EPA orders Empire Cement to submit relocation plan for Densu Delta site

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has directed Empire Cement Ghana Limited to provide a detailed plan for moving its operations away from the Densu Delta Ramsar Site. Issued on October 28, 2026, the directive gives the company 30 days to submit a comprehensive strategy for relocating its cement grinding and bagging facility. The move follows persistent regulatory and environmental concerns regarding the plant's current location, which sits near sensitive ecosystems and residential neighborhoods.

The required relocation strategy must address several critical factors, including public health risks, potential flooding, and the impact of heavy transportation on the local community. While Empire Cement previously obtained an Environmental Permit in October 2023, the EPA maintains that the facility’s impact on its current environment remains an unresolved issue. The company is now tasked with identifying an alternative site in a designated industrial zone and ensuring that all necessary environmental assessments and approvals are secured before operations can resume.

The controversy surrounding the facility's location dates back to June 2020, with local residents frequently petitioning for regulatory enforcement due to health and safety concerns. The EPA’s latest order emphasizes the need for strict compliance with its existing closure notice and warns that any unauthorized operations during the transition period could result in sanctions. These penalties are enforceable under the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124).

As part of the transition, the EPA has highlighted the importance of safety, instructing the company to align its move with national environmental regulations to prevent further ecological damage. This directive marks a significant development in the long-standing dispute between the cement manufacturer and environmental regulators. As the 30-day deadline approaches, the focus remains on whether Empire Cement can secure a suitable industrial home that balances its manufacturing needs with the ecological preservation of the Densu Delta region.