We’ll Fund CSIR To Develop Hemp, Cassava Alternatives To Plastics - Environment Minister-Designate

Minister-designate for Environment, Science and Technology, Dr. Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, says her Ministry will fund research into biodegradable alternatives to plastics if she is approved by Parliament.

Appearing before Parliament's Appointments Committee on Thursday, August 27, 2026, the nominee said Ghana must look inward for sustainable materials that can replace polystyrene and single-use plastics.

"What I believe can be done in addition to this is to channel some funding towards the CSIR, the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, so that they can actually look into biological alternatives, for example hemp, for example cassava," Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings stated.

According to her, Ghana has abundant plant produce that can be converted into eco-friendly packaging materials that decompose naturally.

"We have a lot of plant produce that can be used to make plastic alternatives which can break down and don't actually persevere in the environment," she added.

Dr. Agyeman-Rawlings disclosed that this initiative will complement government's plan to ban polystyrene and single-use plastics within the next six months, in line with Ghana's national policy on plastic waste management.

"There's a policy on plastic waste that we have as a country and that is supposed to encompass how we plan to address this. The briefing that I did receive is one of the key things that is to happen within the next six months is the ban on polystyrene and at some point also single-use plastic," she told the Committee.