The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has directed all institutions, companies and individuals undertaking land reclamation, mine-site rehabilitation, dredging and water-body restoration activities without the requisite environmental permits to cease operations immediately.
In a public notice issued on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, the Authority warned that all reclamation and restoration projects must comply with Ghana’s environmental permitting requirements, regardless of whether they are government-sponsored, privately funded or donor-supported.
The EPA said it had observed an increasing number of such activities across the country being carried out without the necessary Environmental Permits and regulatory oversight.
It stressed that projects undertaken, funded, commissioned or supervised by public institutions were not exempt from the requirements.
The Authority specifically directed the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Forestry Commission, Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), Minerals Commission, Mineral Development Fund and other public institutions involved in reclamation and restoration programmes to ensure full compliance with its permitting requirements before physical works commence or continue.
According to the EPA, Regulation 40 of the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504), places reclamation and restoration activities under Ghana’s environmental assessment and permitting regime.
These activities include mine reclamation and rehabilitation, the restoration of degraded lands and abandoned mining sites, backfilling and reshaping excavated areas, revegetation, dredging and desilting of rivers, and the restoration of polluted water bodies, wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
The directive also covers river channel diversion or modification and other interventions intended to restore environmentally disturbed areas.
The EPA has instructed all entities currently undertaking such activities without the requisite permits to report to the nearest EPA Regional Office or its head office for regulatory assessment.
It further cautioned that the award of a contract, approval of funding, possession of a mining lease, concession or licence, or authorisation from another public institution does not constitute an Environmental Permit.
The Authority added that memoranda of understanding, consent from traditional authorities and participation in government programmes could not replace its statutory approval.
Contracting institutions have consequently been directed to verify the environmental permit status of projects before allowing contractors to mobilise to sites.
The EPA said it supported government efforts and legitimate private initiatives to restore lands and water bodies damaged by illegal and irresponsible mining but insisted that such efforts must not undermine environmental safeguards.
It warned that any institution or individual continuing reclamation, rehabilitation, dredging or restoration activities in defiance of the notice would be dealt with in accordance with the applicable laws of Ghana.
“Protecting Ghana’s environment is a legal obligation. Compliance is not optional,” the Authority stated.
