The German Development Cooperation, together with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), has successfully inaugurated the first all-female Scrap Dealer Association (LEWSA) into the Suame Magazine Industrial Development Organisation (SMIDO), the umbrella association of artisan organisations in Suame Magazine.

This integration ensures LEWSA’s inclusion and representation in decision-making processes and dialogue with public actors, as well as strengthens their roles in the e-waste and scrap value chain.

The Suame Magazine Market in Kumasi has long been an artisan landmark for anyone seeking experienced welders, mechanics, and scrap traders in Ghana.

Established in response to the ban on spare part imports in the 1990s and located in the heart of the city, the market has grown considerably, covering more than 200 acres of land and employing around 15,000 workers specialising in artisanry — from end-of-life vehicle dismantling and plastic waste recycling to trading scrap from electronic devices.

Female scrap workers are one of the most vulnerable groups in Suame Magazine.

Working in a male-dominated sector, they are often confronted with lower bargaining power and less inclusion in dialogues about pricing, safety, and necessary technical training — despite their vital role in the scrap value chain.

To reduce these gaps, the German Development Cooperation and MESTI have spent the past five years working with women in the scrap industry in Kumasi to enhance environmental awareness, introduce safety standards in scrapyards, and provide training for workers.

Through this collaboration, the Ladies in E-Waste and Scraps Association (LEWSA) was launched in 2023.

Since their inception, they have received technical training, registered over 350 new members, developed safe trade guidelines for women in business, and acquired a fleet of tricycles to support their activities.

Emmanuella Serwaa Gyawu from ECOCENT Recycling expressed excitement about LEWSA’s integration into SMIDO: “The women’s confidence has grown since the formation of the association. For the first time in trade, they have approached the police, soliciting support and protection, as well as input to streamline their business.”

The event was attended by key stakeholders, including government officials from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly, and two Assistant Commanders of Police.

They congratulated the association and emphasised that the integration of LEWSA into SMIDO would help protect them from fraudulent traders.

The E-Waste Project is commissioned by the German Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and implemented in Ghana by GIZ, in partnership with MESTI. The project aims to improve the conditions for handling e-waste in Ghana.