Unveiling the e-waste management situation in Agbogbloshie, Accra Ghana

This master's thesis delves into the e-waste management scenario in Agbogbloshie, Accra, Ghana, a region grappling with the consequences of informal e-waste recycling. The study begins by defining e-waste according to the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) guidelines which state that it comprises information and communication technologies (ICT) and other electrical/electronic equipment that have been discarded or reached the end of their life. This includes devices that rely on electric current or electromagnetic fields for their operation. . Despite Ghana's adherence to the Basel Convention, Bamako Convention, and established waste management laws, implementation remains inadequate. The thesis explores the historical and current trends at Agbogbloshie, West Africa's largest e-waste dumping site. Examining Ghana's middle-income demographic, the research highlights a preference for second-hand electronics, a trend peaking in the early 2000s due to imports and charitable donations from Western Europe and the United States. Investigating the current state of Agbogbloshie, findings from Dodd et al. (2023) indicate alarming concentrations of metals surpassing international soil quality guidelines, posing environmental and health risks. Steinhausen et al.'s (2022) research establishes the influence of e-waste on heavy metal concentrations in local fish, affecting both the Korle Lagoon and the Atlantic Ocean. Estimations of e-waste generation vary, with Agbavitor (2018) proposing 798.20 metric tons annually and Owusu-Sekyere et al. (2022) suggesting a broader range of 13,090 to 17,094 tons per annum. The classification of electrical gadgets prevalent at Agbogbloshie is discussed, emphasizing the site's economic significance in Ghana's private sector-driven economy. The research uncovers the governmental role in the demolition of the site, where permits were sold to e-waste operators for legal operation, contributing to the city's development through taxes. Despite the demolition, illegal e-waste activities persist, expanding beyond Agbogbloshie. The thesis sheds light on the aftermath, revealing the government's lack of remediation efforts for the claimed recovered space. Analyzing the impact of e-waste on workers and residents, parallels are drawn to global instances, notably in China. The study concludes with recommendations, prioritizing the adoption of Lavagnolo & Grossule's (2018) "3's" approach – Sanitization, Subsistence economy, and Sustainable landfilling – as a comprehensive solution for sustainable e-waste management in Agbogbloshie and beyond.