The Ministry of Environment, Science & Technology (MEST) has announced a significant revision of incentives for e‑waste collectors, particularly at major hubs like Agbogbloshie aimed at boosting the collection and safe disposal of electronic waste across Ghana
The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology (MEST) is revamping Ghana’s e-waste incentive system to make payments more attractive and fair for scrap dealers handling items like cables, batteries, CRTs, and plastics.
A committee led by the Ministry’s Chief Director will oversee the reforms, which aim to introduce better pricing, logistics support, and market stability.
To improve safety, controlled cable-stripping technologies will be deployed to extract metals without toxic exposure.
MEST is also boosting collaboration with private sector players such as Zoomlion and development partners like GIZ and KfW to expand collection and cleanup efforts.
The e-waste incentive review holds significant environmental, health, and economic implications.
By discouraging the harmful burning and improper disposal of toxic components, it protects the environment and helps reduce contamination in densely populated areas such as Agbogbloshie.
It also improves public health and unlocks income opportunities for informal scrap dealers by encouraging formalisation.
This aligns with earlier national efforts that have already trained over 200 dealers and created more than 450 green jobs, further advancing Ghana’s green economy agenda.
Ghana’s e-waste incentive scheme, established under the 2020 E-Waste Act (Act 917) with support from KfW and GIZ, was designed to pay above-market rates for critical waste streams such as cables and batteries.
However, challenges have persisted, as scrap dealers frequently complain about low compensation at official handover centres.
The current review responds to these concerns and forms part of MEST Secretary Murtala Muhammed’s broader strategy to transform e-waste management into a sustainable, economically viable sector that also supports environmental protection.
The committee is expected to announce updated incentive rates, logistical support measures, and new safety protocols.
Pilot projects such as regulated cable-stripping operations and collaborations with Zoomlion—will begin in Agbogbloshie and Koforidua.
The EPA and local assemblies will lead monitoring and enforcement efforts to boost participation while ensuring environmental protection.
Source: Myxyzonline.com
