Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, the Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, has encouraged Ghanaians to embrace attitudinal change to prevent and protect the environment from plastic pollution.

Speaking at the commemoration of the World Environment Day on Thursday in Accra, he emphasised the need for attitudinal change and urgent action to save the environment.

Ghana commemorated the 2025 World Environment Day at the Kwabenya Community Senior High School, Accra, on the theme: “Repurpose Plastic Use,” and slogan: “Rethink Plastic Pollution, Act Now.”

According to the United Nations (UN), globally, some 400 million tonnes of plastics are produced annually, and in Ghana, out of the 840,000 tonnes of plastic waste generated per year, about 9.5 per cent are recycled.

The World Economic Forum also reports that by 2050 the oceans would contain more plastics (850 million tonnes) than fish (812 million tonnes), a situation that, Dr Muhammed said, required every Ghanaian to act.

He said the theme underpinned the Ministry’s effort to intensify community outreach programmes, especially in schools and markets to support behavioural change and campaigns to empower local solution to plastic waste in the months ahead.

He expressed concern over the extent to which markets, beaches, gutters and water bodies were choked with single-use plastics, further threatening biodiversity, public health, and sustainable development.

Dr Mohammed called for collective education on the dangers of plastic pollution, the benefits of sustainable alternatives, as well as a conscious reduction in the consumption of plastic products among individuals and companies.

The Ministry, he noted, was implementing the National Plastic Management Policy to ensure stronger enforcement mechanisms and incentives for innovation and support for green businesses.

“We are also working with local industries to explore biodegradable alternatives, enhancing extended producer responsibility and create green jobs through plastic recycling and upcycling,” he stated.

The Minister mentioned a collaborative initiative with the World Bank, aimed at establishing a buyback centre and community coalition centres in some areas of Accra, urging young people to join the crusade for a safer environment.

“You’re not just the leaders of tomorrow, you are the actors of today. Your creativity and energies are vital. Let this be your mission, therefore, to plant trees and reduce plastic use to innovate and to lead,” he told young Ghanaians.

Dr Mohammed urged industry to “move from waste to action and production to responsibility,” adding that; “What we do today will determine the kind of environment we leave for the future generation.”

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the Education Minister, pledged to collaborate with the Environment and Lands ministries to provide leadership for students to reduce plastic waste, in addition to planting and nurturing trees to protect the environment.

Madam Linda Obenewaa Akweley Ocloo, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, encouraged individuals, businesses and Civil Society Organisations to support policies, programmes, and enforcement that would yield a lifelong dedication to protect the environment.

“Act now to commit to end plastic pollution,” she told students and young people, urging them to be the change makers.