An initiative aimed at promoting sustainable management of electronic waste (e-waste) has been rolled out in Tamale, the Northern Regional capital.

Following the rollout, a dedicated centre has now been established in the region to purchase e-waste equipment often collected by scrap dealers and electricians to prevent burning and reduce the need to transport such waste to Accra for sale.

The project seeks to minimise the environmental and public health risks arising from poor e-waste handling practices, which often expose communities to toxic substances.

The project was rolled out in Tamale following its earlier successful pilot in Accra and Koforidua. It is being championed by the E-waste Fund under the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), with funding support of €20m from the German Government through the German Development Bank (KfW).

Speaking at the launch in Tamale, the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the E-Waste Fund, Amos Blessing Amorse, said the expansion would help formalise e-waste management activities in the region.

He explained that the initiative would create decent jobs, protect the environment and promote public awareness of the dangers associated with indiscriminate disposal of electronic waste.

Aside from improving e-waste management, he said it would contribute to efforts towards sustainable environmental protection and circular economic growth.

Mr Amorse, however, expressed concern over the burning of electronic components by e-waste collectors to extract valuable materials, a practice that poses serious health risks.

E-waste management

A consultant at MESTI, Dr Vincent Kyere, said the initiative focused on the collection, recycling and safe handling of e-waste in Ghana.

He explained that the E-Waste Fund served as a sustainability mechanism to support the waste management system and curb the burning of electronic waste.

According to him, the KfW-supported initiative had so far facilitated the collection of more than 1,200 tonnes of e-waste from Accra, Koforidua and Kumasi for GH¢9 million in incentives.

“In effect, we have been able to create business opportunities and employment avenues for collectors who would otherwise have resorted to burning the materials,” he said.

Dr Kyere also highlighted the promotion of “urban mining”, encouraging collectors to recover valuable materials from discarded electronics rather than engaging in illegal mining activities.

Commendation

For his part, the Director of Waste Management at the Tamale Metropolitan Assembly, Martin Ahorlu, lauded the initiative, saying it would significantly reduce waste in the region.

He indicated that the project would help scrap dealers recognise the economic value of e-waste while discouraging harmful extraction methods.

Mr Ahorlu urged scrap dealers and electricians to avoid burning electronic waste and instead transport and sell it to designated buyers under the project.

Scrap dealers and electricians who spoke to the Daily Graphic welcomed the initiative and expressed optimism that it would ensure sustainable management of e-waste to safeguard public health and the environment.