The Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), in collaboration with the German government, is actively addressing e-waste pollution in Accra and its surroundings through the commissioning of an Electronic Waste Hand-Over Centre (HOC).
The facility, inaugurated at the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC), aims to mitigate environmental pollution, particularly that stemming from electronic waste, as highlighted by sector minister Ophelia Mensah Hayford.
The minister emphasized the urgent need for eco-friendly e-waste management practices, referencing the Agbogbloshie neighborhood, notorious for being one of the world’s most polluted regions due to open burning of e-waste.
This crude method of extracting metals not only wreaked havoc on the environment but also posed severe health risks to local communities, drawing international attention and calls for reform.
Toxic substances released during this process have contaminated the air, soil, and water, tarnishing Ghana’s environmental reputation on the global stage.
Dr. Vincent Kyere, the team leader for the E-waste project, expressed concern over the health impacts of improper e-waste recycling practices in Agbogbloshie.
He noted that while local recyclers relied on collecting e-waste for their livelihoods, they often lacked the means to recycle it properly.
The newly established E-waste Centre allows collectors to exchange e-waste for cash while ensuring that these materials are recycled responsibly.
Since its inception in 2020, the facility has processed 718 tonnes of materials, with 100 tonnes sent to formal recyclers, significantly improving the health and well-being of many, especially residents of Agbogbloshie.
