EPA Shuts Down Empire Cement Over Air Pollution

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered Empire Cement Ghana Limited to cease operations immediately due to alleged air pollution and violations of its permit conditions. This decision comes after the EPA investigated multiple complaints about the factory's emissions impacting the environment and public health. According to an EPA enforcement notice dated September 14, 2026, the company's emissions included visible and gaseous pollutants, which posed significant risks.

The EPA found that Empire Cement had not submitted its quarterly environmental monitoring reports, breaching a permit condition. Moreover, the company failed to implement required pollution control systems, maintain existing systems in good working order, and ensure the functionality of pollution control measures at all times. These actions were deemed detrimental to air quality and public health in the surrounding areas.

Empire Cement was given until October 1, 2026, to submit its next quarterly environmental monitoring report and to install advanced air pollution control systems that meet the Ghana Standard for Environment and Health Protection (GS 1236:2019). The EPA also instructed the company to engage with the local community regarding its operations and mitigation efforts, subsequently reporting on these interactions to the authority.

Compliance with these directives is essential for the company to resume operations, which can only occur post-installation of non-compliant systems and upon receiving EPA written authorization.