Ghana Declares War on Styrofoam: Mahama Announces Bold Ban to Clean Up the Nation

Ghana to Ban Styrofoam Packaging in Push for Greener Future – Mahama Announces on World Environment Day

President John Dramani Mahama has announced a sweeping environmental policy that will see the production and importation of styrofoam food containers banned in Ghana. The decision, revealed during World Environment Day 2025 celebrations at the Kwabenya Community Day School, is part of a broader strategy to combat plastic pollution and promote sustainable living.

“We will ban the importation and production of styrofoam in Ghana. Food packaging will shift to paper or aluminium foil,” President Mahama declared, urging manufacturers and importers to prepare for the shift.

The Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology is expected to enforce the new regulation in the coming months. This move will impact a range of businesses, particularly food vendors, takeaway services, importers, and local manufacturers who rely on styrofoam due to its low cost.

Styrofoam, a common form of single-use plastic, has long been criticised by environmental experts for its non-biodegradable nature and harmful effects on drainage systems, marine life, and human health. Mahama emphasized that plastic waste is a growing national crisis, clogging gutters, polluting farmlands, and choking urban waterways.

“If we do nothing, plastics could outweigh fish in our oceans by 2050,” the president warned, citing global projections.

The styrofoam ban is part of a wider range of initiatives under Ghana’s National Plastics Management Policy, which compels producers and importers to take responsibility for the lifecycle of their plastic products. The government has also updated its Solid Waste Management Strategy, with the goal of cutting plastic landfill waste by 60% by 2030.

Several cities, including Tamale and Takoradi, are already testing waste separation programs using colour-coded bins, with promising early results. Mahama praised entrepreneurs who are turning plastic waste into useful products such as building materials, textiles, and fuel briquettes. He pointed to the recycled plastic bins presented at the event as a sign of Ghana’s innovation and progress.

In addition to the ban, President Mahama unveiled the One Tree Per Child initiative. Each schoolchild across the country will receive a seedling to plant and nurture, supported by teachers, forestry officers, and traditional leaders. The initiative aims not only to plant millions of trees by 2030 but also to nurture environmental responsibility in Ghana’s youth.

The president also reiterated a government directive to phase out wooden furniture in public schools, replacing them with desks made from recycled plastic or metal in an effort to curb deforestation.

President Mahama ended with a powerful message to the nation:

“To every Ghanaian, I issue a simple challenge: pledge not to litter, reduce your plastic use, and plant and care for at least one tree. Let us lead by example, refuse single-use plastics, and build a clean, green Ghana together.”