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Mahama Reaffirms Commitment to Sanitation Reform and Local Accountability in Meeting with Journalist
President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to promoting transparency, strengthening democratic governance, and overhauling the country’s sanitation management system.
This was disclosed following a private meeting at the Jubilee House between the president and a renowned journalist, Manasseh Azure, during which the two discussed issues of governance, decentralisation, and ongoing reforms in the sanitation sector.
According to Manasseh Azure, Mahama acknowledged the critical role accountability journalism plays in nation-building, describing it as “a very difficult but essential job”. He encouraged continued dedication to holding power to account.
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A key topic of discussion was the president’s bold decision to terminate the controversial 19-year sanitation contract between Zoomlion Ghana Limited and the Youth Employment Agency (YEA) — a move widely lauded by anti-corruption advocates.
The journalist expressed appreciation for the action and sought updates on further reforms in the sanitation sector.
In response, President Mahama revealed that a technical team is currently finalising a framework to guide the devolution of sanitation management to the metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs).
This initiative, he explained, aims to empower local governments to manage their sanitation needs directly, rather than relying on centralised arrangements that have long been criticised for inefficiency and corruption.
President Mahama also disclosed plans to overhaul the administration of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). He lamented that in previous administrations, only 43% of the fund reached local assemblies, with the remainder reportedly being spent on questionable procurements in Accra — many of which benefited entities linked to Zoomlion and its subsidiaries.
Going forward, the president said his government is committed to ensuring that the full allocation of the DACF reaches the intended districts, thereby strengthening decentralisation and enhancing development at the grassroots level.
Acknowledging the deep-rooted challenges in changing attitudes within the public sector, including among some of his own appointees, President Mahama expressed determination to “reset Ghana” and reinforce democratic values.
“I wished him well, and I pray he succeeds,” the journalist wrote after the meeting. “For if he succeeds, Ghana prospers.”
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