Ghana is making notable strides in its fight against plastic pollution, thanks to growing private sector commitment and cross-sector collaboration.

At the forefront of this effort is the Voluntary Pact to Reduce Single-Use Plastics, a business-driven initiative co-developed by environmental NGO Plastic Punch and Ghanaian businesses, with support from the German Development Cooperation’s Go Circular program.

The initiative is endorsed by the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST) and the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).

The Pact brings together supermarkets, banks, and retailers nationwide with a shared goal: cutting single-use plastic (SUP) by 50% by 2030.

Drawing on international models from countries like Germany, Kenya, and Rwanda, the initiative embraces locally tailored strategies centered on consumer behavior change.

One of its flagship campaigns, “Bag the Habit of Single-Use Plastic,” encourages Ghanaians to refuse, reduce, and reuse plastic bags.

Participating supermarkets—including SNEDA, All Needs (Legon), and Neha Supermarket—have begun piloting a 50-pesewa fee on plastic bags to encourage customers to opt for reusable alternatives.

“Charging for plastic bags may seem small, but it’s a powerful behavioral nudge,” said Richmond Quarcoo, Executive Director of Plastic Punch. “It gets people thinking differently about waste,” he added.

Speaking at the 2025 World Environment Day commemoration, the Principal Programme Officer, Intersectoral Network Development at EPA, Hobson Agyapong of the EPA highlighted the initiative's collaborative strength in combatting the effects single-use plastics poses on the environment.

“Single-use plastics pose a real threat to our environment. The Voluntary Pact helps us build bridges between regulators, civil society, and businesses,” he added.

Recognizing the impact of Ghana’s dynamic food and catering sector, the Go Circular Project has also launched a Business Development Programme for Circular SMEs with Impact Footprints Africa.

SMEs are exploring sustainable alternatives like leaf-wrapped waakye, paper packaging, and reusable containers, proving that circular models can thrive in local food systems.

As momentum grows, stakeholders are calling for continued policy reforms, business innovation, and public engagement to address the single-use plastic crisis and promote a circular economy for Ghana.

SP/EB

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