October 6, 2025
Industries in Ghana face stricter consequences for failing to renew environmental permits on time, as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has introduced a penalty system that triples the standard fee for late renewals. This move is part of an intensified effort by the agency to enforce compliance under the new Environmental Protection Act 2025 (Act 1124), which came into effect in January.
The announcement was made by Samuel Oteng, the Greater Accra East (Tema) Regional Director of the EPA, during the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI) Tema Regional annual meeting. Speaking at the event, themed "Creating a Conducive Business Environment for Industrial Competitiveness: 24 Hour in Perspective", Oteng underscored the importance of adhering to environmental permit conditions. "Permit conditions aren’t optional suggestions but legal obligations carrying real consequences", he stated.
Under the new regulations, industries must initiate the renewal process at least three months before their permits expire. Failure to do so will result in financial penalties equivalent to three times the applicable permit fee. This measure is intended to prevent last-minute submissions and ensure continuous oversight of industrial operations.
Oteng highlighted the risks of non-compliance, explaining that industries without valid permits or those violating permit conditions face not just financial repercussions but also potential suspension of operations, permit revocation, or legal action, depending on the severity of the violations.
The introduction of these penalties reflects broader changes under the Environmental Protection Act 2025. The legislation has granted the EPA expanded powers to monitor and enforce compliance, addressing regulatory gaps that existed under the previous 1994 law. Beyond financial penalties, the Act empowers the EPA to update environmental permit conditions regularly, ensuring they reflect current best practices and environmental science.
Oteng emphasized the importance of timely renewals, stating that outdated permits fail to account for changes in technology or environmental conditions, potentially endangering surrounding communities and ecosystems. "The renewal process isn’t just administrative paperwork but rather ongoing environmental management", he explained.
While the triple fee penalty aims to incentivize compliance, it raises concerns about its financial impact, particularly on smaller manufacturers operating on tight margins. Critics argue that the steep fees could create significant unplanned expenses, potentially affecting their budgets and operations.
The EPA, however, appears resolute in its decision, citing that previous penalty structures had failed to motivate timely renewals. Officials argue that stronger financial consequences are necessary to change the behavior of industries that have historically treated permit renewals as a low priority.
The Environmental Protection Act 2025 also introduces additional regulatory frameworks. These include the establishment of the Ghana Carbon Registry to promote carbon credit trading, stricter pesticide controls, tighter hazardous waste regulations, and restrictions on electronic waste imports. Additionally, the EPA now hosts the Carbon Markets Office, which will oversee emerging climate finance mechanisms, adding to the agency’s responsibilities.
These expanded mandates create new compliance requirements for industries, further complicating the regulatory landscape. As Oteng’s remarks suggest, the EPA is determined to address the issue of regulatory "blind spots" by requiring early renewals and stricter adherence to permit conditions.
The stricter enforcement measures come at a time when Ghana is striving to balance environmental sustainability with industrial competitiveness. During the AGI meeting, discussions touched on how regulations can coexist with the government’s 24-hour economy policy. Industry leaders argue that excessive regulation could erode their competitive edge, while environmental advocates stress that proper oversight ensures both public health and environmental sustainability.
Seth Twum Akwaboah, Chief Executive Officer of AGI, has repeatedly called for stable and predictable regulatory environments to enable long-term planning for industries. In this context, the EPA’s clear communication about the new penalties and timelines seeks to provide clarity and eliminate ambiguity.
Despite the EPA’s determination, its ability to enforce compliance may face challenges. Historically, Ghana’s regulatory agencies have struggled with limited resources, including constrained budgets, insufficient personnel, and inadequate equipment. The expanded responsibilities under Act 1124 could further strain the EPA’s capacity to monitor compliance comprehensively across sectors.
How industries respond to the new penalties will be critical in determining the effectiveness of these measures. While some are likely to prioritize compliance to avoid financial penalties, others may take their chances, particularly if they perceive gaps in enforcement.
As Oteng’s message at the AGI meeting suggests, the EPA is committed to using its expanded powers to enforce compliance and ensure environmental protection. Whether these efforts will lead to improved industry practices or resistance from businesses remains to be seen.
