New EPA Office in Dzodze Empowers Communities to Protect Environment and Demand Accountability

Residents of Dzodze and the wider Ketu North Municipality have gained a vital new ally in their fight for a cleaner and more sustainable environment with the opening of the area’s first Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) district office.

The landmark development, championed by Ketu North MP Hon. Eric Edem Agbana in partnership with the EPA, signals a shift in environmental governance—bringing regulation, education, and enforcement directly to the doorsteps of local communities long affected by unregulated activities such as sand winning.

For years, businesses and residents in Ketu North faced significant challenges accessing EPA services. From long travel times to bureaucratic delays, these obstacles made it difficult to acquire environmental permits and seek redress for environmental harm. The new Dzodze office eliminates these barriers.

“This is not just an office. It is a symbol of environmental justice,” said EPA CEO Professor Nana Ama Klutse at the launch. “Communities like Dzodze can now hold polluters accountable and access EPA services without traveling miles away.”

She acknowledged the financial challenges that had stalled district-level expansion until now but credited Hon. Agbana’s initiative and logistical support for making the Dzodze office a reality.

The environmental concerns in Ketu North are urgent. Unregulated sand winning has caused significant degradation of the land, destroyed farmlands, and threatened local livelihoods. Hon. Agbana, speaking at the ceremony, described sand winning as the district’s “own version of galamsey,” stressing the need for strong local oversight.

“We cannot allow this destruction to continue unchecked,” he said. “This new EPA office gives our people the power to speak up, to regulate, and to reclaim their environment.”

Beyond enforcement, the Dzodze office is expected to lead public education campaigns on issues such as waste management, afforestation, and responsible resource use. The office will also act as a liaison between the EPA and the local community, encouraging citizen participation in protecting natural resources.

“This is a call to action for everyone—youth, traditional leaders, farmers, and entrepreneurs—to join the movement for a greener, safer Ketu North,” Prof. Klutse urged.

With Dzodze now hosting the first district-level EPA office in the Volta Region, residents hope it will serve as a blueprint for similar efforts across Ghana, especially in areas where environmental risks have been overlooked.

For many in Ketu North, the EPA’s arrival is more than a policy shift—it’s a long-overdue step toward environmental empowerment and justice.