Chairman of Parliament’s Works and Housing Committee, Vincent Oppong Asamoah, is urging the government to impose a nationwide prohibition on the use of plastics.

He citeD their detrimental impact on the environment and their significant role in worsening Accra’s flooding challenges.

He made this appeal during an inspection tour of the Odawna drainage infrastructure under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development (GARID) Project.

The initiative, supported by a $200 million World Bank grant since 2020, is designed to tackle frequent flooding, particularly within the Odaw River catchment area.

Vincent Oppong Asamoah highlighted how plastic waste continues to block key drainage systems, impeding the project’s progress. He stressed that completely banning plastics would significantly ease the burden.

A global survey by Ipsos lends weight to his call. The poll found that “85% of respondents support a global ban on single-use plastics,” with “87% in favour of reducing plastic production” and “90% backing a ban on dangerous chemicals found in plastics.” There was also strong public backing for encouraging alternatives that are recyclable or reusable.

Asamoah’s recommendation aligns with global appeals for legally enforceable action to address plastic waste—an issue that international bodies such as the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and Plastic Free Foundation have also taken up.

In a related development, the Ranking Member of the Committee, Martin Adjei Mensah Korsah, called for tougher enforcement, saying people who dump garbage into drains must face legal consequences. He noted, “It’s a criminal offence and one of the leading causes of flooding in this country.”