Electronic Waste Management in Ghana - Issues and Practices

Abstract

Electronic waste or e-waste is one of the rapidly growing problems of the world today and comprises of a multitude of components that can have adverse impact on man and the environment if not handled properly. In Ghana, the problem has assumed greater significance not only because of the recent expanded usage of electronic and electrical equipments but also due to “unintended dumping” from developed countries. Generally, lack of appropriate infrastructure and procedures for its disposal and recycling, difficulty in inventorisation, unhealthy conditions of informal recycling, inadequate legislation and poor awareness have been major challenges. Consequently, toxic materials enter the waste stream with no special precautions to avoid the known adverse effects on the environment and human health. Additionally, resources are wasted when economically valuable materials are dumped while unhealthy conditions are created during the informal recycling. Through both qualitative and quantitative research techniques, this paper provides a concise overview of Ghana’s current e-waste scenario, namely, the interrogation of the magnitude of the problem, and examining the current disposal and recycling practices