The Problem and Solution

In my last blog, I introduce you to a toxic city called Agbogbloshie and how it is one of the biggest dump site in Africa. Also I talk about how life is there for young children because they are the primary victim who risk their health to earn a living.Today, I will be talking about the health issues that the people of Agbogbloshie is facing from E-waste and the solution to this problem.

Health issues in Agbogbloshie.

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The majority of the people living or working in Agbogbloshie are facing some major health issues.
They are susceptible to many illnesses and injuries from hazardous materials. According to an article about health-seeking behaviors published on the website of BMC Public Health, public health, these include chest and respiratory-track associated symptoms, body pain due from injuries, stomach pain, malaria, and dizziness. Most of the workers are exposed to the metals from old electronic devices as they are trying to burn them and get useful materials out of them. The workers don't have places to sleep after working and scraping out metals, therefore they will sleep in an open area risking mosquito bites. They face various injuries each day trying to take metals out of old devices. These metals can injure their skin. They also use hammers to destroy old television screens and this can lead to them harming themselves.

Seeking health behavior 

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Developing country like Ghana lack access to health care and can't afford seeing the doctor for proper care. When there's a treat to the workers health, they will refuse to receive a proper medical care. However, when they feel really ill throughout the day, they will end up going to a drug store to get a pain killer. There are also traditional medicine made by local people that don't cost a lot and according to BMC Public Health, they interview one of the worker in agbogbloshie about how he takes care of his health and according to the worker, he will buy a traditional medicine that cost less than a dollar to get rid of the pain. They prefer traditional medicine because it is cheaper than drug store or seeing a doctor but when it doesn't work, they will go to the drug store just to avoid going to the hospital because the hospital will cost them a lot. Workers sometimes believe that their condition is not serious enough to seek for healthcare and will rather stay home until they feel better. E-waste worker are very comfortable communicating with drug store owners than communicating with the doctors. They are able to tell their problem to drug store owners without having any difficulties. Some have credit arrangement with these owners in a way that they can buy a drug and pay back later.

Solution

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As I mention earlier in my other post that Ghana doesn't have a law relating to waste management but recently, according to Ghana Government parliament just passed a law to control hazardous and E-wasted management. This law will manage and provide safely control of electronic waste throughout the country. Develop countries like Germany who also send their old electronic devices to Ghana are planing to support E waste disposal that will be helpful to the worker and the community of Agblogboshie. They are helping the people of Ghana to build a better facility where materials can be brought and sold while processed safely. According to Pius Amihere Ghana is also saving 30 million of dollars on health impact and more facilities relating to E waste.

This is the end of my blog and hope you enjoy reading and learning more about the great country of Ghana and now you know where your old electronic device is going and the damage it is causing to the people of Ghana.