Stakeholders in Ghana Emphasize Urgency of Reducing Single-Use Plastics and Promoting Circular Economy
Ghana’s environmental sector has highlighted the importance of reducing single-use plastics (SUPs) and adopting circular economy solutions. This comes as the Go Circular Project, which ran for three years in Accra, concludes its implementation. The project, carried out by the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), has shown that efforts to reduce plastic waste are already taking shape in the country.
The closing ceremony, held on June 19, brought together representatives from government agencies, the private sector, civil society, and project partners. Among the participants were the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Meltwater Entrepreneurial School of Technology (MEST), Recycle Up! Ghana, Plastic Punch, and Impact Footprints Africa. These stakeholders emphasized the significance of the project’s outcomes and the potential for future expansion.
Key Achievements of the Go Circular Project
One of the most notable achievements of the Go Circular Project is the development of the Roadmap to phase down Single-Use Plastics. This roadmap was created in collaboration with key stakeholders and outlines specific actions for businesses, regulators, and the public across different sectors. It focuses on high-impact areas such as supermarkets, retail, hospitality, and the food and beverage industries, offering practical measures to align efforts and reduce plastic waste.
Another major outcome was the Voluntary Pact signed by eight businesses committing to cut their SUP usage by 50 per cent by 2030. This initiative was supported by a public campaign titled “Bag the Habit of Single-Use Plastic,” which reached over 20 million Ghanaians through radio, television, and billboard messaging. A pilot program at a participating supermarket chain encouraged more than 1,000 shoppers to use reusable bags, achieving a 20 per cent return rate—indicating a growing willingness among consumers to embrace sustainable alternatives.
Grassroots Support for Sustainable Practices
At the grassroots level, the project provided support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the food and catering sector, a major contributor to single-use plastic consumption. With guidance from Impact Footprints Africa, participating businesses began reintroducing eco-friendly practices, such as wrapping traditional waakye in leaves and replacing plastic containers with paper bags, reusable jars, and delivery crates.
Stakeholders at the closing ceremony emphasized that the success of the Go Circular Project demonstrates that viable solutions to plastic pollution already exist in Ghana. They called for these initiatives to be scaled up nationwide, noting that plastic reduction is no longer an abstract goal but a proven and achievable path forward. They urged both public and private actors to maintain momentum and expand the impact of these efforts.
Global Context and Future Prospects
The Go Circular initiative is part of a global programme aimed at promoting the transition to a circular economy through innovation, partnerships, and public awareness. In Ghana, the project advanced the national strategy to phase down SUPs, supported sustainable business models, and fostered alliances to combat plastic waste.
GIZ, the implementing agency, has been active in Ghana for over 50 years, managing approximately 50 development programmes focused on energy and climate, job creation, and good governance. As plastic pollution continues to pose a serious threat to Ghana’s environment, health, and economy, the success of the Go Circular Project marks a significant step toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
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