The contribution of Zoomlion toward management of solid waste and as a means of creating employment for the youth. a case study in the Sunyani Municipality, Ghana.

Abstract

The study examined the contribution of Zoomlion towards management of solid waste and as means of creating employment in the Sunyani municipality in the Brong Ahafo region, in the southern part of Ghana. A total of one hundred respondents were interviewed by the used of questionnaire in order to obtain information regarding the waste management system in Sunyani by Zoomlion. In addition, an interview guide was designed for the assemblymen in the community and the regional manager of Zoomlion. Other stakeholders were also interviewed for example the district health officer and regional youth employment coordinator. The outcome of the research was in two categories, that is viability of the company and employment creation. In the first place, the company has positively contributed to the management of solid waste in the Sunyani municipality. But the company has still got a lot of tasks to perform before achieving its stipulated target by 2015 such as the establishment of a waste management training institution and spreading its branches all over the world. The research shows that, solid waste management in the community is improving in a very gradual process. Workers are ready to deliver if their working conditions are improved and necessary equipment is provided. In the second place, the findings showed that the company has generated a lot of employment opportunities for the people especially the youth in the community. This has reduced the unemployment rate in the community. Workers of the company can now meet their daily bread requirement and improve their livelihoods as a result of the establishment of Zoomlion in the community. Other actors with vested interest in the study were Ministry of Youth and Employment, Sunyani municipal assembly and Ministry of Environment. With regard to Zoomlion much concentration was given to the workers who work in various households to pick solid waste and other public places such as markets and streets. Private company involvement in solid waste collection was found from the study to be very limited in the Sunyani municipality but commonly found in Accra and Kumasi.