Murtala Muhammed, the Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, has shared his plans to enhance e-waste management in Ghana.
During his ministerial vetting on Thursday, January 30, 2025, he stressed the importance of transforming e-waste from an environmental threat into an economic opportunity.
While acknowledging the existence of the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act of 2016 (Act 917) and a government-established recycling center, Mr. Muhammed highlighted a challenge: many young people involved in e-waste collection struggle to transport materials to the designated recycling site.
To tackle this issue, he intends to explore whether the financial incentives provided to e-waste collectors are adequate.
“If the money they receive is not encouraging, we may need to increase it to motivate them,” he stated.
He also discussed exploring available grants and funding opportunities to support e-waste recycling initiatives.
The minister-designate pointed out that previous government actions had led to a temporary decline in e-waste activities in certain areas, but emissions continued to be a problem elsewhere. He plans to engage key stakeholders, including community members, local authorities, and MPs, to develop sustainable solutions.
Mr. Muhammed also mentioned another e-waste site near the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which he intends to evaluate. He promised to hold discussions with the Minister for Local Government, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, and other relevant officials to explore potential interventions.
“I don’t want to make promises without fully understanding the challenges. I will engage all relevant parties to develop a practical and effective solution,” he assured.
His approach seeks to strike a balance between environmental protection and economic growth, making e-waste recycling a viable and sustainable industry in Ghana.
