Ghana:Gov't threatens to enforce ban on plastics

Officials in Ghana have given plastic producers, six months to help solve the country’s plastic waste menace or face a total ban on the production of plastics.

A ban on light plastics in November was suspended following a petition from the producers. The government had asked them to produce only biodegradable plastics.

The Environment Minister Mahama Ayariga said government is convinced the two directives would check the filth across the country.

“There is an understanding that the flexy plastic manufacturers will work out a strategy with us on how to keep the environment clean from their products such as helping with sanitation management,” Mahama Ayariga said.

“They have also promised to provide litter bins and help in reducing waste especially plastic waste.” the Minister added.

In reaction to the latest threat, the plastic producers insist a total ban on light plastics would not necessarily deal with the filth.

“I don’t think we should as a nation ban the plastics today and regret later. We should take time and study it, a lot of African and European countries have banned it and have gone back, some of them have banned the production of flexy plastics and are working fine, but we should take our time and study it,” said Managing Director of Qualiplast Limited, Fares Akl

President John Dramani Mahama hinted earlier that the country may opt for the the Rwandan strategy used to deal with the plastic waste.