Laws must be deterrent enough—EPA Central Regional Director, Daniel Nartey

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Central Regional Director, Daniel Nartey, has served notice that he will strictly enforce environmental laws in the Central Region, warning businesses and institutions of severe consequences for non-compliance. Mr. Nartey gave the warning on Monday, May 4, 2026, in an interview with Sir Roy on TW Radio's morning show "The Workshop" in Cape Coast.

He cautioned permit holders to ensure their EPA permits are renewed before expiry, noting that any institution found operating with an expired permit, even for a single day would be required to pay three times the standard permit fee.

"When your permit expires, even a day without renewal, you will have to pay three times the permit fee," he warned. The director also directed all permit-holding institutions to display their EPA permits in visible, open areas to enable the authority's officials to sight them during routine inspection visits.

Mr. Nartey further disclosed that administrative penalties for environmental violations range between 5,500 and 15,000 penalty units, describing the sanctions as necessary to uphold the integrity of the country's environmental laws.

"There are administrative penalties when you violate the law. The penalties range between 5,500 to 15,000 penalty units," he said, adding that "laws must be deterrent enough." He also assured that the EPA would not relent after shutting down non-compliant institutions, stating that the authority monitors closed facilities until all outstanding payments are fully settled. "When we close institutions, we monitor until payments are made," Mr. Nartey said.