The Ashanti Regional Director of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Dr Jackson Adiyiah Nyantakyi, has cautioned the public against consuming beverages and porridge served in plastic bags.

In a viral video, he emphasised the serious health risks associated with this common practice in the country. "Apart from literature, scientists say that when drink hot koko (porridge) in a plastic bag, it's equivalent to you smoking 36 sticks of cigarettes. "What it means is that the additives and other chemicals that are incorporated in the plastic production, the impacts on human health are so enormous that we need to refrain from misuse of these plastics," he stressed.

In response to the continent's growing commitment to environmental sustainability, some African countries like Rwanda and Kenya have taken bold steps to limit the use of plastics.

However, in Ghana, the use of plastics, particularly for serving hot food remains widespread, despite the health risks and environmental concerns.