Don’t Blindly Approve Permits and Certificates – Otumfuo to EPA
The Occupant of the Golden Stool, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, has urged the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to exercise rigour and due diligence when issuing environmental permits and certificates to commercial operators.
Speaking during a courtesy call by the Management of the Authority on August 14, 2026, at the Manhyia Palace, His Majesty emphasised that strict regulatory oversight and site inspections must precede any regulatory clearance.
“Exercise vigilance when issuing permits. Sometimes these permits are issued without officials even visiting the site. Permits must not be granted arbitrarily. Today, we see pipelines discharged directly into water bodies, polluting our water resources,” the Asantehene stated.
The Asantehene expressed grave concern over the restricted administrative authority granted to the EPA, alongside its limited government financial allocations.
His Majesty stressed that sidelining the regulatory body during critical natural resource allocations undermines national environmental protection efforts.
“Your mandate is to protect the environment. The EPA must have an active, decisive role in the issuance of mining concessions. Bypassing the EPA in these processes is the root cause of many of our current environmental crises. If the EPA will not be empowered to function as it ought to, then there is no point in having it. They must have the full authority to protect the environment,” Otumfuo remarked.
His Majesty added: “As we speak, I am not aware of any dedicated, sustainable funding statutory allocation for the EPA.”
Otumfuo noted that if given the legal teeth and adequate funding to operate efficiently, the EPA would play a pivotal role in mitigating the adverse impacts of climate change across the country.
His Majesty reassured the leadership of the Authority of his unwavering support for their regulatory mandate.
Sensitisation
The Chief Executive Officer of the EPA, Prof. Nana Ama Browne Klutse, briefed the Asantehene on the upcoming national ban on expanded polystyrene (Styrofoam), which is scheduled to take effect on January 1, 2027.
Prof. Klutse announced that an intensive public sensitisation campaign will be launched in Kumasi on August 26 and 27, 2026, and sought Otumfuo’s royal blessings, counsel, and backing to ensure widespread community compliance across Asanteman.
Restoring Polluted Water
Addressing the illegal mining (galamsey) crisis, Prof. Klutse outlined ongoing strategic plans to clean up and restore water bodies severely degraded by illegal mining activities.
“Many stakeholders and technical partners have expressed strong interest in collaborating with us. We are currently formulating comprehensive operational guidelines to educate and guide interested entities. Our objective is to ensure that water pollution does not spiral out of control, and we humbly seek Otumfuo’s direction and wise counsel in executing this initiative,” she stated.
The CEO was accompanied to the Manhyia Palace by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene; Mrs Esi Nerquaye-Tetteh, Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Technical Services; Prof. Michael Ayamga, Acting Deputy Chief Executive Officer in charge of Operations; alongside other senior officials of the Authority.
Story by Hajara Fuseini
Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/
