‎Let’s return to plantain leaves for food takeaway – EPA CEO on Styrofoam ban

The Chief Executive Officer of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, has urged Ghanaians to embrace environmentally friendly food-packaging alternatives, including traditional plantain leaves, ahead of the nationwide ban on Styrofoam products scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.

She called on households, food vendors, schools, traders and businesses to begin moving away from Styrofoam takeaway containers, stressing that early adoption of alternative materials would make the transition easier when enforcement begins.‎‎Prof. Browne Klutse made the call during a stakeholder engagement at the Savannah Regional capital of Damongo on Monday, October 26, 2026, as part of efforts to sensitise the public in the Savannah Region to the implementation of the nationwide ban.‎‎The event brought together members of the general public, food vendors, restaurant owners, traditional and religious leaders, students and other stakeholders.

Representatives of partner institutions, including the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Health Service and the Department of Food and Agriculture, also delivered solidarity messages and expressed their commitment to supporting the enforcement of the ban.‎‎The EPA CEO buttressed the view that the government had provided sufficient time for public education and stakeholder consultations, adding that the country must now move towards practical action to reduce the environmental and health risks associated with Styrofoam products.‎She highlighted the availability of alternatives, including biodegradable packaging, reusable containers and other materials that can be recycled or break down naturally.‎‎Professor Klutse encouraged Ghanaians to rediscover traditional food-packaging practices, including the use of plantain leaves where suitable, while urging businesses to explore affordable and sustainable alternatives.‎‎"The availability and use of alternative packaging materials could increase as demand grows, making it important for consumers and businesses to begin adjusting their practices before the enforcement deadline. And this is something we should commit to." Professor Ama Browne Klutse indicated.‎‎The CEO also emphasised that the campaign was not merely an announcement from government offices in Accra but a national responsibility requiring the involvement of everyone, from national leaders to individual community members.

She therefore invited stakeholders to take the message to their homes, workplaces, markets and communities to ensure that residents understand the importance of the ban and the need to adopt sustainable practices.‎‎On his part, the Savannah Regional Minister, Salisu Be-Awuribe, assured the CEO of the region of total commitment and dedication to the course of the environment.

Mr Be-Awuribe indicated the region's dedication to enforcing the ban from January 1, 2027, warning that the production, importation, and "Distribution, sale and use of prohibited Styrofoam products would no longer be tolerated in all seven Municipal and District Assemblies in the region after the deadline.‎‎According to the Minister,the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council, the seven Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs), the EPA, the Ghana Police Service and customs officers at checkpoints would be expected to support enforcement.‎‎"The time has come for us to act with one concern about the growing use and improper disposal of Styrofoam takeaway containers in communities including Damongo, Bole, Sawla, Buipe, Salaga and Daboya.‎‎According to him, "Discarded containers litter streets and public spaces, choke gutters and obstruct drains, contributing to flooding and undermining efforts to maintain clean communities. But I believe the Savannah Region can set the pace."Mr Be-Awuribe.‎‎‎The Minister further raised concerns about the harmful smoke produced when Styrofoam is burned and the potential health risks associated with using certain containers for hot foods, and identified other alternatives for redress.

‎"Paper packaging, biodegradable containers, reusable bowls and traditional food-wrapping materials are possible substitutes, while encouraging young people to explore opportunities in producing and supplying environmentally friendly packaging."

‎The Savannah Regional Director of the EPA, Abu Iddrisu, joined the call on residents and stakeholders to support the campaign, highlighting the importance of protecting the region's environment, agriculture, aquatic ecosystems and tourism sector.‎‎Dr Abu Iddrisu described the Savannah Region as Ghana's largest region by land area, a major food basket of northern Ghana and home to Mole National Park, one of the country's leading wildlife tourism destinations.‎‎He said environmental protection was particularly important to the region because of its contribution to food production, biodiversity and tourism, warning that pollution could undermine these important sectors.‎‎According to him, "Styrofoam waste can accumulate on land and in water bodies, damage the natural beauty of communities and contribute to environmental pollution and diseases." Dr Abu Iddrisu.‎‎He further explained that improper disposal of waste could affect farming communities through soil and water pollution, while discarded materials entering rivers and other water bodies could threaten aquatic life.

Dr Iddrisu stressed that the environmental "Reset agenda championed by President John Dramani Mahama required collective action from government institutions, traditional authorities, businesses, community leaders and the general public."‎‎He urged residents to take responsibility for keeping their surroundings clean and supporting measures aimed at reducing waste and promoting responsible disposal practices.‎‎The participation of the Ghana Police Service, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana Health Service and the Department of Food and Agriculture underscored the cross-sectoral importance of the campaign.‎‎And through their solidarity speeches, representatives of the participating institutions expressed their commitment to supporting efforts to implement the ban and protect the environment.‎‎Their involvement highlighted the connection between waste management, public health, agricultural production, tourism development, and law enforcement.‎‎The presence of traditional and religious leaders, students, food vendors, restaurant owners and members of the public also provided an opportunity to extend the campaign beyond government institutions to the communities and businesses directly affected by the policy.

‎As part of preparations towards the enforcement, the Savannah Regional Coordinating Council has announced a public education and clean-up campaign exercise to begin from October through to December 2026.‎‎The campaign is expected to target food vendors, chop bars, restaurants, hotels, guest houses, shops, plastic retailers, schools, lorry stations and other public spaces.

EPA, as part of its mandate, engages affected groups in local languages to explain the reasons for the ban, the products affected, and the alternatives available.

‎‎The nationwide ban is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027, with authorities intensifying public education and preparations to help businesses and communities transition away from Styrofoam products.‎‎The campaign seeks to promote cleaner communities and more sustainable packaging practices, with the EPA urging Ghanaians to begin making the change now rather than wait until the enforcement deadline.‎Earlier in the day, stakeholders embarked on a float on the principal streets of Damongo, holding placards with inscriptions such as choose reusable bowls and save money, Ghana bans Styrofoam packs?,and Ghana bans Styrofoam 1st January, 2027, among others, to help create the needed awareness ‎and education among residents.

The message from the three officials was clear: protecting the environment requires collective responsibility, and traditional practices such as using plantain leaves, alongside safe and affordable modern alternatives, could form part of Ghana's transition towards more sustainable food packaging.