Josiah
The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered the immediate shutdown of Empire Cement Ghana Limited over alleged breaches of its environmental permit and sustained emissions of pollutants into the environment.
The directive follows investigations conducted by the EPA after receiving several public complaints about alleged air pollution and nuisance linked to the company’s operations.
In a closure notice addressed to the Managing Director of Empire Cement Ghana Limited, the EPA said its investigations had established “sustained emission of visible particulate/gaseous emissions/pollutants from your operations” with implications for the environment, adjoining land uses and public health.
Signed by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, the Authority also accused the company of failing to submit its quarterly environmental monitoring returns as required under its environmental permit.
According to the EPA, the company had also failed to comply with several conditions of its permit relating to the installation, operation and maintenance of pollution control systems.
The Authority specifically cited the company’s failure to install “appropriate State-of-the-Art pollution Control Systems on all pollution discharge units” to meet the requirements of the Ghana Standard for Environment and Health Protection – GS 1236:2019.
The EPA further said existing pollution control systems and auxiliary equipment were not being maintained in a condition capable of reducing air pollution and keeping emissions within permissible limits.
It also cited inadequate maintenance of dust plants and alleged failure to ensure that pollution control systems remained functional at all times.
Based on these findings, the EPA said Empire Cement was in breach of several conditions attached to its environmental permit.
“The Authority finds Empire Cement Ghana Ltd in breach of sections 5.1(a), 5.1(h)(i), 5.1(h)(iv) and 9.1 of the Schedule to Environmental Permit No. EPA/MID/EMP/CU 859/25/1013/01/0042947 and hereby direct you to shut down the factory operations with immediate effect,” the notice stated.
The EPA has directed Empire Cement to submit its outstanding quarterly environmental monitoring returns by October 1, 2026.
The company has also been ordered to install appropriate state-of-the-art air pollution control systems capable of ensuring compliance with the GS 1236:2019 emissions standards.
It must additionally ensure that its existing pollution control systems and auxiliary equipment are in good working condition.
The EPA has also instructed the company to engage the affected community on the environmental impacts of its operations and measures being taken to mitigate them.
An engagement report is to be submitted to the Authority.
The company has been told to notify the EPA once the new pollution control systems have been installed so that an inspection can be conducted.
The notice makes clear that Empire Cement cannot resume operations until the required systems are installed and the company receives written permission from the EPA.
“Note that the company can only start operations upon installation of State-of-the Art Air Pollution Control Systems that will meet the emissions standards of the GS 1236:2019 and written permission from the Authority,” the EPA said.
