I won’t renew Zoomlion deal if pay stays at GH¢250 – Basintale

Malik Basintale, Acting CEO of the Youth Employment Agency (YEA), has taken a strong stance against the current contract with Zoomlion Ghana Limited, declaring he will not renew it if sanitation workers continue to earn a monthly salary of GH¢250.

In a Facebook post on Friday, April 25, Basintale described the contract terms as exploitative, adding that they do not reflect fairness or respect for the hardworking youth involved in the country’s sanitation services.

He stated that the deal, inherited from the previous administration, is harmful to Ghanaian workers and must be revised before any consideration of renewal.

“All my life, I have fought for integrity and for the better placement of the youth and people of Ghana. I promise on my honour as I stand by the grave of my late dad, not to renew the contract in its current state or form,” he wrote.

Basintale’s remarks come amid ongoing public backlash, including criticism from investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, who has consistently questioned the contract’s legitimacy and its treatment of workers.

The YEA boss stressed that he would never accept such low pay for his own family members and expressed a personal commitment to improving the welfare of sanitation workers.

He also called on Ghanaians to join him in a live session on Facebook at 8 pm to discuss their views and ideas on the matter.

Basintale’s comments have sparked discussions around youth welfare, transparency in public contracts, and how the state can ensure dignified pay for essential workers.