The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has confirmed it will enforce a nationwide ban on styrofoam food containers and related products from 1 January 2027. The prohibition covers importation, manufacture, distribution, sale and use of all styrofoam items across Ghana.
EPA officials said the ban is part of a broader effort to tackle plastic pollution and protect public health. Styrofoam’s lightweight nature makes it easily dispersed, while its disposal and recycling remain difficult. The material also contributes to littering and can block drainage systems.
Speaking at a side event for COP31 in Antalya, Turkey, Ashanti Regional Director Dr Jackson Adiyiah Nyantakyi, on behalf of Chief Executive Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, confirmed the Authority was ready to implement the ban on the scheduled date. “Effective 1 January 2027, the President has directed the EPA to come up with a roadmap that will ensure that the importation, sale and use of styrofoam products are banned in the country,” he said.
Ahead of the implementation, the EPA has engaged manufacturers, importers, wholesalers and retailers to prepare for the transition and ensure compliance with the new restrictions. Businesses involved in the production, importation and sale of styrofoam food containers will need to arrange alternative packaging materials before the deadline.
Stakeholders are advised to review the upcoming guidelines and plan for compliant packaging solutions to avoid penalties once the ban takes effect.
