Managing Editor of the Informer, Andy Kankam, has strongly criticized the government’s handling of the recent flooding in Accra, describing the decision to terminate Zoomlion Ghana Limited’s sanitation contract as “reckless and unsubstantiated.”

Speaking on the aftermath of the devastating floods on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, Kankam argued that the government’s response has failed to address the root causes of the disaster, insisting that the GHS150 million allocated for flood-affected communities is inadequate.
According to him, the President should have consulted engineers and technical experts before announcing relief measures to determine the cost of expanding drainage systems and creating effective flood channels, rather than relying on political decisions.

He also questioned the process that led to the release of the relief funds, asking what consultations were undertaken before the government approved nearly GHS200 million for flood victims.

Kankam further lamented the worsening sanitation situation in the capital, claiming that heaps of refuse remain uncollected because Zoomlion no longer has a contract to clean parts of the city.

He challenged authorities to identify which company currently has the capacity to replace Zoomlion’s nationwide sanitation operations, arguing that the contract termination has contributed to choked drains and poor waste management.

The media executive maintained that flood prevention requires long-term engineering solutions and effective sanitation management, rather than emergency political interventions after disasters occur.

By Maurice Otoo

Managing Editor of Hawk Newspaper, Charles McCarthy, has criticized Ghana’s long-standing dependence on Zoomlion Ghana Limited, arguing that the country has relied on the waste management giant for far too long at the expense of other service providers.

Speaking on the ongoing debate over the government’s review of Zoomlion’s sanitation contract on Kessben Maakye show in Accra, McCarthy dismissed claims that the company was being unfairly targeted.
“Zoomlion alone cannot manage all waste management in this country,” he stressed, insisting that Ghana must open the sector to more competition.

According to him, successive governments deliberately sidelined other waste management companies to favour Zoomlion, creating what he described as a monopoly in the sanitation industry.
“We have over-relied on the monopoly of Zoomlion for far too long. Nobody should create the impression that anyone is targeting Zoomlion,” he stated.

McCarthy questioned the fate of other waste management firms that existed before Zoomlion became the dominant player, arguing that many were pushed out despite having the capacity to operate.
He also criticized what he described as the underpayment of sanitation workers despite the huge sums of public money allocated to waste management.
“How can you take huge sums of money from government and underpay workers?” he asked.

McCarthy further argued that allocating 30 percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund to one company gave it excessive financial advantage, making it difficult for competitors to survive.
Touching on the government’s recent decision, he clarified that reports suggesting Zoomlion’s entire contract had been cancelled were inaccurate.
“It is not true that Zoomlion’s contract has been cancelled. It is only the sweeping component of the contract that has been suspended,” he explained.

He also questioned why refuse collection should stop simply because one aspect of the company’s agreement had been reviewed, urging authorities and service providers to ensure sanitation services continue uninterrupted.

By Maurice Otoo

International Relations expert Dr. Emmanuel Kobla Klovor has warned that governments that fail to address the real needs of their citizens risk creating conditions that fuel terrorism and violent extremism.

Speaking on security challenges in West Africa via a zoom meeting on Kessben TV’s Digest show, Dr. Klovor stressed that every terrorist group first studies the culture and geographical characteristics of an area before establishing operations, making community awareness and local intelligence crucial in preventing attacks.
He also linked unregulated illegal mining to the rise of extremism, arguing that the two are increasingly interconnected.

According to him, the presence of foreigners in illegal mining communities poses serious security concerns and should not be ignored.
Dr. Klovor further observed that many unemployed people lacking infrastructure in their communities and opportunities are easily recruited into criminal and extremist activities, calling for greater investment in jobs and development.

He criticized what he described as poor coordination and inadequate public sensitization, particularly along the coastal and northern belts, where he said stronger collaboration is needed to tackle emerging threats.

The International Relations Expert also argued that several governments in West Africa have struggled to govern effectively, warning that when leaders become detached from the needs of citizens, they inadvertently create fertile ground for terrorist recruitment.
Dr. Klovor further urged West African countries to strengthen regional security cooperation instead of relying heavily on international actors, saying the region must build the capacity to confront its own security challenges