Ghana is set to implement a nationwide ban on styrofoam food packaging, President John Dramani Mahama has announced, describing the material as “one of the most pernicious polluters” affecting the country’s environment.
Speaking during a public address on Thursday, President Mahama confirmed that the government will soon outlaw both the importation and local production of styrofoam – widely used for takeaway food containers – as part of a broader drive to curb plastic pollution and promote environmental sustainability.
“When you go to buy your food and they put it in that white plastic something… and then you finish eating, you just dump it. That is one of the biggest polluters,” Mr Mahama said, painting a stark picture of the everyday habits contributing to the country’s waste crisis.
Styrofoam, a type of non-biodegradable plastic, can persist in the environment for centuries. In Ghana, it is a major contributor to the estimated 1.1 million metric tonnes of plastic waste generated annually. Only a fraction – less than 10% – is formally recycled.
Environmental experts have long warned that plastic waste is clogging drainage systems, exacerbating flooding in cities such as Accra, and polluting rivers and farmland.
The President said the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, will replace styrofoam packaging with alternatives such as paper and aluminium foil.
“Soon we’re going to ban the importation and production of styrofoam in Ghana. Our food packaging will be made from paper and also from aluminium material,” he said.
Manufacturers and importers of styrofoam have been urged to begin preparations for the transition, with officials expected to announce details of the phase-out period in the coming weeks.
The move forms part of Ghana’s wider environmental strategy, which includes efforts to overhaul waste management infrastructure and support the development of a greener economy.
The upcoming ban is expected to significantly reduce pollution, improve sanitation, and help mitigate the impact of flooding in urban areas.
Source:TheDotNews