The Managing Director of Kumasi City Market, Mr Ernest Afayam has urged the government to strengthen local production of environmentally friendly alternatives ahead of Ghana’s planned ban on polystyrene products in 2027. He argued that the transition should protect the environment while creating opportunities for local manufacturers to supply products that can meet the needs of consumers and businesses.
Speaking during an Environmental Protection Agency campaign at the Kejetia Market, Mr Afayam explained that the initiative should be viewed as a public protection measure. According to him, reducing the use of harmful plastics would help address environmental challenges while promoting healthier communities.
The Managing Director pointed to the role of single use plastics in worsening flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. He noted that discarded plastic materials often enter drains and gutters where they obstruct the flow of water and contribute to flooding in several communities.
Health considerations, he added, also make the campaign significant for the public. From his perspective, reducing exposure to harmful plastic products should form part of efforts to safeguard people while improving the condition of the environment.
“Regarding the initiative brought by the authorities, we urge everyone to understand that this is not a programme to punish anyone. It is a programme designed to protect us and to protect Ghana as a whole.”
Mr Ernest Afayam
The Kejetia Market Director welcomed the alternative products being promoted through the campaign and described them as promising options for consumers. He, however, urged authorities to ensure that local producers receive the support required to manufacture the alternatives in adequate quantities.
That support, he explained, would help prevent shortages when the restrictions on polystyrene products take effect. It could also allow Ghanaian businesses to benefit from the emerging market for environmentally friendly packaging and other replacement products.
Mr Afayam linked the transition to employment and economic growth. He argued that a well organised shift towards sustainable alternatives could open new avenues for local enterprise and create additional opportunities within the manufacturing sector.
The Managing Director stressed that environmental policy should also take economic realities into account. In his view, empowering domestic producers would help ensure that the new measures stimulate local industry while advancing environmental protection.
He also pledged the support of the Kumasi City Market to the EPA campaign and indicated that traders were prepared to participate in efforts aimed at improving public awareness. The commitment, he noted, was intended to help consumers understand the reasons behind the planned changes and the benefits associated with adopting safer alternatives.
Kejetia Backs Plastic Phaseout As Production Support Takes Centre Stage
Addressing the campaign, the Managing Director explained that plastic waste has become a visible challenge in commercial areas where large volumes of packaged goods were consumed daily. The situation, he noted, makes markets important partners in efforts to change public behaviour.
The health dimension was given particular emphasis during the campaign. Mr Afayam linked the initiative to the need for consumers to make choices that protect their wellbeing while recognising the wider effects of plastic waste on communities.
“When Kejetia speaks out about phasing out single use plastics, it is because, while we desire good health, these plastics are slowly killing us.”
Mr Ernest Afayam
The market’s endorsement, he explained, extends to traders who deal extensively in packaged water and other products that commonly rely on single use plastic materials. Their participation could therefore help the campaign reach a large section of consumers who visit the market each day.
Another important aspect of the initiative is the need for practical alternatives. Mr Afayam called for manufacturers to receive the necessary assistance to increase production so that businesses can obtain suitable replacements as restrictions become effective.
The availability of alternatives would make it easier for traders to adjust their operations. It would also create room for local manufacturers to respond to a growing demand for products that have less impact on the environment.
Furthermore, the transition could generate economic activity beyond the immediate environmental objective. Investment in local manufacturing, according to the Managing Director, could support businesses involved in production, distribution and retail while contributing to national economic activity.
The campaign also carries implications for waste management in busy commercial centres. Reducing the volume of disposable materials entering public spaces could ease pressure on drainage systems and help communities manage waste more effectively.
Mr Afayam emphasised that public cooperation would remain essential throughout the transition. Education, he indicated, should accompany enforcement so that traders and consumers understand the purpose of the policy and have sufficient time to adjust.
The initiative also provides an opening for stronger collaboration between environmental authorities and the private sector. Such cooperation could help identify suitable alternatives, improve their availability and address practical challenges that businesses may encounter during implementation.
The Managing Director reiterated the market’s readiness to promote the campaign among traders. He urged stakeholders to approach the transition with a shared sense of responsibility and to ensure that environmental protection is matched with measures that strengthen local production.
The campaign at Kejetia has consequently placed both environmental responsibility and economic opportunity on the same agenda. Mr Afayam’s appeal for stronger local manufacturing support adds a commercial dimension to the planned phaseout as authorities prepare for implementation in 2027.
He further reminded traders and consumers that personal wellbeing is closely connected to the quality of the environment. “Your health is your wealth. If you do not have good health, you cannot accomplish anything worthwhile,” he remarked.
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