Ghana’s urban centres were once drowning in waste, with open drains choked with filth and rivers reeking of untreated effluent. But change came, and that change had a name: Zoomlion Ghana Limited.
Over the past two decades, Zoomlion has led the transformation of Ghana’s sanitation landscape, building 36 waste treatment plants across the country, including faecal sludge treatment plants, material recovery facilities, composting centers, and modern landfill sites.
Through innovations like tricycles for last-mile collection, Zoomlion has empowered thousands of young people to become sanitation entrepreneurs, creating over 200,000 direct and indirect jobs.
The company has restored dignity to sanitation work, previously seen as a last resort.
Despite its impact, Zoomlion faces public frustration due to poor waste collection in some areas.
However, few realize that the company is owed over GHS 1.6 billion by the government, crippling operations and stalling logistics.
Given its achievements, it’s unfair to label Zoomlion a villain. The company has turned sanitation into a national employment engine, stemmed cholera outbreaks, and restored safety to water bodies.
Communities that once bore the burden of indiscriminate dumping now boast modern treatment facilities. While challenges persist, Zoomlion’s contributions to Ghana’s sanitation sector are undeniable.
It’s time Ghanaians acknowledged the company’s role in the sanitation revolution and recognised it as the unsung hero it is.
See images of their works here ;
