Excerpt
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana, established under the Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490), serves as the nation’s principal body for environmental regulation and protection. Its mission is to manage, protect, and enhance Ghana’s environment, ensuring sustainable development through efficient resource management and public participation.
Historical Overview
The EPA’s origins trace back to the Environmental Protection Council (EPC), formed in response to global environmental concerns highlighted during the 1972 United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in Stockholm. The EPC was established by the Environmental Protection Council Decree of 1974 (NRCD 239) and later transformed into the EPA with the enactment of Act 490 in 1994, granting it regulatory and enforcement powers.
Constitutional Mandates
Under Act 490, the EPA is mandated to:
- Advise the Minister on environmental policies.
- Coordinate activities of bodies concerned with the technical or practical aspects of the environment.
- Serve as a channel of communication between such bodies and the Ministry.
- Ensure compliance with environmental impact assessments.
- Enforce environmental regulations.
Leadership and Organizational Structure
The EPA operates under the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI). Its leadership comprises a Board of Directors appointed by the Minister, providing strategic direction and oversight. The agency is structured into various directorates, including:
- General Administration
- Policy, Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation
- Research, Statistics & Information Management
- Human Resource Development & Management
- Science, Technology & Innovation
- Environment
- Finance
- Procurement and Supply Chain
Offices and Units
The EPA has established 31 offices across Ghana to ensure nationwide environmental governance. Notable among these are the Institute for Environmental Studies (IES) in Amasaman, Accra, and the Ghana National Cleaner Production Centre (GNCPC) in Tema, which focus on training and promoting best practices in environmental management.
Appointment and Recruitment
Appointments to the EPA’s Board are made by the Minister of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation. Recruitment of staff is conducted through public advertisements, with candidates selected based on qualifications and experience relevant to environmental management and regulation.
Oversight and Partnerships
The EPA operates under the oversight of MESTI, ensuring alignment with national environmental policies. It collaborates with various stakeholders, including governmental agencies, non-governmental organizations, international bodies, and the private sector, to promote sustainable environmental practices.
Operations and Job Roles
The agency’s operations encompass:
- Environmental education
- Environmental impact assessments
- Strategic environmental assessments
- Monitoring of industries and mines
- Natural resource management
- Legal compliance and enforcement
- Research on environmental sustainability
These functions are carried out by professionals specializing in areas such as environmental science, law, engineering, and public health.
Historical Reforms
- In January 2025, the EPA transitioned into the Environmental Protection Authority following the enactment of the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124). This reform enhanced the agency’s legal framework, strengthening its capacity for environmental management and aligning with contemporary environmental challenges.
References
- https://newsghana.com.gh/ghanas-epa-transforms-into-environmental-protection-authority-under-new-act/
- https://3news.com/business/environmental-protection-agency-transitions-to-become-an-authority/
- https://www.modernghana.com/news/1375924/environmental-protection-agency-transitions-to.html
- https://mesti.gov.gh/hon-mesti-minister-ophelia-mensah-hayford-mp-swore-in-board-of-directors-for-the-environmental-protection-agency-epa/
- https://ghanainsider.com/functions-of-the-environmental-protection-agency-in-ghana/
- https://thebftonline.com/2022/03/04/environmental-protection-agency-is-committed-to-its-mission-to-achieve-a-sustainable-environment/
- https://ghalii.org/akn/gh/act/1994/490/eng%401994-12-30
- https://www.epa.gov.gh/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_Protection_Agency_%28Ghana%29
- https://mesti.gov.gh/organizational-structure/
- https://epaoilandgas.org/history%20Of%20EPA/index.html
- https://ghanalegal.com/laws_subdomain/acts/id/126/environmental-protection-agency-act/
- https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Environmental_Protection_Agency_%28Ghana%29
- https://www.epa.gov/sites/default/files/2014-05/documents/ghana.pdf
- https://landportal.org/organization/environmental-protection-agency-ghana
- https://weadapt.org/organisation/ghana-environmental-protection-agency/