The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered the immediate suspension of land reclamation, mine-site rehabilitation and water-body restoration activities being carried out without the necessary environmental permits.
The directive covers both public and private projects, including those financed by the government or supported by development partners. The Authority says all such interventions must comply with environmental permitting requirements, regardless of their source of funding.
In a notice issued on Thursday, October 15, the EPA expressed concern over the increasing number of reclamation and restoration projects being undertaken without its regulatory oversight.
It cited Regulation 40 of the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504), which subjects reclamation and restoration activities to Ghana’s environmental assessment and permitting regime.
The requirement applies to the rehabilitation of abandoned mining sites, the restoration of degraded lands, river dredging, changes to river channels, and efforts to recover polluted water bodies and wetlands.
The EPA has specifically called on the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Forestry Commission, the Ghana Gold Board, the Minerals Commission and the Mineral Development Fund to ensure that projects they sponsor, finance or supervise obtain the required permits.
It stressed that awarding a contract, approving funding, holding a mining lease or securing consent from traditional authorities and other public institutions does not constitute an environmental permit.
Institutions responsible for awarding contracts have also been directed to confirm that projects have the necessary permits before contractors are allowed to mobilise to their sites.
While reaffirming its support for efforts to restore lands and water bodies damaged by illegal and irresponsible mining, the EPA cautioned that such interventions must be carried out in accordance with established environmental safeguards.
The Authority has directed all entities undertaking the affected activities without permits to report to their nearest EPA regional office or the Authority’s head office for regulatory assessment.
It warned that operators who disregard the directive and continue working without the required authorisation will face enforcement action under Ghana’s applicable laws.
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