The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) of Ghana has directed Empire Cement Ghana Limited to submit a relocation plan for its cement grinding and bagging plant located near the Densu Delta Ramsar Site. This directive was issued on October 28, 2026, and the company has 30 days to present a detailed strategy for winding down operations at its current site. The EPA's concerns about the plant's location date back to June 2020.
The EPA initially asked the company to halt construction and find an alternative location due to the land use not being suitable for the area. Subsequent assessments revealed that large-scale cement production posed risks to public health, flooding, and heavy truck traffic through nearby communities. The plant is situated close to residential areas, Panbros Salt Industries Limited, and the protected Densu Delta Ramsar Site.
Empire Cement obtained an Environmental Permit in October 2023, which required the company to submit a decommissioning plan and relocate before the permit expired. However, the EPA modified the permit conditions in January 2024 following ministerial intervention, but the concerns regarding health, flooding, and heavy truck traffic remained unaddressed. Residents' associations in the Weija-Gbawe area have petitioned the President and the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, calling for enforcement.
The EPA has invoked Section 35 of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), which stipulates that the relocation plan must identify potential industrial sites, set timelines and transition arrangements, and include measures to protect workers. The company must also secure a new site in a designated industrial zone and obtain the necessary environmental and land-use approvals, including environmental impact assessments.
Empire Cement is required to agree on a firm timetable with the EPA and other state bodies for shutting down the existing plant and restoring the site. Until then, the company must maintain pollution-control measures as mandated by its permit and the Closure Notice. The EPA has warned that resuming operations without authorization while the Closure Notice is in effect could result in sanctions under Act 1124.
The relocation plan must be comprehensive, addressing the concerns of various stakeholders, including workers, residents, and environmental groups. The EPA's directive is a significant step towards mitigating the environmental and health impacts of the cement plant's operations. The company's response to the directive will be crucial in determining the future of the plant and the surrounding ecosystem.
The EPA's enforcement action is part of its efforts to ensure compliance with environmental regulations and protect the country's natural resources. The outcome of this case will have implications for industrial operations in Ghana, particularly those located in sensitive ecosystems. The company's decision to relocate will be closely monitored by environmental groups and regulatory agencies.
Key points
- The EPA has given Empire Cement 30 days to present a relocation plan for its Densu Delta cement plant.
- The plant's operations pose risks to public health, flooding, and heavy truck traffic in nearby communities.
- The company must identify a new site in a designated industrial zone and obtain necessary environmental and land-use approvals.
