The first HOC for e-waste in Ghana, and the first of its kind in the West African region, was commissioned by the Ghanaian Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation in Accra, Ghana, on October 25, 2004. The commissioning took place in the presence of representatives from BMZ, KfW Development Bank, GOPA Infra GmbH, and other stakeholders and guests. The new HOC is the cornerstone of Ghana's national e-waste system, designed to channel e-waste to environmentally sound recycling practices.

The rising usage of electronic devices such as computers, mobile phones, TV sets, and refrigerators in Ghana signals increasing prosperity and offers significant opportunities for the country. However, this also presents a substantial challenge: once their useful life ends, these devices turn into toxic e-waste. The problem is exacerbated by the short lifespan of many second-hand devices imported into Ghana, about 15% of which are non-functional upon arrival, violating international conventions.

Although there are formal recycling and waste management companies in Ghana, they currently represent a small fraction of overall e-waste collection and recycling activities due to their less profitable cost structures compared to informal collectors and recyclers. However, the hazardous recycling and disposal practices prevalent in the informal sector pose serious threats to human health, the environment, and contribute to climate change.

Since July 2018, GOPA Infra GmbH, on behalf of KfW Development Bank, has been supporting the Ghanaian Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI) and its partners to establish an incentive mechanism based on the principles of extended producer responsibility (EPR) for circular economy and sound e-waste recycling. This support includes the construction and operation of the HOC, which serves as the logistical hub for the reception, storage, and environmentally sound channelling of collected e-waste for recycling. The project’s core funds are allocated to finance incentives for collecting and recycling the most hazardous types of e-waste. Additionally, the project aims to provide a blueprint for the newly established National E-Waste Fund, using this initiative as a precursor. The project will run until January 2026.