Member of Parliament for Kumbungu and Ranking Member on the Environment, Science and Technology Select Committee, Prof. Adam Hamza, has called on government to step up efforts to address the growing challenge of electronic waste in Ghana.
According to him, although efforts are being made, financing and implementation gaps remain.
In an interview with NewsDesksgh on October 1, Prof Hamza commended existing initiatives but called for stronger policy and financial support.
“I think that the initiative to pay attention to the e-waste is critical,” he noted.
“The initiative to generate funds and support institutions or agencies that are into the e-waste, I think that it is important.”
“E-waste farm has issues. Currently, the amount they are charging, what we call the Eco levy, the levy they put on importation of electronic waste is very little so they’re not able to accrue much.”
Prof Hamza therefore urged government to review the eco levy and consider other ways of raising revenue for e-waste management.
“So it is important that government has a review and see how they can enhance the funds by increasing the amount they charge on the imports. And also find other way of widening the tax or fund basket,” he stayed.
He also mentioned some projects that the levy will be used to fund.
“I know that through eco levy we are also constructing a refinery where we’re going to be fabricating some materials that will be important for our industry.”
According to him, the project could only deliver results if it receives the necessary support to reach completion.
“This is something that through the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, the initiative they have taken, it is only when we all support them to be able to complete that and make it operational, that we can begin to realize better things through the e-waste farm.”
Prof. Hamza called for the governments assistance in implementing policies to help manage the issue of e-waste.
“Government should look at how they can introduce some policy alternatives that can help us to be able to manage it well,” he urged.
He added that the Environment, Science and Technology Select Committee will work effectively with the institutions that are into the e-waste management, such the Environmental Protection Agency and other scientific agencies, as well as the ministry itself.
“So that we can all work together to realize the total solution to handling our electronic waste in the country,” he said.
The MP had mentioned some dangerous effects of e-waste, noting that dangerous substances from electronic devices can contaminate food and water sources, causing diseases.
According to him, the menace deserves as much attention as galamsey.
