The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has launched a week‑long public education campaign from Monday, October 26, to Sunday, November 1, 2026, targeting the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah and North East regions. The initiative aims to inform consumers, manufacturers, distributors and other stakeholders about Ghana’s impending ban on polystyrene foam products, scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
The campaign follows earlier efforts in the southern and middle belts, where awareness drives were held in Accra and Kumasi during July and August respectively. The northern belt campaign will culminate in a major event in Tamale on October 29, 2026, bringing together representatives from all five northern regions for a comprehensive public awareness session.
Led by the EPA’s Chief Executive Officer, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the delegation will conduct mini‑durbars in Bolgatanga, Nalerigu, Damongo Wa and other communities over the week preceding the Tamale event. The Tamale gathering will feature an inter‑school environmental quiz involving five second‑cycle institutions: Ghana Senior High School, St. Charles Minor Seminary, Tamale Islamic Science Senior High School, Kalpohin Senior High School and Tamale Senior High School. The competition will test students’ knowledge of environmental issues, the health dangers of polystyrene foam, its environmental impact, the benefits of the ban and lifestyle changes required before and after its implementation.
A debate will also be staged between the University for Development Studies (UDS) and Bagabaga College of Education under the motion “BEYOND THE BAN: Can Ghana Turn the Polystyrene Foam Products Phase‑Out into a Public Health, Environmental and Economic Benefits?” The UDS team will be represented by Angela Ansah, Adu Michel Chibaley and Shakiratu Cheltima Fuseini, while Bagabaga will be represented by Joseph Maadi Sagulo, Mbowura Clement Samira and Fuseini Abdul‑Hakeem Tunteiya. The debate will explore the ban’s implications and showcase innovative alternative products developed by the institutions.
The EPA will also hold public awareness floats in the five regional capitals to mobilise residents and draw attention to the impending ban. Media engagements and stakeholder consultations will be intensified throughout the week, and regional, area and district offices have been directed to step up public education as the implementation date draws closer.
"The EPA is taking its time to create public awareness on the ban to prepare consumers, manufacturers and distributors for what is coming, effective January 1 2027, so they can prepare and make the right lifestyle adjustments. No one should have the excuse that they were not aware of this ban. There will be no excuses by January 2027. The EPA is fully ready to carry out His Excellency's orders to root this out from our country," said Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse.
As the January 1, 2027 deadline approaches, the EPA is stepping up its public education efforts to ensure that consumers and businesses understand the ban, prepare for the transition and embrace environmentally sustainable alternatives.
