(Photo )

Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Waste, 1989 (Annex Viii and iX) 2002 & 2006 – Conference to the Parties Bamako Convention on the Ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Waste

Role of Information Communication Technology (ICT) in Africa 1.Demand for ICT rises as Africa strives to develop economically 2.Market for recycled Electric and electronic devices (demand and Supply) 3.Gives rise to a regulated Eee refurb Industry (Photo 2.

Findings of E-waste Africa Programme 5 countries – Ghana, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Benin, Liberia seen as low down on the Human Development Index (HDI) and low but rising Eee penetration With the flow of used Eee into the country, comes the inevitable end of life products (e-waste), near end of life products and products with a short lifespan A major exporter of Eee and E-waste are European countries, in particular the Uk through shipping brokers or agents into ports like Ghana and Nigeria

1. High volume of e-waste and lack of clear policy regarding import and collection leads to an informal recycling industry 2. Issues in the management of this waste has negative impacts on the environment and on human health (cable burning, dumping of CRTs, soil and ash contamination) 3. Socio-economic repercussions due to casual nature of the labour force in terms of worker welfare etc Problems With Imports Due to the unrefined dismantling processes, certain scarce metals are lost such as gold found in Printed Wiring Boards (PWBS)

(Photo 4, )

Benefits Of Imports The use of best practice dismantling technology could have beneficial effects for the environment and the economy – pc mining, job creation (Photo )

Recommendations The benefits of ICT are crucial to a developing country such as Africa, stricter policy on imports could be detrimental to Africas economic wellbeing E-waste must be managed and workers trained in best practice and due care in regard to handling hazardous materials Africa should focus on developing a formal manual dismantling industry, thereby taking advantage of the large labour force. Residual fractions such as precious metals could be traded as comodities on the market. Africa should focus on developing a formal manual dismantling industry, thereby taking advantage of the large labour force. Residual fractions such as precious metals could be traded as comodities on the market. International co-operation is needed in order to limit imports of e-waste Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes will benefit Africa

References Images ,5. Online African Union Treaty, (1991). Bamako Convention on the ban on the Import into Africa and the Control of Transboundary Movement and Management of Hazardous Wastes within Africa 1991 (Online) Available: and-the-environment/bamako-convention/ (Accessed:6/2/14) Brigden, K., Labunksa, I., Santillo, D. and Johnson, P. (2008). Chemical contamiantion at e-waste recycling and disposal sites in Accra and Ghana. Amsterdam, the Netherlands: Greenpeace International Available: at-e-wa-pdf. (Accessed 6/2/14) Convention of the Parties,. (2002) Basel Convention Technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of elemental mercury and wastes containing or contaminated with mercury (Online) Available: Default.aspx. (Accessed: 6/2/14) United Nations,. (1989) Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. Basel convention (Online)Available: (Accessed: 6/2/14) Secretariat of the Basel Convention,. (2011), Where are WEEE in Africa? Findings from the Basel Convention E-waste Africa Programme (Online) Available: (Accessed 6/2/14)