In a significant move to enhance environmental governance at the grassroots level, the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has officially inaugurated its first-ever district office in Dzodze, the capital of the Ketu North Municipality, Volta Region.

The newly established office is part of a broader effort to decentralise EPA’s operations and improve access to critical environmental services. The milestone was made possible through a partnership between the EPA and the Member of Parliament for Ketu North, Eric Edem Agbana.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the EPA Chief Executive Officer, Professor Nana Ama Klutse, highlighted the agency’s longstanding goal of expanding its reach to local communities. However, she acknowledged that financial constraints had previously limited the authority’s ability to set up district-level offices.

“Hon. Eric Edem Agbana approached us with a clear vision to green Ketu North,” Prof Klutse said.

“When I explained that EPA has the mandate to establish district offices but lacks the resources, he pledged his full support—and today, that commitment has borne fruit.”

Prof Klutse noted that the Dzodze office will serve as a local hub for services such as the acquisition of environmental permits—processes that were once burdensome for businesses in the area.

“Access to EPA services has been a challenge for many entrepreneurs here. With this office, residents can now obtain permits and guidance without traveling long distances,” she added.

She also sounded a warning on the issue of unregulated sand winning in the region, describing it as a growing environmental threat.

“Even if sand winning is to be allowed, it must be done responsibly under the EPA’s supervision,” she stated, urging residents to engage with the new office in promoting sustainable practices.

MP Agbana, whose advocacy played a pivotal role in the project’s realisation, reiterated his dedication to addressing environmental degradation in Ketu North.

“While illegal mining, or galamsey, is the major environmental crisis in mining regions, Ketu North faces its own challenge—uncontrolled sand winning,” he said.

“We must take this issue seriously. The environmental damage it causes is significant and unsustainable.”

He emphasised the need for regulatory oversight and called on the public to support the EPA’s work in safeguarding the natural environment for future generations.

“That’s why I took the initiative to support the EPA in opening this office—so we can begin tackling our environmental challenges head-on and responsibly,” he stated.

The Dzodze office is expected to not only strengthen regulatory enforcement but also become a center for community outreach, environmental education, and promotion of sustainable practices. It will also facilitate local initiatives on waste management, afforestation, and resource conservation.

In her concluding remarks, Prof Klutse appealed to the people of Ketu North to fully utilise the services of the EPA office, stressing the importance of collaboration in achieving environmental goals.

“Together, we can build a cleaner and safer environment for ourselves and future generations,” she said.

The Dzodze office marks the first district-level branch opened under the EPA’s ongoing decentralisation strategy. It is expected to serve as a model for similar expansions across Ghana’s 261 Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).