Styrofoam Ban Won’t Be Rushed, Alternatives Being Considered - EPA

The Deputy Acting Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations at the Environmental Protection Authority, Prof. Michael Ayamga-Adongo, has clarified that the proposed ban on Styrofoam will be implemented gradually, not abruptly, to allow sufficient time for producers and consumers to adjust. The Authority says the phase-out is being carefully planned in line with available alternatives and broader environmental sustainability goals.

This follows President John Dramani Mahama’s announcement of an imminent ban on the production and use of styrofoam, citing its contribution to environmental pollution. Speaking to the media on Monday, June 9, he underscored that while addressing plastic pollution is necessary, a rushed ban could negatively affect people’s livelihoods and disrupt systems that currently rely on plastic products.

He posits that any phase-out must be based on the availability and rollout of alternatives. I have heard some people say that within two or three years, we should do away with plastics. I am not too keen on giving dates because when you are talking about these things, you are talking about livelihoods and economic systems dependent on this. You need to look at the alternatives that are available. How quickly can they be rolled out?

How can we ensure that taking away this does not endanger people? Take sachet water for example, if you take them away, you are going to expose some rural areas to unhygienic water because it is a solution somewhere, so when we are withdrawing something, we need to think of what alternatives exist, he stated. He, however, opined that the president’s proposal also presents a chance for innovation.