The German Cooperation, in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology & Innovation (MESTI), organised a one-week study tour to Bengaluru and New Delhi, India’s prominent electronic waste hubs in March.

The tour, attended by ten distinguished recycling companies, aimed to elevate Ghana’s recycling sector and foster strategic partnerships between India and Ghana.

E-waste, the fastest-growing waste stream globally, comprises 62 million tons annually from electrical and electronic equipment.

Despite Ghana not being a major producer of electronic goods, the country faces the challenge of establishing a comprehensive recycling system due to increased imports of used equipment.

In response, the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) initiated the "Programme for Sustainable Disposal and Recycling of Electronic Waste" in partnership with GIZ Ghana and MESTI in 2016.

The program focuses on fortifying Ghana's private sector, addressing critical issues such as infrastructure, technology, and sustainable business models.

To stimulate innovation and collaboration, the E-Waste Programme organized a study tour to India, inviting ten recyclers and four public sector delegates.

India, with its extensive e-waste recycling industry, provided invaluable insights and opportunities for cooperation.

The exchange encompassed visits to major recycling facilities such as Greenscape Eco Management, Lohum, and E-Parisaara, as well as SMEs like Vans Chemistry and Ecowork.

Discussions centred around recycling procedures, technology options, training programs, and funding mechanisms.

Recyclers like Vivian Ahiayibor of City Waste Recycling found the tour enlightening, particularly witnessing Indian recyclers' ingenuity in addressing sector challenges.

The study tour culminated in a workshop at New Delhi’s O.P Jindal Global University, where e-waste experts, public and private sector representatives, and law students discussed the role of associations in driving industry interests.

Gilbert Odjidja, President of the Ghana E-Waste Recyclers Association (EWROTA), emphasized the imperative for Ghanaian recyclers to amplify their voices in industry dialogues, inspired by India's private sector-driven e-waste system.

Upon their return, recyclers expressed eagerness to implement solutions and forge partnerships to address e-waste management challenges.

The study tour coincided with the release of the latest United Nations Global E-Waste Monitor, underscoring the urgency of effective e-waste management.