Ghana Agency Underscores Need For Integrated E-Waste Management Project

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Health & Safety Ghana (HESAG)- Ghana’s premiere health and safety think thank has highlighted the need for implementation of integrated e-waste management system in order to improve conditions for sustainable management and disposal of electronic waste in the country.

According to HESAG, the integrated e-waste management system would ensure that all harmful elements contained in hazardous and other waste products are captured and processed in a safe manner, causing no harm to environment and soil. This in turn would offer a systematic solution to dealing with mounting e-waste in the country that currently is being processed using primitive techniques by unorganized players.

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Mr Dzifa Ahazi, President of HESAG noted that Ghana has failed to make notable progress in dealing with electronic waste, although it is a signatory to the Bassel Convention, which stipulates technical guidelines and regulations of safe disposal, treatment and transboundary movement of e-waste. Also, Ahazi called for early and effective enforcement of the country’s Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act in order to ensure proper e-waste management and recycling procedures.

An integrated e-waste management could foster opportunities for more research towards reducing environment pollution by conserving virgin resources. In addition to economic and environmental benefits, such an initiative by the government could create immense job opportunities. Ahazi called for establishment of e-waste recycling centres in collaboration with the private sector.

The Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, 2016 passed by Ghana Parliament prohibits the importation, exportation, transportation, selling, purchasing or dealing in or depositing of hazardous waste or other waste on any land in the country or in the territorial waters of Ghana.