Every day in Accra, thousands of informal e-waste collectors risk their health and safety to dismantle discarded electronics. Many walk long distances, earn unpredictable incomes, and face harassment from authorities—all without insurance or protective equipment. Women, in particular, are excluded from this work due to cultural norms, leaving them economically marginalized.

The Social Sustainability Fund Project – Towards a Living Income for (E)-Waste Pickers is changing that story. Through the Local Impact Assessment led by GreenAd, over 60 GASDA members and Argo360 suppliers were engaged in shaping practical, inclusive solutions.

Some of the transformative outcomes emerging from the project include:

• Empowered voices – Collectors directly influenced the design of interventions, ensuring solutions reflect real-life needs.
• Gender inclusion – For the first time, women are being introduced into safe dismantling roles, breaking cultural barriers and becoming role models in their communities.
• Financial resilience – Pre-financing schemes and financial literacy training are preparing collectors to manage income better, avoid predatory loans, and plan for the future.
• Safer working environments – Collectors will receive PPE, health check-ups, and formal registration IDs to reduce harassment and improve workplace dignity.

These changes represent more than just project activities—they mark a shift from survival-driven, unsafe work to dignified, sustainable livelihoods. As Phase B rolls out, GreenAd and partners will continue to scale these impacts across the sector, transforming the lives of thousands of Ghana’s e-waste pickers.