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EPA announces ban on styrofoam products Effective January 2027
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has announced that the production, importation, sale, distribution, and use of polystyrene foam products, popularly known as Styrofoam or takeaway packs, will be banned in Ghana effective January 1, 2027.
The announcement was made in a statement issued by the Authority on May 25, 2026.
According to the EPA, the directive follows a policy announcement made by President John Dramani Mahama during the 2025 World Environment Day celebration on June 5, where he declared government’s intention to ban Styrofoam products as part of efforts to fight plastic pollution and protect the environment.
The Authority said the ban will apply to all forms of expanded polystyrene foam products used for commercial and human activities.
These include food packaging containers, disposable cups and plates, takeaway packs used by restaurants and chop bars, foam mattresses, ceiling and insulation materials, as well as packaging and cushioning materials.
However, the EPA noted that polystyrene products intended for medical, scientific, laboratory, and diagnostic purposes will be exempted, subject to regulation.
The Authority explained that the policy forms part of national efforts to improve environmental sanitation, protect public health, reduce plastic pollution, and promote sustainable development.
It therefore urged manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, food vendors, hospitality operators, and other stakeholders to begin transitioning to safer and environmentally friendly alternatives before the directive takes effect.
The EPA said it will embark on nationwide public education and stakeholder engagements during the transition period leading to January 2027.
According to the Authority, it will also strengthen monitoring, inspections, and enforcement measures to ensure full compliance with the directive.
The EPA added that it will work closely with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, port authorities, customs officials, and industry regulators to enforce the ban across the country.
The Authority further called on the public to support the initiative by adopting sustainable consumption practices and using reusable and recyclable packaging materials.
“Protecting the environment is our collective responsibility,” the statement said.
By: Jacob Aggrey
For generations of graduates, the University of Ghana has shaped some of life’s most meaningful moments.
It is where lifelong friendships were formed, marriages began, business ideas took shape, partnerships were built, entrepreneurs nurtured, and identities discovered.
UG became a shared home, one that inspired pride and a deep sense of belonging. Yet, as the years pass and life takes alumni into different careers, countries, and seasons, many gradually lose touch with the University and with one another.
On 28 May 2026, the University of Ghana will officially launch the University of Ghana Global Alumni Network (UGA Network) App, a digital platform designed to foster and strengthen lifelong connections between the University and its alumni worldwide.
The launch, scheduled to take place at the University of Ghana, marks a significant shift in alumni engagement and development, from fragmented, informal networks to a single, trusted, and official digital home for all Legonites.
For years, alumni engagement has largely depended on WhatsApp groups, social media pages, and independent alumni groups.
While these channels have kept conversations alive, they have also created fragmentation, making it difficult to maintain accurate records, share official updates, and mobilise alumni for mentorship, networking, and institutional development.
The UGA Network App was developed to address this gap.
It provides a secure platform where alumni can register, verify their alumni status, update their profiles, reconnect with classmates and year groups, and stay informed about university and alumni initiatives, all in one place.
At the heart of the UGA Network App is a simple idea: alumni should never feel like outsiders to the University they helped build.
Designed with alumni experiences in mind, the platform makes it easy to rediscover old bonds, build new professional relationships, participate in alumni events, and contribute meaningfully to the University’s advancement.
Whether a recent graduate navigating early career decisions or a seasoned professional seeking to give back, the app creates space for every alum to belong and participate.
The UGA Network App is the official alumni engagement platform of the University of Ghana, managed by the Institutional Advancement Directorate, in collaboration with the Information Technology Directorate.
Built on a verified and secure alumni database, the platform protects personal information while ensuring credibility and trust for users.
As the University prepares to unveil the UGA Network App, alumni are invited to register, reconnect, and belong.
The Bank of Ghana has directed Mobile Money Fintech Limited (MMFL) to suspend the implementation of its proposed 0.75 percent fee on direct wallet-to-bank transfers pending further consultations.
The proposed charge was scheduled to take effect on June 1, 2026.
In a press release issued by its Communications Department, the central bank said the decision to halt the implementation was to allow for further engagement on the matter.
According to the Bank of Ghana, the move forms part of efforts to ensure that any changes in charges within the mobile financial services sector are introduced fairly and in a way that protects consumers.
The Bank said it remains committed to safeguarding the financial wellbeing of users of mobile money and other digital financial services.
The proposed fee had generated public discussions ahead of its planned implementation date.
However, the Bank of Ghana did not indicate when a final decision on the proposed charge would be announced.
By: Jacob Aggrey
