Investigative journalist Manasseh Awuni Azure has affirmed his willingness to defend in court all statements he has made concerning contracts awarded to waste management firm Zoomlion Ghana Limited. His comments follow ongoing controversies surrounding the company’s dealings with the state, including allegations of overbilling and lack of service delivery.
Speaking on JoyNews' AM Show on Monday, June 16, Mr. Azure expressed full confidence in the findings of his investigations, stating:
"I am prepared to defend everything in court; there are documents to back them."
His remarks come at a time when the government has opted not to renew Zoomlion's sanitation module under the Youth Employment Agency (YEA)—a decision that closely follows years of critical reporting by Azure on the company's various state contracts.
During the interview, the award-winning journalist outlined several instances of alleged irregularities, with a particular focus on fumigation contracts. He pointed to cases where Zoomlion and its subsidiaries were awarded a third round of fumigation contracts, despite already holding two such contracts covering the same districts.
“If you send Zoomlion to the Upper East Region, for instance, each district there already has a fumigation contract with Zoomlion,” he explained. “At the same time, the Ministry of Health had also awarded fumigation contracts that covered all those districts.”
Azure contended that despite these multiple layers of contracts, field investigations revealed little to no evidence of actual service delivery. "When we visited those areas, no one could confirm seeing Zoomlion or its affiliates conducting any fumigation activities," he stated.
The journalist’s firm stance underscores his commitment to accountability journalism and signals his readiness to substantiate his allegations if legally challenged.
Story By: Afia Ohenewaa Akyerem