By GhanaNewsPage 
Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly known as A Plus and the Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, has publicly claimed that he received a significant sum of money from Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong, CEO of Zoomlion Ghana Limited, to cease his advocacy for the decentralization of waste management in Ghana.
Table of Contents
Background of the Allegation
According to A Plus, the payment was made following a campaign he initiated in response to personal attacks by Paul Adom-Otchere, host of “Good Evening Ghana,” on Metro TV—a station owned by Dr. Agyepong. A Plus stated that the campaign aimed to decentralize waste management, which would have directly impacted Zoomlion’s operations.
“I started the ‘Waste Management Must Be Decentralized’ campaign because I wanted to attack his boss, Zoomlion,” A Plus explained. He further alleged that Dr. Agyepong contacted him multiple times during the campaign, which he initially ignored. Eventually, A Plus claimed that Dr. Agyepong met with him and offered a substantial payment to end the campaign.
Also Read: Former Signals Bureau Boss Kwabena Adu-Boahene Remanded by EOCO Over GH¢49 Million Theft Charges
Implications for Waste Management Policy
The allegation brings to light ongoing debates about waste management practices in Ghana. Critics argue that the current centralized system, dominated by companies like Zoomlion, lacks transparency and efficiency. Advocates for decentralization believe that empowering local entities could lead to better waste management outcomes and increased accountability.
Zoomlion’s Controversial Contract with YEA
Zoomlion has also faced scrutiny over its contract with the Youth Employment Agency (YEA). Reports indicate that while the government allocates GH₵850 per sanitation worker, only GH₵250 is paid directly to the workers, with the remaining GH₵600 retained by Zoomlion for management and logistics. This arrangement has been criticized as exploitative, leading to calls for contract renegotiation or termination
A Plus’s Involvement in NSS Payroll Fraud Case
In a related development, A Plus admitted to being approached by an individual seeking assistance in clearing their name in the National Service Scheme (NSS) payroll fraud case. He stated that he used his influence as a media personality and shareholder in a Ghanaian-owned media company to facilitate media engagements aimed at addressing the matter.
Also Read: NSS Ghost Names: I received a request from someone to use media to clear his name – A Plus
The allegations made by A Plus against Dr. Joseph Siaw Agyepong raise serious questions about the intersection of media influence, political advocacy, and corporate interests in Ghana. As discussions about waste management policies and corruption continue, these revelations underscore the need for transparency and accountability in both public and private sectors.
