Renowned investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni recently held a significant closed-door meeting with former President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House, focusing on some of Ghana’s most pressing national concerns.
The high-profile discussion, which took place on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, delved into governance challenges, accountability lapses, and sanitation sector reforms. The following day, Manasseh took to Facebook to share highlights of the engagement, describing it as an honest and meaningful exchange centered on the country’s development.
A major highlight of the conversation was the long-debated Zoomlion-YEA contract, which had spanned nearly two decades. Manasseh reportedly applauded Mahama for terminating what he described as a deeply problematic and financially draining arrangement. He also pressed for updates on promised reforms to fix the nation’s broken sanitation system.
In response, President Mahama revealed that a dedicated team is currently preparing a new framework that would empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to take direct control over sanitation. The objective, he said, is to improve local government efficiency while eliminating wasteful spending.
The two also tackled the controversial use of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF). Mahama revealed that under his current leadership, the outdated model—where only 43% of the DACF actually reached the assemblies—has been scrapped. He acknowledged that a significant portion of the funds in the past were diverted into questionable contracts, many of which were linked to Zoomlion and affiliated firms.
Mahama didn’t shy away from the bigger picture, admitting that reforming deep-seated attitudes—within both the public and among his own officials—remains a daunting task. Still, he reaffirmed his commitment to resetting Ghana’s governance structures and strengthening its democratic foundations.
The meeting between the two prominent figures has reignited public interest in government accountability and raised hopes for a more transparent and reform-driven administration.
Source: NewsandVibes.com
