Partial ban on polythene bags imminent

Stakeholders in the Environmental sector are recommending an immediate ban on polythene bags between 20 and 30 microns thick.

This was agreed at a meeting between the Minister of Environment Mahama Ayariga and plastic producers.

The recommendation comes only days after President John Mahama threatened to ban the plastic bags if the state of pollution is not curtailed.

Joy News’ Matilda Wormegah was at the ministry for that meeting and reported stakeholders as saying a temporary ban would be the most effective means of dealing with the country’s waste problems.

If this recommendation is accepted, black polythene bags will no longer be accepted.

The meeting, which had EPA and the Ghana Plastic Producers Association also attending was for stakeholders to fashion out ways of improving the country’s sanitation which has been worsened by the use of plastic bags.

The Environment Minister Mahama Ayariga said there cannot be an immediate and total ban on all plastic bags because there are lots of business activities that use plastic bags.

“For now there will be a partial ban but it will be between 20 or 30 microns,” he said.

He was, however, quick to add that a conclusive decision will be taken in the next two weeks.

Interestingly, producers of plastic bags were happy with the decision to temporarily ban the plastic bags

National Coordinator of the plastic bag producers, Daniel Tornyegah said they are equally concerned about the state of the environment and would welcome the partial ban.

“Let’s adopt a bio-degradable option,” he advocated.