ToxiCity life at Agbobloshie, the world's largest e waste dump in Ghana

Summary

The video script explores Aqua Blushy, a suburb of Accra, Ghana, known as 'Sodom and Gomorrah' due to its notorious electronic waste dump. It serves as a livelihood for residents, including children, despite the severe health risks from toxic exposure. The script highlights the harsh reality of manual laborers, the illegal import of e-waste from developed countries, and the lack of enforcement of environmental laws. It also touches on the impact of the dumping on the local community and the broader implications of this global issue.

Takeaways

• 🌆 Aqua Blushy, a suburb of Accra, Ghana, is nicknamed Sodom and Gomorrah due to its status as the largest electronic waste dump on the continent.
• 👦 Emanuel Ax Candy Rika, a child who has never attended school, relies on the dump site for his livelihood, highlighting the harsh reality of child labor in the area.
• 🚫 Despite Ghanaian laws against child labor, enforcement is lax, and children are often left to work in hazardous conditions at the dump.
• 💡 The dump site provides a source of income for many, allowing them to afford at least one meal a day, despite the severe health risks involved.
• 🌐 Electronic waste from countries like the USA, Australia, Western Europe, and Asia is sent to Ghana in large quantities, exacerbating the pollution problem.
• 🍽 Sam Issa Abubakar, an 18-year-old, sells food at the site, illustrating the ecosystem of businesses that have grown around the dump.
• 🔬 High levels of toxic metals like lead and cadmium are present in the area, posing serious health risks to those who live and work there.
• 🏥 Health services have observed a high rate of contamination and sickness among people working at the dump, with severe consequences if untreated.
• 🌱 Victor Shaffer, a waste utilization company manager from Germany, emphasizes the high profitability of the e-waste trade, which often operates under the guise of secondhand electronics sales.
• 🏭 The lack of enforcement of environmental laws in Ghana allows the e-waste trade to continue unabated, leading to ongoing pollution and health crises.
• 🏠 Many families live in makeshift homes next to the dump site, enduring poor living conditions and the constant threat of toxic exposure.

Q & A

What is the nickname given to Aqua Blushy by local residents and why?

Local residents have nicknamed Aqua Blushy 'Sodom and Gomorrah' due to its notorious reputation as the home of the biggest electronic waste dump in Ghana, which is both a source of livelihood and a cause of severe pollution and health hazards.

How does the electronic waste dump in Aqua Blushy affect the livelihood of the people living there?

The electronic waste dump in Aqua Blushy provides a source of income for many people, including waste collectors and those who provide goods and services to the collectors. However, it also poses serious health risks, as the work involves exposure to toxins and toxic metals.

Why are children like Emanuel Ax Candy Rika working at the dump site despite Ghanaian laws forbidding child labor?

Children like Emanuel work at the dump site because it is the only way for them to sustain themselves and their families. The laws are often ignored due to the cheap labor provided by children, and the lack of enforcement allows this practice to continue.

What is the impact of the e-waste on the health of the people working at the dump site?

The e-waste contains toxins and toxic metals that can cause severe health problems, including high levels of lead and cadmium contamination. Exposure to these substances can lead to sickness and even death if left untreated.

Where does the electronic waste in Ghana come from and what is the scale of the problem?

Electronic waste in Ghana comes from countries like the USA, Australia, Western Europe, and Asia, amounting to hundreds of tons per year. The scale of the problem is immense, making it one of the most polluted areas on the African continent.

What is the role of Sam Issa Abubakar at the dump site and what are her circumstances?

Sam Issa Abubakar sells food at the dump site and has been there for two weeks. She is from the north of Ghana where there is no work, and she has not finished high school yet, indicating the desperate circumstances that lead people to work at the dump.

What are the environmental laws in Ghana regarding e-waste and why are they not effectively enforced?

Ghana has environmental laws in place to regulate e-waste, but they are not effectively enforced due to a lack of resources, corruption, and a general disregard for the law, leading to the continued dumping and processing of e-waste in the country.

How does the e-waste trade affect the broader community and environment in Aqua Blushy?

The e-waste trade not only affects the health of those working at the dump site but also has broader environmental impacts, such as pollution from burning plastics and the spread of toxins to other parts of the community, including the nearby fruit market.

What are the economic incentives for the international suppliers of e-waste to send their waste to Ghana?

International suppliers send their e-waste to Ghana because it is more profitable than properly disposing of or recycling the waste in their home countries. The trade is highly profitable, with the potential to make millions of dollars per year.

What is the situation like for the families of children working at the dump site, and how does it affect their future prospects?

The families of children working at the dump site often live in extreme poverty and have limited options for income. The work at the dump site provides immediate financial support but exposes the children to dangerous conditions that can shorten their lifespan and limit their opportunities for education and a better life.

How do the supervisors and overseers at the dump site, like Abdullah Rajamani, maintain control and what is their role in the e-waste trade?

Supervisors like Abdullah Rajamani maintain control over different sectors of the dump site and have the final say in disputes and operations. They play a key role in the e-waste trade by managing the workers and ensuring the smooth operation of the site, often at the expense of the workers' health and safety.