The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has warned traders, manufacturers and food vendors that unsold Styrofoam products will be confiscated and destroyed when Ghana’s nationwide ban on expanded polystyrene foam products takes effect on January 1, 2027.

EPA Chief Executive Officer Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse gave the warning during the Savannah Regional launch of the national campaign against Styrofoam in Damongo, urging businesses and consumers to prepare for the enforcement deadline by switching to reusable containers and environmentally friendly packaging.

The warning leaves traders with limited time to clear their stocks and find alternatives, as the authority prepares to enforce restrictions on the production, importation, distribution, sale and use of the products for commercial and domestic purposes.

Styrofoam is widely used in Ghana for takeaway food packs, disposable cups, plates and other food containers. However, concerns over its environmental impact have intensified pressure on authorities to curb its use and promote more sustainable packaging.

Ghana’s plastic waste problem remains significant. The World Bank has estimated that the country generates more than 3,000 tonnes of plastic waste daily, while less than half is collected and only about 9.5 per cent is recycled. These figures reflect the wider waste-management challenge facing the country, although they are not specific to Styrofoam.

In the Savannah Region, officials have also raised concerns about the impact of plastic pollution on animals, aquatic life and the environment. The Savannah Regional EPA Director warned that waste pollution was affecting important tourist attractions, including Mole National Park, raising concerns about the consequences for wildlife conservation and tourism.

The Savannah Regional Minister has called on traditional and religious leaders to intensify public education in their communities and congregations. The minister urged them to help ensure that residents understand the impending ban and begin making the necessary changes before enforcement starts.

Under the planned restrictions, expanded polystyrene foam products intended for commercial and domestic use will be prohibited from January 1, 2027. Products intended strictly for medical, scientific, laboratory and diagnostic purposes will be exempt, subject to regulatory control.

The Ghana Police Service is also expected to support enforcement, working with whistleblowers and members of the public to identify offenders for arrest and prosecution once the ban comes into full force.

The EPA’s message is clear: businesses and consumers must begin preparing now, as the authority moves to end the widespread use of disposable foam products and tackle their environmental consequences.

For traders, manufacturers and food vendors, the deadline means finding alternatives before the new restrictions take effect, rather than waiting until enforcement begins.

EA