German Development Cooperation, EPA introduce new e-waste standards

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in collaboration with the German Development Cooperation, has introduced new standards for actors in Ghana’s electronic waste (e-waste) service chain under the Project for Environmentally Sound Disposal and Recycling of Electronic Waste (E-Waste Project).

As part of the initiative, a series of training sessions was held from August 12 to 15 to build the capacity of domestic recycling companies on the new requirements outlined in the 2025 Environmental Protection Act 1124.

The sessions also introduced the first batch of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for environmentally sound e-waste recycling and provided a platform for industry feedback.

Ghana remains a significant importer of used electronics. While such devices are critical to digitalisation, technological advancement and innovation, the country faces persistent challenges in managing the complex waste generated once they reach end-of-life. For years, poor practices—including cable burning, indiscriminate dumping of plastics and improper disposal of hazardous components—have posed serious health and environmental threats.

In response, the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, together with the EPA and the German Development Cooperation, has finalised 22 SOPs to guide recycling companies and collectors. Developed over three years with input from international experts and local regulators, the SOPs outline processes such as cable shredding and stripping, compliant facility operations, and safe handling of toxic components such as batteries.

Larry Kotoe, Project Coordinator at the EPA, said the new standards would enable companies to pass mandatory compliance inspections while improving environmental safeguards. “It will strengthen protections while supporting the development of a more structured and professionalised e-waste management ecosystem in Ghana,” he stated.

Echoing this, Frank Acheampong, Waste Management Specialist at GIZ Ghana, said: “The German Development Cooperation and the Government of Ghana have long shared a vision for the future of e-waste management. Introducing these SOPs as the new standards for recycling companies will bring us a step closer to this vision.”

The E-Waste Project, funded by the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), is being implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology and the EPA.

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