The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape (CCAL) has called on the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and the Government of Ghana to clarify the implementation of Regulation 40 of the Environmental Protection (Registration and Environmental Permitting) Regulations, 2025 (L.I. 2504).
In a statement, the group said it supports effective environmental regulation and oversight but is concerned that the regulation, which requires environmental permits for reclamation, rehabilitation and restoration activities, does not appear to provide clear thresholds or exemptions for low-risk, community-led environmental restoration initiatives.
The group noted that the Atewa Landscape remains one of Ghana’s most important ecological assets, providing critical ecosystem services including water resources, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
It argued that at a time when environmental degradation, deforestation and illegal mining continue to threaten ecosystems and livelihoods, citizens and community groups should be encouraged to participate in restoration and afforestation efforts.
According to the statement, the broad application of Regulation 40 could unintentionally create regulatory and financial burdens for self-help environmental projects, community reclamation programmes, tree-planting initiatives and voluntary restoration activities undertaken in the public interest.
The Concerned Citizens of Atewa Landscape therefore urged the EPA and government to clarify the scope and application of the regulation, define clear thresholds for activities requiring environmental permits, and establish exemptions or simplified procedures for low-risk community-based restoration projects.
The group also called for stakeholder consultations involving local communities, environmental organizations and civil society groups on the implementation of the regulation. Additionally, it urged authorities to consider amendments or, where necessary, repeal provisions that could discourage genuine environmental restoration efforts.
The statement emphasized that environmental governance should promote responsible restoration while ensuring accountability, adding that regulations should not become obstacles to citizen participation in environmental protection.
The group reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable environmental management, forest conservation, afforestation, land reclamation and responsible natural resource governance for the benefit of present and future generations.
