Minister challenges CSIR scientists to find alternatives to plastic packaging
The Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, says banning Styrofoam takeaway packs alone will not put an end to Ghana’s plastic problem. She has therefore asked scientists to look at alternatives the country can use to help address it. She said this at the National Scientific Conference of the Council for Scientific […]
Ghana's Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has challenged CSIR scientists to develop alternatives to plastic packaging. She was speaking at the National Scientific Conference of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) on October 14, 2026, ahead of the government's plan to ban Styrofoam from January 2027.
Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized that a Styrofoam ban alone would not resolve Ghana's plastic issue, as it would not address microplastics in food, toxic chemical exposure from hot water bottles, or the impact on human health. She urged scientists to explore plant-based alternatives like cassava or hemp, urging them to be innovative in their approach, describing success as developing a material that mimics plastic but breaks down harmlessly into plant matter after use.
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