The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has urged businesses, food vendors, consumers and the general public to prepare for Ghana’s ban on Styrofoam products, which will take effect on 1 January 2027.
The Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, said greater public awareness and compliance would be crucial to ensuring a smooth transition to more sustainable alternatives.
She made the call while speaking as the guest speaker at this year’s Central Expo, held at the Adisadel School Park.
Prof. Browne Klutse said the widespread use and improper disposal of Styrofoam, particularly takeaway food packs, were contributing to the country’s growing plastic pollution problem.
She said the materials were difficult to manage after use and often ended up in drains, water bodies and other parts of the environment.
“Protecting the environment requires responsible choices and collective commitment from all sectors of society,” she said, urging the public to begin preparing for the ban ahead of its implementation.
The EPA chief also stressed that the transition could not be left to government alone.
She called for cooperation among government agencies, businesses, food vendors, consumers and other stakeholders to ensure that suitable and environmentally friendly alternatives were adopted.
Prof. Browne Klutse said the EPA had already begun public sensitisation and stakeholder engagement programmes in Accra and Kumasi to explain the reasons behind the ban and encourage the use of alternatives.
She urged businesses and consumers to use the remaining time to adjust their practices and prepare for the January 2027 deadline.
The ban forms part of efforts to address the environmental challenges associated with plastic waste and promote more sustainable practices in Ghana.
