By Abdullahi Lukman
Ghana is set to ban the importation and local production of Styrofoam as part of a broader effort to address environmental pollution and reduce plastic waste.
President John Dramani Mahama made this announcement on Thursday, June 5, during the launch of the 2025 National Tree Planting Exercise.
The president described Styrofoam—commonly used for food packaging—as one of the most harmful pollutants in the country.
He said its widespread usage and careless disposal have made it a major contributor to environmental degradation, particularly in urban areas where single-use plastics are prevalent.
“One of the biggest polluters is Styrofoam plastics—where you go and buy your food, and they put it in that
whitish something.
You finish eating and just dump it.
That is one of the biggest environmental problems,” President Mahama stated.
“We are going to ban the importation and production of Styrofoam plastics.”
He emphasized the need for immediate action, urging manufacturers and importers to begin transitioning to alternative packaging materials.
The Ministry of Environment, according to the president, will soon begin the formal process of instituting the ban and ensuring compliance through relevant policy measures.
As part of the transition, President Mahama encouraged the use of more sustainable alternatives such as paper packaging and aluminium foil, which are less harmful to the environment and easier to recycle or decompose.
The proposed ban is aligned with the government’s broader environmental sustainability agenda.
It comes at a time when Ghana is intensifying efforts to combat climate change, restore degraded forests, and reduce the volume of non-biodegradable waste in its cities and waterways.
The announcement was made at the ceremonial launch of the national tree planting initiative, which aims to plant millions of trees across the country in 2025.
The exercise is one of several government programs designed to promote environmental consciousness and restore Ghana’s rapidly declining forest cover.
Environmental experts and civil society organizations have long advocated for stricter regulations on single-use plastics in Ghana.
If implemented, the Styrofoam ban would mark a significant step toward cleaner cities, healthier ecosystems, and a more sustainable future for the country.