Minister-designate for Environment Science, Technology & Innovation, Dr Kwaku Afriyie says the decision to ban the use of plastics in Ghana outrightly will be a “difficult one”.

“Mr Chairman, ban plastics or not, that is a very difficult one, because of our economic pattern,” he said.

“As a new minister entering the scientific arena, I have to immerse myself and listen to the conversation and argument and whatnots – the scientific basis, the data and the economic basis pertaining to our situation before one makes such pronouncements.”

Considering the environmental challenges that plastics pose to the climate and the cleanliness of cities, some have suggested the outright ban on the sale, importation, manufacture and distribution of plastics in the country as has been done in Rwanda.

However, in the absence of all the necessary data, he stated that it would be unwise “to make such a categorical pronouncement” to that effect for Ghana.

Nevertheless, he added that in the interim, “we can certainly lessen our dependence on plastics”, adding that certain steps have been taken towards that such as recycling.

“But while we are at it, we have to monitor what other countries have done, their situation, and if they have lessons for us that we can copy.”