EPA enforces shutdown of Empire Cement over alleged air pollution breaches

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has issued a shutdown notice to Empire Cement Ghana Ltd. in Weija, Greater Accra Region, following allegations of air pollution and permit condition breaches. The directive, dated September 14, 2026, followed complaints from the public regarding the company's operations. EPA investigations uncovered consistent emissions of visible particulate matter, gases, and other pollutants from the facility, negatively impacting the environment, neighboring land uses, and public health.

Empire Cement also failed to submit quarterly environmental monitoring returns and did not meet conditions for installing and maintaining pollution control systems, as stipulated in its permit. The company was required to install state-of-the-art pollution control systems and maintain existing systems to ensure compliance with Ghana's environmental and health protection standards for air quality and stack emissions.

Empire Cement must submit outstanding reports by October 1, 2026, install appropriate air pollution control systems, and bring existing equipment into proper working condition. These measures aim to reduce air pollution and maintain emissions within permissible limits.