Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 1 of 17

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 2 of 17

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%(1) There is established by this Act a body to be known as the Environmental ! "#3

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 3 of 17

Protection Agency referred to in this Act as the "Agency"

567 ! "# &#" %, % ( , %, $ $"" & " &

#$ & $& " %, % 3

587 ! "# % & " %! $" ' ,(% "+$% & & #
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&. The functions of the Agency are— $"

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a. &' % %$ , " ," '%

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b. " 2 %& "' & " " % &( " " %,%" " , "
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c. " 2 %& "' $" & " & % ,,% ,% % ,$%,

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&$ % ( :

d. "$% " % ( $" , % #& % " % &

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i. $% " , " ( # && ( '% ," ,% " &$%

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j. " &" 2 , % ( ! '% ! " 0) %" &

% & & $ " % , $ &! % #,% "
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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 4 of 17

k. " &$" ' ! '% $ & &' % % :

l. ,% $& 0% %" 0 $%' # & # % ,% ' &,% "

'% & " $ & " !" # :

m. &,$%$ % & 2 % &$" ,% !% % "%

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" $ %#:

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r. " 2 %& ( $" % ! " ! "#" &% " %# %

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s. ,% % # %$ " " %%& $ &% "3

'. The Minister may give to the Agency such directives of a general nature as to the % &%" 3
policy to be followed by the Agency in the performance of its functions as appear to
the Minister to be necessary in the public interest. 1

%(1) The governing body of the Agency shall be a Board which shall be responsible '% !
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&#

for the discharge of the functions of the Agency.

2. %& " ( ! % ,, & # % & 1

" $ ( $" 22
1

a. " % ( ,% 9 ( &! '% %:

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a. %,% ' $" %" " & &$ % %" 0 (

% 9 % ", %" " %:

a. %,% ' & %& %&0 ( % 9 % ",

" " " %:

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 5 of 17

a. %,% '0 ( % 9 ) %" % % % %, 1

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i. '% : 1
ii. " '% :
iii. ": 1
iv. : &
v. &$" : 1

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,% 9 ( &! " %" %" 3

4. % & 9 ! ,, $ &% " ' %! %&

9 ( &! 0 /, % & /, % " ,% %% !
'% 3

(%(1) A member of the Board other than the Executive Director shall hold office for a $%
%3
"

period not exceeding three years and shall on the expiration of that period be eligible
for re-appointment.

2. % %& % / "$ ' ) %" % # # # %

&&% & % & % ! "3

3. %( % % " "$ ' ! %&( $

$ " "$ " %3

5;7 % % % %& # % '& % " # % & 1

% # ,% % $" "0 % & ' $% % % # %
.$ "$ 3 1

5<7 % %& % $! % # % & '" " 1

""$% % , %&( ""$%% "
' " "#3 1

)%The Chairman and the other members of the Board shall be paid such allowances ( " %

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 6 of 17

as the Minister, in consultation with the Minister responsible for Finance, may %3
determine.
1

*%(1) The Board shall meet for the despatch of business at such times and in such ! %&
places as the Chairman may determine but shall meet at least once every three
months. 1

1. % $, %+$ 2 %&
% ," ' ," ! %&3

1. +$ %$ ! %& " ' % &

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5@7 /" , %( /,% #,% '& & %$ & % " 0 %& & % 1
&%!$ ,% " &$% % !3
1

+%(1) A member of the Board who is directly or indirectly interested in any matter ) " $% % 3
being considered or dealt with by the Board shall disclose the nature of his interest at
a meeting of the Board and shall not take part in any deliberation or decision of the 1
Board with respect to the matter.
1

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 7 of 17

567 %( &" % $ &%$ " 567 " 1

% '& % %&3
1

%The Board may for the discharge of the functions of the Agency appoint
committees of the Board comprising members of the Board or non-members or both %&3

and assign to any such committee such functions of the Agency as the Board may
determine. 1

%(1) Without prejudice to section 9 of this Act there is established by this Act a * %& $
3
"

committee of the Board to be known as the "Hazardous Chemicals Committee".

1. * %& $ " "

a. / "$ ' ) %" %( % : 1

b. %,% '
i. & %& %&: 1
ii. " %!# :
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/"" " ! 3 1

1. $" * %& $ "

a. % $ * %& $ " " #" " ! %

,% 0 /, % 0 $ "$%0& % $ 0 0$ && ,

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 8 of 17

$" " " :

b. &' %& & / "$ ' ) %" % %!$ & !
* %& $ " " : &
c. , % % $" %$ " % ! $" " " %& %
/ "$ ' ) %" % #& % 3

%(1) There shall be established in each regional capital of Ghana and in such ! && %"

districts as the Board may determine regional and district offices of the Agency. " ! "#3

567 %! %& %" " ! "# ,% '& &( $" ,$ " "% 1
%& " $ ( $ " %'" & % 3
1

587 %! %& %" " ! "# , % % $" $ " ! "# 1

%! %& %" %& &%"3
1

A )

&%(1) The Agency may by notice in writing require any person responsible for any (%
%+$ %
! "#

undertaking which in the opinion of the Agency has or is likely to have adverse effect '% ,"
on the environment to submit to the Agency in respect of the undertaking an 3
environmental impact assessment containing such information within such period as
shall be specified in the notice. 1

567B % ! "# $ " $ & % $ 2 " 5C70 % # %! % 1

&,% ! '% %, # % $ # " " 0, % 0
,,% ' %" " " ( # % " ! '% " 1
$ &0 & %! %& , % !% " " 0, % 0 ,,% ' %
" $ & # ! "# " " , &( 3 1

'%(1) Where it appears to the Agency that the activities of any undertaking poses a %" "
serious threat to the environment or to public health, the Agency may serve on the
person responsible for the undertaking, an enforcement notice requiring him to take 1

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 9 of 17

such steps as the Agency thinks necessary to prevent or stop the activities. 1

1. %" " ,"#

2. & ! " ' #:
3. , %+$%& 9 : &
4. ( ( " , 9 3

587 ! "# # %" " &%" & " & ! 1

" ' #( % " & % "%"$ " & &3
1

5;7 #, % ( " " %%# %" " $ &$ & % " " 1
" & $ %#" '" /" & !D6 &
& $ ,% % % /" & ! # %3 1

%(1) Where a person to whom a notice has been served under subsection (1) of %
(%
! %"
%

section 13 fails to comply with the directives contained in the notice within the "3
stipulated time or such further period as the Agency may grant, the Minister, may
without prejudice to a prosecution under subsection (4) of section 13, take such steps 1
as he considers appropriate to ensure compliance with the notice.
1

567B % $ %* & # % " ! #'%$ $ " 5C70 , " " %0 1

"% ! "# % #,$ " " % $ %* & # % #$ $" %"
# " %# % ,$%, $% !" , " ( %" "3 1

587 #, % ( &% % %$" #, % " !$ & % " " 1

" & $ %#" '" /" & !D<EE0
EEE %
,% % % /" & ! / 31 1

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 10 of 17

5;7 # $ % # "$%%& # %% # $ ,%' % , 1

& ! "' # %" ' %& % ,% % , "' & 0$
" $% " & % $ ( "$%%&$ " % #3 1

(%(1) There shall be appointed by the Board officers designated as Environment '%
," % &
% "
%
Protection Inspectors referred to in this Act as "Inspectors". , ( %3

567 , " % % #, % $ %* & # %& # #% % # 1

,% % ,$%, $% !" , " ( % # % (,% !
,% " '% & 0 %+$%& & # ,% " %! 1
,% 0,% &$" $ %# ,% 3
1

587 #, % ( $ % %$" &$# $ %* &, % " ! / "$ 1

&$ #$ & % $ " 5C7" " & $ %#" '"
/" & !D<EE0
EEE % ,% /" & ! / % 3 1

A - )

)%(1) There is established by this Act a fund to be known as the National '% $&
Environment Fund referred to in this Act as the "Fund".

1. $%" # % $& A
2. !% % ! '% % ,% " % ,% ' '% :
3. ' " " & # ! "# ,% % " $" :
4. & % ! % ,$ "0 $ & %! : &

5&7! 3

*%Monies of the Fund shall be applied for – ." $&

a. '% &$" ! % ,$ ":

b. % %" 0 $& & ' ! % ! $" ! "#:

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 11 of 17

5"7 $ % $%" & ' , 0 &

a. $" %,$%, %& " $ ( % #

& % 3

+%(1) The Fund shall be managed and administered by the Board which shall for !

this purpose include the Controller and Accountant-General or his representative. $&

567 % $& ,& 9 "" $ % ,$%, , & # 1

%&( ,,% ' % % & "" $ 2 %3
1

587 ,% ' $ &% " 6< &6> " "" $ & $& & $ 1
%, % ,,# $ &3
1

19. 5C7 %& % ,$%, ! ! $ &A $"

%
%&
$ &3
a. %$ , " ! % # % $ &:
b. & % " & ( %& ." $ &: &1

a. & % $ %! $ &3

567 %& # ' $" , % $& " & % ,,% ,% ! '% 1

"$% % $" % # ,,% ' & # % " $ (
% % "3 1

587 , # $& % $& ! & # % %&0 1

/ "$ ' ) %" % & % % %&3
1

A ) )

& %The Board may create such departments or divisions in the Agency as the Board %!

may consider necessary for the efficient discharge of the functions of the Agency. ! "#

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 12 of 17

& %(1) There shall be appointed by the President in accordance with the advice of the / "$ ' ) %" % &

Board given in consultation with the Public Services Commission an Executive 1

Director of the Agency who shall be the chief executive of the Agency.
$" 3

567 / "$ ' ) %" % & " $" % &" & 1

," & % ,, 3
1

587 $ ." $" ! % &%" ' %& #!' 0 / "$ ' ) %" % 1
%, % &%" ( %9 ! "# & $% ,
&" %&3 1

5;7 / "$ ' ) %" % #& ! $" &$ #& % # "% 1

! "# $ / "$ ' ) %" % % '& % $ %, #
% & " %! #& ! & $ " 3 1

5<7 / "$ ' ) %" % " "% %# $ &3 1

&&%(1) The Agency shall have such other officers and employees as may be necessary ,, %

for the proper and effective performance of its functions under this Act. 3

567 %,$ " "% # % %%& % " & & ! "#3 1

587 ,, "% ! "# & # % & "" %& " ( 1

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 13 of 17

&'" %&!' " $ ( $ " %'" &$, 1

$" % &" & ,, !$ %# & % 3
1

5;7 ! "# # !! %'" $" /, % &" $ %& # 1

& % 3
1

&'%The President may in accordance with article 195 (2) of the Constitution delegate ) !
,,
,(%

his power of appointment of public officers under this Part.

& %Parliament shall annually provide to the Agency such sums of money as maybe /,

necessary for the efficient discharge of its functions under this Act. ! "#3

&(%(1) The Board shall keep books of account and proper records in relation to them "" $ & $& 3
and the accounts and records of the Agency shall be in a form approved by the
Auditor-General. 1

567 "" $ ! "# $& & # $& %2 % ( / 1

% & " " # %3
1

587 " # % ! "# " # % ! '% 3 1

5;7 / "$ ' ) %" % ,%, % $&! % " " # % &,% 1

%& % ,,% ' % ( % &
" # %3 1

&)%(1) The Board shall as soon as practicable after the expiration of each financial $ %, % & %

year but within six months after the end of the year, submit to the Minister an %, %

annual report covering the activities and the operations of the Agency for the year to
which the report relates. 1

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 14 of 17

567 $ %, % $ &$ & % $ " 5C7 "$& %, % $& %2 1

%3
1

587 % ( ( % %" , $ %, % $ 1
%, % % ( $" #" & % " %#3
1

5;7 %& $ % $" %%, % % # 1

(% !%+$%3
1

&*%(1) The Executive Director or any officer of the Agency authorized by the +$ % %
Executive Director may request in writing from any person or request any person to
attend at a time and place specified to give any information which the Executive 1
Director considers reasonably necessary for the purposes of this Act.
1

1. #, % ( 1
2. ( $ % /"$ ,% '& % %+$ &$ & %
$ " 5C7: % 1
3. ( $ % /"$ % $ % & %+$ &$ & %
$ " 5C7: % 1
4. 9 ( !#,% '& % % # % ( " %
' %$ : % 1
5. %$" #,$ " " % ( $ / "$ #, ( % $ & % ":
1
" " & " '" /" & !D6 %
,% % # %% 3 1

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 15 of 17

587B % " " &$ & % " %%!$ & $ &% # &#
,% 22

a. " &#" %, % % , % % ,0 ' %#&%" % %

"% &# & & !$ # ": &

57 " , % % , ' %#, % % % "%

&# & & !$ # "3

5;7 , % & & !$ # " #'%$ $ " 587 1

" ,% ' "( " &( $ 9 ( &! %" ' "
& / %" & &$ " % && ! " ,%' " " 1
' !%! %& "%"$ " 3
1

&+%(1) The Minister may on the advice of the Board by legislative instrument make !$
regulations for the purpose of giving effect to the provisions of this Act.
1

1. B $ ,%.
$&" ! % # $ " 5C7 " 0 $" 1
%!$ #,% '& %A
1

a. & %& &" &

,%" " % ! ,% " 0& ' , &
% '% :
b. " ! %# $ & % 9 ! 0 %,% 0" %$" %& ' ,
% , " ( " '% ," % '%
! , %+$%& # ! "#:
c. #, 0+$ #0" & %" " % $ " # % &
'% :
d. $ "$%0 , % 0$ 0" " 0 %! 0%"#" !0%" ' %# %
&, $ " ( " # * %& $ '% :
e. &, ( %! % #:
f. ,% " #, % "$ % , " $ & %:
g. % % ," ( " % ,# & $ ,# : &
h. % %( " , % % %+$%&$ & % "3

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 16 of 17

587 ( & ! " @ $ %# %$ "0C@<@5 3 <67%!$ 1

& $ &% " # , , # /" & !D6 % ,% %
% /" & ! # %% & " " $ ! " && 1
, # /" & !D6EE0
EEE % , " " &# ( " " " $ &3
1

& %In this Act unless the context otherwise requires— %,% 3

F %&F ! ' % ! &#,% '& & %$ & % " ;5C7

":

F %F %% , % '% :

F, % % , F % #$ & % 9 !0 %,% 0
" %$" %& ' , 0 "$& #, % ( %& % %
( $ & % 9 !0 %,% 0" %$" %& ' ,
!& %( & :

F,% F "$& # $ & !0 &0 ,0 %2"% 0" %' $ &

"$& $ & ! %, " $ & /"$ ' # &( ! $ 3

' %(1) The Environmental Protection Council Decree 1974 (N.R.C.D. 239) and the ) $ 0%, &

Environmental Protection Council (Amendment) Decree, 1976 (S.M.C.D. 58) are ' !3

repealed by this Act and accordingly the Council established under that Decree is
dissolved. 1

567 ( & ! %, $ & % " # %$ 0 #, % % %& % $ &

$ & % %, & " & %" " " " " $
%" $ %& %%' 9 &$ & % "3

587 %! 0 0,% , % 0 ! 0 & %% & '&

'% % " $ " & ,% , #& % % # & '& $"
% # " % %%& ! "# &$ & % "3
1

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Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 Act 490 Page 17 of 17

) " 48E ) " %0C@@;

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