President John Dramani Mahama has revealed that the government will soon impose a nationwide ban on the importation and use of Styrofoam for food packaging, citing its harmful impact on the environment.
Marking World Environment Day, the President highlighted Styrofoam—commonly used for takeout food—as a significant source of pollution in Ghana. “When you go to buy your food, and they put it in that white plastic container, you eat it and then just dump it,” he said. “That is one of the biggest polluters.”
Mahama emphasised that the government, in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, will soon outlaw both the production and importation of Styrofoam. He called on manufacturers and importers to prepare for the shift, urging a transition to alternatives such as paper or aluminium foil packaging.
“We’re going to ban the importation of Styrofoam plastics,” he stated. “We have to use paper packaging or aluminium foil for packaging our food.”
He also emphasised the importance of transitioning away from landfill-based waste management and adopting sustainable practices. The pending ban, he said, forms part of a wider national policy to reduce plastic waste, protect public health, and preserve ecosystems.
Environmental groups have welcomed the move, calling it a significant step toward a more sustainable and eco-conscious Ghana.
