Ghana generates between 800,000 and one million tonnes of plastic waste every year. This substantial amount highlights a growing environmental problem for the country. Environmental researcher Israel Boakye Acheampong shared these findings. He is the Director of Research at Africa Environmental Sanitation Consult. This plastic waste is part of an estimated six million tonnes of total waste produced in Ghana annually.
The volume of plastic waste is significant. Population growth, urbanisation, and economic activity all influence this figure. While Ghana’s plastic output is less than that of larger nations like Nigeria, the issue remains serious. It needs well-planned interventions to manage effectively. Plastics make up a small part of the total waste. However, they pose greater environmental risks because they do not break down easily. This persistence causes long-term damage.
These figures are crucial for understanding Ghana’s environmental policy landscape. The government is planning a ban on styrofoam packaging. Acheampong supports this ban. He noted that styrofoam is particularly hard to recycle. It is made of about 95 percent air. This makes collecting and recycling it very difficult. Styrofoam can also be risky for health. This is especially true when it holds hot food. However, Acheampong warned that bans are not enough on their own. They need to be part of bigger, system-wide changes.
Acheampong described the situation as one that “must be engineered.” He advocates a mix of strategies. These include strong regulations, better infrastructure, and financial rewards for good behaviour. He also stressed the importance of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) policies. These policies would make companies responsible for their products' full lifecycle. Producers that put plastics on the market must help recover and recycle them. He also highlighted the need for strict enforcement. People do not litter in countries with consequences. Ghana needs systems for monitoring and penalties for dumping waste.
Looking at solutions, Acheampong cautioned that alternative packaging must be carefully studied. Switching to paper without proper analysis could create new problems. For example, it could lead to deforestation. To help businesses adapt, he called for financial help for small companies. Strong cooperation between the government, businesses, and research groups is also necessary. He believes the 2027 deadline for the styrofoam ban is achievable. This depends on continuous public education and coordination of policies. He stated that progress will be incremental. Ghana’s sanitation issues are not unique. Many developed countries faced similar problems before. They overcame them through focused policies and investments. The key is how Ghana responds to its challenges.