Manasseh Azure Awuni, an investigative journalist, has debunked rumours on social media suggesting the YEA/Zoomlion sweepers‘ salaries have been increased.
According to Manasseh Azure, the salaries of YEA/Zoomlion sweepers have not been increased as the Mahama cabinet has yet to decide on the deal.
He further urged Ghanaians to disregard the false news that was being circulated on social media.
The investigative journalist in his post wrote, “Salaries of YEA/Zoomlion sweepers have not been increased. Cabinet is yet to decide on the deal. Disregard the false news”.
Manasseh’s comment follows claims that Zoomlion workers’ salaries have been increased from GHC250 to GHC1200.
A netizen on X alleged saying, “Zoomlion workers’ salaries increased from GHC250 to GHC1200. Previously, they received GHC250 of the GHC750 allocated per worker. Now, they take home the full GHC1200”.
Meanwhile, Malik Basintale, the Chief Executive Officer of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), has revealed plans to increase the allowance of the agency’s sanitation module by 300 per cent.
Speaking to journalists after appearing before the Public Accounts Committee on Friday, August 22, 2025, Basintale stated, “When I took office, I swore by my late grandfather’s grave that no contract would be signed to pay GH¢258. That figure is unacceptable in this modern era. In any future contract, we will not go below the minimum wage. We are looking at more than a 300 percent increase,” he stressed.
“We have not discovered ghost names; what we found are individuals who were absent. Those at post have been validated, but those absent will lose two months’ pay.
“Beneficiaries who were validated can attest that their allowances have already been credited to their accounts,” he explained.
Malik Basintale, some months ago, promised on his late father’s grave not to renew the Zoomlion contract with workers receiving GH¢250.
In a write-up address to Malik Basintale on X, Manasseh Azure wrote, “Here is evidence that the Zoomlion contract expired before you took office. And your predecessor, who fought it, notified the company. Please, do the needful. Don’t resurrect this thievery. Don’t disappoint the youth who massed up and marched with you in the sun and in the rain during the campaign.
Elder Joseph Siaw Agyepong of THE CHURCH OF PENTECOST told parliament yesterday that the sweepers are paid below the minimum wage because they work 4 hours a day, six days a week”.
He added, “The cleaners of your office don’t work all day, so it does not make sense to pay these people below the minimum wage. That’s the essence of the minimum wage.
Besides, only humans with the instincts of wild beasts would allow their fellow Ghanaians to work for a month and go home with only $17 a month, while the businessman makes millions”.
The Basintale boy stated, “I promise on my honour as I stand by the grave of my late DAD, NOT to RENEW the contract in its CURRENT STATE or FORM.
It is EVIL for the Previous government to have committed to this, and I SHALL STOP IT.
My brothers and sisters, on December 7th, 2024, Change came and Change must Happen”.
According to Malik Basintale, if his family member was a Zoomlion worker, he won’t be happy with them taking Ghc250 as salary, and so cannot be happy with others taking that amount.
He added, “If my mother/Brother/Sister were a Zoomlion worker, I won’t be happy with either of them taking Ghc250 as Salary and as such, I can’t be happy with you, your mother, father, brother or sister taking same”.
Subsequently, it will be recalled that the Mahama-led government decided not to renew the 19-year-old contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and Zoomlion Ghana Limited.
The presidency, in a letter responding to Manasseh Azure Awuni’s petition, revealed plans not to renew the Zoomlion contract.
President John Dramani Mahama, some months ago, stated that every district would be responsible for its sanitation.
According to John Mahama, the Cabinet will soon meet on the decentralisation of the sanitation budget and make every district responsible for its sanitation.
He further revealed that the performance of MMDAs will be measured by Cleanliness.
Speaking to supporters in Dodowa during his thank you tour of the Greater Accra Region, President Mahama stated, “Cabinet will soon meet on a decentralisation of the sanitation budget and make every district responsible for its own sanitation”.
“Cleanliness will become one of the key performance indicators for measuring the performance of MMDAs and will determine whether they remain in office or are removed.”
“I’m happy you clapped because to whom much is given, much is expected,” Mahama remarked.
He further added, “More resources are going to be available to all assemblies to implement their development projects and carry out effective sanitation programmes to keep our districts clean.”
“It will be legally backed, properly funded, and operationalised through partnerships with local assemblies and private sector service providers.
MMDCs shall be responsible for ensuring the success of the National Sanitation Day events in their districts. Greater Accra, as the face of Ghana, must be clean, green, and dignified,” Mahama said.
See the post below:
Salaries of YEA/Zoomlion sweepers have not been increased. Cabinet is yet to decide on the deal. Disregard the false news.
— Manasseh Azure Awuni (@Manasseh_Azure) September 9, 2025