The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Caucus has firmly stated that it has not authorized any interference in the ongoing review of the sanitation module contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited.
In a statement issued by Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business, Mahama Ayariga, the caucus clarified that neither the Sanitation Committee of Parliament nor any of its members have been empowered to influence the YEA’s decisions regarding the controversial contract.
“The Chairman of the Committee has reported to me that, contrary to media reports, neither he nor any committee member has attempted to do any such thing,” the statement read.
It further emphasized that any public comments made by members of the committee appearing to support or defend Zoomlion’s contract should be disregarded, as they do not reflect the official stance of the committee or Parliament.
The NDC Caucus also warned Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) against succumbing to pressure from any authority to enter into sanitation agreements with specific companies.
“In the last session of Parliament, the House implemented the directive of President John Dramani Mahama that 80% of the Common Fund should be delivered directly to the Assemblies,” the statement said. “As such, the Assemblies are independent to decide their development priorities.”
This clarification comes amid growing public outcry over the YEA-Zoomlion contract, which critics—including investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni—have described as exploitative. Pressure is mounting on the YEA to terminate the arrangement and allow local assemblies to manage sanitation workers directly.
