Plastic pollution is a growing threat to Ghana’s environment, clogging drains, polluting beaches, and endangering marine life. In response, activists like Richmond Kennedy Quarcoo are leading a campaign to reduce single-use plastics.

Richmond’s message is clear: small changes, like switching to reusable bags, can have a massive impact, potentially replacing up to 10,000 single-use plastics per person each year.

The movement is gaining momentum across sectors. Entrepreneurs, scientists, and consumers are all playing a role. At the University of Ghana, researchers are developing plant-based alternatives to plastic packaging using mango seeds and peels. Meanwhile, local businesses like Nokware Skincare are embracing sustainable packaging made from calabash, jute, and recycled cocoa sacks.

Though not all packaging can be plastic-free, these efforts show that innovation and tradition can go hand in hand. And a ban on plastic bags could boost demand for eco-friendly products.

Change is also happening at the grassroots level. Some shopkeepers are already offering paper, textile, or cellulose-based alternatives to plastic bags. These options may require more resources to produce, but their reusability makes them a smarter, more sustainable choice. Stylish woven baskets and fabric bags are not only practical — they’re fashionable too.

Richmond Kennedy Quarcoo and his team continue to spread awareness, hoping to inspire a nationwide shift in habits. Their message is simple but powerful: a cleaner Ghana starts with one reusable bag at a time.