Gov’t backing is no permit – EPA warns GoldBod, ministries over reclamation projects

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has warned public institutions, including the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources and the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), that government backing does not exempt reclamation and restoration projects from mandatory environmental permitting requirements.

In a statement dated October 14, 2026, the Authority also identified the Forestry Commission, Minerals Commission and Mineral Development Fund among the institutions expected to ensure that projects comply with environmental regulations before physical work begins or continues.

The EPA stressed that all projects commissioned, funded, supervised or undertaken on behalf of public institutions must obtain the appropriate environmental permit before implementation.

The Authority clarified that the award of a contract, approval of funding, possession of a mining lease or concession, or the acquisition of a licence or authorisation from another institution does not replace an EPA environmental permit.

It added that consent from traditional authorities or participation in a government programme cannot be used as a substitute for the required regulatory approval.

According to the EPA, public institutions that engage contractors for reclamation or restoration activities have a responsibility to verify the environmental permit status of projects before allowing contractors to mobilise to project sites.

The directive places responsibility on contracting institutions to ensure that environmental requirements are met, regardless of whether a project is publicly funded or forms part of a broader government initiative.

To support its position, the Authority cited Regulation 40 of the Environmental Protection (Environmental Assessment) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504), which brings reclamation and restoration activities within the environmental assessment and permitting framework.

The EPA said the applicable regulatory requirements must be observed by all relevant institutions and project operators.

The clarification reinforces the need for environmental assessment and regulatory approval before reclamation work proceeds, even where projects have received government approval or are being implemented by state institutions.

The Authority has directed all reclamation and restoration projects operating without the requisite environmental permits to stop work immediately and report to the EPA for regulatory assessment.

The directive signals the Authority’s intention to enforce environmental permitting requirements across public-sector projects, including those associated with mining and land restoration.

The EPA reiterated that environmental protection is a legal responsibility and that all institutions involved in such projects must comply with the applicable laws and regulations.

“Protecting Ghana’s environment is a legal obligation. Compliance is not optional,” the Authority stated.