Ghanaian musician Sister Derby, born Deborah Vanessa Owusu-Bonsu, has spoken out against the practice of releasing balloons at funeral vigils in Accra, Ghana. In a post on X on 27 September 2026, she expressed concern that the tradition, which involves releasing 50 to 100 balloons into the sky, is contributing to the city's plastic waste crisis. Sister Derby questioned the point of the tradition, asking where the balloons ultimately land once they come back down.
The musician suggested that the rubber and plastic material from the balloons ends up as rubbish that clean-up campaigners constantly pull out of the city's drains. She referenced the work of Buzstopboys, a volunteer clean-up group known for exposing the volume of plastic and other waste clogging Accra's gutters. According to Sister Derby, the balloons mourners send skyward could be part of what the group keeps hauling out of the drainage system.
This is not the first time Sister Derby has spoken out on waste and pollution issues in Ghana. Earlier, she made a pointed remark comparing heaven to Seychelles and hell to Agbogbloshie and Fadama, highlighting the country's waste and pollution problems, particularly in Accra's poorer neighborhoods. Her comments on balloons are part of a broader pattern of commentary on these issues.
Concern over plastic waste and drainage in Accra has been building in recent weeks. A clean-up exercise on Nungua's Ananse Beach saw 576 volunteers haul 51.5 tonnes of trash off the beach, underscoring the scale of plastic pollution reaching Accra's coastline. World Vision Ghana has pledged $51 million toward water and sanitation improvements by 2030.
The issue of plastic waste and drainage is critical in Accra, as the city experiences recurring seasonal flooding that officials and residents blame in part on plastic waste blocking gutters and drains. If balloon releases at vigils are indeed adding to this problem, as Sister Derby suggests, the practice could be contributing to a flooding issue that disrupts transport, damages property, and endangers lives.
Despite Sister Derby's comments, no government agency or municipal authority has issued guidance or restriction on balloon releases at funerals. There is no indication of a scheduled review of the practice or a planned public campaign targeting balloon releases at vigils. The musician's comments have not been met with an official response.
The debate over balloon releases at funeral vigils in Accra highlights the need for sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices in the country. As concerns over plastic waste and drainage continue to grow, individuals and organizations are calling for action to address these issues. The impact of balloon releases on the environment may seem small, but it is part of a larger problem that requires attention and action.
Key points
- Sister Derby criticizes the release of 50-100 balloons at Accra funeral vigils, citing contribution to plastic pollution.
- The musician suggests that balloon releases end up as rubbish in the city's drains, contributing to flooding and environmental issues.
- The debate highlights the need for sustainable practices in Ghana, as concerns over plastic waste and drainage continue to grow.
