Ghana to ban single-use polystyrene food containers amid climate push

GHANA – Ghana has announced a decisive move to ban the importation, manufacture, and use of single-use polystyrene foam food containers as part of a broader environmental strategy aimed at restoring forest cover and combating climate change.

President John Mahama made the announcement during the national launch of Ghana’s climate initiative, which also seeks to enhance sustainability and reduce plastic pollution.

Describing polystyrene, commonly known as Styrofoam, as one of the “most pernicious polluters,” President Mahama highlighted the urgent need to tackle the environmental burden caused by discarded plastic food containers.

“You buy your food, and they put it in that white plastic something. You finish eating, you dump it, and that’s one of the biggest polluters. So we are going to ban the importation of styrofoam plastics,” he declared.

Alternatives such as paper-based and aluminium foil packaging have been identified as potential replacements for foam containers, a move that aligns Ghana with a growing number of African nations that have taken regulatory steps to reduce single-use plastics.

Countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria, Uganda, Somalia, and South Africa have already enacted various bans on plastic bags or packaging to curb pollution and promote environmental health.

However, the proposed ban has drawn mixed reactions from stakeholders in Ghana’s plastics sector.

Ebbo Botwe, President of the Ghana Plastic Manufacturers’ Association, acknowledged the environmental issues surrounding polystyrene but urged the government to engage in broader industry consultations before implementing any measures.

“Styrofoam contains only about 4% to 5% plastic, the rest is air,” he explained. “It’s more of an eyesore than a plastic hazard.”

Botwe stressed the need for a balanced policy informed by facts, warning that a blanket ban could harm manufacturers, workers, and end-users alike.

Instead of an outright ban, the association advocates for greater investment in recycling infrastructure, waste segregation systems, and public education to manage plastic pollution more effectively.

The industry also highlights the benefits of polystyrene, including its recyclability, thermal insulation, lightweight properties, and strength, arguing that these characteristics make it a viable packaging material when managed responsibly.

Ghana’s announcement follows the country’s imposition of a 5% excise tax on plastic packaging in 2023, signalling a growing policy shift toward extended producer responsibility (EPR) and environmental accountability.

If implemented, the ban on polystyrene would be a landmark step in Ghana’s environmental policy, positioning it as a regional leader in sustainable waste management.

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