Ghana environmental authority launches campaign ahead of styrofoam ban

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is conducting a public education campaign across five northern regions of Ghana to prepare the country for a ban on polystyrene foam products.

The agency plans to implement the ban on January 1, 2027, to reduce environmental damage and health risks associated with the material. The campaign runs from October 26 to November 1, 2026, and covers the Northern, Upper East, Upper West, Savannah, and North East regions.

The EPA organized previous segments of this national awareness effort in the southern and middle belts of the country. A major event in Tamale will gather stakeholders from all five northern regions to discuss the transition to sustainable alternatives. Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, leads the delegation to various communities including Bolgatanga, Nalerigu, and Damongo Wa.

The initiative includes an environmental quiz for students at five second-cycle institutions and a debate between the University for Development Studies and Bagabaga College of Education. These academic institutions will also showcase innovative products to replace polystyrene foam. The EPA will use public awareness floats in regional capitals and media engagements to reach the public. The agency says these efforts ensure that manufacturers, distributors, and consumers have sufficient notice to adjust their lifestyles and business practices before the 2027 deadline.