Germany and Ghana are collaborating to improve the adverse effects of e-waste on the environment.
Joy On-line reported that the German federal government has committed €25 million ($26 million) to the project and will share the responsibility of improving working conditions and the “environmental impact of electronic waste” that is made outside Ghana.
The arrangement between the two countries will be managed under the “Hazardous and Electronic Waste Law and the German Embassy in Ghana released a statement that said: “Germany wishes to use the opportunity to congratulate Ghana on passing this ground-breaking law, which translates the Basel convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal into national law.”
GIZ, an implementing agency, will “focus on improving the working conditions” of those who work with e-waste and Germany has set aside €5 million ($6 million) for this Technical Cooperation programme which will “support the private sector engagement in recycling industries” as well as “develop the framework conditions to implement the law”.
The statement also added: “Furthermore, €20,000,000 (through the KfW Development bank) will be dedicated to the establishment of an incentive mechanism for sound collection and recycling of e-waste as well as for a collection centre of the Government of Ghana.Both elements of the programme are intended to prepare the establishment of the Ghanaian recycling fund as stipulated in the E-Waste-Law.”
There will be an official hand over of a “Note Verbal to the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation” when the joint venture for ”e-waste collection and recycling” will be announced 13 March.