EPA Warns Public Against Paying Cash to Field Officers

The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) has cautioned the public against making any direct cash payments to its monitoring and compliance officers during official operations.

The Authority stressed that all fees and charges due the EPA must be paid strictly through approved payment channels, warning that giving money directly to officers in the field is unlawful and could amount to extortion.

The advisory comes as the EPA continues its nationwide monitoring and enforcement activities.

Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, February 3, the Tema Regional Director of the EPA, Samuel Oteng, made it clear that officers are not permitted to collect money from the public under any circumstances.

He explained that the EPA operates transparent payment systems that require invoices to be generated by the accounts department before any payment is made.

According to him, payments must be completed through designated banks, the Ghana.gov platform, or approved mobile money channels linked to government systems.

Mr Oteng warned that any officer who demands or accepts money directly from the public would be violating official procedures and would face legal consequences.

He also urged citizens not to encourage corruption by offering bribes in an attempt to avoid regulatory sanctions or fast-track processes.

The caution follows a public notice issued by the EPA in January announcing a nationwide compliance enforcement exercise aimed at ensuring adherence to environmental regulations, permit requirements, and safety standards.

The Authority noted that officers are inspecting facilities, verifying documentation, and assessing environmental practices, stressing that the initiative is intended to safeguard the environment and public health rather than harass businesses.