Dr Gerd Müller, German Federal Minister of Economic Cooperation and Development, on Thursday paid a working visit to the Old Fadama Scrap Yard in Accra.
The purpose of the visit was to enable the German Minister get first hand impression of the direct impact of the E-Waste Programme Measures on the informal sector in general; and in particular the progress of the financial cooperation by the German Development Bank (KFW) and the technical cooperation by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
Dr Müller was conducted around the Old Fadama Scrap Yard by Professor Kwabena Frimpong-Boateng, Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and Mr Mohammed Adjei Sowah, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive.
The delegation inspected on-going construction works of a Health Facility and Training Workshop, funded by the State of North–Rhine Westphalia (NRW).
The renovation of the Football Pitch with the support of Sports for Development Africa (S4DA), and the introduction of a Hand-Over Centre for cables, funded by KFW, which have been initiated by the E-Waste Programme at the Scrap Yard and as measures to accomplish the aim.
Speaking at a durbar organised in his honour, Dr Müller recounted that two years ago, he was at the Old Fadama Scrap Yard, where he saw that some of the artisans were working under unacceptable conditions.
He said their plans in collaboration with the Government of Ghana was to create new jobs and better working conditions for the young generation at Old Fadama.
“Our message to you is that the young boys and girls needs education, and then they need money of course and a better future,” he said.
He said the project marks a new beginning of a better life and a better future for the young generation; stating that “and let’s work together for a better future”.
Prof. Frimpong-Boateng told the Ghana News Agency that phase one of the project which cost $5,000,000.00 involves the construction of a Health Facility, a Training Centre and the renovation of the Football Pitch.
He said the artisans would be trained such that in dismantling the scraps, they would not be endangered.
Prof Frimpong-Boateng noted that the clinic would provide health services for both the artisans and the people of the area.
He said this would enable them to have access to good medical care; declaring that “what they are doing is so important to all of us”.
He said phase two would involve the construction of a holding centre at Kwabenya near Accra, where E-waste from various collection centres across the country would be brought and stored for it to be sold to the recycling centres.
“It is not the intension of the Government to remove people from here. We have to give them the training so that they can stay here and do their work well.
“So that they would not damage the environment, they do not damage their own health and then this country will be a better place for all of us, because there are over 20,000 people who are earning their living here,” he stated.
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