Mohammed Murtala Engages Agbogbloshie Scrap Dealers on E-Waste



The Minister of Environment, Science, and Technology, Hon. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, has engaged scrap dealers at Agbogbloshie, Accra, to address challenges in electronic waste disposal and find sustainable solutions.


During his visit, the minister observed that many scrap dealers were no longer willing to bring their e-waste to the designated collection center, despite the incentives provided. Speaking to the dealers, he discovered that their primary concern was the inadequacy of these incentives compared to what they earn elsewhere.


To address this, Hon. Murtala Mohammed announced plans to establish a committee, chaired by the Chief Director of the ministry, to review the incentive structure and ensure it encourages proper disposal practices.


Beyond incentives, the minister acknowledged other major challenges, including the unsafe burning of cables to extract copper, which contributes to environmental pollution. He highlighted the availability of a controlled burning system that could allow scrap dealers to recover copper without harming the environment. However, he noted that many dealers were unaware of this system and pledged to enhance awareness and accessibility.


Another critical issue raised was the improper disposal of non-recyclable e-waste debris, often leading to unauthorized burning. To combat this, the minister proposed engaging waste management companies like Zoomlion and other private entities to facilitate proper collection and disposal of these materials.


Additionally, Hon. Murtala Mohammed addressed concerns about the persistent smoke in the area, initially thought to be caused by scrap burning. He revealed that the smoke also originates from a nearby waste dump and recycling center operated by Zoomlion. To curb pollution, he commended the scrap dealers for forming a task force to monitor and prevent unauthorized burning.


The minister assured the dealers of his commitment to working with the task force and other stakeholders to create a cleaner and healthier environment. He emphasized that pollution from Agbogbloshie not only endangers the health of workers but also affects residents, nearby water bodies, and Accra’s overall air quality.


Hon. Murtala Mohammed further disclosed that the government plans to invest in desilting and rehabilitating the area, with the ultimate goal of transforming it into a tourist site. He noted that discussions are ongoing with South Korean companies to explore investment opportunities for this initiative.










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