The Effect of Second-Hand Electrical/Electronic Appliances on the Society: A Case Study in the Wa Municipality of the Upper West Region

The aim of the research was to identify the effects of second-hand electrical/electronic appliances on society. Due to people's lack of knowledge on the effects of second-hand electrical/electronic appliances, they find it comfortable using them. The sample of the study consisted of dealers, repairers, and users of second-hand electrical/electronic appliances in the Wa Municipality, in the Upper West Region. A well- designed questionnaire for dealers, repairers, and users of these second-hand electrical/electronic appliances were used in the collection of data. The data was first collated using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) and later analyzed using several tools including tables and charts. The results showed that second-hand electrical/electronic appliances mostly patronized were television and fridges and the least being printers, scanners and electric heaters. Most of the users of these appliances do not follow any precautions when using them. The users of these appliances reported that their power consumption was very high and consequently they could not easily afford to pay their electricity bills. Besides, a lot of e-waste were being created during the disposal of these appliances which cause a lot of environmental and health problems in the society especially in the Wa Municipality in the Upper West Region. It is therefore concluded that people who earn less go in for these second-hand appliances because they cannot afford to buy the brand new ones and these appliances consume more power thereby increasing their poverty levels. The users also lack much knowledge on the negative effects of these appliances on their lives but only know of them being the source of income as reported by the dealers and repairers hence, the continued purchase and usage of these appliances.