Kumasi, Ghana — Environmental advocates are calling for stronger action against plastic waste pollution as growing amounts of discarded plastics continue to affect streets, waterways, and public spaces across Ghanaian cities.
In Accra, Kumasi, and Takoradi, heaps of plastic bottles, sachet water rubbers, and food packaging materials have become a common sight in drainage systems and market areas.
Environmental health officers warn that the situation is contributing to blocked gutters, flooding, and sanitation-related health risks.
According to waste management experts, plastic consumption has increased significantly over the past decade due to rapid urbanization and changing consumer habits.
“Plastic waste is becoming one of the biggest environmental threats in our urban communities,” an environmental officer stated during a clean-up campaign in Kumasi.
Several environmental organisations are now pushing for stricter recycling policies and greater investment in waste management infrastructure.
Some activists are also encouraging businesses to adopt biodegradable packaging materials as part of efforts to reduce pollution.
The Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources says public awareness campaigns are being expanded to educate citizens on proper waste disposal practices.
However, critics argue that enforcement remains weak and that illegal dumping continues in many communities despite existing environmental regulations.
Environmental experts say improving recycling systems, promoting reusable products, and strengthening local sanitation enforcement could significantly reduce the growing pollution problem in Ghana’s urban centres.
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