• About Us
  • Careers
  • Brand Partnerships
TFI Official Merchandise
TFI English
TFI हिन्दी
Tuesday, February 7, 2023
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
Right Arm. Round the World. FAST.
No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean
TFIGlobal
TFIGlobal
No Result
View All Result

Spain unearths the dumping cabal that has been polluting Africa’s Western coast since forever

Michael Mahanta by Michael Mahanta
January 7, 2023
in Africa, Geopolitics, Global Issues
Reading Time: 3 mins read
0
Spain unearths the dumping cabal that has been polluting Africa’s Western coast since forever
179
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

E-waste is a growing global challenge and if not dealt with effectively it can lead to a serious global health crisis. The continent that has been already battling a crisis of sort due to E-waste is Africa. For long, Africa has been treated by the rich world as the dumping ground for these waste that pose serious health and environmental hazards. Now, Spain has unearthed such a cabal that has been polluting west Africa and minting money out of it. Let’s discuss.

Smuggling of E-waste to West Africa unearthed

An organization that had sent more than 5,000 tons of hazardous electronic waste from the Canary Islands to several African countries have recently been dismantled by Spanish authorities. Electronic waste was being sent to  countries like Senegal, Nigeria, Mauritania and Ghana by the organization.

Also Read

Germany hard core PR strategies for China put to work in Africa

Kenya’s pre-emptive strategy to retain its ‘Big Brother’ image

By dumping these hazardous electronic waste in Africa the organization minted money. According to the Spanish Customs and Civil Guard, the “criminal organization that, during the last two years, had managed to send from the island of Gran Canaria to Africa more than 5,000 tons of hazardous waste of electronic devices, would have earned more than one and a half million euros” of profit.

The waste was sent by boats to the African countries. 43 people were arrested “for alleged environmental offences, forgery and membership to a criminal organization”.

(Source: Smithsonian Magazine)

Africa E-waste problem, thanks to the West

Agbogbloshie dump, is a wasteland dotted with burning mounds of trash in Ghana’s capital, Accra. It has also been referred to a “digital dumping ground” where allegedly millions of tons of e-waste are processed each year. It has also become one of the world’s largest destinations for used electronic goods.

Most workers here complain of common ailments like Burns, back problems, infected wounds, respiratory problems, chronic nausea, and debilitating headaches etc. due to the hazardous working environment and toxic air pollution. A significant proportion of this E-waste is often illegally sent from Europe and the US. Around 50 million tons of electronic waste, or e-waste, is being thrown away each year, according to a report published by the United Nations which is only projected to double by 2050.

In Ghana, the waste arrives via the Port of Tema, 20 miles to the east of the Agbogbloshie dump, mainly from the West. This has been carried out by labeling them often as “secondhand consumer products”.

At Agbogbloshie, people face various health hazards due to the high pollution levels. Skin diseases and respiratory illnesses are common here. The living conditions around these sites are inhuman and miserable. The main African recipients of e-waste are Nigeria, Ghana, and Tanzania. Kenya, Senegal and Egypt are some countries of concern too. The lack of proper waste management in the recipient developing countries, leads to environmental contamination and human exposure.

For long Africa has been treated as the dumping ground for Europe.

These toxic wastes are moved from the rich western world to the African countries where it is dismantled for valuable metals in informal settings. It results in significant human exposure to toxic substances. The improper dumping and recycling of e-waste in Africa poses health hazards to individuals of all age and children are the most vulnerable. Such a high magnitude of condescending attitude on part of the western countries questions their talks on humanity. The harmful substances released from it can pollute soil, water, air, dust and food sources.

Read More: Ghana unmasks China’s abusive and exploitative motives

Numerous studies have reported contamination of e-waste workers and local residents with toxic metals, dioxins and furans, brominated flame retardants etc at these sites. African countries have demanded tougher laws to end this influx of electronic waste from Europe. Stringent environmental laws make exporting used goods cheaper than disposing off them at home in Europe and it has turned Africa into its dumping ground.

African leaders must join hands to end this evil once and for all to protect its people, environment and resources from the exploitative intentions of the West before its too late.

Tags: Canary IslandsE-WasteGhanaSpain
ShareTweetSend
Previous Post

Lula’s arrival in CELAC is the most horrid thing Saint Vincent and Grenadines could imagine

Next Post

The report card of Western Sanctions on Russia is out. And it’s nothing you have imagined!

Also Read

US’ biggest enemies are uniting

US’ biggest enemies are uniting

February 6, 2023
China Debt

Germany hard core PR strategies for China put to work in Africa

February 6, 2023
Canada is now the world’s biggest lab of wokeness

Canada is now the world’s biggest lab of wokeness

February 6, 2023
Zimbabwe NGOs

Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa’s ‘in-house’ cleaning corners west backed NGO’s

February 6, 2023
Load More

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I agree to the Terms of use and Privacy Policy.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
US Ukraine

Russia unearths USA’s empire of terror in Ukraine

February 4, 2023
Did Ukraine use innocent civilians as human shield against Russia in the name of evacuation?

Did Ukraine use innocent civilians as human shield against Russia in the name of evacuation?

May 9, 2022
Jordan B Peterson

The proposed demise of World Economic Forum! Courtesy- Jordan B. Peterson

February 2, 2023
Mongolia’s biggest shock to China is here

Mongolia’s biggest shock to China is here

February 5, 2023
Nord Stream US

An energy-secured Germany blames US for Nord Stream sabotage for the first time

February 4, 2023
Belize’s Unwavering Support for Taiwan is China’s Worst Nightmare

Belize’s Unwavering Support for Taiwan is China’s Worst Nightmare

February 6, 2023
Bahamas luxury tourism

Bahamas is Using Luxury Tourism to Bounce Back

February 6, 2023
US’ biggest enemies are uniting

US’ biggest enemies are uniting

February 6, 2023
China Debt

Germany hard core PR strategies for China put to work in Africa

February 6, 2023
Ecuador drug

Ecuador vows to annihilate the drug menace

February 6, 2023
Youtube Twitter Facebook
TFIGlobal
  • About us
  • Contact Us
  • Terms of use
  • Privacy Policy

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

No Result
View All Result
  • Premium
  • Indo-Pacific
  • Americas
  • Canada
  • Indian Subcontinent
  • West Asia
  • Europe
  • Africa
  • The Caribbean

©2023 - TFI MEDIA PRIVATE LIMITED

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Follow us on Twitter

and never miss an insightful take by the TFIGlobal team

Follow @tfiglobal
This website uses cookies. By continuing to use this website you are giving consent to cookies being used. View our Privacy and Cookie Policy.