The Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, through its Justice, Peace and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Commission, is collaborating with Missio Aachen in Germany to establish a training workshop at the Agbogbloshie scrapyard, aimed at equipping unemployed residents with skills in recycling and crafting e-waste materials into valuable products.
The initiative forms part of the pastoral work by the Archdiocese’s priests at Agbogbloshie, known as the “City of God”, where over two decades of ministry have supported scrap dealers, traders, and their families despite the site’s challenges as Ghana’s primary hub for electronic and metal waste.
This was announced during a press conference at the Holy Spirit Cathedral on 19th March, 2026, where Most Rev. Anthony Narh Asare, one of the Auxiliary Bishops of the Catholic Archdiocese of Accra, delivered details on the partnership.
He noted, “The Church identifies with the plight of the poor, providing dignified livelihoods, empowering capable hands and creating a culture of self-reliance”.
During the press conference, Jörg Nowak, Deputy Press Officer of Missio Aachen, expressed concerns over the poor waste management in Agbogbloshie.
He said, “We don’t want Ghana to be the waste bin of Germany or any other Western country”, stressing the need to break cycles of environmental pollution and human exploitation.
Jörg Nowak also expressed optimism about the upcoming training, highlighting the creativity of a Muslim craftsman, named Iddrisu at Agbogbloshie, who has been supported to produce religious artifacts from e-waste, including thousands of medals and the standout “City of God” Recycle Cross.
He added, “The conditions in Agbogbloshie market are bad, and they have to be changed. But you are so creative in recycling, and Germany has a big problem because we don’t recycle enough. We are not able to recycle. There is so much dump in the old mobile phones. We can learn so much from each other.”
Sr. Mercy Benson, SSpS, Provincial Superior of the Missionary Sisters, Servants of the Holy Spirit, Ghana Province, also described the initiative as a “two-way project”, highlighting e-waste recycling and community support.
She noted, “…with the help of funds from Missio, in collaboration with the Archdiocese of Accra, we have been able to raise the dignity of some local artists”.
Sr. Mercy also described the initiative as “Laudato Si in action”, adding, “ We know Pope Francis came up with his encyclical, which encouraged all of us to take care of our Mother Earth, which is our home. When we take care of Mother Earth, she also takes care of us.”
City of God, in Old Fadama Slum, was started by a Franciscan Priest called Fr. Arcadio Sicher, who made a choice to live in the slum near the infamous electronic dumping ground of Agbogbloshie in Accra.
Since 2012, City of God or Holy Bakhita, Agbogbloshie, has been managed by Fr. Subash Chittilappilly and continues to improve the living conditions of the slum dwellers with a keen interest in education and health care.
By: Veronica Sena Amenya//Newswatchgh.com
