Ghana Hosts Inaugural National Plastic Pollution Conference

Ghana has recently hosted two significant events aimed at tackling the country's plastic pollution crisis, emphasizing collaborative and sustainable solutions. The Green Palette Stakeholders Conference in Accra brought together environmentalists, industry leaders, policymakers, and creatives to discuss Ghana's plastic waste challenges, policy gaps, and green finance opportunities, advocating for innovation and circularity aligned with global ESG frameworks. Meanwhile, the Environmental Sustainability Summit 2025, also held in Accra, focused on ending plastic waste with high-level participation, including government officials who announced an impending ban on styrofoam plastics, citing the urgent environmental and public health impacts of plastic pollution. Data presented at these events revealed Ghana generates 1.1 million tonnes of plastic waste annually but recycles only 5%, with significant leakage into the environment causing flooding and pollution. The conferences highlighted the importance of multi-sector collaboration, grassroots innovation, and evidence-based policy to manage plastic waste effectively, with commitments made toward public education and sustained stakeholder engagement. These efforts coincide with broader regional initiatives in Southeast Asia and globally, underscoring the need for cross-border cooperation and innovative frameworks to combat plastic pollution on multiple scales.