What a scrapyard in Ghana can teach us about innovation | DK Osseo-Asare

TL;DR

Discover Agbogbloshie, a neighborhood in Accra that challenges the stereotype of being the world's largest e-waste dump, and instead showcases the innovative potential of scrap recycling and makerspaces.

Transcript

Come with me to Agbogbloshie, a neighborhood in the heart of Accra, named after a god that lives in the Odaw River. There's a slum, Old Fadama, built on land reclaimed from the Korle Lagoon, just before it opens into the Gulf of Guinea. There's a scrapyard here where people take apart all kinds of things, from mobile phones to computers, automobile... Read More

Key Insights

• 🌍 Agbogbloshie, a neighborhood in Accra, is known for its scrapyard where devices from around the world are taken apart. It represents the downside of technology and the problem of planned obsolescence.
• 🔬 Scrap dealers in Agbogbloshie engage in "urban mining" to recover valuable materials from electronic waste, such as copper, aluminum, and printed circuit boards.
• 💡 Agbogbloshie is a hub for repair workshops and technicians who refurbish electrical and electronic equipment, making them available as used products for consumers who can't afford new ones.
• 🔧 The skills and knowledge of making and repairing are passed on through generations, through active learning and hands-on experience.
• 📱 A platform called Spacecraft has been developed to bring together young people from different backgrounds and disciplines, allowing them to collaborate and develop new machines and tools using repurposed materials.
• ♻️ Agbogbloshie is a pioneer of circular economy practices, with cobblers, women, and welders repurposing materials to make new products, such as cookstoves, clothing, and ornaments.
• 💪 The innovation engine in Agbogbloshie combines the practical know-how of makers in the informal sector with the technical knowledge of students and young professionals in STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics).
• 🌍 The Sankofa symbol represents the need to draw on the past and learn from existing methods and models to create an inclusive future for Africa. Connecting tech hubs and grassroots makers is crucial in this process.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is Agbogbloshie known for?

Agbogbloshie is known for its scrapyard, which has become a symbol of the downside of technology due to the problem of planned obsolescence. The scrapyard is famous for taking apart various items, such as mobile phones, computers, automobiles, and even airplanes.

Q: What is the process of "urban mining" in Agbogbloshie?

In Agbogbloshie, "urban mining" refers to the process of recovering valuable materials from electronic waste. Scrap dealers in Agbogbloshie recover copper, aluminum, steel, glass, plastic, and printed circuit boards from discarded devices. This process is more efficient than traditional mining, as there is often more gold, silver, platinum, and other valuable materials in one ton of electronics than in one ton of mined ore.

Q: How do scrap dealers in Agbogbloshie contribute to repairing and refurbishing electrical and electronic equipment?

Scrap dealers in Agbogbloshie do not destroy functional components. Instead, they supply these components to repair workshops and technicians who refurbish electrical and electronic equipment. These refurbished products are then sold to consumers who may not be able to afford new devices.

Q: What can we learn from Agbogbloshie?

Agbogbloshie teaches us the importance of understanding how our devices work and what they are made of. It demonstrates the value of dismantling and recovering materials from discarded items. Additionally, Agbogbloshie highlights the potential of collaboration between informal sector makers and professionals in STEAM fields to drive innovative solutions and sustainable practices.

Q: How does the Spacecraft platform help connect makers, scrap dealers, and end users?

The Spacecraft platform, developed by collaborating with young people from various backgrounds, consists of a makerspace kiosk, customizable tool kits, and a trading app. This platform allows makers to find the resources, tools, and materials they need to create their desired products. It also helps end users connect with makers who can repair or create specific items they are looking for. The trading app also helps scrap dealers find new buyers and incentivizes them to green their recycling processes.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Agbogbloshie in Accra, Ghana is known for its scrapyard where people dismantle various items, including electronics, to recover valuable materials like copper and aluminum through a process called "urban mining."

• The scrap dealers in Agbogbloshie supply functional components to repair workshops, allowing refurbished electrical equipment to be sold as used products to those who cannot afford new ones.

• Agbogbloshie exemplifies a culture of making, where artisans repurpose materials from the waste stream to create new products, demonstrating the potential of grassroots innovation and the circular economy.