Environmental Protection Act 2025 hailed as landmark step in Ghana’s fight against climate and ecological risks

Mr Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, the Acting Minister of Environment, Science and Technology, has underscored the importance of the newly passed Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), describing it as a critical instrument to confront Ghana’s mounting environmental challenges.

In an address delivered on his behalf at the maiden lecture of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in Accra, Mr Armah-Kofi Buah said the Act marked a decisive advance in strengthening environmental governance and accountability.

“With the Environmental Protection Act, we are better positioned to confront emerging environmental risks, enforce compliance, and integrate science and technology into sustainable solutions,” he said.

The lecture, held under the theme “Redefining Environmental Governance and Climate Action in Ghana,” brought together policymakers, practitioners, and partners to strategise and assume collective responsibility in safeguarding the nation’s environment.

The Minister stressed that healthy ecosystems, clean air, safe water, and fertile soils were essential foundations of national development, warning that environmental governance should not be left to the EPA or the Ministry alone.

“Environmental protection must not be viewed as the duty of government alone. It is the responsibility of businesses, communities, academia, and individuals to contribute to safeguarding the resources that sustain our lives,” he added.

He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to provide leadership, policy direction, and resources to ensure effective implementation of the new law, but urged stakeholders to take concrete action at the community level.

Professor Michael Ayamga-Adongo, Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations at the EPA, described the passage of the Act as both a legislative milestone and an opportunity to reshape environmental governance.

“At the Environmental Protection Authority, we see the EP Act 2025 as a mandate to ensure stricter environmental compliance, stronger stakeholder engagement, and more effective enforcement of environmental laws. But it is also an opportunity to redefine how governance structures, industries, and communities align in building a greener, cleaner, and climate-resilient Ghana,” he said.

He cautioned that the urgency of the task was clear, citing climate-induced flooding, droughts, urban air pollution, and plastic waste as pressing threats. “These challenges demand innovation, inclusivity, and decisive action,” he stressed, calling for broad support to enable the EPA to fully implement the Act.

The Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), grants the EPA enhanced powers to enforce compliance, protect ecosystems, and embed climate action into Ghana’s development framework, setting a bold precedent for sustainability and resilience in national policy.