Ghana Moves to Ban Styrofoam Amid Rising Concerns Over Environmental and Health Hazards
Accra, June 6, 2025
President John Dramani Mahama has declared the government’s intention to ban the importation and local production of Styrofoam in Ghana, citing its significant contribution to environmental degradation and its dangerous implications for public health and food safety.
The announcement was made during the launch of the 2025 National Tree Planting Exercise on Thursday, June 5 — a national effort to restore Ghana’s forest cover and strengthen the country’s fight against climate change.
President Mahama described Styrofoam, commonly used as food packaging material, as one of the most harmful pollutants in the country. He stressed the urgent need to shift towards biodegradable alternatives like paper packaging and aluminum foil, emphasizing that Styrofoam waste, often discarded after a single use, poses a long-lasting threat to both the environment and the nation’s well-being.
“One of the biggest polluters is Styrofoam plastics — where you buy your food and they put it in that whitish material, and after eating, you just dump it. That is one of the biggest polluters,” the President stated. “We’re going to ban the importation and production of Styrofoam plastics.”
He added that the Ministry of Environment would soon initiate formal steps to implement the ban and called on manufacturers and importers to begin preparing for the shift.
Implications for Nutrition, Food Safety, and Public Health
While the environmental impact of Styrofoam is well known, the President’s remarks also bring renewed attention to its less-discussed but critical consequences for nutrition and food safety.
Styrofoam, or expanded polystyrene, is commonly used to package hot and oily foods across Ghana, especially in roadside food vending and takeout services. Scientific studies have shown that when hot food comes into contact with Styrofoam containers, toxic chemicals such as styrene and benzene — both suspected carcinogens — can leach into the food. Over time, repeated exposure to these chemicals can pose significant health risks, including hormonal disruptions, cancer, and damage to the nervous system.
Nutritionists warn that Styrofoam packaging undermines food safety, especially in low-income areas where such materials are most heavily used and regulation is weakest. The widespread reliance on Styrofoam for daily meals means that large segments of the population may be unknowingly exposed to harmful substances, compounding existing public health challenges.
Moreover, improper disposal of Styrofoam — which is non-biodegradable and takes centuries to break down — contaminates soil and water sources, threatening agricultural production and food systems. Microplastics from degraded Styrofoam can enter the food chain, affecting both human nutrition and biodiversity.
Toward a Sustainable Future
The proposed ban aligns with Ghana’s broader strategy to promote environmental sustainability, improve public health, and safeguard food systems. By encouraging the use of biodegradable packaging, the government hopes to not only reduce pollution but also protect citizens from the hidden dangers associated with synthetic food containers.
Environmentalists and health advocates have welcomed the move, calling it a “bold and necessary” step toward a healthier, greener Ghana. However, they caution that effective implementation will require strong enforcement, public education, and affordable access to safe alternatives for food vendors and consumers alike.
As Ghana prepares for a post-Styrofoam era, the spotlight is now on stakeholders — from policymakers to manufacturers to everyday citizens — to ensure that the transition is smooth, inclusive, and ultimately beneficial for the country’s people, environment, and nutritional well-being.
