Ghana Youth Environmental Movement Calls for National Ban on Single-Use Plastics on World Environment Day
As the world marks World Environment Day 2025 under the theme “Ending Global Plastic Pollution”, the Ghana Youth Environmental Movement (GYEM) has reiterated its call for a national ban on single-use plastics in Ghana. In a statement released on June 5, 2025, GYEM emphasized the urgent need to eliminate plastic waste from the environment, citing the devastating impact of plastics on the country’s ecosystems and public health.
A Long-Standing Campaign
GYEM has been at the forefront of the campaign against single-use plastics in Ghana for over four years, organizing public sensitization events, clean-ups, and plastic-free awareness programs. The movement has reached over 4,000 people directly and equipped hundreds of young people to become anti-plastic ambassadors in their communities.
The Plastic Pollution Crisis in Ghana
Ghana generates approximately 1.7 million tonnes of plastic waste each year, with the majority ending up in drains, gutters, beaches, and open spaces. This has led to devastating floods, marine pollution, and public health issues. GYEM is advocating for a national roadmap to ban single-use plastics in Ghana by 2027, with five key demands:
A phased ban on single-use plastics, starting with plastic bags, straws, and styrofoam
Incentives for businesses producing sustainable alternatives
Capacity-building and resourcing of local authorities to enforce plastic bans
Inclusion of young people and community voices in decision-making processes
A public accountability mechanism to track government and corporate commitments
A Call to Action
GYEM is calling on policymakers, civil society, and the media to join forces in the fight against plastic pollution. The movement urges the government to fast-track legislative processes to ban harmful single-use plastics and for the media to highlight the deeper story of plastic pollution in Ghana.
As Ghana observes World Environment Day, GYEM’s call to action serves as a reminder of the need for collective action to address the plastic pollution crisis. By working together, Ghanaians can create a more sustainable future and make history by becoming one of the first African countries to ban single-use plastics.
