Accra, Ghana – Murtala Muhammed, Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, has stated that an outright ban on plastic bag importation is not a feasible solution for Ghana at this time.
He emphasized the need for broad consensus and the development of sustainable alternatives before implementing such a ban.
Acknowledging the problem of indiscriminate plastic disposal, Muhammed advocated for a strategic, phased approach. “You don’t just ban because there’s a challenge, you need to be looking for alternatives,” he told Parliament’s Appointments Committee on January 30th. “So if you don’t have alternatives and you go ahead with to ban, the consequences will be dire.”
Muhammed proposed a comprehensive study to identify alternatives and support domestic industries in producing reusable containers and biodegradable packaging, citing Rwanda’s approach as an example.
“Rwanda didn’t just ban, they came up with some of these things. They stabilised the system before banning it. So I think that is what I will do,” he explained.
