What began as a desperate response to a toxic environmental crisis has now become a national model for youth empowerment, green employment, and public health reform. Ghana has officially concluded the decade-long Sustainable Recycling Industries (SRI) Project, marking a turning point in how the country handles electronic waste — and more importantly, how it is preparing the next generation for a circular economy.
The project, funded by the Swiss Government through the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), has transformed what was once an uncontrolled and dangerous e-waste landscape into a structured system guided by strong legislation, technical capacity, and institutional reform.
“This wasn’t just about waste — it was about lives,” said Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, speaking at the closing ceremony. “We inherited a crisis. Children were dismantling toxic electronics with their bare hands in places like Agbogbloshie. Today, we are giving them skills and careers in green industries.”
A New Generation of Green Workers
A major success of the project has been the integration of sustainable e-waste recycling into Ghana’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) curriculum, preparing a new generation of skilled workers for environmentally sound materials recovery.
Prof. Nana Ama Klutse, Acting CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), called this “one of the most important legacies of the SRI Project,” noting that sustainable development depends on educating and equipping youth to handle waste safely and responsibly.
“The informal sector will no longer be a death trap for young recyclers,” she said. “With proper training, young people can now contribute to a circular economy that supports both the planet and their livelihoods.”
From Hazard to Opportunity
The SRI Project helped implement key laws like the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control Act, 2016 (Act 917), supported waste treatment innovations such as co-processing used tyres, and developed technical guidelines for handling used lead-acid batteries. These reforms are already serving as a reference point for other African nations.
Swiss Ambassador Simone Giger described the project as a showcase of international cooperation and innovation: “Ghana is proving that with political will and the right partnerships, e-waste can be turned from an environmental hazard into an economic opportunity.”
Next Steps for Ghana’s Circular Economy
While celebrating milestones, stakeholders acknowledged that the work isn’t over. With e-waste continuing to be one of the fastest-growing global waste streams, they called for stronger enforcement, ongoing innovation, and strategic partnerships to maintain progress.
As Ghana now positions itself as a potential regional leader in sustainable electronics, the legacy of the SRI Project offers a blueprint — one that puts health, dignity, and opportunity at the center of environmental justice.
