Urban planning trends on e-waste management in Ghanaian cities

Abstract

This paper examines urban planners' perspectives on the e-waste conundrum and corresponding urban planning response towards promoting e-waste inclusivity and managing associated impacts. The paper is based on an extensive review of nine urban planning documents and interviews with five environment and/or e-waste related institutions and informal e-waste recyclers at the Agbogbloshie Processing Site in Accra, Ghana. Findings of the paper showed that urban planning has been ineffective in positively shaping Ghana's e-waste sector. Urban planning initiatives on e-waste management have remained reactionary, instead of becoming future-oriented. There is insufficient e-waste related policies and a general lack of focus on e-waste management. Officials reported of logistical and financial constraints, weak agency framework and coordination; a situation which have hampered efforts in employing urban planning as a tool to managing Ghana's e-waste sector. An important entry point is the need to consciously understand, localise and integrate e-waste issues into urban planning efforts. This should be done by recognising the importance of improving awareness on e-waste issues; finding a place for informal e-waste recycling through re-examination of existing planning regimes; and developing a clear and efficient institutional framework for an improved sector and a more sustainable urban environment.