The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), in collaboration with the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana, and the Municipal Assembly, has officially commissioned a new office in Dzodze in the Volta Region.
This milestone marks a significant leap forward in advancing grassroots environmental protection and sustainability in Ghana.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Professor Nana Ama Brown-Klutse, described the occasion as “a groundbreaking milestone” and lauded the MP for his pivotal role in realising the initiative.
“This is the first municipal EPA office of its kind in Ghana, and it is a testament to what we can achieve when leadership is deliberate about environmental sustainability,” she said.
Prof. Brown-Klutse underscored the EPA’s commitment to decentralising its operations to ensure that environmental governance and services are accessible to communities across the country.
“We are bringing EPA services closer to the people. This initiative sets a precedent, and I call on all Members of Parliament to emulate this bold step and collaborate with the EPA to establish similar offices in their constituencies,” she urged.
She further elaborated on the EPA’s broader mission to foster sustainable development and called on traditional leaders and residents to become active participants in safeguarding the environment.
“We urge the public and traditional leaders to report any activity that poses a threat to the environment—be it unauthorized construction, poor sanitation practices, or irresponsible land use. The new EPA office is here to serve and protect the environment in Ketu North,” she added.
As part of her visit, Prof. Brown-Klutse engaged with students at several local schools, educating them on the importance of environmental stewardship, with an emphasis on waste segregation and tree planting.
To reinforce environmental education and promote academic excellence, she donated GHS 5,000 each to Wovenu Senior High Technical School and Dzodze Panyi Senior High School.
In recognition of her outstanding contribution to ecological welfare in the region, the Chiefs and Queen Mothers of Ketu North honored her with the traditional title “Environmental Protection Queen Mother of Ketu North.”
The Member of Parliament, Eric Edem Agbana, who played an instrumental role in the establishment of the office, reaffirmed his dedication to positioning Ketu North as a model for environmental progress and innovation.
“This is just the beginning. We are not only opening an office—we are launching a movement. A movement to safeguard our environment, plant trees, and light the path for future generations,” he declared.
He announced an ambitious initiative to plant 10,000 trees across the municipality and further donated 20 streetlights to Wovenu SHTS and Dzodze Panyi SHS to improve student safety and enhance campus security.
The launch of the EPA’s first municipal office in Dzodze signals a bold and forward-thinking approach to local environmental governance.
With visionary leadership, strong community participation, and committed youth engagement, Ketu North is charting a path toward sustainable development and inspiring other districts across Ghana to follow suit.
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