Ebbo Botwe is the President of the Plastic Manufacturers Association of Ghana
The President of the Plastic Manufacturers Association of Ghana, Ebbo Botwe, has pushed back against President John Dramani Mahama’s recent announcement of a planned ban on the importation and production of Styrofoam in Ghana, calling for broader consultation and a more informed approach to policymaking.
President Mahama made the announcement on June 5, 2025, during the launch of the 2025 national tree planting exercise, an initiative aimed at restoring forest cover and combating climate change.
He cited Styrofoam’s significant contribution to environmental pollution, especially due to its widespread use in food packaging, as justification for the proposed ban.
“Styrofoam is one of the most harmful pollutants. We must move urgently to adopt safer, more sustainable alternatives,” President Mahama said.
However, in an interview on Citi FM’s Eyewitness News on June 5, 2025, Botwe expressed concern about what he described as widespread misconceptions surrounding Styrofoam.
While acknowledging its visible environmental nuisance when improperly disposed of, he argued that its actual plastic content is minimal.
“Let me try to clear up some misconceptions. The Styrofoam that you see contains between 4% to 5% maximum plastic. The rest is air. It is basically air. It becomes more of an eyesore in terms of impacting the environment. We have a meeting with the Minister of Environment between June 16 and 20. We really want to give the minister a proper overview of the plastic industry so when the government wants to initiate any programmes or any decision, he will be well informed,” he said.
He stressed that a blanket ban could have unintended consequences for manufacturers, workers, and consumers.
Botwe called for a more nuanced approach that prioritises investment in waste management infrastructure, recycling systems, and public education over product bans.
“We are not opposed to protecting the environment. But there must be stakeholder engagement and a data-driven assessment to ensure that any policy introduced is effective and fair,” he indicated.
MRA/AE
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