The Alliance for Empowering Rural Communities (AERC) has praised the government of Ghana for its decision to ban the importation and production of Styrofoam nationwide, describing the policy as a pivotal step toward safeguarding the environment and public health.
The announcement was made by President during World Environment Day celebrations on June 5, 2025.
In a statement issued on June 9, 2025, AERC highlighted the severe ecological and health challenges caused by non-biodegradable plastics, particularly in urban centers like Accra, where blocked waterways, contaminated soils, and health risks from open-air waste burning have been prevalent. "This historic policy marks a vital step forward in safeguarding our environment and public health.
For years, improper waste disposal, particularly of non-biodegradable plastics, has caused severe ecological and health challenges across Ghana. "Urban centers, especially Accra, have been disproportionately affected by these issues, experiencing blocked waterways, contaminated soils, and increased health risks from open-air burning of waste.