A REPORT ON CARITAS GHANA AT THE WORLD’S LARGEST DIGITAL FAIR - RE: PUBLICA ACCRA 2018

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 BACKGROUND OF RE: PUBLICA

Re: publica stems from a Latin phrase, “Res

Publica” which translates to “Public matter”.

It is a three-day conference held annually in

Europe (Berlin) which deals with social

network platforms aimed at tackling topics

ranging from media and culture, politics and

technology to entertainment. This event or

digital festival is organized by the operators

of the German blogs Spreeblick and

netzpolitik.org and it is said to be Europe’s

largest internet and digital society conference. The first Re: publica was held on 11th to 13th April,

2007 and attracted about 700 visitors. Over the years, it grew to over 7000 participants and 450

speakers in May, 2017 and individual years had a targeted focus topic such as Data Protection in

2008 and Intellectual Property Rights and Political Aspects of Internet Usage in 2009.

On August 10, 2018, it was announced that for the first time in a decade’s history of Re: publica,

the digital festival was to be launched on African soil and in Ghana (specifically in Accra) in

cooperation with the Federal Ministry for Economic Development and Cooperation (BMZ) as its

main partner and organized by Impact Hub Accra on 14th and 15th December, 2018. The aim of

this stepping stone was to strengthen dialogue, share ideas of digital technologies in social and

economic challenges and also to utilize digitization and development work between Africa and

Germany. In May of 2018, the BMZ provided an agenda item with the motto “the Next Level” as

a way of bridging the digital gap between continents. (Kuuire, 2018)

During Re: publica Accra, about 32 countries represented, 274 speakers and over 2,000

international participants came together in Accra International Trade Fair Center (the Round

Pavilion) to discuss pertaining digital and societal issues including access to adequate social

amenities, waste management, future technology, women in tech, tech for good and Data

security and answering questions such as net neutrality, data protection and civil rights with a

global livestream. Also, the Federal Minister of BMZ announced the extension of the regional

program “Make-IT” in Ghana in order to open up opportunities for potential entrepreneurs in

the digital sector of the partnered countries. (Ayitey, 2018)

1.2 CARITAS GHANA E-WASTE PROJECT

In accordance with the second encyclical ‘Laudato Si’ of Pope Francis, the Ghana Catholic Bishops’

Conference (GCBC) assigned Caritas Ghana to develop structures for sustainable E-waste

management. As such, the Caritas Ghana E-waste project, “Care for our common home” was

launched in October 2017. The main aim of this project is to ensure environmentally safe

methods of collecting, dismantling and transporting e-waste. Activities of the project are guided

by Act 917 and approved by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Furthermore, as a social

non-profit organization, Caritas Ghana mobilizes and trains the unemployed youth of Ghana in

order to develop new prospects for their future.

2.0 CARITAS GHANA AT RE: PUBLICA 2018

This section presents the preparations and the installation of the

stand of the Caritas Ghana e-waste campaign. These are mainly

Details of mobilization

Additional items

Partner’s contribution

Public Education and Sensitization

2.1 DETAILS OF MOBILIZATION

Staff Representation and visitors: There were seven (7) Caritas Ghana Staff on regular shifts

since the program lasted for twelve (12) hours on both days. They included Ladje Vonde,

Samuel Zan Akologo, Emmanuel Obodai Sodza, Georg Kerkloh, Joshua Opoku, Priscilla Zan

and Shadrack Armah. The team was appreciated and supported by the visit of Rev. Fr. Lazarus

Anondee, Secretary General of the National Catholic Secretariat. In addition to the Caritas

Ghana staff, two representatives of the City Waste Recycling Limited, Jürgen Meinel and

Vivian Ahiayibor, participated during the exhibition. GIZ’s E-Waste team supported Caritas

Ghana’s participation and their key staff including Markus Spitzbart, Alexander Batteiger and

Veronika Johannes were regular visitors at our stand. Some staff of Government, Ministries,

Departments and Agencies also visited the Caritas Ghana stand.

Mobilizing a collection center to the venue: In order to simulate a real collection point,

Emmanuel Obodai Sodza (Caritas Ghana) ensured a safe transportation of the collection

container from the National Catholic Secretariat to the Round Pavilion of the Accra

International Trade Fair center on 9th December, 2018 and transported it after the Re: publica

festival to its final destination; St. Ignatius Loyola Parish (Spintex Road) on 16th December,

2018.

Public Relations Materials: PR materials and souvenirs branded with the Caritas Ghana E-

waste Campaign were organized and distributed to staff and the public as a way of promoting

the Caritas Ghana E-Waste Campaign brand to a wider audience. These included t-shirts,

caps, stickers, complementary cards, roll up banners, a banner, calendars, pens, handouts,

concept notes and key holders.

Exhibited products: At the Caritas Ghana stand, some basic e-waste products were

showcased. These included system unit, computer parts, extension sockets, laptops, just to

name a few.

2.2 PARTNER’S ADDITIONAL ITEMS AND PRODUCTS

City Waste Recycling Ltd as a partner showcased some dismantled and recycled E-waste products

at the Caritas Ghana exhibition stand. Some recycled and reused products included, processed

copper chippings obtained from copper wires, a salad bowl from a washing machine, key holders

and ornaments made from a CPU, necklaces made with wires etc. They also made available some

handouts and a few PR materials for publicity.

2.3 PUBLIC EDUCATION AND SENSITIZATION

Apart from the one on one discussions

with participants of the exhibition, Mr.

Samuel Zan Akologo; the Executive

Secretary of Caritas Ghana was given a

makerspace platform of Re: Publica to

educate the public about the concept and

way forward of the project on 15th

December, 2018 from 15:00 to 17:00 pm.

Interviews were granted and recorded by

international pressmen. Internally, the sum up of the event, particularly the Caritas Ghana stand

with support of Joshua Opoku was streamed online on the various Caritas Ghana social media

platforms which also opened avenues for potential foreign partnerships. These are still available

online at https://www.caritas-ghana.org

3.0 PUBLIC REMARKS

A visitors’ book was provided for participants to indicate their names, addresses, institutions

and their remarks about the e-waste project. On the basis of this data, it was concluded that

the public supports the project and encourages Caritas Ghana to go further with the project in

order to reduce the environmental threat and health risks posed by pollution from e-waste and

improper handling of the scrap.

4.0 KEY OUTCOMES

Participating in Re: publica Accra 2018, created an avenue for greater recognition not only

for the E-Waste campaign, but also Caritas Ghana to the general public

The online streaming of the event by the Caritas Ghana social media team created an

international platform for potential partnership contacts

The Team had an exposure and some interactions with government officials representing

their institutions during the fair

5.0 KEY LESSONS

The organizers' specifications regarding set up of the Caritas Ghana stand were very

unspecific and varied occasionally several times within a short term.

The assembling of the Caritas Ghana E-Waste stand was quiet basic and unattractive. There

is room for improvement. On the other hand, the stand was very exposed and the high

banner was an eye catcher.

The Team had a great exposure to learn more and also had some interactions with

government officials representing their institutions and other NGOs during the fair.

6.0 CONCLUSION

The event was a success for the e-waste campaign and for the brand “Caritas Ghana”. The team

looks forward to more subsequent international exhibitions.

Report by: Priscilla Zan (Caritas Ghana E-waste Project Consultant) and Georg Kerkloh (GIZ

Technical Adviser on Caritas Ghana E-waste project).

References Ayitey, C. (2018). Re:Publica Accra: a Successful Premiere. Accra: :gharage.

Kuuire, J.-A. (2018). Re:publica is heading to Ghana for the first time on December 14-15 in a partnership

with BMZ. Accra: TECH NOVA.