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Gov’t Treatment of Zoomlion Threatens Investor Confidence – UPSA Lecturer Warns
The recent decision by government to review or decentralize sanitation contracts with Zoomlion Ghana Limited could send the wrong signals to investors and disrupt the gains made in the country’s waste management sector, a senior academic has warned.
Dr. Eric Boachie Yiadom, a Senior Lecturer and Climate Finance and Sustainability Expert at the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA), has expressed concern over what he describes as unfair treatment of Zoomlion, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group of Companies, by state authorities.
According to him, the approach could discourage future investments in the sector.
“We need to understand the cycle of industry. An industry has been built up to a certain standard and all that we need to do is to regulate and reduce any monopoly if there is one,” Dr. Boachie Yiadom said.
According to him, “But to say that you are going to decentralize and allow those without capacity to come in, when a lot of investment has already been made is simply not fair.”
He said when Zoomlion started their operations, Ghanaians gave them the name Borla so Gyata, literally meaning lion of waste dump. “Over the years, they have built a multimillion dollar business with massive investments and if you take away the job, what are they supposed to do with the equipment and the people they have hired and trained over the years?” he quizzed?
Dr. Boachie Yiadom made these remarks during a Panel discussion at the 2025 Environmental and Sustainability Summit held at the Alisa Hotel in Accra on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.
The event, organized by the Business and Financial Times (B&FT), had the theme “Ending Plastic Waste in Ghana: A Sustainable Future for All.”
The UPSA lecturer questioned the logic of weakening an industry that has taken years to develop.
He said, “You cannot just go into the waste sector without the infrastructure, the expertise, or the systems. This industry has grown beyond where it used to be. If anything, government should support and help modernize the operations of players like Zoomlion, not weaken them.”
He said just as the oil industry cannot be decentralise for all to partake, so is the waste management industry which has been developed by the Jospong Group.
He called for more coherent national strategies that support long-term sustainability plans, especially for private sector players that have shown commitment to environmental goals.
According to him, “We talk about sustainability, but are we prepared to support sustainable business models and back them with fiscal incentives? One major thing missing in the conversation is the fiscal aspect that gives tax incentives to those who promote reuse and bring in recyclable materials.”
Dr. Boachie -Yiadom concluded with a call to action: “We should be serious about the things we talk about. It’s not enough to dump the problem somewhere. We must coordinate recycling efforts and support the institutions that have gathered the expertise and built the infrastructure.
” That’s how we’ll attract more investment—not by dismantling what’s already working,” he said.
Ing. Dr. Glenn Gyimah, General Manager of the Green Transitions Office at Jospong Group, revealed that the company is currently implementing a pilot project on single-use plastics in collaboration with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).
“In partnership with IRECOP and our Accra plant, we are demonstrating how single-use plastics like PET bottles can be shredded, processed into yarn, and recycled into fibers with high market value,” Dr. Gyimah said. “We’ve proven that our systems work. What we need now is commitment from government and assurance of environmental integrity,” he added.
He noted that the Jospong Group has created a multimillion-dollar enterprise with proven models that require long-term protection and strategic partnerships.
“In other countries, the private sector receives massive support from government, including funding and regulatory protection. That’s what we need here too,” he said.
Dr. Gyimah added that conversations are ongoing with both local and international off-takers to strengthen Ghana’s recycling value chain and turn waste into economic assets. “We are not just managing waste; we are creating value. And this is a capital-intensive industry that needs backing, not disruption.”
Opening the summit, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Murtala Mohammed, acknowledged the urgent need to reduce plastic waste through low-impact urban practices.
He emphasized the role of circular economy models, calling for a national forum to unite polluters, producers, and policymakers to tackle the plastic menace.
According to the World Bank, Ghana generates approximately 1.1 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, but recycles only five percent of it.
The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) further estimates that over 250,000 tonnes of plastic waste leak into the environment each year clogging drains, polluting freshwater bodies, and contributing to severe flooding in urban centres.
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Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong Inspires and Awarded at the 2025 National Youth Mentorship Summit and Awards
The 2025 National Youth Mentorship Summit and Awards, held at the University of Ghana Business School, was more than a gathering—it was a transformative experience that brought together the nation’s leading minds in entrepreneurship, finance, leadership, and youth development.
But among the constellation of inspiring voices, it was Nana Yaa Serwaa Sarpong, celebrated Media Expert and General Manager of EIB Network, who delivered a keynote speech that left the most lasting impression.
Nana Yaa’s story is one of resilience, vision, and reinvention in Media and building brands. From her early days as a teenage TV presenter, she has risen to become one of Ghana’s most influential women in media.
With over 26 years of experience in Media alone, she now oversees some of Ghana’s top media outlets under the EIB Network umbrella. Her journey, marked by passion and purpose, framed the tone for a summit rooted in transformation and global relevance.
In her keynote address, Nana Yaa urged participants not only to develop big visions but to measure themselves by continental and global standards, “We are our only competition,” she declared, “but when setting your standards, set them to both continental and global benchmarks.”
Drawing from Psalm 90:12 and Proverbs 4:23, she emphasized to the youth gathered, the importance of intentional living, guarding one’s heart, and valuing time as the currency of purpose. “What you set your heart to determines what you achieve,” she said, urging the young participants to develop discipline, consistency, and courage in pursuit of their goals.
A standout quote from her speech “What separates a poor man from a wealthy one is courage,”sparked thunderous applause.
Nana Yaa reminded the youth that true sustainability in leadership is not about titles but about long-term thinking, resilience, and a commitment to personal development, irrespective of the reality around you.
She also shared her vision for Women in Sustainability Africa (WiSA), an initiative she founded to champion inclusive development and gender-balanced innovation.
“If it resonates with you,” she told the audience, “join and help shape a future of sustainable leadership, nation and continent.”
In a dedicated segment, Nana Yaa laid out a powerful roadmap for the youth of Ghana to leverage the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to create meaningful opportunities.
She explained how SDGs are not abstract policies but practical frameworks for young people to build sustainable livelihoods. From climate-smart agriculture, entrepreneurship and digital innovation to social impact ventures, she emphasized that the SDGs hold vast potential for youth-led transformation.
She said, “You have access to tools the generation before you never had.Use the SDGs to solve local problems with global thinking. Create value, and prosperity will follow.”
The summit, themed “YouthPreneur: A Catalyst for a New Economy”, was hosted by Albert Prempeh Kusi, CEO of LEC Group and a leading voice in youth empowerment. It welcomed an exceptional lineup of mentors and speakers who shared real-world insights and inspiration.
Among the notable guest speakers were:Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration) at the Office of the President, who represented the Presidency and offered policy-level perspectives on youth development.
Georgina Asare Fiagbenu, Senior Manager of Corporate Communications at MTN Ghana, who spoke on behalf of Stephen Blewett, CEO of MTN Ghana, emphasizing the role of digital transformation in youth employment.
Richie Mensah, music producer and CEO of Lynx Entertainment, who inspired with his journey of building Ghana’s Afrobeats stars from the ground up.
Sina Kamagate, Executive Head of Retail Banking at GCB Bank PLC, who provided financial literacy tools tailored for the youth.
Janet Sunkwa-Mills, CEO of Afribiz Group and Jane’M Salon & Spa, who brought insights from over two decades of FMCG marketing across the continent.
Albert Prempeh Kusi, whose mission of reframing the youth from job seekers to job creators resonated throughout the summit.
As the summit drew to a close, Nana Yaa’s parting words became a mantra for the next generation:“Be disciplined. Be consistent. Be courageous. And never forget, sustainability starts with you.”
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Police arrest three suspects for robbery attack at Jukwa
The Western Central Regional Police Command has arrested three suspects for a robbery attack at Jukwa near Afransie in the Western Region.
The suspects were arrested on July 15, 2025 after a Toyota Hilux pickup with registration number GT 7426-23, transporting gold concentrate from a mining site to Wassa Akropong, was attacked near Jukwa town.
The occupants of the vehicle at the time of the robbery included the driver, Kofi Gyamfi, a security guard, Bashiru and one other person.
The robbers attacked the vehicle and made away with the gold concentrate.
Following a swift Police intervention, suspect Foster Peprah, a small-scale miner, was arrested at the scene.
Preliminary investigations revealed that he carried out the robbery with one Isaac, who is currently on the run. During interrogation, Foster mentioned Kofi Gyamfi, the driver, as the individual who invited them to carry out the robbery.
Kofi Gyamfi was later arrested, and he named Bashiru, the security guard, as the originator of the plan. Bashiru was subsequently arrested at his hideout in Wassa Gyedua.
All three suspects are currently in Police custody assisting investigations, while efforts are underway to arrest suspect Isaac who is currently on the run.
