EPA orders shutdown of Empire Cement over alleged air pollution breaches

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered the shutdown of Empire Cement Ghana Ltd. in Weija, Greater Accra Region, due to alleged violations of air pollution controls and conditions of their environmental permit. Complaints from the public about air pollution and nuisance led to the investigation, which found sustained emissions of visible particulate matter, gases, and other pollutants from the facility. These emissions negatively impacted the environment, neighboring land uses, and public health.

The EPA discovered that Empire Cement had not submitted its quarterly environmental monitoring returns, violating Condition 9.1 of their permit. Additionally, the company failed to install and properly maintain State-of-the-Art pollution control systems as required by Condition 5.1(1)(a) of the permit. The existing pollution control systems and auxiliary equipment were not adequately maintained, also in breach of Condition 5.1(1)(a).

Furthermore, the company was not ensuring that their pollution control systems remained operational at all times, as mandated by GS 1236:2019.

To resume operations, Empire Cement must submit its outstanding quarterly environmental monitoring returns by October 1, 2026. The company must also install appropriate state-of-the-art air pollution control systems meeting GS 1236:2019 standards and restore existing pollution control systems and auxiliary equipment to good working condition. These corrective measures are necessary to reduce air pollution and maintain emissions within permissible limits for fence-line air quality and point-source or stack emissions.