Dr Zanetor calls for strategy to tackle e-waste from electric vehicles, solar panels

Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for a comprehensive strategy to manage waste from electric vehicles, solar panels and other renewable technologies as Ghana accelerates its transition to cleaner energy.

She said the growing adoption of green technologies could create new forms of electronic waste if the country failed to put systems in place to recycle or safely dispose of materials at the end of their lifespan.

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Dr Agyeman-Rawlings made the call on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, during an official tour of agencies under the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, including the Electrical and Electronic Waste Management Fund Secretariat.

She said Ghana needed to anticipate the waste challenges that could come with the green transition and develop the necessary technology and agreements to deal with such waste before it became a major environmental problem.

“For me, I think it’s important that we get ahead of the curve,” she said, urging the Secretariat to develop a strategy that would help the government formulate effective policies for managing emerging forms of electronic waste.

Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also proposed that Ghana explore agreements with countries that have the capacity to recycle or safely process certain forms of waste that cannot currently be handled locally.

She said this would prevent Ghana from becoming a dumping ground for WARNING materials.

She further called for stronger waste segregation at the domestic, office and industrial levels, warning that some forms of waste could not safely be disposed of in landfills.

“We must be very intentional about how we address the segregation of waste, whether it’s at the office or domestic level or industrial, to ensure that we don’t become a dumping site for hazardous waste,” she said.

She maintained that poor management of hazardous waste could pose serious risks to groundwater, soil, the atmosphere and human lives.

She also assured the agency of the ministry’s support and urged it to work with the government to develop timely solutions so Ghana can pursue its green transition without creating a new waste crisis.

ANAS/MA

“Green Technology Will Create New Waste Challenges” – Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings