The infamous Agbogbloshie scrapyard and dumpsite, considered the world’s largest e-waste dump site just few minutes away from Agbogbloshie market – the vibrant foodstuff market in the heart of Ghana’s capital, Accra and on the Korle Lagoon of the Odaw River, is home to the world’s most toxic landscape and the country’s most touching stories.
The toxic smoke emanating from the dump site casts a toxic shadow over Old Fadama – a slum settlement extending over 31 hectares with a population close to 80,000 people of who most are workers who migrated from northern Ghana and other countries such as Togo, Benin, and Nigeria in search of a better life.
Unsurprisingly, many of these workers are the same people responsible for the toxic smoke. These workers are collectors, dismantlers, scrap dealers, burners, repairers, intermediaries, blacksmiths, and toolmakers.
Wounds from burns, back problems, respiratory issues, persistent nausea, and incapacitating headaches — caused by the poisonous air pollution and dangerous working conditions are common in the area.
The dangers are enormous and glaring yet overlooked by the workers for reasons such as unemployment and lack of opportunities.
ALL THE WAY FROM BOLGA
This, Godfred and Kojo both from Bolgatanga in the Upper East Region, who have been burning wires for three and five years respectively, say was what pushed them into the business.
“I came here from Bolga to learn how to burn wires to extract copper for collectors and scrap dealers to sell so I can earn a living, and now I make 40 cedis on a good day,” Kojo said, before narrating how he influenced Godfred to join him.
But their work depends on how often collectors receive good from all over the country.
AHMED AND HIS COLLECTORS
Ahmed from Tamale – a collector for over two decades, says “these products come from all over Ghana, and even from some other West African countries like Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Togo.”
“I have been doing this job since 2001, and we get goods from all over the country of which we pay about 100 cedis based on the quantity to collect and pick.”
Ahmed’s newest recruit has already sustained a hand injury three months into the collecting business and has no desire to follow in the footsteps of his master.
“There are too many dangers here, I am already hurt as you can see and that’s not the only thing. I have difficulty breathing from all the smoke around here and must take in pain relievers to ease my back pain before I can sleep at night,” he narrates pointing at his bandaged hand and end by saying that he hopes to quit soon.
FROM NURSING TO BURNING
At another burning site is graduate nursing trainee awaiting posting, Gilbert, now a collector and burner, says they are aware of the health risk but have no choice.
He goes on to explain how the exposure has affected his health: “I go to the clinic for constant checks, I was advised to quit due to the impact on my lungs but I can’t because this is what I used to complete my training and survive on.”
Despite many warnings, and health hazards associated with the manual recycling of e-waste, Gilbert and his colleagues do not put on any form of personal protective equipment.
The situation in Agbogbloshie is troubling and a danger not to only the dumpsite and scrapyard workers, but residents in the surroundings communities and the public as the market serves most households in the capital and beyond.
The local authority and government must move away from just demolishing the site, which has proved futile over the years, to more practical solutions like building proper recycling plants and creating better job opportunities.
It is time to salvage the situation and the time to act is now.
