EPA enforces shutdown of Empire Cement over alleged air pollution breaches

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has moved to shut down Empire Cement Ghana Ltd. at Weija in the Greater Accra Region following investigations into alleged air pollution and breaches of the company’s environmental permit conditions.

The directive, contained in a notice dated September 14, 2026, comes after the Authority received several complaints concerning alleged air pollution and nuisance associated with the company’s operations.

The EPA said its investigations revealed sustained emissions of visible particulate matter, gases and other pollutants from the facility.

According to the Authority, the emissions have 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 as required under Condition 9.1 of its environmental permit.

The Authority further cited the company for failing to meet conditions relating to the installation and maintenance of pollution control systems.

Under the permit, Empire Cement was required to install “appropriate State-of-the-Art pollution Control Systems” on all pollution discharge units to ensure compliance with Ghana’s environmental and health protection standards for ambient air quality and point-source or stack emissions.

The EPA said the failure to meet that requirement constituted a breach of Condition 5.1(1)(a) of the permit.

Investigators also found that the company’s existing pollution control systems and auxiliary equipment were not being adequately maintained to control air pollution and keep emissions within permissible limits.

The Authority said Empire Cement was additionally required to properly maintain all dust plants at the facility to prevent or minimise the release of dust into the surrounding environment.

That requirement, it said, had also not been met.

The EPA further cited the company for failing to ensure that its pollution control systems remained operational at all times in line with GS 1236:2019.

Based on the findings, the Authority 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.

Before the company can resume operations, the EPA has directed it to undertake a number of corrective measures.

Among them is the submission of its outstanding quarterly environmental monitoring returns by October 1, 2026.

Empire Cement has also been ordered to install appropriate state-of-the-art air pollution control systems capable of ensuring compliance with GS 1236:2019.

The company must further bring its existing pollution control systems and auxiliary equipment into good working condition.

The EPA said the 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.

Also read:

• Court restrains Empire Cement from operations

• Weija-Gbawe assembly members kick against closure of 1d1f cement factory, fights EPA [Photos]

Below is the EPA letter:

Empire-Cement-closure

Download