By Evans Worlanyo Ameamu
Keta (VR), Jan. 10, GNA – The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Ghana has announced a special nationwide environmental compliance enforcement and monitoring exercise targeting all regulated undertakings, including businesses and enterprises operating in the country.
The exercise requires affected entities to comply fully with environmental regulations under the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).
A press release dated January 8 and signed by Professor Nana Ama Brown Klutse, Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, and sighted by the Ghana News Agency, stated that all businesses must possess a valid Environmental Permit or Licence to operate legally in Ghana, in accordance with the Environmental Protection Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504).
“The EPA warns that operating without a valid Environmental Permit or Licence, operating with an expired permit, or breaching permit conditions will attract sanctions under the law,” the statement said.
It noted that non-compliant entities would be subjected to routine environmental enforcement, monitoring and inspection activities across the country to ensure adherence to applicable environmental laws and regulatory requirements.
The Authority directed all regulated entities to take immediate steps to regularise their environmental compliance by visiting the nearest EPA office to begin or complete the permitting and compliance process.
The statement cautioned that failure to comply with the directive would attract appropriate sanctions, including administrative penalties, fines, closure of operations, or prosecution, as prescribed by law.
It further emphasised that all statutory fees or fines imposed during the exercise must be paid directly into designated EPA bank accounts or EPA mobile money wallets, stressing that the Authority does not accept cash payments under any circumstances.
The special compliance exercise covers a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, energy, tourism, construction, health, agriculture, chemical activities, communication masts and mining.
Manufacturing activities include wood processing, oxygen gas production, food and beverage processing, pharmaceuticals and aluminium production.
The energy sector coverage also includes fuel and gas service stations, fuel depots and solar power generation exceeding two megawatts.
Professor Klutse urged all regulated entities to contact the nearest EPA office for further information or clarification regarding their operations.
GNA
Edited by: Maxwell Awumah/Audrey Dekalu