President John Dramani Mahama has acknowledged a petition by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni calling for the termination of a long-standing contract between the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) and sanitation company Zoomlion Ghana Limited.

In a letter signed by the Secretary to the President, Dr Callistus Mahama, the presidency confirmed that the matter "is being given the necessary attention" and that the outcome would be communicated in due course.

The petition, submitted two weeks ago, urged the President to discontinue the 19-year-old arrangement, which Mr Azure described as deeply flawed and lacking value for money.

Under the most recent agreement—now expired—the government allocated GHS850 per sanitation worker, of which Zoomlion retained GHS600 and paid each worker GHS250 monthly.

The company also reportedly imposed interest charges on the government for delayed payments, including a GHS90 million charge in 2024, despite delaying payment to workers for up to a year.

Critics say Zoomlion was not required to show evidence of borrowing funds to justify the interest claims.

The company has submitted a new proposal to the YEA, which is currently under review. Under this proposal, the per-worker allocation would rise to GHS1,308, with Zoomlion keeping GHS888 and paying each sweeper GHS420.

Mr Azure argues that the proposed terms remain exploitative and has called on the presidency to intervene, describing the contract as “fraught with corruption.”