The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Ghana has announced the commencement of a nationwide Compliance Enforcement Exercise aimed at cracking down on breaches of environmental regulations across various sectors.
The authority noted that the initiative is grounded in the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), and supported by key regulatory instruments including the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) and the Hazardous Electronic and Other Wastes (Classification), Control and Management Regulations, 2016 (LI 2250), seeks to ensure strict adherence to Ghana’s environmental standards.
According to a press statement issued by the EPA, the exercises are a critical step in the Authority’s commitment to safeguarding both the natural and built environment, and to promoting sustainable development across the country.
Scope of the Enforcement
The compliance sweeps will target a broad range of activities and entities, with a particular focus on:
- Verification of valid Environmental Permits and Licences
- Adherence to operational conditions under Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) and associated permits
- Timely payment of environmental fees as prescribed under Act 1080
- Prevention and control of pollution and environmental hazards
- Implementation of approved Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and Preliminary Environmental Reports
- Proper waste management and disposal procedures
- Monitoring of activities covered under the Environmental Protection Act and related regulations
Industries Under Scrutiny
The enforcement drive will affect a wide range of undertakings, including:
- Hotels, resorts, and other tourism-related facilities
- Industrial and manufacturing plants
- Hospitals and healthcare centres
- Mining, quarrying, and other extractive operations
- Construction and infrastructure projects
- Waste management companies and landfill sites
- Fuel stations and other downstream petroleum operations
- Any other businesses or operations subject to environmental regulation
Expectations and Sanctions
The EPA urged all entities to ensure that their Environmental Permits and approvals are up to date, and that they are fully compliant with all stipulated environmental conditions.
This includes the prompt payment of relevant fees and the submission of required documentation to the Authority.
The statement warned that any non-compliance detected during the enforcement exercises will be met with firm action, including administrative penalties, suspension or revocation of permits, or even prosecution.
Public Cooperation Encouraged
The EPA also called on members of the public to support the enforcement drive by reporting any suspected breaches of environmental laws. Reports can be made via the following contact details:
- Telephone: 0535422115 / 0506694760 / 0506699466 / 0244533268
- Email: client.relations@epa.gov.gh
- Offices: EPA Head Office, Regional, District, and Area Offices
The EPA reaffirmed its dedication to protecting Ghana’s environment for both current and future generations, thanking stakeholders and the general public for their anticipated cooperation during the enforcement period.