As part of efforts at building the competencies and skills of Micro, Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (MSMEs), the European Union-funded Electronic Waste Management (E-MAGIN) project organised a two-day Environment Health and Safety (EHS) workshop in Takoradi for participants selected from institutions and associations in the e-waste sector.
The training was part of a planned programme to train the MSMEs on sound EHS practices. These include the use of personal protective equipment and disposal of e-waste in an environmentally friendly way.
The participants were mainly drawn from MSMEs in the Central and Western Regions of Ghana. Institutions that benefitted included the Western Scrap Dealers Association; National Air-conditioning Refrigeration Workshop Owners Association (NARWOA; and Ghana Electronic Services Technicians Association (GESTA).
Vivian Ahiayobor, facilitator of the programme, indicated that e-waste comprises a multitude of components which contain toxic substances that can have adverse impacts on human health and the environment. She said there is a need to understand how to handle these materials in order to reduce their harmful effects.
She explained that e-waste has toxic substances such as mercury, lead, beryllium and cadmium, but the biggest risk are the substances known as brominated flame retardants (BFRs). These materials emit more toxins, especially when burnt at low temperatures.
Prof. Rosemond Boohene, the Project Leader, in her closing remarks assured the participants of continuous assistance from the E-MAGIN project in the development of their businesses; especially when it comes to the implementation of sound EHS practices.
E-MAGIN is a 48-month project that is funded with a grant from the European Union to improve the management of electronic waste in Ghana. The project is being implemented by the University of Cape Coast, Adelphi Research Germany, Ghana National Cleaner Production Centre, and City Waste Recycling Limi
