Minister of Environment, Science and Technology Dr Murtala Muhammed
The government is preparing new legislation that will require plastic producers to bear part of the cost of collecting and recycling plastic waste, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Murtala Muhammed, has announced.
The proposed law, currently under development, will introduce a mandatory Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework aimed at financing waste collection and recycling systems. It will draw lessons from similar policies implemented in Kenya, South Korea, and the European Union (EU).
This move is part of a broader push to address Ghana’s worsening plastic pollution problem. It follows a government plan to ban the importation and production of Styrofoam plastics.
President John Dramani Mahama recently announced that his administration will phase out Styrofoam food packaging, describing it as a major contributor to environmental pollution. He said the Ministry of Environment would work closely with manufacturers and importers to ensure a smooth transition to more sustainable alternatives.
Ghana generates an estimated 1.1 million tonnes of plastic waste annually – with more than half left uncollected and only about 9 percent recycled, according to official data.
Speaking at the opening session of the 2025 Environmental Sustainability Summit (ESS), Dr. Muhammed warned that the environmental toll is costing the national economy over US$56 billion each year – equivalent to nearly 11 percent of gross domestic product (GDP).
Referencing existing regulations and policies on plastic use, he stated: “We have frameworks such as the National Plastics Management Policy and the Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control Act. We have levies to fund sanitation. But gaps remain – enforcement is weak, responsibilities overlap, and planning is fragmented.”
The minister added that under the prevailing “take, make, use, and discard” approach to plastic use, “between 1990 and 2017, our raw material consumption more than doubled, with plastic consumption per capita rising from 5.7 kilogrammes to 7.4 kilogrammes.”
“A throwaway culture has displaced traditional, low-impact practices, and our infrastructure is unable to support this shift,” he said.
However, he noted that the government envisions a circular economy that regenerates natural systems, retains value in products and materials, and eliminates waste.
“Ghana’s circular economy roadmap sets the direction. It targets six sectors, including plastics, and proposes cross-sector solutions to accelerate innovation and reduce environmental burdens.
“This national agenda aligns with global movements. We actively engage in the African Circular Economy Alliance, the Global Plastic Action Partnership, and negotiations for a UN plastics treaty. Ghana is not just participating – we are helping shape the future,” he stated.
In support of the transition, Dr. Muhammed cited estimates showing that circular practices “could increase our GDP by 1.9 percent by 2030 – nearly €1.9 billion – and save between €200 million and €300 million in imports.”
He projected that over 60,000 green jobs could emerge, particularly in recycling, innovation, and manufacturing, if the transition is properly implemented.
“Conversely, failure to act will deepen environmental degradation, raise healthcare costs, and hinder tourism and agriculture,” he cautioned.
This year’s ESS-2025 – an annual event organised by the Business and Financial Times (B&FT) – was held under the theme ‘Ending Plastic Waste in Ghana: A Sustainable Future for All’.
In his welcome remarks, B&FT Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Godwin Acquaye, noted that plastic is ubiquitous in the country – from sachet water to packaging – and poses serious environmental challenges.
“This plastic threat clogs our drainage systems, leading to severe flooding as seen during Accra’s 2023 floods. It damages fisheries and disrupts tourism, in addition to causing other economic costs,” he said.
Dr. Acquaye acknowledged ongoing efforts to address the challenge, stating: “The National Plastics Management Policy and Ghana’s membership in the Global Plastic Action Partnership aim to establish a circular plastics roadmap.”
He also referenced the Global Environment Facility (GEF)-funded circular economy framework, which targets zero plastic leakage into water bodies by 2040.
“Efforts are being made to strengthen waste segregation, collection systems, and recycling infrastructure in line with global best practices,” he added.
As an example, he highlighted the role of private-sector innovators like Trashy Bags Africa, which has collected over 30 million plastic sachets and repurposed them into bags and school supplies.