A policy blueprint aimed at facilitating the transition to plastic alternatives and reduce plastic packaging has been launch in Accra on Thursday 10th April 2025 at the Fiesta Royal Hotel.
The policy, the first of its kind in the West African sub-region, provides a strategic framework for transitioning Ghana into a plastic alternatives driven by sustainable materials.
It will promote the commercialization of locally produced alternatives such as biodegradable cocomulch fibre and biodegradable packaging.
A strategic shift towards sustainability
While launching the Policy, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, Ag. CEO of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), affirmed the government’s approach to banning single-use plastics in phases.
“We know we can’t completely do away with plastics, but we are seeking to ban single-use plastics in stages. We need alternatives before we can do that, and this policy helps provide the foundation for such alternatives,” she said.
She also revealed plans to engage with plastic producers, supermarket owners, and other stakeholders to drive the transition.
The government, according to Professor Klutse, was committed to fostering an eco-friendly Ghana under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama.
Urgent need for action
Dr. Ebenezer Laryea, the Project Director of FRESHPPACT, stated that ultimately, an effort to transition away from conventional plastic products is the correct approach to addressing any plastics challenge.
“This reports therefore sets out the policy blueprint by which Ghana can transition away from conventional plastics and it gives me great
pride for all of us to be gathered here to witness the commencement of that journey”, he added.
Dr. Laryea further explained, “Ghana’s recycling rate is extremely low, and even with increased recycling, it is not a sustainable long-term solution.
Without action, plastic waste in Ghana could exceed 3.8 million tons annually by 2025, with an economic burden of over $2 billion each year due to pollution-related illnesses,” he said.
He disclosed that the Plastics Alternatives Policy document identifies clear steps for legislative reform, investment in sustainable industries, public awareness campaigns, and support for local innovators.
It also serves as a call to action for both public and private sectors to join forces in addressing the plastic menace at its root, he added.
A call for collaboration
For her part, the General Manager of Blue Skies, Janet Lutterodt, noted that it is crucial for the policy to be turned into action.
“This document is a roadmap to achieving Ghana’s sustainability goals. But now, the real work begins. We must raise awareness, build partnerships, and drive innovation,” she pointed out.
She urged the government to enact stronger legislation to regulate plastic use, ensuring that eco-friendly alternatives become the norm rather than the exception.
Future Focused
The Coordinator of the Zoomlion Foundation, Thomas Narh Korley, remarked that he is glad to see children education and youth empowerment as one of the pillars of the policy.
“If children are taught early on about the dangers of plastics and the available alternatives, about 90% of the challenges we face today can be addressed,” he said.
He indicated that Zoomlion Foundation would gladly work with partners to spearhead awareness campaigns across educational institutions, encouraging innovation among the youth to develop local solutions.
The event closed with a collective pledge by stakeholders to build a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable Ghana—one plastic alternative at a time.
