health and ensuring environmental sustainability,” he concluded, advocating for stronger public-private partnerships to drive Ghana’s sanitation goals forward.
