By Ashiadey Dotse
The Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, Murtala Muhammed, has outlined his strategies to improve electronic waste (e-waste) management in Ghana.
During the vetting of ministerial nimenee on Thursday January 30, 2025, he emphasized the need to turn e-waste into an economic opportunity rather than an environmental hazard.
Mr. Muhammed acknowledged the existence of the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act of 2016 (Act 917) and a government-established recycling center. However, he stated that many young people involved in e-waste collection find it difficult to transport their materials to the designated recycling facility.
To address this, he plans to investigate whether the financial incentives for e-waste collectors are sufficient. “If the money they receive is not encouraging, we may need to increase it to motivate them,” he stated.
He also mentioned exploring available grants and funding sources to support e-waste recycling initiatives.
The minister-designate highlighted that past government actions led to a temporary reduction in e-waste activities in certain areas, but emissions continued elsewhere. He plans to engage key stakeholders, including community members, local authorities, and MPs, to find sustainable solutions.
Mr. Muhammed also referenced another e-waste site near the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, which he intends to assess. He promised discussions with the Minister for Local Government, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, and other key officials to explore possible 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 aims to balance environmental protection with economic benefits, ensuring that e-waste recycling becomes a viable and sustainable industry in Ghana.
