The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has said Ghana’s planned ban on styrofoam and the phased elimination of single-use plastics will play a critical role in addressing the country’s recurring flooding by reducing plastic waste that blocks drains and waterways.
The Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Brown Klutse, said although heavy rainfall cannot be prevented, the devastating impact of floods can be significantly reduced through improved waste management, protection of wetlands and keeping drainage systems free from plastic waste.
She made the remarks during a courtesy call on the Western Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nelson, amid persistent flooding in several parts of the country, particularly in Accra, where recent floods have claimed lives, displaced residents and destroyed property.
Professor Brown Klutse identified three major drivers of flooding in Ghana: intense rainfall, construction on waterways and wetlands, and the indiscriminate disposal of plastic waste.
She explained that while heavy rains contribute to flooding, blocked drainage systems caused by plastic waste, especially discarded styrofoam food containers, are worsening the situation.
“The heavy rain is one of them,” she said, adding that plastics and styrofoam “choke the pathways” through which water should naturally flow into rivers and the sea.
She stressed that although rainfall is beyond human control, better environmental practices can help minimise flood risks.
According to her, proper waste disposal and regular desilting of drains and gutters would enable stormwater to flow freely, reducing the likelihood of severe flooding.
Professor Brown Klutse said the EPA remained committed to implementing the planned styrofoam ban as part of broader measures to phase out single-use plastics across the country.
She noted that reducing plastic pollution would not only improve sanitation but also strengthen Ghana’s resilience to climate-related disasters.
Beyond plastic pollution, the EPA is also intensifying efforts to restore degraded rivers and wetlands, many of which have been affected by siltation, illegal activities and encroachment.
Professor Brown Klutse said the Authority was pursuing a wider engineering approach to restore the natural flow of rivers while protecting wetlands, which serve as natural reservoirs during periods of heavy rainfall.
She emphasised that preserving wetlands was essential to maintaining healthy ecosystems and reducing the risk of floods.
The EPA Chief Executive also disclosed that the Authority had tested an ionic nano-copper water treatment technology designed to help clean polluted water bodies.
However, she explained that the technology’s effectiveness is limited where rivers are heavily silted or blocked by waste.
She said restoring river systems would enable the technology to remove heavy metals, reduce water turbidity and improve raw water quality for treatment by the Ghana Water Company.
The Western Regional Minister, Mr Joseph Nelson, called for stronger collaboration among regions in managing Ghana’s river systems, noting that major rivers such as the Pra flow through multiple administrative jurisdictions.
He cautioned that environmental degradation upstream could undermine conservation and restoration efforts downstream, stressing the need for coordinated action to protect the country’s water resources and reduce flood risks.
