The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will include product confiscation in its strategy to enforce the upcoming ban on polystyrene products, effective January 1.

The agency is currently finalising the necessary legal and regulatory structures ahead of the rollout.

Transition Period and Enforcement Prep

The EPA is mapping out a seamless transition phase prior to the January 1 deadline.

Speaking on the JoyNews AM Show at the EPA Headquarters on June 18, Larry Kotoe, the Director of Sustainability and Circular Economy, emphasised that importers have been given sufficient time to adapt, pointing out that typical business import cycles run between three and four months.

According to Kotoe, the EPA is actively drafting the enforcement protocols and legal frameworks required to back the ban, with expectations that everything will be finalised well before the start date.

Port Surveillance and Customs Collaboration

Seizing non-compliant goods is just one of several enforcement tools the agency plans to deploy.

“Confiscation is one of the measures, among many others, that will be used to ensure compliance,” Kotoe stated.

He noted that because the EPA is stationed at Ghana's entry points, it maintains strict oversight of inbound cargo, enabling officials to track imports and regulate restricted goods.

To ensure seamless execution, the EPA will coordinate directly with the Ghana Customs Service to clarify which specific items face restrictions and establish precise timelines.

“We will be communicating with Customs on the list of items we intend to restrict and the timelines for implementation,” he explained.

Industry Engagement

In tandem with border controls, the agency is holding dialogues with local producers and importers to foster voluntary adherence and guarantee that stakeholders are fully prepared.

“We are discussing with industry players to ensure compliance so that everyone acts in good faith going forward,” Kotoe added.

The EPA reiterated that phasing out polystyrene is a critical component of its larger campaign to combat plastic waste and encourage the adoption of eco-friendly alternatives.