Four prominent traditional leaders from the Central Region have endorsed the Environmental Protection Authority’s (EPA) planned ban on Styrofoam and polystyrene takeaway containers, calling on Ghanaians to protect the country’s coastline and natural heritage.
They said protecting Ghana’s environment should not be left to the government alone, and urged traditional authorities, businesses, communities and citizens to work together.
The leaders were the Omanhen of Oguaa Traditional Area, Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II, Omanhen of Abeadze Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwebu Ewusi VII, the Omanhen of Abura, Emintsiminim Otu XI and the Queenmother of Oguaa, Nana Ekua Abookye VI.
Fantefest
The endorsement came during a special durbar of the chiefs and people from the coastal Central Region dubbed Fantefest 2026, held in London last Saturday.
The event, a colourful celebration of Fante culture and identity, is aimed at bringing Fantes in the United Kingdom together to socialise and also discuss the development of their communities.
This year’s theme for the festival was: “Our Coast, our culture, our responsibility.”
Background
Last year, President John Dramani Mahama announced an impending ban on Styrofoam and polystyrene products, particularly, for food packaging as part of efforts to protect the environment.
The EPA subsequently announced that the nationwide ban would take effect on January 1, 2027, subject to specified exemptions.
Osabarimba Kwesi Atta II said for the coastal part of the Central Region, the issue had particular importance because the communities depended heavily on the sea for livelihoods, food and cultural life.
He said there had been evidence of the sea being polluted, a situation that was not only affecting them, but also their livelihoods.
The Oguaamanhen, therefore, lauded the clean our coastline campaign, a collaborative effort by the Obokese Foundation, Fantefest Secretariat, EPA and Buzz Stop Boys, which seeks to mobilise communities and young people to tackle coastal pollution.
He further commended them for the efforts and stressed the need for the campaign to be sustained, but said such efforts would not yield the needed result if there was no national policy to deal with the menace.
“That is why we fully support the impending ban on Styrofoam,” Osabarimba Atta II stated.
The Apagyahen of Asebu State and Chief Patron of Fantefest, Nana Obokese Ampah I, said the celebration should translate into action, with the Fante identity and unity used to support environmental protection, community development and a stronger legacy for future generations.
Lifting Fante land
The Executive Director of the Fantefest Secretariat, Charles Walker, gave an assurance to the global Fante community of the movement’s resolve to bring Fantes everywhere together to “lift the Fante land.”
He said Fantefest was not only about celebrating history, but also about building unity, creating opportunities and turning the collective efforts of Fantes at home and in the diaspora into meaningful development.
“The message from London is broader than the Styrofoam debate: protect what our ancestors gave us, unite for progress, and leave a better Ghana for the next generation,” Mr Walker said.
