ToxiCity
The story of Agbobloshie, a graveyard for electronics... and people
Ghana is one of several African countries where electronic goods are sent once they have been discarded by developed nations. Agbogbloshie is an enormous dumping ground near Accra where digital appliances are dismantled for scrap.
The process employed by those working there involves burning off plastic casing to uncover metal components. As a result, extremely toxic chemicals are released into the environment.
Related: The Dark side of the Bangladesh's Shipbreaking Industry: deaths, injuries and child labour.
The site operates without any health and safety regulations, and every day those living and working there, including young children, are exposed to substantial health risks. Despite this, many Ghanaians still see the e-waste industry as a vital source of employment.
The grim views of ToxiCity echo the poverty and despair of African slums. Nonetheless, some Africans manage to add bright colors to their lives. In Congo, a group of ordinary working men, known as the Congo Dandies, spend a fortune on Western luxury brands. Why do they prioritize fashion above all else amid the extreme poverty? Watch our documentary The Congo Dandies. Living in poverty and spending a fortune to look like a million dollars to find out.
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Published: 05 October 2015 00:00
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Duration
25:54
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