The Dark Side of E-Waste: Ghana's Cyber Economy in Crisis

This chapter examines the complexities of electronic waste export from the United States to Ghana, where the drive to build a cyber economy clashes with the reality of importing low-quality, hazardous electronics. It highlights the environmental and health repercussions faced by local communities as they attempt to salvage value from this toxic waste, illustrating the colonial legacies interwoven with modern economic exploitation. Through a broader lens, the chapter also addresses the global waste trade, including issues related to shipbreaking, plastic waste management, and the dangerous conditions faced by workers in various regions handling discarded materials.