Minister-designate for Environment, Science, and Technology, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has outlined an ambitious roadmap for her ministry, announcing plans for an upcoming ban on polystyrene and single-use plastics alongside a major push toward sustainable waste management.
Appearing before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings detailed a multi-pronged approach to environmental protection, emphasizing green innovation, waste-to-energy conversion, and rigorous enforcement against illegal chemical pollution.
Addressing the persistent challenge of plastic pollution, She revealed plans to prohibit single-use plastics and polystyrene within six months of taking office. To support the transition, she pledged to direct funding to the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) to develop biodegradable, plant-based alternatives derived from local crops like cassava and hemp, ensuring materials break down naturally without harming ecosystems.
Turning to waste management, the Minister-designate urged a shift in perspective, arguing that waste should be treated as an economic resource rather than merely a hazard. She raised grave concerns about untreated landfill leachate contaminating groundwater and surrounding ecosystems across the country.
To solve this, she called for mandatory non-permeable linings for all landfill sites, household and community-level waste segregation to streamline composting, and innovative models such as waste-to-energy generation and plastic pyrolysis for fuel and cooking gas.
Responding to questions regarding the health risks posed by mercury in small-scale gold mining and the food supply, Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings emphasized strict adherence to the Minamata Convention.
She committed to equipping the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to execute unannounced spot-checks beyond active mining zones, extending monitoring to downstream agricultural soils, farms, and municipal groundwater. She also called for tighter surveillance at ports of entry to intercept illegal chemicals, promising uncompromising legal accountability for any infractions.
Eugenia Ewoenam Osei
