Ghana to impose partial ban on use of plastics 

A partial ban on plastics in Ghana will come into effect in two weeks. 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, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahama Ayariga and plastic producers. The recommendation comes only days after President John Mahama threatened to ban plastic bags completely if the state of pollution is not curtailed.

Meanwhile stake holders whose business involves the use of plastics have agreed on recommendations compiled five years ago to deal with the menace of disposal in the country.

The recommendations include reviewing and enforcing regulations on waste management, introducing re-usable environmentally friendly plastic products and building institutional capacity to deal with plastic waste.

Minister of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Mahama Ayariga at a meeting with DCE's and plastic manufacturing business owners in Accra said outright ban on plastic containers will be an option after other measures to address the issue fail.

GBC