Member of Parliament for Kumbungu and Ranking Member on the Environment, Science and Technology Select Committee, Prof Adam Hamza, has cautioned that the impact of electronic waste (e-waste) on health and the environment is as dangerous as illegal mining (galamsey).
According to him, the menace deserves as much attention as is given to issues around galamsey.
Speaking to NewsDesksGH at the e-waste management training session, Prof. Hamza stressed that the hazardous materials contained in electronic devices pose severe risks if not properly managed.
“Electronic waste are very dangerous because we know these are metals. When they find their way into the system, they cause a lot of damage.”
He noted that exposure to toxins from e-waste can lead to serious illnesses such as cancers, brain tumors, blood diseases among others.
“These are very, very dangerous. They are killer sources of diseases so it is important that we pay attention to these,” he stressed.
The MP then argued that e-waste deserves the same level of attention as galamsey.
“A lot of people don’t look at the dire consequences of this particular menace. But it is a menace that is so dangerous, and if you look at the way we give attention to galamsey, e-waste also deserves same.”
Prof Hamza warned that improper disposal of electronic waste compounds the problem because many of the materials do not degrade quickly.
“They are non-degradable. If we don’t find a way of managing and collecting the waste, these will end up in our environment,” he stated.
He explained how dangerous substances from electronic devices can contaminate food and water sources.
“Some of these things when they get rusted, they wash into our water bodies, and they get into our water and plants and we can consume them,” he said, noting the grave risks of diseases.
Prof. Hamza further stressed that such contamination could trigger a wave of public health crises if urgent measures are not taken.
“If care is not taken that can introduce a lot of health issues in the country.”
