Following an earlier directive for Empire Cement Ghana Limited to shut down its factory operations at Weija in Accra with immediate effect over alleged breaches of conditions attached to its environmental permit, the EPA on Wednesday stormed the premises to shut down the company's operations forcefully.
The move follows investigations by the EPA into alleged air pollution and nuisance from the company’s operations after the Authority received several public complaints.
The EPA said its investigations established sustained emissions of visible particulate and gaseous pollutants from the company’s operations, with implications for the environment, adjoining land uses and public health.
The Authority also found that the company had failed to submit its quarterly environmental monitoring returns, contrary to Condition 9.1 of its Environmental Permit.
The EPA further said Empire Cement had failed to implement key conditions of its environmental permit, including the installation of appropriate state-of-the-art pollution control systems on all pollution discharge units.
Those systems are required to meet the Ghana Standard for Environment and Health Protection-Requirements for Ambient Air Quality and Point Source/Stack Emissions (GS 1236:2019).
Requirements
In a closure notice dated September 14, 2026, the EPA directed the company to submit its quarterly environmental monitoring returns by October 1, 2026.
It also directed Empire Cement to install appropriate air pollution control systems, ensure that existing pollution control systems and auxiliary equipment were in good working condition, and undertake stakeholder engagement with the affected community on the impacts of its operations and proposed mitigation measures.
The company has also been required to notify the EPA after completing the installation of the pollution control systems to enable the Authority to conduct a subsequent inspection and make an informed decision.
The EPA said Empire Cement could only resume operations after installing pollution control systems that complied with the GS 1236:2019 emissions standards and obtaining written permission from the Authority.
Sanctions
The Authority cautioned that failure to comply with the directive could lead to further enforcement action, including administrative penalties and additional regulatory sanctions under the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), and other applicable laws.
The closure notice was signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Browne Klutse.
