The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has directed operators undertaking land reclamation, dredging, and environmental restoration projects without the necessary environmental permits to stop work immediately.
In a statement issued on October 14, 2026, the Authority expressed concern over the growing number of such activities being carried out without the required authorisation and regulatory supervision.
The EPA instructed all operators engaged in reclamation, dredging, rehabilitation or restoration without a valid environmental permit to cease operations with immediate effect.
It further directed affected operators to report to the nearest EPA Regional Office or its Head Office for regulatory assessment.
The order covers a range of activities, including rehabilitation of mining sites, backfilling of excavated areas, restoration of abandoned mining locations, river dredging and desilting, as well as projects that affect wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.
Both public and private sector initiatives are covered by the directive, including projects funded by government and donor organisations.
The Authority warned that operators who disregard the order and continue working without the required permits will face enforcement action in accordance with Ghanaian law.
While acknowledging the importance of restoring land and water bodies degraded by illegal and irresponsible mining, the EPA stressed that such efforts must comply with environmental regulations.
It cautioned that the urgency of environmental restoration should not be used to circumvent established safeguards, warning that poorly regulated restoration activities could cause further damage to the environment.
