Incineration Norms and Government Authority — Ghana (2025)

Incineration Norms

• Ghana’s Environmental Protection Act 2025 (Act 1124) consolidates previous environmental laws, setting framework for hazardous waste management including incineration.
• Open burning and uncontrolled waste disposal remain common but are being discouraged through regulatory reforms and enforcement by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
• There is growing interest in adapting waste-to-energy solutions, considering Ghana’s organic-heavy municipal waste with high moisture content, which affects incineration energy efficiency.
• Basic flue gas cleaning technologies and metals recovery from ash are encouraged in waste incineration projects to reduce environmental impact.
• No specific incineration tax is currently in place, but broader environmental regulations aim to lower harmful emissions and increase sustainability.

Governing and Monitoring Authorities

• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Ghana: The primary regulatory body responsible for environmental management, permitting, and enforcement including hazardous waste and incineration.
• Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI): Formulates national policies and strategies for waste management and pollution control.
• Local Municipalities and Metropolitan Assemblies: Responsible for local waste collection, management, and compliance with national regulations.

Key Legislation & Standards

• Environmental Protection Act 2025 (Act 1124): Modern comprehensive law establishing EPA's regulatory powers including hazardous waste and emission control.
• Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, 2016 (repealed and integrated): Former framework for hazardous waste management, including incineration.
• National Environmental Sanitation Policy and Strategic Action Plan: Guides improved waste management including reduction of open burning and promotion of safer disposal.
• Compliance with international conventions including Basel Convention on hazardous waste management.

This overview reflects Ghana’s current waste incineration norms, authorities, key legislation, challenges, and initiatives based on the Environmental Protection Act 2025 and related national policies as of 2025.