EPA engages Kejetia traders over planned 2027 styrofoam ban

Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), together with other authorities, has engaged traders at the Kumasi City Market, popularly known as Kejetia, as part of efforts to raise awareness about the dangers associated with styrofoam products.

The exercise, led by Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, formed part of the EPA’s nationwide awareness campaign against the use of styrofoam products.

During the interaction, the EPA boss explained to traders the need to eradicate polystyrene foam products from the system, following the government’s plan to ban their use from January 1, 2027.

The one-on-one engagement with market women followed a gathering held to officially launch the campaign in Kumasi, where dignitaries and other stakeholders addressed participants on the dangers associated with the use of styrofoam products.

Speaking at the gathering, Professor Klutse issued an urgent call on Ghanaians to stop using styrofoam food packs, mattresses and packaging materials, warning that the health and environmental consequences of single-use plastics had reached an unacceptable level.

She emphasised that the authority’s primary mandate was to safeguard the environment and public health, both of which are severely threatened by non-biodegradable waste.

“The records of health implications associated with styrofoam are becoming too many. This is the time for all of us to agree and accept that we must take a bold decision to stop eating in styrofoam packs, stop sleeping on styrofoam mattresses, and stop packaging our products with styrofoam materials.”

Professor Klutse also pointed out that poor waste management practices result in discarded styrofoam and other single-use plastics being washed directly into public drainage systems, causing widespread blockages.

She attributed recurring urban flooding in communities across Ghana, even during light rainstorms, partly to the accumulation of styrofoam debris and other plastic waste in gutters and waterways.

“After use, we are unable to dispose of these materials properly. They end up in our gutters and on our streets. When there is just a little rain, our communities get flooded. The major flooding we are experiencing today is primarily caused by styrofoam and single-use plastics choking our drainage systems.”

Reassuring food vendors, traders and consumers, the EPA clarified that the nationwide drive to eliminate styrofoam is being supported by the availability of eco-friendly and biodegradable packaging alternatives.

She stressed that the state was taking a bold and compassionate stance to protect lives and property while ensuring that the transition did not disrupt local commerce.

“We want to bring all of this suffering that Ghanaians are going through to an end, and it requires a bold decision. We are not just asking you to stop using takeaway bowls without a plan. We are providing viable, sustainable alternatives for everyone,” the EPA boss disclosed.

The EPA urged all citizens, corporate entities and local assemblies to embrace the transition to eco-friendly packaging in order to safeguard Ghana’s environment for future generations.

Nana Anim Akari, Otumfuo Tinpinhene Nifahene and President of the Ghana Traditional Caterers Association, commended the EPA and the government for taking what he described as a bold step.

He said the move was long overdue and that traditional food sellers had been waiting for such a policy.

According to him, traditional caterers had already recognised the dangers associated with using polystyrene foam products to serve food and had resorted to alternatives such as leaves.

He, however, said they were forced to abandon the practice due to a lack of support from the government.

He therefore described the government’s decision to ban styrofoam products as great news and urged all food vendors to comply with the policy.

“As traditional caterers, we saw the dangers and stopped using the styrofoam products for food packaging. But, unfortunately, we could not get any support from the government despite making our intentions known. Today, we are very happy to see the realisation of this dream, and we thank the government for that. We pledge our full support for the government and urge all food vendors to comply,” the president stated.

Ernest Afayam, Manager of the Kumasi City Market, expressed his support for the introduction of the policy.

Describing the initiative as a measure aimed at protecting lives, he urged traders and all other users of styrofoam products to cooperate with the government and comply with the regulations.

Johnson Ankrah, Chairman of the Kumasi City Market (Kejetia), also welcomed the initiative and assured the authorities that traders would comply with the ban, which is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.

He, however, expressed concern about the potential losses some investors could incur if the government failed to provide support during the transition.

He therefore called on the authorities to consider the possible financial impact of the policy on investors and make appropriate provisions to mitigate their losses.

He concluded by urging traders and other users of polystyrene foam products to take note of the January 1, 2027, deadline and make the necessary preparations ahead of the ban.