The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has moved to enforce the shutdown of Empire Cement Ghana Ltd. at Weija in the Greater Accra Region over alleged air pollution breaches and violations of conditions attached to the company’s environmental permit.
The directive, contained in a notice dated September 14, 2026, follows several public complaints about alleged air pollution and nuisance linked to the company’s operations.
The EPA said its investigations found sustained emissions of visible particulate matter, gases and other pollutants from the factory.
In a statement, the Authority said the emissions had “negative implications for the environment, adjoining land uses and the public health”.
The EPA also found that Empire Cement had failed to submit its quarterly environmental monitoring returns, contrary to Condition 9.1 of its environmental permit.
The permit, numbered EPA/MID/EMP/CU 859/25/1013/01/0042947, contains several environmental requirements the company must meet in its operations.
According to the EPA, the company had also failed to comply with key requirements concerning the installation and maintenance of pollution control systems.
One of the conditions requires the company to install “appropriate State-of-the-Art pollution Control Systems” on all pollution discharge units to ensure compliance with the Ghana Standard for Environment and Health Protection requirements for ambient air quality and point source or stack emissions, GS 1236:2019.
The Authority said the failure to meet this requirement amounted to a breach of Condition 5.1(1)(a) of the permit.
The EPA further said existing pollution control systems and related equipment were not being properly maintained to reduce air pollution and keep emissions within permissible limits.
Empire Cement was also required to properly maintain all dust plants at the factory to prevent or minimise dust emissions into the surrounding environment.
The Authority said this requirement had not been met.
It also cited the company’s failure to ensure that pollution control systems remained operational at all times and complied with the requirements of GS 1236:2019.
Based on its findings, the EPA said Empire Cement was in breach of Conditions 5.1(a), 5.1(h)(i), 5.1(h)(iv) and 9.1 of its environmental permit.
The EPA has directed the company to take several corrective measures before it can resume operations.
Empire Cement must submit its outstanding quarterly environmental monitoring returns by October 1, 2026, in line with the conditions of its permit.
The company must also install appropriate state-of-the-art air pollution control systems capable of ensuring compliance with GS 1236:2019.
In addition, it has been ordered to ensure that its existing pollution control systems and auxiliary equipment are properly maintained and in good working condition.
The EPA said these measures are necessary to reduce air pollution and ensure emissions remain within permissible limits for both fence-line air quality and point source or stack emissions.
