Minister designate for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman Rawlings, has told the Environmental Protection Agency to hold the line and enforce the January 1, 2027 Styrofoam ban without hesitation.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, the Korle Klottey lawmaker insisted that the state cannot afford to delay eliminating polystyrene foam products, commonly used across the food industry as takeaway packs.
She stressed that the environmental destruction left in the wake of single use foam is simply too severe for policymakers to overlook, demanding decisive action to reduce its impact.
Back to the Basics on Waste Habits
Reflecting on changing consumer culture, Dr Agyeman Rawlings pointed out that Ghana's addiction to single use containers is a relatively recent habit that can absolutely be unlearned.
“Not to belittle the issue, but I remember as children, when you wanted to go for Auntie Naa’s rice, you took your own pot to go and buy the rice, and I am not sure at which point putting plastic within plastic became the norm, and I think it comes down to a change in behaviour.” - Dr Zanetor
While admitting that altering entrenched public habits takes time, she noted that regulatory firmness is key to forcing real compliance.
The proposed restriction will outlaw the manufacturing, importation, commercial distribution, sale, and use of all polystyrene foam containers nationwide.
“Obviously, behaviour change is something that can take time, but it can be incentivised, or you can put penalties in place.
"It comes down to how we enforce the ban and the seriousness with which we seek to address this. I stand by the fact that the ban timeline has to be maintained.” - Dr Zanetor
EPA Must Hold the Line
The nominee commended recent public awareness drives, noting that the regulatory body had already hit the ground in Kumasi to prepare the public for the shift.
“The dangers around the use of polystyrene cannot be glossed over, and it has to be done,” she urged the committee.
Education without strict enforcement will inevitably fall flat. For Zanetor, the growing waste crisis requires swift administrative courage as part of broader efforts to promote environmentally responsible practices.
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