Environmental Injustice and Electronic Waste in Ghana: Challenges and Recommendations

Anuli Njoku (), Martin Agbalenyo, Janaya Laude, Taiwo Folake Ajibola, Mavis Asiwome Attah and Samuel Bruce Sarko
Additional contact information
Anuli Njoku: Department of Public Health, College of Health and Human Services, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
Martin Agbalenyo: Southwestern AHEC, Inc., 5 Research Drive, Shelton, CT 06484, USA
Janaya Laude: Department of Public Health, College of Health and Human Services, Southern Connecticut State University, New Haven, CT 06515, USA
Taiwo Folake Ajibola: Department of Public Health Sciences, UConn School of Medicine, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Avenue, Farmington, CT 06030, USA
Mavis Asiwome Attah: Department of Environmental Health and Sanitation, Akuapem North Municipal Assembly, Akropong-Akuapem P.O. Box 100, Ghana
Samuel Bruce Sarko: Department of International Development, Presbyterian University, Akropong-Akuapem P.O. Box 393, Ghana

IJERPH, 2023, vol. 21, issue 1, 1-17

Abstract: Electronic waste (e-waste) or discarded electronic devices that are unwanted, not working, or have reached their end of life pose significant threats to human and environmental health. This is a major concern in Africa, where the majority of e-waste is discarded. In the year 2021, an estimated 57.4 million metric tons of e-waste were generated worldwide. Globally, COVID-19 lockdowns have contributed to increased e-waste generation. Although Africa generates the least of this waste, the continent has been the dumping ground for e-waste from the developed world. The flow of hazardous waste from the prosperous ‘Global North’ to the impoverished ‘Global South’ is termed “toxic colonialism”. Agbogbloshie, Ghana, an e-waste hub where about 39% of e-waste was treated, was listed among the top 10 most polluted places in the world. The discard of e-waste in Ghana presents an issue of environmental injustice, defined as the disproportionate exposure of communities of color and low-income communities to pollution, its associated health and environmental effects, and the unequal environmental protection provided through policies. Despite the economic benefits of e-waste, many civilians (low-income earners, settlers, children, and people with minimal education) are exposed to negative health effects due to poverty, lack of education, and weak regulations. We critically examine the existing literature to gather empirical information on e-waste and environmental injustice. Comprehensive policies and regulations are needed to manage e-waste locally and globally.

Keywords: electronic waste; e-waste; recycling; environmental health; Agbogbloshie; Ghana; environmental justice; COVID-19; Africa; health disparities; pollution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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