EPA warns institutions including GoldBod, to halt unapproved reclamation; threatens legal action

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has ordered an immediate halt to land reclamation, mine-site rehabilitation and water-body restoration activities being carried out without its environmental approval, warning that efforts to repair damaged ecosystems must not create new environmental problems.

The directive, contained in a public notice dated October 14, 2026, covers individuals, contractors, mining companies, traditional authorities, developers and public institutions undertaking the activities without the required Environmental Permit.

The EPA said it had observed with serious concern an increase in reclamation, dredging and restoration works being conducted without the necessary permits and regulatory oversight.

It directed all affected operators to stop work immediately and report to the nearest EPA Regional Office or the Authority’s head office for regulatory assessment.

“All entities presently undertaking reclamation, dredging, rehabilitation or restoration activities without the requisite EPA Environmental Permit are hereby directed to CEASE OPERATIONS IMMEDIATELY and report to the nearest EPA Regional Office or the Head Office for regulatory assessment.”

The notice covers a wide range of activities, including the rehabilitation of abandoned mining sites, restoration of degraded land, backfilling and reshaping excavated areas, revegetation, river dredging and desilting, and the restoration of polluted water bodies and wetlands.

It also applies to projects involving the diversion or modification of river channels and other interventions intended to restore environmentally disturbed areas.

The EPA said these activities fall under Regulation 40 of the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504), and must comply with the relevant permitting requirements.

The Authority emphasised that restoration work is not exempt from regulation simply because it is intended to address damage caused by illegal mining or other irresponsible activities.

“The EPA supports Government’s efforts and legitimate private initiatives aimed at restoring lands and water bodies damaged by illegal and irresponsible mining. Such restoration is urgently needed.”

However, it cautioned that the urgency of environmental restoration cannot be used to bypass safeguards designed to prevent further harm.

“The urgency to reclaim degraded lands cannot justify bypassing the environmental safeguards established to ensure that reclamation itself does not become another source of environmental destruction.”

The EPA said the directive applies equally to government-sponsored, publicly funded, privately funded and donor-supported projects.

It named the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Forestry Commission, GoldBod, Minerals Commission and Mineral Development Fund among institutions that must ensure their reclamation and restoration programmes comply with the permitting regime.

The Authority further stated that contracts, funding approvals, mining licences, concessions and authorisations from other public institutions do not replace an Environmental Permit.

Contracting institutions have been instructed to verify permit status before contractors mobilise to project sites.

The EPA warned that institutions and individuals who continue unapproved reclamation, dredging, rehabilitation or restoration activities after the notice would face action under the applicable laws of Ghana.

The directive seeks to ensure that environmental recovery efforts are conducted under proper oversight, with the necessary safeguards in place to protect land, rivers, streams, wetlands and aquatic ecosystems.

The public notice was issued by the management of the Environmental Protection Authority on Wednesday, October 14, 2026.