Ghana to Transform World's Largest E-Waste Dump

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster):  The government of Ghana announced that the electronic waste scrap yard at Agbogbloshie in Accra would be transformed into a world-class electronic waste recycling centre. The development partners, with the support of German government have already identified the challenges and started working on a comprehensive mechanism to address various issues. As part of this, works have already commenced on the proposed $30 million e-waste recycling facility at Abbogbloshie, whose works are expected to be completed in around two years.

According to Oliver Boakye, Special Advisor at Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (METSI), the country would create a regulatory framework to ensure fair payment to generators of e-waste. The country has already passed an Act to streamline the activities of the waste collection and management industry by ensuring systematic, safe treatment of hazardous electronic waste, thereby protecting the environment for Ghana’s future generations.

The plan proposes construction of holding centres which will keep record of all devices and parts or components to which they are broken down later to be sent to recycling facilities. It also plans to conduct training programs on educating the citizens on the importance of safe recycling practices.

Agbogbloshie-the world’s largest e-waste dump has been the dumping ground for electronic waste from industrialized nations.