President of the Plastic Manufacturers Association of Ghana, Mr Ebbo Botwe, has called for broader consultation and informed dialogue following President John Dramani Mahama’s declaration of an impending ban on the importation and production of Styrofoam in Ghana.

Mr Botwe urged policymakers to properly engage stakeholders and deepen their understanding of the plastic sector before implementing such decisions.

President Mahama made the announcement on Thursday, 5th June, during the launch of the 2025 national tree planting initiative, highlighting the critical role of reforestation and environmental stewardship.

He described Styrofoam—commonly used in food packaging—as one of the most damaging pollutants, stressing the urgent need for sustainable alternatives.

In response, Mr Botwe, speaking to Citi FM, acknowledged concerns about pollution but argued that many views surrounding Styrofoam are misinformed.

“The styrofoam that you see contains between 4% to 5% plastic. The rest is air. It is basically air,” he explained.

“It becomes more of an eyesore when not properly disposed of, but its actual plastic content is minimal.”

He advocated for a more comprehensive approach to tackling plastic waste, including improvements in waste management systems, recycling infrastructure, and public awareness.

According to him, merely banning products without addressing systemic issues risks superficial solutions with unintended consequences for the local industry and consumers.

Mr Botwe noted that the association is scheduled to meet the Minister for Environment between 16th and 20th June to provide a detailed overview of the plastic industry.

He stressed the need for data-backed decisions, adding, “We really want to give the minister a proper overview of the plastic industry so when the government wants to initiate any programmes or decisions, he will be well informed.”