Manasseh Azure is an investigative journalist
Investigative journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni, has lauded President John Dramani Mahama for taking decisive action by discontinuing the Zoomlion‑Youth Employment Agency (YEA) sanitation contract, saying it has rekindled his faith in Ghana’s democratic leadership.
In a heartfelt letter addressed to President Mahama, Manasseh detailed his 12‑year investigative journey uncovering corruption and impropriety under the longstanding Zoomlion contract signed in 2006.
He praised Mahama’s bold decision not to renew the deal and highlighted it as a rare moment of accountability by a civilian leader.
“Your decision to discontinue this contract has reinforced my long‑held faith in not giving up on a just and noble cause even if nobody else believes in it. It’s been 12 years fighting, and your action is the most appropriate response to those who asked why I would not give up and move on, when nobody was prepared to discontinue the contract.”
He continued: “In a significant way, you have restored my faith in our democracy.”
Manasseh’s open letter comes after President Mahama responded in a letter dated 11 June 2025, confirming that the expired contract will not be renewed. He pledged a full audit of recent payments and committed to a competitive procurement process for future sanitation services.
In response, Manasseh described Mahama’s move as one of the high points of his journalism career, recognising it as “one of the best pieces of news” he has witnessed.
He added that the action encourages investigative journalists and civic activists committed to exposing wrongdoing.
Manasseh further promised to monitor reforms, including better compensation for sweepers, decentralised contract management, and the cleanup of remaining questionable agreements such as the SML (Strategic Mobilisation Ghana Limited) contract.
