Madina traders call for Zoomlion's return to tackle mounting waste crisis

Traders operating at Madina Zongo Junction in Accra are pushing the government to restore Zoomlion Ghana Limited's waste management contract, expressing frustration with the current system's inability to keep pace with refuse accumulation in busy commercial areas.

The appeal comes as communities grapple with inadequate waste collection services, particularly in densely populated markets where rubbish builds up rapidly. During a recent National Clean-up Exercise at the junction, traders highlighted the critical gap left by the absence of reliable waste evacuation, warning that without prompt collection services, the benefits of cleanup drives are quickly undermined.

The current sanitation challenge

Traders at the junction report that the lack of adequate waste collection trucks has left heaps of refuse scattered along roadsides following previous cleanup exercises. This creates compounding environmental and health hazards, particularly in a zone serving as a major commercial hub. The issue is especially acute after desilting operations, when large volumes of silt and debris require immediate removal.

One trader told Adom News that for 17 years, Zoomlion had consistently collected waste from both cleanup activities and daily commercial operations, ensuring that refuse—even when left temporarily along roadsides—was regularly evacuated and disposed of properly. The contrast with the current situation underscores the gap in service delivery.

Beyond the immediate waste problem, traders point to broader concerns about participation and shared responsibility. Some vendors complained that certain shop owners failed to participate in the recent cleanup exercise despite closing their businesses, suggesting that effective sanitation requires genuine collective effort from all stakeholders—traders, residents, and business owners alike.

Why it matters for Ghana

Ghana's urban sanitation remains a significant public health and development challenge. Markets and commercial centres like Madina Zongo Junction are microcosms of this broader struggle. When waste management fails in high-density areas, the ripple effects extend beyond aesthetics; poor sanitation breeds disease, deters investment, and erodes the quality of life in communities that drive Ghana's informal economy.

The traders' experience reflects a common national pattern: cleanup exercises generate temporary improvements, but without sustained waste collection infrastructure and reliable contractors, gains are quickly reversed. This suggests that addressing Ghana's sanitation crisis requires not just one-off initiatives, but robust contractual arrangements with capable service providers backed by adequate logistics and funding.

The call to restore Zoomlion's contract also raises questions about how waste management contracts are awarded and managed at the local level, and whether current arrangements are delivering value for money and public health outcomes.

Next steps and expectations

Traders are appealing to authorities to review the existing waste management system and guarantee prompt collection and disposal services. They specifically request logistical support, including sufficient waste collection vehicles, to prevent refuse from accumulating after cleanup exercises.

The appeal carries an implicit warning: delays in waste evacuation risk worsening sanitation across Accra's markets and commercial centres, potentially reversing progress made during organised cleanup drives.