Ghana Esmp

GHANA DEDICATED GRANT MECHANISM FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES
PROJECT G-DGM
ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN
PREPARED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUB-PROJECTS

Contents
LIST OF FIGURES ........................................................................................................................................... III
LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................................................. III
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...........................................................................................................IV
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................. V
1. INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION ........................................................................................................ 1
1.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE ESMP .................................................................................................................... 3
1.3 PURPOSE OF THE ESMP ......................................................................................................................... 3
1.4 SCOPE OF THE ESMP ............................................................................................................................. 4
1.5 METHODOLOGY FOR DEVELOPING THE ESMP....................................................................................... 4
1.5.1 Review of Available Literature/Project Documents .......................................................................... 4
1.5.2 Site Visits .......................................................................................................................................... 5
1.5.3 Stakeholder Consultations .................................................................................................................... 6
1.5.4 Potential Environmental and Social Impacts Identifications ............................................................ 6
1.6 REPORTING ................................................................................................................................................... 6
2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SUBPROJECT ................................................................................... 7
2.1 PROPOSED SUBPROJECTS’ LOCATIONS.................................................................................................... 7
3. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE OF PROJECT PARTICIPATION LANDSCAPE 1
3.1 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1
3.2 PROFILE OF COHORT I AND V................................................................................................................ 1
3.3 PROFILE OF COHORT II ........................................................................................................................... 4
3.4 PROFILE OF COHORT III................................................................................................................................. 7
3.5 PROFILE OF COHORT IV ........................................................................................................................ 10
4.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK .......................................................... 13
4.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 13
4.2 POLICY FRAMEWORK ........................................................................................................................... 13
4.3 NATIONAL REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ............................................................................................... 16
4.4 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK .............................................................................................................. 19
5.0 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION ...................................................... 21
5.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 21
5.2 SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE STAKEHOLDER’S CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION ........................ 21
5.3 STAKEHOLDERS CONSULTED ............................................................................................................... 22
5.4 METHODOLOGY FOR THE STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES ................................................ 22
5.5 CONSULTATION ACTIVITIES ................................................................................................................. 23
5.6 PLANS FOR FURTHER STAKEHOLDER AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION ON THE ESMP PREPARATION AND
IMPLEMENTATION: ............................................................................................................................................ 33
6.0 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF PROJECT ............................. 34
6.1 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 34
6.2 POTENTIAL BENEFICIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED SUBPROJECTS ... 34
6.3 POTENTIAL ADVERSE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF THE PROPOSED SUBPROJECTS ................. 35
6.4 EVALUATION OF THE SEVERITY OF THE POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS ...................... 37
6.5 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN ..................................................................................... 49
6.5.1 Project implementation during COVID-19 Restrictions ..................................................................... 59
6.5.2 Project’s Public Engagement and Consultation during COVID-19 Restrictions ............................... 59
7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS MONITORING PLAN ....................................... 60
INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................. 60
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G-DGM ESMP for Subprojects implementation
8.0 REPORTING ON THE ESMP MONITORING ACTIVITIES ........................................................ 73
9.0 GRIEVANCES REDRESS MECHANISM......................................................................................... 75
9.1 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................................ 75
9.2 OBJECTIVES OF THE GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM ............................................................................. 75
9.3 PROJECT STAKEHOLDERS ............................................................................................................................ 75
9.4 KEY STAFF COORDINATING GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL PROCESS ................................................................... 76
9.5 THE GRIEVANCE REDRESS PROCESS ........................................................................................................... 77
9.6 SCHEDULE TEMPLATE FOR GRIEVANCE REDRESS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. ................................................. 82
10.0 THE ESMP TRAINING OF STAKEHOLDERS FOR IMPLEMENTATION............................... 84
10.1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................... 84
11.0 STAKEHOLDER AND INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE ESMP
IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................................................................ 85
11.1 INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................................... 85
12.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS ................................................................................. 87
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LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1: Complaint-Resolution Flow Chart ........................................................................................ 81
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: project communities’ location and selected subprojects ........................................................... 1
Table 2:Dormaa Municipal Assembly Management and DGM Officials consulted ............................ 24
Table 3: Summarized community consultation activities and issues raised ......................................... 27
Table 4: Summary of key issues from communities in Western North, Bono, and Bono East during the
consultation ........................................................................................................................................... 29
Table 5: Summary of one-on- one interviews with project Community members. .............................. 31
Table 6: Potential Environmental & Social risks and impacts associated with interventions .............. 35
Table 7: Evaluation of Negative Environmental and Social Impacts of the Preparatory Phase ........... 39
Table 8: Evaluation of Negative Environmental and Social Impacts of the Implementation Phase..... 41
Table 9: Evaluation of Negative Environmental and Social Impacts of the Operational Phase ........... 47
Table 10: Environmental and Social Mitigation Plan ........................................................................... 49
Table 11: Environmental and Social Impacts Monitoring Plan ............................................................ 61
Table 12: Template for Environmental and Social Impacts Mitigation Measures Reporting............... 74
Table 13: Grievances Register .............................................................................................................. 78
Table 14: Schedule Template for Grievance Redress and Responsible Persons .................................. 82
Table 15: Roles and responsibilities of the ESMP implementation ...................................................... 85
ANNEX
Annex 1: Illustration of Grievance Redress Mechanism ..................................................................... 88
Annex 2: Grievance Registration, Resolution and Referral Form ....................................................... 88
Annex 3: COVID-19 guiding documents ............................................................................................ 90
Annex 4: Individual Selected Subprojects ........................................................................................... 91
Annex 5: Selected CBO Subprojects ................................................................................................. 101
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ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
DA District Assembly
EPA Environmental Protection Agency
ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework
ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan
E&S Environment and Social
G-DGM Ghana Dedicated Grant Mechanism
GOG Government of Ghana
GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism
IDA International Development Agency
IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature
LI Legislative Instrument
MA Municipal Assembly
MMDA Metropolitain Municipal and District Assembles
MCE Municipal Chief Executive
MLNR Ministries of Land and Natural Resources
MLGRD Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development
MDA Municipal and District Assembly
OP Operational Procedures
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
CWSA Community Water and Sanitation Agency
SS Social Safeguard specialist
ToR Terms of Reference
WB World Bank
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Ghana DGM (G-DGM) project is designed to promote the inclusion of forest-rich-
communities in efforts to reduce deforestation and degradation through capacity building in
REDD+. The strategy is to strengthen participation in and understanding of FIP and REDD+.
The project development objective (PDO) is to strengthen knowledge and practices of targeted
local communities in REDD+ processes and sustainable forest management. The Ghana project
seeks to support capacity building and finance the demand-driven provision of grants to
communities, individuals, and community-based organizations (CBO) within local
communities in the Western North, Bono, and Bono East Regions. The main beneficiaries of
the G-DGM are local communities and their representative community-based organizations in
the Western North, Bono and Bono East Regions. The selection criteria were based on
complementarity to the G-FIP, so these were selected communities off-reserve of the FIP
catchment area. This project is targeting 53 communities in these three regions
Solidaridad West Africa, operating as the National Executing Agency (NEA) of the G-DGM
implementation over a five-year period (2017 -2022), has developed this Environmental and
Social Management Plan (ESMP) guiding the execution of specific environmental and social
safeguard issues relating to the project Environmental and Social Management Framework
(ESMF), any associated compliance with World Bank Safeguard Policies and applicable
national legislation/regulations.
The Project has 2 main components:
• Component 1 is directed at implementing capacity-building activities aimed at

improving local communities’ capacity to understand the FIP, REDD+, the impact of
local and global activities on climate change and links to livelihoods.
• Enable communities, through grants, to engage in more sustainable forest landscape
practices
Therefore, the G-DGM is expected to contribute to the strengthening of local and traditional
communities in the project areas by:
- enhancing the capacities needed to strengthen their participation in the FIP and other
REDD+ processes at the local, national, and global levels.
- promoting the sustainable management of forest and natural resources through grant
funded sub-projects.
- promoting coping and adaptive strategies/livelihoods that will make them more resilient
to man-made pressures and climate change (also through the grant-funded sub-
projects); and
- promoting synergies with the FIP project.
The component 2 implementation primarily finances goods, as well as related operational costs,
for (a) eligible communities (community-level initiatives); (b) individuals living in these
communities (individual initiatives); and (c) CBOs (who have been working in Bono, Bono
East, and Western North Regions in climate change/REDD+ thematic areas for more than five
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years), to undertake small-scale sustainable initiatives that fall under predetermined themes
related to climate change and REDD+.
In the implementation of component 2 grant activities, eligible communities, individuals, and
CBOs have selected subprojects to be implemented. These grant activities on which the
environmental and social screening was conducted include the following initiatives:
1. Establishment of cashew plantation

2. Sacred site protection sub-projects
3. Watershed protection sub-projects
4. Woodlot establishment
5. Cocoa rehabilitation
6. Community Ecotourism Centre development
7. Community reforestation sub-project
8. Community solar powered mechanized boreholes
9. Community solar lighting
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Potential Environmental and Social Impacts of the Implementation Activities
The implementation of the proposed subprojects has potential for environmental and social
impacts which include loss of flora and fauna from a possible removal of vegetation,
operational and maintenance cost associated with community borehole management, dust and
noise pollution from drilling and construction of boreholes, land tenure and ownership conflicts
resulting from claim of land to be used for subprojects, sanitation issues resulting from
improper waste management, noise nuisance from the construction equipment during
excavation and haulage of construction waste materials, soil erosion at construction site which
may result from loosening of soils and consequent mobilisation of the loosened soil particles
during rainfall, injury and accidents involving construction workers slip, fall and injury of
community members near the construction sites resulting from exposure to excavated drainage
channels and speeding construction equipment, risk of social conflicts, child labour, and sexual
exploitation and abuse have also been identified.
However, the significance of the impacts has been evaluated to range from minor to moderate
and mitigation measures have been proposed to manage the impacts during the implementation
stages. The mitigation measures include use of well- maintained construction equipment and
limiting the speed of haulage trucks in order to reduce noise generation; immediate backfilling
of disturbed areas to reduce soil erosion; use of Personal Protective Equipment ( PPEs) by
workers during construction activities in order to protect them from injury and accidents;
provision of signages that informs the community members about dangers around the
construction sites and how injury and accidents could be avoided; zero tolerance for child
labour, immediate collection and disposal of construction and housekeeping wastes from the
construction sites at approved waste dumps by the communities, respecting community
traditional laws, protection of natural habitats and employing conservative agriculture practices
that protects the environment.
World Bank Environmental and Social Safeguard Policies triggered by the G-DGM
Project
The G-DGM project by its implementation has triggered the following World Bank safeguard
policies (Bank and operational policies):
OP/BP 4.11-Physical Cultural Resources, OP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement, OP 4.01-

Environmental Assessment; OP 4.04 -Natural Habitat; OP 4.09 Pest Management; OP 4.36-
Forest. This requires that the potential environmental and social impacts be identified, and
mitigation measures are proposed for managing the adverse impacts during the project
implementation.
The Ghana national laws and regulations on environmental assessment LI 1652 of 1999 also
requires that environmental and social impacts of proposed undertakings should be assessed
and mitigated. Other institutional requirements demand actions to be taken on some project
activities. Such actions include water quality analysis and water abstraction permit for the
constructions of boreholes in some 37 communities as required under Water Resources Commission
WRC Act 1996 (Act 522), L.I 1692 Water use regulations, 2001
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Objectives of the ESMP Preparation
The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) is to provide guidance to the NEA
on procedures to be followed and standards to be met in implementing the projects which
should follow the national and World Bank safeguard provisions. It provides for the roles and
responsibilities of the environmental and social safeguard specialists and other designated
officers as well as monitoring protocols to be followed to ensure that the required provisions
are adhered to.
This ESMPs is built on the environmental and social screening report’s recommendation to
develop a detailed plan for the avoidance, prevention, mitigation and/or management of
potential risks resulting from the implementation of subprojects.
The ESMP outlines mechanisms for:
- Mitigative measures for the potential environmental and social impacts associated with
sub-projects’ implementation and management of safeguard policy implications.
- Arrangements by the NEA, local communities and other relevant institutions for
implementation and their capacity building.
- Monitoring ESMP measures implementation.
- Community consultations.
The methodology and approach for the preparation of the ESMP involved stakeholder
consultation, field visits, project site inspections, workshops, meetings, interviews, and desk
top study for similar projects.
The project activities will have some project affected persons (PAPs) in some communities due
to the allocation of communal land on which they (PAPs) occupy for a community subproject.
Cautiously, the project will work with appropriate community leaders to ensure no one has a
livelihood challenge resulting from the implementation of subprojects.
Environmental and Social Mitigation Plan
An environmental and social management plan aims at avoidance, prevention, mitigation

and/or management of potential risks during pre-implementation, implementation phase, and
the operational and or maintenance phase of the subprojects. The plan includes measures such
as dust suppression at the drilling and construction sites, replanting of destroyed vegetation
around the construction sites, occasional backfilling of drilled boreholes, appropriately
ensuring PAPs livelihoods are not affected by ensuring they are given place to cultivate their
crops, replanting old and unproductive cocoa farms through improved cocoa agroforestry
system, community afforestation and cashew plantations on degraded lands, watershed
planting to protect river bodies.
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Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan
A Plan for monitoring the effectiveness of the mitigation measures’ implementation in the
Environmental and Social Management Plan is also in the Report. The plan provides for each
identified activity, an approach to be used by the appropriate team to monitor the progress of
the implementation for feedback. It comes with the data to be taken as part of the reports to be
generated from the field visit.
Grievance Redress Mechanism

The project has developed and instituted a functional GRM system in all project communities
to report and offer resolution to any possible grievance that may arise out of project
implementation. The processes include a community level grievance registration, cohort level
and National level grievance resolution system termed Central Grievance Redress Committee
(CGRC). The preparation of this ESMP took a consultative and participatory approach,
however, it is important that a grievance resolution procedure which aims at addressing and
resolving grievances or complaints from affected persons promptly, fairly, and acceptable to
all parties during the project implementation is provided for in the ESMP.
The grievance redress process will use the already existing three-tier Project Grievance Redress
framework to address complaints that may arise because of the subproject activities. The first
tier is at the local community level with project team and community focal persons as the
recipients of grievances and dispute resolution.
Grievance Redress Committee formed at every Cohort Level as the second tier would be the
one which would address the grievance in the next level if the issue or the problem is not solved
at the first tier and to be chaired by the district manager or representation from the forestry
commission with members from the traditional authority, area council, member of a clergy and
representative of the NGO/CBO working in the area. They will coordinate on getting proper
and timely information to the affected persons, resolve grievances and provide support to the
affected persons.
The Central Grievance Redress Committee (CGRC) which is the third tier will be constituted
from the NSC (Chairman), FC (legal officer) and NEA Project manager (Secretary). They are
to address project specific complaints that may be referred by the first and second tier redress
processes.
Throug negotiation, mediation and other available technique, complaints or disputes would be
settled and where perhaps the conplainant is dissatisfied, the redress action will be verified and
Alternative Actions applied
Capacity Building Plan
Capacity building will be carried out for all relevant stakeholders including contractors and
their workers, community level subproject committees, community focal persons. NEA staff
who will be involved in the implementation, monitoring, supervision and reporting on the
ESMP compliance will undergo a 2-day training to create understanding on the ESMP
requirements and the roles and responsibilities of the stakeholders and effective safeguards
delivery on the project.
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1. INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background and Justification
The Ghana Dedicated Grant Mechanism (G-DGM) follows the framework guidelines and set
of activities covered under the components designed for the Global DGM. In Ghana, the project
seeks to support capacity building and finance the demand-driven provision of grants to
communities, individuals, and community-based organizations within local communities (LCs)
in the Western North, Bono, and Bono East Regions, to strengthen their understanding of the
Forest Investment Program (FIP) and other REDD+ processes at the local, national, and global
levels, as well as to increase their capacity to adapt to climate change. The G-DGM prioritizes
its actions in the Western North, Bono, and Bono East Regions to promote synergies with the
FIP, which also operates in these three regions, and Forest Carbon Partnership Framework
projects. The G-DGM project has been designed to be implemented through its two main
components
Component 1: Capacity Building for Local Communities
i. Capacity building will occur through a funnel approach in Twi, the local language. General
awareness and REDD+ training will focus on 53 targeted communities, most of which are
also FIP communities. This outreach will be followed by ‘basic training’ as the first step
by community members, community-based organizations (CBOs), and individuals to have
a deeper, more understanding of REDD+, and the linkage with livelihood. Basic training
must be undertaken to access the grant financing. The logic for this requirement is that
knowledge will bring a higher level of commitment to FIP and REDD+ goals and
subsequently to the funded activities on the ground. Capacity-building activities will do the
following:
(a) Improve LCs capacity to understand the FIP, REDD+, the impact of local and global
activities on climate change and links to livelihoods (target: Basic training participants).
(b) Provide on-farm and household-level training for dedicated training participants to
demonstrate the links between livelihoods and REDD+ goals, showcase sustainable and
climate smart practices, promote farmer-to-farmer training on farms that practice climate
smart practices. Dedicated training will be hands-on, field-focused, practical, and largely
out of the classroom setting (target: Dedicated training participants).
(c) Improve extension service providers’ ability to incorporate climate smart practices and
REDD+ principles into their activities by targeting them for basic training (e.g.,
COCOBOD - cocoa grower’s extension service), assemblymen, Community Resource
Management Areas (CREMAs), district officers, school children, and others) to make
them more effective trainers to the communities over the long-term (target: extension
service providers plus schoolchildren).
(d) Improve the ability of traditional authorities to effectively combat threats from within and
without by providing basic training for them, which will allow them to understand the
consequences of threats to the LCs such as illegal surface mining, illegal chainsaw
operations.
(e) Target those whose livelihoods are not sustainable (illegal chain saw operators, illegal
miners, charcoal producers, etc) with a view to educate them on the long-term impacts of
their practices and to look for more sustainable solutions, including alternative livelihoods
1
through the grant program.
(f) Improve the depth of perception about local actions which have a global impact; trips
(national and international) should be arranged for selected community members to learn
how local action related to REDD+/climate change can make the difference to lives and
livelihoods in a community setting (subset of basic training participants).
ii. For participants who have fully grasped key concepts from basic training and who have
personalized its messages, the NEA will seek out each year local, national, or global venues
related to REDD+ and climate change that key proponents can attend and participate in,
which, in turn will further build capacity and allow community members to practice what
they have learned and understood. This result is expected under the project and will be
prioritized.
iii. Component 1 will, in addition, finance the necessary training for grant proposal writing.
All potential grantees who have completed basic training and passed the oral test (with a
signed certificate of completion) can receive grant proposal training under Component 1
before submitting their grant proposals.
Component 2: Sustainable and Adaptive Community Initiatives
i. This subcomponent will primarily finance goods, as well as related operational costs, for
(a) eligible communities (community-level initiatives); (b) individuals living in these
communities (individual initiatives); and (c) CBOs (who have been working in Bono, Bono
East, and Western North Regions on climate change/REDD+ thematic areas for more than
five years), to undertake small-scale sustainable initiatives that fall under predetermined
themes related to climate change and REDD+. Those who have benefited from initiatives
under the FIP project will not be allowed to benefit from Component 2 under the DGM, to
avoid doubling up on benefits.
ii. Examples of initiatives that that are being supported include, establishment of cashew
plantation, sacred site protection sub-projects, watershed protection sub-projects, woodlot
establishment, cocoa rehabilitation, community ecotourism centre development,
community reforestation sub-project, community solar powered mechanized boreholes
These initiatives are broken down into seven thematic areas related to livelihoods, biomass
coverage, soil and water conservation, reduction of carbon emissions, climate proofing agricultural
investments, and scale-up of related investments
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1.2 Objectives of the ESMP
The implementation of the subprojects has potential for safeguards concerns, some of which
are waste generation, soil erosion, occupational health, and safety, removing of vegetation,
public health and safety, interruption of income and livelihoods of farmers, land rights, and
child labour etc.
The Environmental Protection Agency Act 490, of 1994, and the Ghana’s Environmental
Assessment Regulation, 1999 (LI 1652) require that for any project which has the potential to
impact negatively on the environment and people, the undertaking should be assessed for its
environmental and social impacts and the appropriate mitigation measures identified prior to
the undertaking.
Water Resources Commission (WRC): The WRC is responsible for granting licenses for any
water use activity and the procedures as laid down in the WRC Act 1996 (Act 522) will be
followed. All project activities requiring such license will receive assistance from the WRC
and the Commission will therefore provide adequate guidance to ensure that the proper
procedures are used. The G-DGM project makes use of the L.I 1692 (Water use regulations, 2001)
Regulation 10 of the L.I gives permit exemption to the use of water for the purposes for which
the project is being implemented. However, the project is mandated to register with the
respective District assemblies.
The G-DGM project also triggers these World Bank Safeguard Policies, namely the
Environmental Assessment OP/BP 4.01, Natural Habitat Policy OP/BP 4.04, Pest Management
OP/BP 4.09, the Involuntary Resettlement Policy OP 4.12, Physical Cultural Resources OP/
BP 4.11 and Forest OP/BP 4.36 requiring that any potential environmental and social issues
arising from any proposed subproject should be identified and a management plan prepared to
mitigate the potential impact.
The purpose of the national environmental laws and the World Bank Policies are to ensure that
the environmental and social impacts associated with any undertaking under the project are
avoided where possible, managed and or effectively mitigated.
In seeking to comply with the G-DGM project Environmental and Social Management
Framework (ESMF) and other relevant national laws, this ESMP has been prepared.
1.3 Purpose of the ESMP
The purpose of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) is to guide the project
implementation process in a way that will ensure that the potential environmental and social
impacts akin to the proposed project are identified and appropriate measures for mitigating the
impacts are integrated into project planning and implementation arrangements and processes.
The specific objectives of the ESMP are to:

• Address potential environmental and social impacts that may arise from the
implementation of the subprojects
• Provide management actions that need to be implemented to mitigate the negative
environmental and social impacts resulting from the subproject activities
• Propose environmental and social monitoring programs that will ensure that mitigation
measures are implemented and are effective during project implementation
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• Propose institutional arrangements, incorporating roles and responsibilities of
stakeholders involved in management actions and monitoring
• Ensure that all World Bank safeguard policies and national level regulations are
observed and complied with in the implementation of subprojects.
1.4 Scope of the ESMP
The project operational implementation has been organized into five cohorts based on
community locations and administrative districts. Therefore, the scope of work for the ESMP
preparation has been structured based on subprojects in each of the five operational cohorts
and will be focusing on the following:
• Cohort level description of subproject location.
• Description of subproject activity and subcomponents.
• Description of subproject site: reference to project baseline environmental and social
conditions.
• Review policy, legal and institutional framework related to environmental management
of the subproject.
• Proposal of an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) which summarizes
the (a) mitigation measures for all the impacts identified, (b) appropriate indicators for
monitoring and frequency of monitoring; (c) persons and institutions responsible for
the proper implementation of the mitigation measures; and (d) the mitigation measures
implementation costs.
• Consultation of stakeholders
1.5 Methodology for Developing the ESMP
The ESMP has been developed through a participatory process and series of activities and
engagements. The activities include project community visits, subproject sites visit,
engagement with traditional authorities and queen mothers, engagements with community
subproject committees, interviews, and desk studies. These activities provided the opportunity
to gather baseline data including environmental and social scenarios in the project communities
and in and around subproject sites. The consultative activities provided opportunities to engage
extensively with traditional authorities, families, landowners, and land users to understand all
issues and activities on-going on proposed sites to which the preparation of the report.
1.5.1 Review of Available Literature/Project Documents

Desk review of various literature was conducted to gather background information related to
the sites, the proposed subprojects and to identify potential environmental and social impacts
of subprojects. In this context, the documents reviewed include the following:
• Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of FIP/DGM
• The environmental and social screening report of the proposed subprojects
• World Bank Safeguards Policies
• Ghana Environmental Assessment Regulation 1999 LI 1652 and
• Water Resources Commission Act 1996 (Act 522)
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1.5.2 Site Visits
For each of the proposed subprojects, the team visited the selected sites to identify what is
available on the sites and what the situation of the site was as at the time of visit. The visit did
not only look at the field but also the traditional leaders of the communities were also visited
including in some cases, the need to meet not only the person given out lands for subprojects
activity but the family heads and family members.
On the proposed subproject lands, the team conducted preliminary inspection of the proposed
sites and interacted with persons in and around the area to assess and gather the necessary
information.
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1.5.3 Stakeholder Consultations
Stakeholder consultations were undertaken to gather and share information about the proposed
subproject and its objectives, its scope and the potential environmental and social risks and
impacts.
The stakeholders consulted include the following:
i. Forest Service Division (FSD) of Forestry Commission (FC)

ii. Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED) of Ghana Cocoa Board
iii. District/Municipal coordinating directors, works engineers at the project
participating districts and Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA)
iv. The project beneficiary communities:
• Community Elders and Opinion Leaders, Assembly Members, community
members, Community-Based Organizations, Farmer-Based Organizations and
others who may have interest in subproject implementation
The consultations were used to inform stakeholders about the proposed subproject and its aims,
project scope, and the need for stakeholder involvement in the proposed subproject
implementation process. The meetings provided opportunities for the stakeholders
to raise their concern about the subproject implementation processes which were all factored
in the subproject implementation processes as well as the preparation of this ESMP and the
subproject planning and implementation.
1.5.4 Potential Environmental and Social Impacts Identifications

Overall, the environmental and social impacts of the proposed subprojects were identified
through the following:
• Reports submitted by the responsible teams and contractors
• Field and site inspection and interaction with the people related to the subproject
• Observations and experts’ judgements at project beneficiary communities
1.6 Reporting
The information gathered during field visits and stakeholder consultations were compiled into
this ESMP report.
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2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED SUBPROJECT
2.1 Proposed subprojects’ locations
Solidaridad has successfully rolled out the grant phase of the Ghana Dedicated Grant
Mechanism for Local Communities project in the project communities. The project
communities fall within 18 Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) in Bono, Bono East,
and Western North Regions. The grant component supports individuals, communities, and
community-based organizations to undertake sustainable climate-smart initiatives that reduce
deforestation and build their resilience to the adverse impacts of climate change.
To increase local communities’ understanding of sustainable natural resource management and
climate change issues, Solidaridad employs a community-based participatory approach to
generate effective climate responses based on a community’s climate change vulnerability
context. This approach to implementing climate support interventions guarantees ownership
and sustainability of the initiatives. Through the participatory approaches adopted by
Solidaridad, project communities selected subprojects that response to their climate
vulnerability need. Below (Table 1, Annex 4, and Annex 5) present selected subprojects of
communities, individuals and CBOs and their locations. Access to potable water is a problem
in most of the rural communities in Ghana. This therefore affirms the overwhelming selection
by 38 communities to use their grant to provide a solar-powered borehole system for the
communities to help them directly deal with the water scarcity problem and again to support
the use of clean energy by adopting solar as the source of energy to power the borehole
mechanisation and for lighting.
With the knowledge gained from the capacity building phase of the project, some communities,
individuals, and CBOs have opted to use their grant support to undertake tree planting
activities. These activities are with the aim of helping create more carbon sinks and to also have
positive effects on the microclimate of their area. Community afforestation and woodlots
dominate the tree planting activities. Again, cashew agro-forestry systems are being established
to create an enabling economic condition for these communities, individuals, and CBOs while
at the same time acting as a carbon sink. There are also activities of watershed planting to
protect river bodies that through degradative activities have been exposed to direct sunlight.
Cocoa agro-forestry system is to be established using a climate-smart approach which
dominates subprojects in the Western North projects communities. Through the climate-smart
practices, old and unproductive cocoa trees are to be removed and replaced with a hybrid and
fast-growing cocoa. The practice will also ensure an optimum combination of timber tree
species that will benefit the farmer and the farm through environmental services and economic
returns in the future.
7
Table 1: project communities’ location and selected subprojects
G-DGM PROJECT BENEFICIARY COMMUNITIES AND SELECTED SUBPROJECT
Operational
SN Community District District_Capital Cohort Region Selected Subproject
1 Adabokrom Bia East Adabokrom Western North Region solar powered borehole
2 Camp 15 Bia East Adabokrom Western North Region solar powered borehole
3 Kumkumso Bia west Debiso Western North Region solar powered borehole
4 Elluokrom Bia West Debiso Western North Region solar powered borehole
5 Obeykrom Bia west Debiso Western North Region solar powered borehole
6 Adwumam Juabeso Juabeso Western North Region solar powered borehole
7 Asempaneye Juabeso Juabeso Western North Region solar powered borehole
8 Benchima Juabeso Juabeso Western North Region solar powered borehole
IV
9 Juaboso Nkwanta Juabeso Juabeso Western North Region solar powered borehole
10 Nkatieso Juabeso Juabeso Western North Region solar powered borehole
11 Sefwi Asafo Sefwi Wiawso Sefwi Wiawso Western North Region Afforestation project
12 Suiano B Sefwi Wiawso Sefwi Wiawso Western North Region Improved Cookstoves
13 Datano Sefwi Wiawso Sefwi Wiawso Western North Region solar powered borehole
14 Kankyiabo Sefwi Wiawso Sefwi Wiawso Western North Region solar powered borehole
15 Bodi Bodi Bodi Western North Region solar powered borehole
16 Suiano A Bodi Bodi Western North Region Improved Cookstoves
17 Asantekrom Aowin Enchi Western North Region solar powered borehole
18 Damoakrom Aowin Enchi Western North Region solar powered borehole
19 Fahiakotwere cluster Aowin Enchi II Western North Region solar powered borehole
20 Jomoro Enchi Aowin Enchi Western North Region solar powered borehole
21 Nyamebekyre Aowin Enchi Western North Region solar powered borehole
22 Abease Pru West Yeji Bono East Region solar powered borehole
23 Zabrama Pru West Yeji Bono East Region Cashew agroforestry
V
24 Benim Pru West Yeji Bono East Region solar powered borehole
25 Beposo Pru West Yeji Bono East Region solar powered borehole
1
26 Baaya (Prang) Pru West Yeji Bono East Region solar powered borehole
27 Praprabon Atebubu Amantin Atebubu Bono East Region solar powered borehole
28 Menko Sene West Kwame Danso Bono East Region solar powered borehole
29 Kanto Sene West Kwame Danso Bono East Region solar powered borehole
30 Akyeremade Sene West Kwame Danso Bono East Region Cashew agroforestry
31 Mpatasie Berekum Berekum Bono Region solar powered borehole
32 Nkyenkyemanmu Berekum West Jinijini Bono Region solar powered borehole
33 Namasua Berekum Berekum Bono Region solar powered borehole
34 Kotaa Berekum Berekum Bono Region Improved Cookstoves
35 Koradaso Dormaa East Wamfie Bono Region solar powered borehole
36 Asunso no.1 Dormaa East Wamfie Bono Region solar powered borehole
III
37 Nsuhia Dormaa Dormaa Ahenkro Bono Region solar powered borehole
38 Duasidan Dormaa Dormaa Ahenkro Bono Region solar powered borehole
39 Twumkrom Dormaa Dormaa Ahenkro Bono Region Cashew agroforestry
40 Boffourkrom Sunyani West Odumase Bono Region solar powered borehole
41 Adoe Sunyani West Odumase Bono Region solar powered borehole
42 Abirikaso Jaman South Japekrom Bono Region solar powered borehole
43 Ampoma Kintampo south Jema Bono East Region Afforestation project*
44 Nante Kintampo south Jema Bono East Region Afforestation project
45 Anyima Kintampo south Jema Bono East Region Cashew agroforestry
46 Krabonso Kintampo south Jema Bono East Region Improved Cookstoves
47 Hyereso Kintampo south Jema Bono East Region solar powered borehole
48 Dawadawa no 2 Kintampo North Kintampo I Bono East Region Cashew agroforestry
49 Babato Kuma Kintampo North Kintampo Bono East Region Cashew agroforestry
50 Bawa Akura Kintampo North Kintampo Bono East Region Improved Cookstoves
51 Bonte Nkoranza North Busunya Bono East Region Cashew agroforestry
52 Dromankese Nkoranza North Busunya Bono East Region Cashew agroforestry
53 Asekye Krokese Nkoranza North Busunya Bono East Region solar powered borehole
2
3. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE OF PROJECT PARTICIPATION
LANDSCAPE
3.1 INTRODUCTION
This chapter describes the baseline conditions of the project landscape. The project landscape is grouped
into 5 cohorts (table 1) for operations purposes based largely on the locations of the communities. These
are Cohorts I which consist of 11communities, Cohort II made of 5 communities, Cohort III consist of
12 communities, and Cohort IV and V consisting of 16 and 9 communities, respectively. In terms of
landscape similarities, cohort I and V belong to the same landscape and possess similar characteristic
ecologically and sociocultural. Similarly, the remaining cohorts all belong to the high forest zone with
the same ecological characteristics.
3.2 PROFILE OF COHORT I AND V
3.2.1 Introduction
Cohort I and V are in the Bono East region of Ghana, with Techiman as the region’s capital.
The region lies between longitudes 1° 49` East and 2° 30` West and latitude 8° 00` North and
7° 35` South. The Bono East Region borders on the north the Savannah Region, on the west
the Bono Region, on the south the Ashanti region and on the east the Volta Lake. Kintampo
North Municipal, Kintampo South and Nkoranza North districts form Cohort I whereas
Atebubu Amantin Municipal, Pru West and Sene West Districts Forms Cohort V (see Table 1:
for list of project operation cohorts and the communities and districts the fall)
3.2.2 Topography
The land is generally plain with rolling and undulating land surface. Land elevation is generally
between 60 m to 300 m above sea level with the highest point being a little over 300 m above
sea level.
3.2.3 Geology and Soils Characteristics
The geological structure roughly divides the region into two main parts. Voltarian formation
of Palaeozoic origin that is quartzite, shale, arkose, and mudstones and lower Birimian (Middle
Pre-Cambrian) origin with some intrusive of upper Birimian and lower Pre-Cambrian
formations. Large volumes of valuable rocks for quarrying are found in the Techiman and
Wenchi Municipalities.
The region has good soils developed under Savanna vegetation. Compound associations are
fine textured, ranging from fine sandy loams and mostly poorly drained. Its soils are
agriculturally important and support cultivation of yam, cassava, maize, rice, groundnuts,
garden eggs, okro, tomatoes, watermelon, and pepper and other perennial crops like cashew,
mongo and citrus.
3.2.4 Climate and Rainfall
The region, which falls between the wet semi-equatorial and tropical continental climatic
regions of Ghana, experiences a rainy season which begins in May and ends in October and a
long dry season from November to April. Generally, rainfall ranges between 900 mm to 1,089
mm. The region is characterized by high temperatures throughout the year with a mean annual
1
temperature of about 27 ºC. The relative humidity of the area is quite high, averaging over
75%. Though, these climatic conditions adversely affect agricultural activities in the region,
cashew and mango production are hugely favoured and gradually dominating the landscape.
3.2.5 Relief and Drainage
The region lies within the Sene-Obosom and the Voltain basin. The major rivers: Volta Lake,
Sene, Nyomo, Tanfi, Nwansi and Pru surround the region. In addition to these major rivers,
there are streams which have the potential for water transport, irrigation and domestic use
especially during the dry season.
3.2.6 Flora and Fauna of Cohort I and V Landscape
The region has three main vegetation zones - the guinea-savanna woodland, located in the
north-west, the semi-deciduous zone in the south and the transitional zone, which stretches
from the south-east and west up to the north of the region. The area is home to some economic
trees that are indigenous tree species that include shea nut tree, Dawadawa, Baobab, Mahogany,
Papao, Senya, Kane, Onyina, Kubre, Kyenkyen, Watapuo, Wama and Neem. Generally, tall
grasses such as the elephant grass and varieties of anthropogenic species coexist with these
trees in the region.
The region also serves as home to many animals such as the Boabeng-Fiema Monkey
Sanctuary which is 22 kilometers away from the Nkoranza North District of the Bono East.
The forest houses many birds, reptiles, deer, and monkeys, two of which are the Geoffrey’s
Pied Colobus and Campbell Mona monkey. It is a home for about 700 monkeys where the
monkeys and inhabitant live together and are protected by the traditional laws of the area. The
Buoyem Caves and Bats colony, which are within the locality of Buoyem in Techiman
municipality of a dry semi-deciduous forest, house a large colony of rosetta fruit bats, caves,
sandstone rocks and waterfalls. The Tano River which is located at Tanoso near Techiman
houses a pool of sacred fish with golden crowns which are jealously protected by the
community.
3.2.7 Quality of Built Environment
The built-up area of the Bono East region is made up of both the planned communities and
inadvertent communities. The residential areas (both well planned and squatter settlements)
form about 35% of the total land area of the region with agricultural, forestry, industrial and
commercial areas making up the remaining 65% of land cover (GSS, 2015).
3.2.8 Population and Household
There is a female dominance of 51.5% out of 594,712 inhabitants of the area according to GSS,
2020 report. A greater percentage of the population (64.5%) live in rural areas as compared
with 35.5% in the urban areas. Household population in the region is 126,534 with household
size of 4.7 persons per household, which is greater than the national average of 4.4 persons per
household.
3.2.9 Dominant Religion and Ethnicity
A little over two-thirds are Christians. Other religions in the Region are Islam and adherents of
African Traditional religions. Catholics are about one-fifth of the Region’s population.
2
Whereas Pru and Sene are the only Districts where adherents of African Traditional religions
are relatively high, the Islamic faith is predominant in Techiman and Atebubu-Amantin.
The predominant ethnic group across Districts is Akan, except for Pru, Sene and Kintampo
North where the dominant ethnic groups are Gurma, Guan, and Grusi respectively.
3.2.10 Tradition and Culture
The Bono East region upholds chieftaincy as an honoured and development institution. There
are several Paramount chiefs within the region, with some owing allegiance to the Asantehene
while others govern themselves. Traditionally, drumming and dancing are a medium of
entertaining and unifying the population. Several traditional drumming and dancing groups are
found in virtually all Districts.
The people from traditional areas in Bono East region, like other Akan societies, have a variety
of festivals with the most prominent ones being the Apoo Festival of Wenchi, Techiman and
Nkoranza, the Yam Festival (Fo-Yawowo) of Atebubu.
3.2.11 Occupation
Agriculture and its related work are the major occupation in all districts, accounting for 66.4%
of the region’s economically active population. The proportion of self-employed without
employees in the region is 74.6%, mainly engaged in small scale economic activities operated
by individuals while others are also peasant farmers engaged in subsistence agriculture. The
percentage of employees within the economically active population is 9.7 relatively lower than
the national proportion of 15.2% (GSS, 2020).
3.2.12 Sanitation
The most widely method of solid waste disposal is by public dump in containers accounting
for 52.5%. About 17.4% of households use public dump (open space) and 10.7% of
households burn their solid waste. About 11.0% of the population within the region, notably
from rural areas indiscriminately dispose their solid waste off in open places. House to house
waste collection accounts for 8.5%. For liquid waste disposal, throwing waste onto the
compound (36.6 %) and onto the street (22.9 %) are the two most common methods used by
households in the region (GSS, 2020).
3
3.3 PROFILE OF COHORT II
3.3.1 Introduction
Cohort II is within the Aowin Municipality with Enchi as the municipal capital. The Cohort is
in the southern part of the Western North Region of Ghana between latitude 5° 251 N and 6°
141 N longitude 2° 301 W and 3° 051 W. It shares boundaries to the south with Jomoro district,
East with Wassa Amenfi, North with Suaman and West with the Republic of La Cote D’Ivoire.
The total land area of the district stands at 2,610.3 square kilometers
3.3.2 Topography
Generally, the district has an undulating terrain with hills rising to heights 35m and 366m above
sea level. The terrain of the district is described as a Forest dissected land with hills and valleys.
3.3.3 Geology and soils Characteristics
Lower and upper birimian rock formation underlay the area. The geology formation of the
district is richly endowed with gold deposit, which is found in rock formations, and alluvia
deposit in places such as Achimfo, Sewum, Acquah Allah, Asantekrom and Jomoro.
The most widespread is the forest Ochrosols and Oxysols, which support the cultivation of cash
and food crops, such as cocoa, palm tree, cola, coffee, cashew, plantains, cocoyam, cassava,
and maize, which give high yields in the Municipality.
The district experiences wet semi-equatorial climatic conditions. Temperature is generally high
with an annual average of 26° C. The hottest months are March and April i.e., before the onset
of the first rains. The district experiences bimodal rainy seasons in a year, which occur from
May to July and the minor season experienced in September and October. The average annual
rainfall is between 15,000 mm and 18,000 mm in the district. The relative humidity in the
district is generally high between 75% and 80% during the wet season and about 70% for the
rest of the year.
Several rivers and streams traverse the district. The Tano and Bia rivers and their tributaries,
notably Boi and Disue respectively are the major rivers, which drain the district. Disue River
for instance meanders considerably in its progress throughout the district.
3.3.6 Flora and Fauna of Cohort II Landscape
The vegetation covers are moist-semi-deciduous forests, found in the central and northern parts
of the district and Rainforests located along the eastern and western fringes. The Rainforest is
normally constituted by forest reserves and sacred groves, Mahogany, Odum, Dahoma etc.
Trees found in the forests are of great economic value hence a high number of timber firms are
operating in the district. The area has diverse community of small mammals like squirrels, fruit
bats, pangolins, mouse, rats etc, and they are particularly high abundance in swamp forest
which is a notable roosting place for local and migrant birds.
4
The built-up area of the Aowin Municipality is made up of both the well-planned communities
and inadvertent communities. The residential areas (both well planned and squatter
settlements) form about 25% of the total land area of the municipality. Agricultural and forest
lands make up the largest portion 80% of land cover. As a result of large tract of wetlands
within the municipality, alluvial gold mining has sprung up within the landscape polluting most
of the water bodies and degrading large tracts of the forest and its resources.
There are two main types of dwelling units in the district, i.e., separate house (48.5%) and
compound house (35.4%). About three quarters (74.9%) of the houses in the district are owned
by household members. House owned by relative not a household member and those own by
private other individual constitute 9.3 percent and 9.2%, respectively. Less than one percent
(0.8%) of dwelling units in the district are owned through mortgage schemes.
3.3.8 Population and Households
The population of Aowin District, according to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, is
154, 661 (GSS, 2020). Males constitute 52.0 percent and females represent 48 percent. More
than 90.0 percent of the population in the district live in rural areas. The district has a youthful
population with 40.8 percent of the population below 15 years. Consequently, the population
pyramid of the district has a very broad base which tapers off with a small number of elderly
persons (4.4%). The total age dependency ratio for the district is 77.8. The district has 35, 155
total number of households with average household size 4.4 persons. Household sizes are
higher in rural localities (4.6) compared to urban.
3.3.9 Dominant Religion and Ethnic Groups
Christians form a major part (68.7%) of the population in this Cohort. In terms of
denominational affiliations of the population in the District, Pentecostals form the majority
(25.6%) followed by Protestants (23.3%) and Catholic (19.8%). Persons of Islamic faith
constitute 13.0 percent.
The Brusas are the main indigenous ethnic group in the Aowin District. The other people in
the district belong to the Ashanti, Fante, Akuapem, Akyem, Ewe, Ga and Sisala ethnic groups.
The major traditional language spoken in the district is Brusa.
The Aowin District has one traditional council called Aowin with its seat at Enchi. The head
of the Traditional council is the Paramount Chief who rules with the support of other divisional
chiefs. Ellue or Yam Festival is the traditional festival celebrated by the chiefs and people of
Aowin Traditional Council. This festival is celebrated annually and ushers in the new farming
season while thanking the gods and praying for another bumper harvest.
3.3.11 Occupation
In terms of occupation of the employed population, overwhelming majority (80.3%) are
engaged as skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers. The second commonest (6.6%)
occupation of the employed is service and sales. The major industry engaging majority (79.7%)
of the workers in the district is agriculture, forestry, and fishing. This is followed by wholesale
and retail trade (6.5%). Manufacturing engages only 3.8 percent of the working people (GSS,
2020).
5
3.3.12 Sanitation
Many households in the district use pit-latrine as their main toilet facility. This is followed by
those using public toilet accounting for about one quarter of households. As high as 15.0% of
households, do not have toilet facilities in their homes. The most widely method of solid waste
disposal is by public dump in the open space accounting for 49.4%. About one fifth (21%) of
the households in the district dispose their solid waste off by dumping indiscriminately.
Households who dump their solid waste into containers, and those whose solid waste is
collected, form 7.0% and 7.2% respectively. For disposal of liquid waste mostly from domestic
activities, throwing waste onto the compound (53.8%) and onto the street (24.6%) are the two
most common methods used by households in the district (GSS, 2020).
6
3.4 Profile of Cohort III
3.4.1 Introduction
Cohort III is situated in the Bono region of Ghana with Sunyani as the region’s capital. It lies
between Latitudes 7° 20’ N and 7° 05’ N and Longitudes 2° 30’ W and 2° 10’ W. The region
shares border with Savannah region to the North, Bono East region to the East, Ashanti and
Western North to the South and Cote D’ Ivoire to the West. Sunyani West, Berekum Municipal,
Dormaa Central Municipal, Jaman South and Berekum West Districts form the Cohort III
(Table 1).
3.4.2 Topography
The topography is generally undulating and rises between 180 m and 375 m above sea level.
The high range can be found near Asunsu in the north-western part of the region, most of which
is occupied by the Pamu Forest Reserve. The highest point is a little over 375 m above sea
level.
The Bono region is underlined by Precambrian Birimian formations which are believed to be
rich in mineral deposits. Associated with the Birimian formations are extensive masses of
granite. The Cape Coast Granite Complex is what pertains in the region. The rich minerals
deposit underlain in Precambrian Birimian and the Birimian presents a great potential for
investment in mineral exploitation.
Two main soil groups are found within the region. The Forest Ochrosols, covering the south-
western part, and the Ground water Laterite Ochrosols. This intergrades in the northern parts
of the Region. Besides these, there are some small patches of Oxysols and Rubrisols, which
intergrades to the south of Sunyani.
3.4.4 Climate and rainfall
The region falls within the wet Semi-Equatorial Climatic Zone of Ghana. The monthly
temperatures vary between 23 ºC and 33 ºC with the lowest around August and the highest
being observed around March and April. The relative humidity is high averaging between 75%
and 80% during the rainy seasons and 70% and 80% during the dry seasons of the year which
is ideal for luxurious vegetative growth.
The average rainfall for the region is around 2009 mm. These areas experience double maxima
rainfall pattern. The main rainy season is between March and September with the minor
between October to December. This offers two farming seasons in a year which supports
agricultural production in the region. However, the rainfall pattern is changing over the years
because of deforestation and depletion of water bodies resulting from human activities.
The region lies within the middle belt of Ghana with heights from 229 m to 376 m above sea
level. The topography of the region is largely flat thus suitable for large scale agricultural
mechanization. Cost of constructing houses and roads is relatively minimal due to the nature
of the topography. The drainage is basically dendritic with several streams and rivers, notably
Tano, Amoma, Bia, Tain, Kankam, Benu, Yaya and Bisi. Most of the water bodies are seasonal.
7
This often creates water shortage in the region during the dry season for both domestic and
agricultural purposes.
3.4.6 Flora and Fauna of Cohort III Landscape
The region falls largely within the Moist-Semi Deciduous Forest Vegetation Zone. Most of the
primary vegetation can be found in patches around the north-west, east, and southern parts.
These include the Yaya and the Amoma forest reserves. This vegetation zone also contains
most of the valuable timber species such as Wawa, Odum and Mahogany. As indicated by the
characteristics of the vegetation cover, tree crops such as cocoa, cashew and citrus thrive well
in this zone. As a result of lumbering and farming practices, most of the forest areas have been
degraded. Re-afforestation is therefore being undertaken in the forest reserves to reverse the
trend.
Present in the landscape is the Bui National Park. The Park, which is 1,821-kilometer square
and covers part of the Black Volta River, is endowed with several species of antelopes and a
variety of birds and well known for its hippopotamus population. The Duasidan Monkey
Sanctuary, located 10 km southwest of Dormaa Ahenkro, hosts a rare breed of Mona Monkeys.
The community forest which hosts these monkeys have recently gained attraction with efforts
to develop it into an eco-tourism site.
3.4.7 Built Environment
In Bono region, the built environment experiences sheet and gully erosion on roads and
residential areas. The built-up area of the Bono region is made up of both the well-planned
communities and inadvertent communities. Agricultural and forest lands cover major of the
total land cover within the Bono region.
It has a population of about 1,168,807, with an estimated growth rate of 2.2% as against the
national rate of 2.4% (GSS, 2020). Males constitute 47.8 percent and females represent 52.2%.
About 61.0% of the population reside in rural localities. Average household size ranges from
3.9 to 5.6 for the districts with the lowest recorded for Sunyani Municipal. Apart from the
Sunyani Municipal Area, the remaining districts in the region have average household sizes
greater than 4.0. The Dormaa East, Sunyani West districts and the Berekum municipality have
average household sizes lower than the national average of 4.4. The remaining eight districts
have average household sizes greater than the national average.
3.4.9 Religion and Ethnicity
The Region is inhabited mainly by the Bono people who belongs to the Akan stock. There are,
however, other minor ethnic groups in the Region. These minor groups speak the Bono or
Asante dialect only as a second language, for example, around the Volta bend; the north-
western corner of the region, there are Gur speaking people – Nafana of Sampa, the Koulango
of Seikwa and Badu, and the Hwela and Numu of Namasa and Nsawkaw. Also, in the region
are the Nchumuru of Atebubu and Sene. The rest are settler farmers from the Northern regions
such as Wangara, Dagomba, Fulani, Grunshies and Sisala.
With regards to religious affiliation, Christians, Islamists, and Traditionalists inhabit this area,
with the Christians having the largest percentage of the population. Traditional religion
constitutes the least. Apart from these, are the populations who do not belong to any of the
8
groups. Despite the diversity in ethnicity and religious affiliation, inhabitants in the
municipality live in peace and harmony.
Various aspects of Akan culture stem from the Bono state, including the umbrella used for the
kings, the swords of the nation, the stools, goldsmithing, blacksmithing, Kente Cloth weaving,
and gold weighing. There are several Paramount chiefs within the region, with some owing
allegiance to the Asantehene while others like the Berekum, Dormaa, Tain and Sunyani
Paramountcy, etc. govern themselves. Following the Adinkra tradition of the Kingdom of
Gyaman, visual arts are a common practice of the people of the Region.
There are several cultural practices and festivals within this region. Kwafie is celebrated by
the Dormaa, Berekum and Nsoatre people, and Munufie by Drobo. They are celebrated to
cleanse and feed the stools and gods, respectively. It is climaxed with a large bonfire in the
palace courtyard. It is believed that the people of Dormaa Ahenkro (Aduana) brought fire to
present day Ghana, hence this is legendarily symbolically re-enacted. Akwantukese is
celebrated by the people of Suma in March.
3.4.11 Occupation
Of the employed population, about 25.5 percent are engaged as skilled agricultural, forestry
and fishery workers, 28.1 percent in service and sales, 15.0 percent in craft and related trade,
and 16.2 percent are engaged as managers, professionals, and technicians (GSS, 2020).
3.4.12 Sanitation
The most widely method of solid waste disposal is by public dump in containers accounting
for 52.5 percent. About 17.4 percent of households use public dump (open space) and 10.7 of
households burned their solid waste. House to house waste collection accounts for 8.5 percent.
For liquid waste disposal, throwing waste onto the compound (36.6 %) and onto the street (22.9
%) are the two most common methods used by households in the district.
9
3.5 PROFILE OF COHORT IV
3.5.1 Introduction
Cohort IV is in the Western North region of Ghana, with Sefwi Wiawso as the region’s capital.
The region lies between latitudes 6° N and 6° 30’ N and Longitudes 2° 45’ W and 2° 15’ W
and is bounded by the Ivory Coast (Comoé District) on the west, the Central region in the
southeast, and the Ashanti, Ahafo, Bono East and Bono regions in the north. A total of 5
MMDAs make up the Cohort IV with 16 project communities (table 1).
3.5.2 Topography
Most part of the region is generally undulating and lies between 152.4 m - 510 m above sea
level. The highest point, the Krokoa peak which is 510 m above sea level lies roughly to the
South-West of region.
Much of the region is covered by Pre-Cambrian rocks notably the “Birimian” and “Tarkwaian”
series, underlain with gold, manganese and diamonds and bauxite. The occasional granite
intrusions give the region its undulating nature and form part of the long hill ranges known as
the Bibiani range.
The soil type of the region is the forest Ochrosols, which covers most of the Northern and
Western parts of the region. The forest Ochrosols and Oxysols are rich soils, which support the
cultivation of cash and food crops, such as cocoa, palm tree, cola, coffee, plantains,
cocoyam, cassava, and maize, with high yields in the region.
The region falls under two main climatic types: the south-western equatorial and the wet semi-
equatorial. The south-western equatorial climatic type roughly coincides with the evergreen
forest and the wet semi-equatorial climatic type with the semi-deciduous forest, with
temperatures between 25°C and 30°C throughout the year and moderate to heavy rainfall
pattern between 1524 mm and 1780 mm per annum. It comes with double maxima
characteristics in June-July and September-October as its peaks.
Humidity is relatively high, which is about 90% at night falling to 75% during the day. The
rainfall pattern of this area is unique and suitable for agricultural activities in the region. It has
two long wet seasons separated by relatively short dry season. The dry season is marked by
relatively low humidity with hazy conditions occurring from December to February. The region
experiences fewer bushfire outbreaks. The region often experiences concentrated downpours
up to 178 mm rainfall in a day, which often causes widespread flooding at some settlements
due to the nature of the soil.
The relief of the Western region falls in the physiographic type as the forest dissected plateau.
The main drainage features in the region are the Tano and Bia River and their tributaries. Other
river bodies that drain through the region are Krokosue, Yoyo, Disue, Sui, Suhien, Kunuma.
10
3.5.6 Flora and Fauna of Cohort IV Landscape
The region falls within the moist semi-deciduous forest zone of Ghana, which covers most of
Ashanti, Western, Ahafo and Eastern Regions and the Wet Evergreen Forest type to the South-
Western part of the region. The forest type consists of the Celtic triplochiton association.
Common species found are Onyina, Odum, Wawa, Mahogany, Sapele, Emire, Asamfina, Red
cedar, among others. There is a high degree of depletion of the original forest as large sections
of the forest are now secondary due to encroachment by farmers for cocoa cultivation and
illegal logging activities.
The area has diverse community of small mammals, and they are particularly high abundance
in swamp forest which is a notable roosting place for local and migrant birds. Three species
(Cercopithecus diana, Colobus polykomos and Cephalophus dorsalis) are both IUCN and
CITES listed. The most threatened species is Cercopithecus diana (diana monkey), categorized
as endangered by the IUCN. Twenty-six species (65%) are of national conservation
significance (Ghana Wildlife Conservation Regulations). In the recent past, the presence of
Mastomys natalensis (multimammate mouse), a typical savanna species, and the commensal
Mus spp. (common mice) in rain forest suggests some level of degradation through
anthropogenic influences. Intense hunting and poaching activities in the area and the expansion
of human settlements could have also reduced the population of large mammals or driven them
from their original range to refuge areas.
Except in new and developing areas, especially in urban areas, most of the settlements are
unplanned because of the undulating nature of the landscape. Due to the nature of the land,
erosion is predominant in the region giving rise to gullies and big trenches that serve as
breeding sites for mosquitoes.
The population of the region is 1,168,235, with 50.1% males and 49.9% females (GSS, 2020).
The population aged less than 15 years constitute 39.6 percent of the total, while those aged 15
- 64 make up 57.0 percent and persons 65 years and older make up the remaining 3.4 percent.
The proportion of the urban population is 13.6 percent. Average household size within the
region is 4.4 persons per household which is higher for urban areas (4.1) than rural areas (4.7).
3.5.9 Dominant Religion and Ethnic Group
The predominant religion of the Western North Region is Christianity (82%) followed by Islam
(9.3%). Despite the traditional nature of the region’s social structure, people that belong to the
Traditional religion are the minority.
With regards to ethnicity, the Sefwi’s (Akan) form about 78.6 percent. Other minority groups
include Mole-Dagbani, Krobos, Ewes and Nzemas form the remaining 21.4 percent.
The region has four traditional councils, that is, the Sefwi Wiawso Traditional Council, Aowin
Traditional Council, Suaman Traditional Council, Bibiani Traditional Council, Sefwi Bekwai
Traditional Council and Ahwiaso Traditional Council, which are headed by the various
Paramount Chiefs of the Traditional Areas.
11
The cultural practice of the people of the region is not different from the rest of the Akan
speaking communities in the country. The inheritance system is matrilineal. The various
traditional areas celebrate Yam Festival or (‘Aluelue’) which is celebrated in December.
The indigenous people of the region exhibit a high degree of cultural homogeneity in areas of
lineage organization, inheritance, and succession. However, the enstoolment of Safohene and
Okyeame follows the double unilineal system of succession, where an individual can be
enstooled as Safohene or Okyeame through the mother’s or father’s line. There are also non
indigene settlers in the region whose grandparents had migrated several years back from
different parts of Ghana into Western North region primarily for economic reasons. These
groups of people have been subsequently absorbed into the indigenous population. These are
the Ashantis, Bonos, Ewes, Akuapems, Gas and people from the three northern regions who
migrated into the region to cultivate cocoa.
3.5.11 Occupation
According GSS, 2020 report, Two-thirds (67.1%) of the population 15 years and older are
skilled agricultural, forestry and fishery workers and a small proportion are professionals
(3.6%), managers (1.2%) and clerical works. Females dominate the service and sales workers
while males dominate plant and machine operators and assemblers, technicians, and associate
professionals. Males have a slight edge over females in the skilled agricultural, forestry and
fishery workers, and clerical support workers groups.
3.5.12 Sanitation
Majority of households within the Western North region (71.0%) dispose of solid waste at the
public dump (open space) with a proportion of 72.7 percent in the urban areas and 69.9 percent
in the rural areas. Also, it is observed that 16.4 percent of the households in the urban areas
dump solid waste at the public dump (container) compared to 3.4 percent in rural area. In the
rural area about 12.0 percent of households dump solid waste indiscriminately as compared
with 2.7 percent in the urban area.
With regards to liquid waste, 28.4 percent of liquid waste generated is thrown onto the
street/outside, and this is higher in the rural areas (31.2%) than in the urban area (24.0%) (GSS,
2020).
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4.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
4.1 Introduction
The relevant policies, laws, and regulations to guide the designing and planning of all the
subprojects as well as construction, operation, and maintenance of the solar powered boreholes,
including monitoring are presented below.
4.2 Policy Framework
The relevant national policies to guide the implementation of the proposed subprojects include
the following:
The National Gender Policy (2015)
Ghana‘s goals towards achieving gender equality targets are guided by its commitment to
International Instruments, its Constitution and national development frameworks. Article 17(1)
and (2) particularly of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees gender equality and freedom
of women and men, girls, and boys from discrimination based on social or economic status
among others.
The Goal of this Policy is to mainstream gender equality concerns into the national
development processes by improving the social, legal, civic, political, economic, and socio-
cultural conditions of the people of Ghana, particularly women, children, the vulnerable and
people with special needs, persons with disability and the marginalized.
Within the context of Ghana‘s constitutional requirements, its development frameworks as well
as International Instruments, the National Gender Policy focuses on mainstreaming gender
equality, women empowerment and social protection concerns by strongly concentrating on
the implementation of the following five policy commitments (representing policy objectives):
1. Women Empowerment and Livelihood
2. Women ‘s Rights and Access to Justice
3. Women ‘s Leadership and Accountable Governance
4. Macroeconomics, Trade, and Industries
5. Gender Roles and Relations
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The Forest And Wildlife Policy (2012)
The Ghana Forest and Wildlife Policy 2012, is a paradigm shift from the past policies, placing
emphasis on non-consumptive values of the forest and creating a balance between timber
production and marketing to satisfy particularly domestic wood demands. The policy also seeks
to:
1. Consolidate good governance through accountability and transparency.
2. Enhance active participation of communities and landowners in resource management
and addressing issues on tree tenure and benefit sharing
3. Promote small and medium forest and wildlife enterprises as a means of job creation
for the rural and urban poor
4. Increase biodiversity conservation
5. Promote sustainable management of savannah woodland
6. Promote ecotourism development
7. Increase government commitment to degraded landscape restoration through massive
forest plantation development schemes
8. Improve research and application of modern and scientific technology in resources
management (ix) develop climate change adaptation and mitigation measures
9. Secure sustainable financing for the forest and wildlife sector
The National Environment Policy (2012)

The Ghana National Environmental Policy was formulated in 1995 and revised in 2012. The
aim of the Policy is to improve the surroundings, living conditions and the quality of life of the
entire citizenry, both present and future. It seeks to promote sustainable development through
ensuring a balance between economic development and natural resource conservation. The
policy thus makes a high-quality environment a key element supporting the country’s economic
and social development.
National Land Policy (1999)

The Land Policy of Ghana aims at the judicious use of the nation's land and all its natural
resources by all sections of the Ghanaian society in support of various socio-economic
activities undertaken in accordance with sustainable resource management principles and in
maintaining viable ecosystems. The specific objectives of this policy include: -
• Ensure that every socio-economic activity is consistent with sound land use through
sustainable land use planning in the long-term national interest.
• Protect the rights of landowners and their descendants from becoming landless or tenants
on their own lands.
• Ensure the payment, within reasonable time, of fair and adequate compensation for land
acquired by government from stool, skin or traditional council, clan, family and individuals.
• Instil order and discipline into the land market to curb the incidence of land encroachment,
unapproved development schemes, multiple or illegal land sales, land speculation and other
forms of land racketeering.
The key aspects of the policy relevant to the project include:
14
• The use of any land in Ghana for sustainable development, the protection of water bodies
and the environment and any other socioeconomic activity will be determined through
national land use planning guidelines based on sustainable principles in the long-term
national interest.
All land and water resources development activities must conform to the environmental laws
in the country and where Environmental Impact Assessment report is required this must be
provided. Environmental protection within the 'polluter pays' principle will be enforced.
Riparian Buffer Zone Policy (2013)

The Water Resources Commission (WRC) has developed a national policy document on Buffer
Zone Protection for managing freshwater bodies in the country. It aims at providing
comprehensive measures and actions that would guide the creation of vegetative buffers for the
preservation and functioning of the nation’s water bodies and vital ecosystems.
The recommended buffer widths provided in the riparian buffer zone policy document are:
• Major perennial rivers/streams: 10 to 60 meters (e.g. Volta, Tano, and Offin)
• Minor perennial streams: 10 to 20 meters
• Important seasonal streams: 10 to 15 meters
• Streams within forest reserves: 10 to 50 meters; and
• Wetlands: 30‐meters around the perimeter as defined from the high-water elevation.
National Water Policy (2007)

The National Water Policy objective is to “promote an efficient and effective management
system and environmentally sound development of all water resources in Ghana.” The
highlight of the document is the recognition that water resources have competitive and
conflicting uses and is organised around three themes namely water resources management,
urban water supply and community water and sanitation.
The water resources management theme discusses issues relating to flood abatement under
focal areas 1 and 6 that cover integrated water resource management and climate
change/variability, respectively. The plan recognises the need to integrate water resources
planning with land use planning activities and adopt river basins as planning units. Finally,
water resources were to be protected from human activities.
15
4.3 National Regulatory Framework
The relevant legal and institutional frameworks are subsequently described below:
The National Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651)
An ACT to amend and consolidate the laws relating to labour, employers, trade unions and
industrial relations; to establish a National Labour Commission and to provide for matters
related to these.
Land Use and Spatial Planning Act 2016 (Act 925)
An ACT to revise and consolidate the laws on land use and spatial planning, provide for
sustainable development of land and human settlements through a decentralised planning
system, ensure judicious use of land in order to improve quality of life, promote health and
safety in respect of human settlements and to regulate national, regional, district and local
spatial planning, and generally to provide for spatial aspects of socio-economic development
and for related matters.
Local Governance Act 2016, Act 936

This Act repeals the Local Government Act 1993, Act 462 and re-establishes and regulates the
local government system and gives authority to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and
the District Assembly to exercise political and administrative power in the Regions and
District, provide guidance, give direction to, and supervise all other administrative authorities
in the regions and district respectively. The Assembly is mandated to initiate programmes for
the development of basic infrastructure and provide municipal works and services as well as
being responsible for the development, improvement and management of human settlements
and the environment in the district. The project cannot lose fact of this and must at all costs
collaborate with the respective assemblies in the project landscape.
Ghana Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715)

To ensure inclusivity in the development aspirations of all citizens of Ghana, the rights of
disabled persons is protected in accordance with article 29 of the Constitution. This enjoins the
authorities to establish a National Council on Disabled Persons to attend to the interests of
disabled persons and to provide for related matters. Example,
1. No person shall in any manner
(a) exploit a disabled person
(b) discriminate against a disabled person or
(c) subject a disabled person to an abusive or degrading treatment.
2. (1) NO person shall subject a disabled person to a differential treatment in respect of his
residence other than that required by his conditions or by the improvement which he may derive
from the treatment.
(2) No person shall prevent a disabled person from participating in any social, creative or
recreational activity unless such participation will be detrimental to the health of the disabled
person etc.
16
Forestry Commission Act, 1999 (Act 571)
This act establishes a Forestry Commission in order to bring under the Commission the main
public bodies and agencies implementing the functions of protection, development,
management, and regulation of forests and wildlife resources and to provide for related matters.
Amongst others, the FC
• regulate the utilization of forest and timber resources
• manage forest reserves and protected areas
• assist the private sector to implement the Forest and Wildlife Policy
• undertake the development of plantations
The act continues by identifying the members of the FC, of whom one should be a
representative of non-governmental organizations involved in the forest and wildlife sector.
The members are eligible for renewable periods of 4 years. Voting is done with a minimum of
6 members present and by simple majority. The commission can appoint committees to which
it can delegate some of its functions.
Administratively the FC may establish such divisions as it considers necessary, as well as
additional units to its secretariat. The Chief Executive’s appointment procedure and functions
are also included in the act.
Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036)

The Act’s stated object is to ensure sustainable land administration and management, and
effective and efficient land tenure and it seeks to achieve this by, inter alia, establishing a broad-
based framework for registering land rights and interests, a customary land rights framework
and enhancing transparency and accountability in land governance institutions.
Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999, LI 1652

The Environmental Assessment Regulations, LI 1652, was promulgated in 1999 to give
comprehensive legal cover to the Ghana Environmental Impact Assessment procedures. These
Regulations require that all developmental activities likely to impact adversely on the
environment must be subject to Environmental Assessment. The objective of the LI is to ensure
that such development activities are carried out in an environmentally sound and sustainable
manner. The requirements of the LI, however, place enormous responsibilities on all
stakeholders involved in development in Ghana. The nature of the responsibilities varies for
different stakeholders, depending on their statutory functions, areas of jurisdiction and interests
such as policy makers, implementing or regulatory agencies, planning authorities, financial
intermediaries or institutions providing training or consultants providing services in EIA.
Environmental Protection Agency Act 1994, Act 490

The Environmental Protection Agency Act 1994 (Act 490) gave mandate to the Agency to
ensure compliance of all investments and undertakings with laid down Environmental
Assessment (EA) procedures in the planning and execution of development projects, including
compliance in respect of existing ones.
17
Water Resources Commission Act 1996, Act 522
The Water Resources Commission Act 1996 (Act 522) establishes and mandates the Water
Resources Commission as the sole agent responsible for the regulation and management and
the utilisation of water resources and for the co-ordination of any policy in relation to them.
All project activities requiring such license will receive assistance from the WRC and the
Commission will therefore provide adequate guidance to ensure that the proper procedures are
used.
Section 13 prohibits the use of water (divert, dam, store, abstract or use water resources or
construct or maintain any works for the use of water resources) without authority. The Act
states under Section 24 that any person who pollutes or fouls a water resource beyond the level
that the EPA may prescribe, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or a term
of imprisonment or both.
Water Use Regulations L.I 1692 (2001)

This is the first Regulations developed and adopted by Parliament through the Legislative
Instrument (L.I.) 1692 in 2001. It sets out regulations for the issuance of water use permits or
grant of water rights for various water uses including Domestic, Commercial, Industrial,
Agricultural, Power generation, Fisheries (aquaculture), Recreational, and Under water (wood)
harvesting through an application process administered by the WRC. In relation to the
construction of solar-powered boreholes to communities, regulation 10 of the L.I gives permit
exemption to the use of water for the purposes for which the project is being implemented.
However, the project is mandated to register with the respective District assemblies. Again,
Koradaso community borehole which is also being used to raised seedlings is also exempted
under sub-regulation (1b) since the site is less than 1 hectare.
Wetlands Management (Ramsar Sites) Regulation-LI 1659 (1999)

The Convention on Wetlands is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for
national action and international cooperation for the conservation and wise use of wetlands
and their resources.
Under the Ramsar Convention, a wide variety of natural and human-made habitat types
ranging from rivers to coral reefs can be classified as wetlands. Wetlands include swamps,
marshes, billabongs, lakes, salt marshes, mudflats, mangroves, coral reefs, fens, peat bogs, or
bodies of water - whether natural or artificial, permanent, or temporary. Water within these
areas can be static or flowing; fresh, brackish, or saline; and can include inland rivers and
coastal or marine water to a depth of six metres at low tide. The Ramsar Convention
encourages the designation of sites containing representative, rare, or unique wetlands, or
wetlands that are important for conserving biological diversity
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4.4 Institutional Framework
The Ministry with responsibilities for forest and its related activities is the Ministries of Lands
and Natural Resources which has devolved responsibilities for forest protection to the Forestry
Commission and to the local level assemblies, and regulations on environmental assessments
and permitting to the environmental protection agency.
Environmental Protection Agency

The Environmental Protection Agency is the body responsible for regulating the environment
and ensuring the implementation of government policies on the environment. The functions of
the Agency include:
• Ensuring compliance with any laid down environmental impact assessment procedures
in the planning and execution of development projects, including compliance in the
respect of existing projects
• Promoting effective planning in the management of the environment
• Imposing and collecting environmental protection levies in accordance with the
Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999 (LI 1652) and in liaison and co-operation
with government agencies, District Assemblies and other bodies and institutions to
control pollution and generally protect the environment.
World Bank Safeguards Policies

The World Bank has developed 10 +1 environmental and social safeguard policies which are
used to guide the safe development of projects that the Bank funds. They are OP 4.01
Environmental Assessment; OP 4.04 Natural Habitats; OP4.11; Physical Cultural resources;
OP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement; OP 4.09 Pest Management; OP 4.10 Indigenous Peoples;
OP 7.6 Projects in Disputed Areas; OP 4.36 Forests; OP 4.37 Safety od Dams; and OP 7.50
Projects on International Waterways.
For the DGM project, based on the identified potential risk and impacts, the following World Bank
environmental and social safeguard policies were triggered for the implementation of the subprojects.
These included OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment, OP 4.04 Natural Habitat, OP 4.09 Pest
Management, OP 4.12 Involuntary Resettlement, and OP 4.36 Forests.
1. Environmental Assessment OP/ BP 4.01. The project was expected to engage in
several activities that could use forest resources in selected sites and could
potentially adversely impact on other environmental areas. The activities for
which this ESMP has been prepared could have moderate adverse environmental
impacts on a limited scale. The FIP ENFAL prepared an Environmental and
Social Management Framework (ESMF) which was consulted upon and
disclosed. The ESMF provides guidance for the screening of subproject activities
and preparation of site-specific safeguards instruments including this ESMP.
2. Natural Habitats OP/BP 4.04. Some of the forest and woodlands the project
targeted w e r e e n v i s a g e d t o p o t e n t i a l l y contain critical ecosystems; the
project was designed to enhance the quality of m a n a g e m e n t of these critical
ecosystems and reduce risks associated with potential economic development.
19
The ESMF provided guidance on avoiding or mitigating impacts on natural
habitats.
3. Forests OP/BP 4.36. Forest policy and management are a primary focus of this
project, in addition to trees in the agroforestry landscape. The ESMF included
guidance on managing forestry issues.
4. Pest Management OP 4.09. This Policy supports integrated approaches to pest

management and requires projects to identify pesticides that may be financed
under the project and develop appropriate pest management plan to address the
risks.
5. Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12. No involuntary resettlement is anticipated.

However, p o t e n t i a l cases of restricted a c c e s s a n d u s e o f resources due to
changes in forest management and resource management plans were anticipated.
Therefore, a Process Framework has been prepared.
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5.0 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION AND PARTICIPATION
5.1 Introduction
This chapter presents various stakeholder consultations held to discuss proposed subprojects
with major stakeholders in the project landscapes.
The more the subproject beneficiaries at the local level are involved in the planning and
implementation of subproject activities, the greater the likelihood that the concerns and interest
of the local people will be captured and integrated into the proposed project processes to the
benefit of the local communities.
Stakeholder consultation is fundamental in preparation of Environmental and Social
Management Plans (ESMPs) for the proposed subproject activities as it facilitates an effective
dialogue amongst the major stakeholders including project affected persons and other interested
parties in:
i. Identifying critical environmental and social issues of concern to stakeholders
ii. Ensuring that the views of the proposed subproject beneficiaries are captured, and
their concerns taken care of in the ESMP and the subproject design
iii. Reducing negative environmental and social impacts of the proposed subproject
including unnecessary disputes between local project communities and subproject
management and enhancing benefits from the subproject in a way that is
environmentally and socially friendly.
5.2 Specific Objectives of the Stakeholder’s Consultation and Participation
The specific objectives of the stakeholders’ consultation and participation are:

• To discuss the proposed subprojects and its scope with key stakeholders including the
people who are in the immediate environs of the interventions
• To exchange information to identify stakeholder interests regarding the development of
the ESMP
• To discuss the subproject’s perceived and real potential impacts
• To receive feedback and to provide opportunity for participation in ESMP planning and
decision- making in a meaningful, timely, accessible, and culturally appropriate manner
In this context, the stakeholder consultations helped to:

• Provide timely information to subproject beneficiaries about the proposed activities, the
scope, process, and its related activities
• Gain the confidence of the traditional and local authorities of the respective subproject
areas.
• Solicit cooperation and participation of subproject beneficiaries and other stakeholders
in planning and implementation of activities
• Provide avenues for the stakeholders to table their views and concerns regarding the
proposed subprojects
• Create understanding about the needs and priorities of PAPs regarding the subprojects
potential impact on their livelihoods and other activities to be undertaken
21
5.3 Stakeholders Consulted
Key stakeholders consulted during the ESMP consultation covered the following:
A. The Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) (who are the local government heads
of the districts) through:
• The Municipal/District Chief Executives
• The Municipal/District Coordinating Directors
• The Municipal/District Works engineers
• The Municipal/District planning officers
B. Community Water and Sanitation Agency

• Extension Service Specialist
C. The Environmental Protection Agency

• The Regional Environmental Officer
D. Forestry Commission (District office)

• The District Forest Officer
E. Ghana COCOBOD
• Cocoa Health and Extension Division (CHED)
F. Project Beneficiary communities and representatives

• Community Chiefs, Queen mothers, and Opinion leaders
• Assembly members and committee members of the communities
• Community Subproject committees
• Project affected persons (PAP)
• Community Based Organization leaders and group members
• Individual subproject grant winners
5.4 Methodology for the Stakeholder Consultation Activities
The methods used for the stakeholder consultation involved preliminary visitations to the
offices and Department, project beneficiary communities, the proposed subproject locations,
field observations, one-on-one interviews, introduction of the ESMP consultant to the
stakeholders, and consultation meetings. Telephone calls were employed as follow-ups when
appropriate. Community workshops and meetings were held for project beneficiary
communities.
22
5.5 Consultation Activities
The results of the consultation activities, the main findings and feedback from the events are
summarised in the sections below.
The officials of the GDGM led by the Environmental and Social Safeguards Specialists in the
visitations and interactions with various stakeholders shared information on the Project
background, the World Bank safeguards policies relevant to the Project, and ongoing
subprojects and their safeguards implementation arrangements. Also, information on the
requirements of the respective agencies and departments to help in the implementation of the
subprojects were discussed in each meeting.
The project team has had series of consultative meetings with the lead persons of the
institutions and departments involved.
The safeguard team, and officers of DGM visited relevant authorities in the Dormaa Municipal
Assembly (DMA) to discuss subproject activities being implemented in the municipality.
Present in the meeting was the Municipal Chief Executive, Municipal Coordinating Director,
and the Municipal Planning Officer.
Consultation meetings with officials of Dormaa Municipal Assembly
Issues surrounding the scope of the
subproject, the ESMP for the proposed
subprojects and the roles and
responsibilities of the Municipal
Assembly and community stakeholders
were discussed. They were informed of
the need to collaborate with the project
to mobilize the communities towards
owing the subprojects and helping
identified potential beneficial and
adverse environmental and social
impacts of the subproject. In that
meeting, the construction and
operational activities of community
boreholes, visitor’s reception centre for
Duasidan monkey sanctuary, apiculture
activities at Koradaso were also discussed. The need for regular monitoring of the ESMP by
the Assembly to ensure the contractor’s compliance during the construction and operation
phases were stressed.
A field visit was scheduled for later time. The names of the stakeholders consulted during the
consultation activities are listed in the table below.
23
Table 2:Dormaa Municipal Assembly Management and DGM Officials consulted
Name Designation
Hon. Drissah Ouattara Municipal Chief Executive (MCE)- Dormaa
Municipal Assembly
Mr. S. K. Addo Municipal Coordinating Director- Dormaa
Municipal Assembly
Mr. Combert Inussah Municipal Planning Engineer
Edward Kyere Environmental Safeguard Specialist – Solidaridad
Alfred Fosu Regional Coordinator DGM – Bono Region
Both the social and environmental safeguard specialists have engaged communities benefiting
from the projects at the community level on different occasions. In attendance of the
community engagement were Opinion Leaders, Assembly Members, Unit Committee
members, representatives of Queen mothers, PAPs (if any), subproject committee members,
and community members.
The community members were informed about the need for them to raise their concerns about
the environmental and social issues that in their opinion will be important for the success of
the proposed subprojects. This is to help in the project leads considered these concerns for the
development of the design and implementation of the subproject in general and for the
implementation of the ESMP. At any gathering, the safeguard specialists took the participants
through the scope and details of the proposed subprojects.
24
The community members were given the opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications
especially on how they are to maintain and sustain the subprojects after the DGM support has
terminated with the end of the project. Also, on potential environmental impacts from the
implementation of the subprojects.
Again, social impacts including managing the proceeds from the sales of water from the water
system, maintenance culture of the water facility, benefit sharing and utilization of
produce/proceeds from cashew plantation and other relevant matters to the subproject were
discussed.
25
Community members took turn to ask questions, share their experiences regarding similar
interventions, potential managerial issues and benefit sharing regimes of the various
subprojects. Their questions and request for clarifications were noted and answers and
clarifications were provided to them by the safeguards term. The team stressed on maintaining
a good relationship amongst themselves and to see the subproject as their own property. The
team encouraged communities to adopt the grievance redress mechanism and to make it
available for communities to us them.
The team also on some occasions conducted focus group meetings as well as one-on-one
meetings were also conducted at the communities. Some of the issues raised during the
consultation activities are presented in Table below.
26
Table 3: Summarized community consultation activities and issues raised
Name Designation Consultation Issues Responses to issues

Hon. Drissah Municipal Chief The Dormaa Municipal Assembly is dominated by The team assured the MCE and his team of
Ouattara Executive (MCE)- agricultural activities, and it is important to deal the importance the ESMP will add to the
Dormaa Municipal with climate change and its impacts on the safeguarding of the subprojects in the area
Assembly livelihoods of community people. it is a major and also added that, the assembly after the
priority to alleviate the people from the impacts of project should continue to assist the
climate change. communities in maintaining the facilities.
I believe that the ESMP will help the project
communities to prepare and undertake the proposed
intervention activities properly and efficiently.
The Assembly will ensure that the borehole
construction activities at all the project
communities within the municipality are carried
out in accordance with the ESMP and will be
maintained in a sustainable way for communities to
benefit from it in a long term.
Mr. S. K. Addo Municipal The Assembly will give all the necessary support to
Coordinating Director- the DGM in the preparation of the ESMP and
Dormaa Municipal during all follow-up processes that will be required
Assembly so that the overall activities of the proposed
subprojects will follow the safeguards policy
requirements and to the benefits of the
communities.
27
Mr. Combert Municipal Planning He explained the selected communities are good as The team outlined steps to be taken to ensure
Inussah Officer boreholes at this time is going to serve them well. there is enough coordination between the
The assembly has had plans to support project and the assembly system. Amongst
communities with such facilities, but financial others is a proposed technical training on the
support has been the issue for so long. operation and maintenance of the solar-
Yes, the facilities are going to serve the powered boreholes. This training will
communities well, but what is important is the include officers from the assembly who will
mainstreaming of the facility into the assembly at the end supervise the activities of
system for proper oversight. community-level Water and Sanitation
He also pointed out the need for the contractors to Committees.
always report to assemble anytime they are around
so they will monitor and ensure they do a very good The assembly team was reassured of the
work. reporting protocol of the borehole
contractors which mandates then to always
report the assembly member at the
community who should lead them to the
planning and works department. However,
the team pleaded with the assembly officers
to also make a conscious effort to follow up
on activities.
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Table 4: Summary of key issues from communities in Western North, Bono, and Bono East during the consultation
Name of community participant Issues/ concerns raised Response by the consultant

Sarah Awudzi Asantekrom When the project supports communities to The project is only interested in supporting
Community establish a cocoa farm by providing support for beneficiaries build resilience towards climate
weeding, labour, seedlings, and maintenance, change through the adoption of climate smart
what will the project benefit from. Will the practices. No project officer could come later
project buy the cocoa or take part of the cocoa? for a proceed from the farm.
Frank Nkoah Okumdom - Asafo Why are the grantees made to sign contract The contract is signed between the team and
Community forms to work on their own farms? the farmer only to ensure that both parties go
Is the project going to take share of the trees we according to the best practices and protocols
are planting? set. E.g., No farmer is to burn or apply
weedicide. The trees are properties of the
farmer and no one else. The contract is just
setting the things to be done and what not to be
done by either party
Yakpeba Tidela - Baaya Are the funds for the subproject well secured Yes, the funds are secured for this critical part
Community already? This is because if the work is not done of the project. Thus, to ensure the knowledge
to completion, communities might lose trust in gained through the capacity building phase is
institutions/NGOs and may not participate in put into practices. So, the people would have
project activities again. more reason to trust us. The World Bank is
very much interested in the livelihood changes
that will come because of the project
intervention.
Bismarck Mbosan (Assemblyman I want to know who will own the plantation The plantation is a community project. The
for Babator-Kuma community) which is a community project. This is because, chief is the leader of the community, and it
the chief and the family signed the contract form deems it right for him to agree to the land being
meaning they own the plantation. given to the community for such project. The
family head also agrees to that decision so in
future no person can claim it as a family
property. A benefit sharing arrangement has
been agreed as to how proceeds from the
29
plantation are to be shared in the future. This is
to ensure that no one person takes control of
the plantation.
Hon. Adu Blankson Jnr. As an assembly member of this area, I am The design is a unique one that is same across
(Assemblyman for Juaboso responsible for the water facility, I have to report all the project communities. What is good is
Nkwanta) to the assemble for support to repair and that you were involved in the siting of the point
maintain it when there is a fault. But I was not sources at the appropriate areas where people
involved in the process of designing the project. will benefit from. The project will make
I don’t have any document on the project to available all the necessary documents on the
speak to when reporting the general assembly of facility available to the committee for future
this excellent work. reference.
Hon. Simon Amoh Amoah Can the community extend pipelines to other What you should know is that the system runs
(Assemblyman for Nkatieso) places of the community so that people will not on solar to pump the water and again it uses
walk too much to fetch water? just gravity to distribute the water from the
tank to the point sources, if you extend it to
further places, it may reduce the flow and that
will also put a lot of pressure on the pump to
be working every time. So, for now, we will
plead with you to work with the 2-point
sources.
30
Table 5: Summary of one-on- one interviews with project Community members.
NAME Occupation Name of CONCERN Responses

community
Akosua Manu Farmer Kankyibo I want to know who is The water and sanitation management
supposed to collect money at committee will select somebody and present
the pipe point and how much the person to the community to be accepted
is to be collected. Also, how to collect money at the fetching point. The
will be money be used committee will decide with the community
how much is to be collected per liter and
whether a monthly or annually levy. The
motive of collecting the money is to be able
to safe funds for repairs and maintenance of
the facility.
Mad. Agnes Farmer Nkatieso Why is the project not giving It was clarified that farmers have 100%
Amoateng money to farmers to enable ownership rights over the trees, so they
them weed around tree should consider them as their investment and
seedlings supplied to them by maintain them from their own resources. It is
the project? expected that out of the knowledge gain and
the importance to have trees around, farmers
should take the responsibility to care for the
tree seedlings. Few members are supported
with cash to establish projects that will be a
learning centre for all
Daniel Farmer Zabrama The timelines for community It was clarified those differences in timelines
Koboori sub projects are unfair; are often more technical and strategic as
projects have started in some determined by contractors and not project
communities long ago while staff. But the most important part is that by
other communities are still the end of the timelines in the contract, the
work would be completed by the contractors
31
NAME Occupation Name of CONCERN Responses
community
waiting. We have been
waiting for long.
Mohammed Farmer Praprabon My fear is that the mapping Mapping was explained again as an exercise
Shaibu of farms and the contract that to generate a database of the farms of the and
have been signed gives all who were supplied with tree seedlings.
Solidaridad the power to This is to help the project report on where
claim ownership of the farm seedlings were planted and how the seedlings
in future. are surviving. It has nothing to do with taken
over farms in the future.
Adoma Farmar / Trader Mpatasie I am disappointed and don’t The selection criteria to award grantees was
Kufour want to take part in the done by the World Bank and the NSC
project activities again, members did the selection of grantees.
because I was not selected as However, the project only wants to try and
part of the grantees after see how people are going to use the
dedicating our time for knowledge gained from the training. If this
training and the community goes well, we may have other support in the
project. future. Again, because we know the grant
would not benefit everybody, that is why the
community project is there for all community
members to benefit from.
Hon. Eric Assemblyman Abease The youth in the community The ESMP will recommend strongly that the
Boame should be considered for contractor should consider employing some
employment in the proposed of the youth in the project communities.
construction activities
32
5.6 Plans for Further Stakeholder and Public Consultation on the ESMP Preparation
and Implementation:
There are concerns (Table 5) that have been raised from the community level bordering on
subprojects implementation processes, maintenances, and the overall sustainability of the
subprojects. For these reasons, the key stakeholder consultation and engagement will continue
throughout the life of the project to ensure that the community is kept informed about the
progress of ESMP completion and the mitigation measures contained in the report. The
following are some future stakeholder consultation and engagements to be taken:
i. Disclosure of the ESMP Document at Local Levels:

Following the completion and approval of the ESMP by the World Bank, the ESMP document
will be publicly disclosed at the community level to inform the public and project beneficiaries
of the completion of the ESMP document. This is also to allow stakeholders verify if the
concerns raised during the consultation stages are addressed in the document, among others.
ii. Disclosure of the ESMP Document at the World Bank External Website:
Following the disclosure of the ESMP at the local and national levels, the DGM project team
will forward the evidence of disclosure of the ESMP document to the World Bank to be
disclosed at the Bank’s external website.
iii. Stakeholder Engagement during the implementation of Subprojects:

Compliance with the ESMP during the establishment of plantations/farms, construction and
operation of the proposed solar mechanized boreholes, apiculture activities, watershed
protection amongst others requires involvement of key stakeholders who have the
responsibility to ensure that the ESMP measures are implemented as provided for in the
document. The communities and for that matter all persons of interest will be informed about
the subproject implementation activities and progress of work at the community level through
community meetings with community leaders, other identified stakeholders, the larger
community members, community announcements via community information centers,
engagement in visits to subproject sites with major stakeholders. Similarly, flow of information
during the completion and maintenance of the subprojects will be communicated and
prioritized to major stakeholders through the appropriate means.
Stakeholder group Proposed medium of engagement

Community Community information centre /
Community Durbar
Chiefs, Queen mothers and elders Community Meeting (Focus group) / Sub-
project site visit
Opinion leaders and unit committee Community Durbar / Sub-project site visit
District Assembly Meeting / Sub-project site visit
Sub-project committee Community Meeting / Sub-project site visit
Sub-project contractors Meeting / Sub-project site visit
33
6.0 POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS OF PROJECT
6.1 Introduction
This chapter presents the potential environmental and social impacts that may be occasioned
during the preparatory phase, implementation phase, and operations and maintenance phase of
the proposed subprojects. The potential impacts have been gathered through interactions
between the project communities, field visits to the subproject areas, desktop studies, the results
of public consultation and meetings, interview, and the environmental conditions of the
proposed subprojects. Following the identification of the potential impacts, the appropriate
mitigation measures are prescribed for each of the impacts. A plan for monitoring the
implementation of the mitigation measures, are also presented. The mitigation measures and
monitoring activities are then costed and the stakeholder responsibilities for the implementation
of the mitigation measures and compliance monitoring activities within the Environmental and
Social Management Plan (ESMP), are also assigned as appropriate.
6.2 Potential Beneficial Environmental and Social Impacts of the Proposed Subprojects
While the implementation of the subprojects in the communities may have some potential
adverse environmental and social impacts which must be mitigated, on the positive side,
it will lead to environmental and social benefits at the local levels as well. Among others,
it will help individuals adopt well to the impacts of climate change on their livelihood
aspirations. Some potential positive influence will include:
• It will result in improved vegetative or tree cover in the project communities
• It will improve environmental integrity of the project landscape
• Lead to livelihood improvement of beneficiary communities
• Communities will build resilience to climatic shocks
• Integrity of degraded water bodies will be restored through the watershed protection
subprojects
• Beneficiaries will be able to diversify their livelihood activities to be more climate
resilient
• Encourage knowledge sharing among beneficiaries and communities
• Improved livelihood and economic activities of beneficiary communities
• Reduced water borne diseases
• Enhanced health standards
• Good time management for productive activities
• Reduced conflicts and enhance peaceful co-existence amongst community
members
• Accelerated development of communities
• Create conducive environment for quality education
• Enhanced safety and security with water closer to homes
• Improved income for farmers
34
6.3 Potential adverse environmental and social impacts of the proposed subprojects
Potential adverse environmental and social risks and impacts during preparatory phase,
implementation phase and operational and maintenance phases for the proposed sub-projects
in the project beneficiary communities have been identified. These potential risk and impacts
are presented below with the intervention area that are likely to experience these risks.
Table 6: Potential Environmental & Social risks and impacts associated with interventions
Potential Environmental & Social risks and impacts associated with interventions
Potential Risks and Impact Intervention Area

Dust generation Borehole construction sub-projects
Noise nuisance Borehole construction sub-projects
Cashew Agroforestry sub-projects
Cocoa Rehabilitation sub-project
Temporally or permanent loss of vegetation cover
Afforestation sub-projects
Borehole construction sub-projects
Soil erosion at construction site Borehole construction sub-projects
Temporally loss of income Cocoa Rehabilitation sub-project
Obstruction of movement at the construction sites Borehole construction sub-projects
Occupational health and safety
Public health and safety Borehole construction sub-projects
Solid waste generation and disposal Borehole construction sub-projects
Increased risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) Borehole construction sub-projects
Risk of social conflict
Child labour Borehole construction sub-projects
Labour influx Borehole construction sub-projects
Gender Based Violence (GBV) Borehole construction sub-projects
Non-participation of women
Disruption of livelihood and income sources
35
Dispossession of farmland from tenant farmers
Bee attacking people Apiculture sub-project
Fire outbreak could potentially destroy plantations Cocoa Rehabilitation sub-project
Improper wading off children from playing around the solar
panels and standpipes Borehole construction sub-projects
a) Potential preparatory phase impacts

This involved the surveying and screening of potential subproject site to align the situation
with the safeguard protocols. Community members and Project Affected Persons (PAPs) must
be notified in advance or may assume negative perception and react negatively. This can
negatively affect the acceptance and smooth implementation of the proposed subproject
activities on the ground. Again, if they are not educated about the safeguards related activities
on the subproject such as stakeholder consultation and disclosure of the instruments, the project
might suffer from ill support from community folks.
As a result, the following are identified as potential adverse environmental and social impacts
of the preparatory phase of the proposed subprojects
• Occupational health and safety during survey and demarcation of proposed sites
• Negative perception among the project beneficiary community members about the
objectives and adequacy of the scope of works for the proposed subprojects
• Conflict over land to be allocated for subprojects by chiefs, families, and individual
community members.
b) Implementation phase adverse environmental and social impacts:

The implementation of the proposed subprojects will require removing some vegetation cover,
removing some old and unproductive cocoa trees, excavation works and disposal of excavated
materials. Civil works will require transportation and use of machinery for excavation,
trenching and haulage of construction and waste materials to destinations. Civil works could
have temporary interference with the access routes of residents (whose houses are at the
frontline of the borehole drilling sites) to their homes, among other activities. These have the
potential for adverse environmental and social impacts on the environment and the people.
These include:
• Dust generation
• Noise nuisance
• Temporally or permanent loss of vegetation cover
• Soil erosion at construction site
• Temporally loss of income
• Obstruction of movement at the construction sites
• Occupational health and safety
• Public health and safety
36
• Solid waste generation and disposal
• Increased risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
• Risk of social conflict
• Child labour
• Labour influx
• Gender Based Violence (GBV)
• Non-participation of women
• Disruption of livelihood and income sources
• Dispossession of farmland from tenant farmers
c) Potential operational and maintenance phase impacts

Once subprojects have been completely established, they will require regular maintenance. At
least three-times of scheduled cultural maintenance for plantations, formation pruning and all
the phytosanitary activities and dry season fire preventive strategies to be carried out regularly.
Also, for those keeping bees, beehives must be kept well and safe from human interference.
Again, mid-yearly or yearly maintenance of borehole systems which may include cleaning of
solar panels, removing weeds at the chamber site and overhead water storage areas. Again,
where cracks develop on the water infrastructure, they must be repaired or patched up in a
standard manner. The regular maintenance activities have potential for environmental and
social impacts as follows:
• Improper wading off children from playing around the solar panels
• Public health risks resulting from poor waste management practices
• Operation and maintenance costs. This will, however, be minimal
• Bushfire outbreak potentially could destroy the plantations
• Occupational health and hazards
• Pollution of water
• Insect attack on beehives
• Bee attacking people
6.4 Evaluation of the severity of the potential environmental and social impacts
In this section, the identified potential negative environmental and social impacts are evaluated
for their significance impacts on the people and environment in the project communities. The
evaluation is to indicate if the impact is major, moderate and minor.
Impacts severity
• Major impact: when repercussions on the environment are very strong and cannot easily
be reduced.
• Moderate impact: if repercussions on the environment are substantial but can be
reduced through specific measures.
• Minor impact: repercussions on the environment are significant but subdued and may
or may not require application of mitigation measures.
From the evaluation, it will be easy to determine the exposures of the people and environment
to negative environmental and social impacts due to the proposed subproject. This is especially
37
useful for taking decisions in developing the mitigation measures and their appropriateness,
and monitoring plan. The evaluation of the exposure of the environment and people to the risks
of subproject implementation and its operational phases are summarised in table below.
38
Table 7: Evaluation of Negative Environmental and Social Impacts of the Preparatory Phase
Potential Key receptor Evaluation Significance of the

impact impact
Occupational Personnel The project preparation stage will involve in some cases walking Minor
health and safety through vegetations, farmlands, water course to survey and demarcate
during survey sites for subprojects. The personnel might experience slip, fall, and
and demarcation injury, as they go about these activities. At places where the proposed
of proposed sites sites are bushy and silted, there is the risk of animal bites from snakes
and scorpion.
However, compliance with standard safety practices through use of

proper protective gear by the personnel will prevent injury and ensure
occupational health and safety. For example, use of hard boots will
prevent slip, fall, injury, and animal bites. First Aid Box stocked with
relevant drugs will be helpful to provide first aid before transporting
any personnel who might be a hurt on the field.
Negative Public, community If the project community are not consulted about the subprojects’ aims Minor
perception members and objectives, the proposed scope of activities and consider their
among the concerns and experiences regarding implementation, communities
project may express negative perception about the subproject planning process
beneficiary even into the project implementation, and operation phases. These can
community negatively affect the successful implementation of the project.
members about
the objectives However, as part of this ESMP preparation, extensive consultation
and adequacy of between the local community people, Municipal and District
the scope of Assemblies have been undertaken. In addition, the future ESMP
works for the stakeholder consultations and engagement will deepen this
proposed engagement and awareness of the proposed subproject among the
subprojects different stakeholder groups. In effect, these activities will combine to
create the needed awareness and consultation among beneficiary
39
stakeholders to ensure a successful project planning and
implementation.
Conflict over Elders/community If appropriate consultation and openness are not encouraged from the Major
land to be members onset in allocation of land for the subprojects, conflicts may arise in
allocated for the communities. Any parcel of land donated or submitted to be use
subprojects by for subproject must be officially announced in the community and
chiefs, families, record any grievance that may come up. A community chief or elders
and individual may decide arbitrary to allocate parcel of land that a community
community member is using for a livelihood activity.
members.
A participatory process and due diligence must be taken up on any
land to be used for subproject implementation to avoid elite capture
and a group of persons laying claim for any part or whole of the
subproject.
40
Table 8: Evaluation of Negative Environmental and Social Impacts of the Implementation Phase
Potential Key receptor Evaluation Significance of

impact Impact
Dust Residents living Drilling of boreholes and clearing of construction sites and trenching Minor
generation: close to drilling and of channel have potential to generate dust at the construction areas.
construction areas Other activities such as movement and over speeding of construction
and haulage streets, trucks conveying construction materials to sites, construction trucks
construction carrying construction wastes to dump sites, and movement of backhoe
workers, to trenching sites can also lead to airborne particulate matter in the
monitoring staff surroundings. The same applies to mixing of cement, sand and
chippings, exhaust emissions from construction vehicles and concrete
mixers which can also pollute the atmosphere.
However, the construction activities are of short duration, temporary

and limited in scope. The dust generation can easily be managed
through good construction practices.
Noise Residents, workers. Borehole drilling activities, Excavation of trenches to lay pipeline will Moderate
nuisance: be a source of noise and vibration. Noise and vibration can result from
movement of construction trucks carrying cement, stone chippings,
water, sand, wood, and concrete mixers meant for the construction
activities.
The noise making activities are limited in scope. The construction
related noise will be intermittent, temporary, and localized. Also, the
construction workers will be protected by providing them with
appropriate working gears to prevent noise impacts.
Loss of Soil, flora, fauna Site preparation for borehole construction and planting based Minor
vegetation subproject activities will require some land clearing and movement of
(temporary / heavy machinery. However, for the boreholes, the construction sites
permanent) are within built areas with limited vegetation. Where vegetation exists
are the areas for plantations. Activities are mostly in degraded areas
41
therefore, the site clearing, and construction related vegetation loss will
therefore not be significant.
Soil erosion at Borehole Excavation and trenching of channels for laying of borehole pipelines Moderate
construction embankment, soil. will expose land surface and loosen soil, making the affected areas
site prone to soil erosion.
The land surface that will be disturbed during the trenching is minimal.
Soil erosion impact will be temporary and can be managed by avoiding
indiscriminate land clearance and good construction practices as has
been highlighted in this ESMP.
Obstruction of Public, workers Residents might experience temporary loss of access to homes during Moderate
movement at the borehole drilling and construction periods because of the works and
the materials on site
construction
sites However, consultation by the contractor to the community people will
help to identify alternative ways of access to homes.
Temporally People and The implementation of some of the subprojects might temporarily pass Moderate
loss of income livelihoods on some economic stress on beneficiaries. For example, beneficiaries
undertaking cocoa rehabilitation will have to cut off their old and
unproductive cocoa trees to make space for the introduction of
improved seedlings and practice of climate-smart cocoa agroforestry
system. Also, spaces where community and small-scale traders
undertake their livelihoods activities may be hindered with the drilling
of borehole and construction activities.
Although participating in the subprojects is voluntarily there is the

need to identify all potential project affected persons at the early stages
of the work and the appropriate measures factored into the activities,
this is to help avoid suffering of any livelihood losses.
42
Occupational Workers The plantation establishment, drilling and construction workers might Moderate
health and be injured or involved in accidents during land clearing, drilling,
safety excavation of trenches, handling of construction materials and
equipment, movement of planting materials and movement of
construction trucks. Workers might experience trip/slip/fall, injury
from stepping on sharp objects and cleaning of working implements,
etc. Workers are again at risk of being knocked down by construction
equipment and trucks at the construction sites.
The impact could be temporary or permanent if good construction

practices are not put in place and protective equipment used (PPEs).
Public health Public, residents Residents of the construction community can be exposed to slip and Moderate
and safety fall and injury resulting from restriction of access at the general
construction works. Some access roads might be blocked with
construction materials and wastes and can result in injury and hurt.
The impacts can be temporary or permanent but can be managed
through standard construction practices including display of
appropriate signage and education, provision of barriers/fencing
around unsafe trenches etc.
Solid waste Residents, Indiscriminate disposal and improper handling of construction wastes Major
generation and including excavated soils and debris/silt, used/spent cement paper,
disposal spent wood, spent iron rods, spent concrete materials, will pose danger
to community members especially children and elderly. Uncollected
concrete and excavate debris can pile up and block community access
routes and cause injury to residents, uncollected excavated wastes can
flow back into existing and ongoing channels to restrict flows and
result in floods during heavy rainfall.
43
Poor housekeeping at the construction site (leftover food wrappers,
water sachet, fruit pills, etc) can create aesthetic nuisance and odour at
the construction sites.
The impact can be temporary or permanent and can last even after the
construction activities if good construction practices are not put in
place.
Labour Influx: Residents, public, Construction works associated with about 37 solar mechanized Minor
workers, traditional boreholes is anticipated to involve at least about 12 construction
authorities workers and 5 solar technicians at the site at a time. Some of these
workers could either be from the project community or come from
outside the project communities and could bring along social vices
which hitherto was not present in the project community. The social
vices may include increased sexually transmitted disease, sexual
harassment, sexual exploitation etc.
However, the construction works are limited in scope and is of short

duration and so, large labour force will not be required. There is a lot
of youth unemployment in the communities and so employment of
local workforce will eliminate labour influx. Again, putting in place a
code of conduct for the workers that limits illicit behaviours by
workers will help minimise occurrence of social vices among the
workers.
Increased risk Workers, residents, Construction activities could involve employment of labour from other Minor
of Sexually public communities into the project community. Some of the migrant workers
Transmitted may be carrying sexually transmitted disease which may be spread
Diseases among other workers and even community residents or vice versa
(STDs): through engagement in promiscuous activities.
Labour requirements for the construction activities could be met in the

project community as there are enough unemployed youth around
44
seeking construction jobs. Migrant labour has little opportunity for
engagement in this project construction.
Risk of social Residents, workers Drilling and construction workers from outside the project beneficiary Minor
conflict: communities may not respect the local communities’ cultural norms,
values, and practices and this can lead to agitations and reprisal attacks.
There is enough employable workforce available in the beneficiary

community and so there might not be the need for external labour force
engagement on the works. If a labourer will have to be engaged from
outside the beneficiary community, a code of conduct for construction
workers and its enforcement will minimize or eliminate the risk of
social conflict.
Child labour: Children, parents In situations where children of school going age are on vacation, or Minor
where a child sees activities as a source of making an extra income,
there could be occurrence of some getting involved in either plantation
site activities or constructions of boreholes and its ancillary facilities.
Contractors are to ensure strict adherence to the safeguard protocol that

restrict the construction areas to children below the require workforce
during the construction activities. Additionally, sub-project committee
will be charged to monitor the compliance of the above protocol by the
contractors.
Contractors should always demand age verification documents from
job seekers to avoid employing underaged personnel.
Gender Based Women, men, There is a possibility that some construction workers will discriminate Minor
Violence: workers or abuse other workers based on their gender and or religious
45
affiliation. Female workers are mostly at risk of sexual exploitation and
sexual harassment from their male counterparts.
The extent of sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment can
be curtailed if a worker’s code of conduct provides stiff sanctions for
sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual.
46
Table 9: Evaluation of Negative Environmental and Social Impacts of the Operational Phase
Potential impact Key receptor (s) Evaluation Significance of
impact
Improper wading Solar panels, The solar panels when destroyed will cut off power supply to Moderate
off children from standpipes pump water from the borehole. Children who play around this
playing around the installation could be throwing stones which can cause cracks on
solar panels and the panels. This will cause power cut and when not checked can
standpipes cause the system to malfunction.
Fencing of the system is a good step to stop unauthorized entry

but this obviously cannot stop a flying stone. Therefore,
education could help reduce the tendency of children throwing
stones to the panels.
Fire outbreak could Plantations/farms Plantation could be raised down by fire especially during the dry Major
potentially destroy season. Uncontrolled naked fire from people who go to farm
plantations smoking, from Fulani headsmen looking for fresh pastures for
their flocks amongst other acts may cause fire that can destroy
the planted seedlings. This is mostly prevalent in the dry season
where there are more dryer leaves on the ground and even the
aboveground biomass.
An annual dry season strategy to protect the planted seedlings is

very needed. This when implemented will have the potential to
stop fire spreading throughout the farms. Creating of fire belts
and ensuring green fire belts around plantations and farms are
very much needed. Education is also important so people stop
activities that can spark fire.
Occupational health workers Workers in attempt to clean water storage thanks might Moderate
and hazards experience trip/slip/fall. Performing cultural maintenance
activities in plantation may also expose them to snack bites,
scorpion bites, injury by cutlasses.
47
Workers might cause injury when using faulty equipment; and if
the workers are not properly protected by wearing appropriate
PPEs.
Bee attacking Community Bees can attack people who go near their hives unprotected. This Moderate
people residents can cause serious injuries and sometime could be fatal.
The beehives must be kept in places people cannot have easy
access to while also educating people not to go there without
wearing protective gear.
48
6.5 Environmental and Social Mitigation Plan
This plan gives measures to mitigate the identified adverse potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed subprojects as have been
described in the section above and details provided in the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) in the table below. The Plan
outlines the potential adverse impacts and the sources of the impacts, the mitigation measures to deal with the impacts and the roles and
responsibilities of stakeholders.
Table 10: Environmental and Social Mitigation Plan
LIKELY IMPACT MITIGATION ASSOCIAT RESPONSIBILITY COST VERIFIABLE FREQUENC

MEASURES ED (GHC) INDICATOR Y
SUBPROJE
CT
Borehole operational Build adequate capacity Solar Consultant 129,500 (37 Evidence of training Annually
and maintenance for post construction powered communitie conducted refresher
sustainability borehole s at 3,500 training for old
mechanism through subproject per and new
training of CWSMT community) members
members in Borehole
operational and
maintenance
Tariff set in accordance Water and Sanitation No. of community
with approved Management Team members who voted
guidelines to approve tariff
Community members Community leaders No. of community

involved in tariff setting members who voted
to approve tariff
Exemptions agreed for Water and Sanitation Identified persons
most vulnerable and Management Team exempted
poor community
members
49
Establish an efficient Water and Sanitation Maintenance
and effective operation Management Team schedule
and maintenance system
Build adequate capacity Consultant Evidence of training
for post construction conducted
sustainability
mechanism
Loss of flora and Screen subproject sites Plantation Safeguard team and 133,110 (53 No. of trees planted Project life
fauna due to the and appropriately site subprojects Contractor communitie as replacement.
removal of subprojects to avoid and Solar s at 2,610
vegetation vegetative areas. powered per site)
Where vegetation borehole Project State of flora and
clearance cannot be subprojects beneficiaries/DGM fauna
avoided, reinstate team
landscape and plant
appropriate species of
trees, shrubs, and
grasses in four (4) folds.
Follow the requirements Consultant
for the safe
transportation of heavy
machinery and
equipment to avoid
destruction to the
vegetation
Plant more trees in areas
of impact to cover the
loss
Dust resulting from Implement dust Solar Contractor No. of times water is Daily
drilling and management, including powered sprinkled
construction the sprinkling of water borehole
activities subproject
50
on access tracks and
public warmings
Inform community of Level of dust from

project activities ahead construction work
of time to take
precautions
Prevention of excessive
dust emissions
including cement dust
by careful handling and
working under moist
conditions as much as
possible.
Provide nose covers, Contractor 66,600 No. of reported
face shields, ear plugs to (1,800 per cases / infections
workers and the public site for 37
who may be affected by sites)
the construction
activities
Land tenure conflicts Ensure that the location Solar Solidaridad DGM Signed Deed to land Sub-project life
resulting from claim of proposed powered team and functional
of ownership to land infrastructure conforms borehole GRM systems in
for sub-project with the existing and subproject place
proposed land use plans and
and zoning Plantation
Work with community subprojects
leaders and landowners
to secure Deed to land
for infrastructural
projects
51
Develop and formalize
procedures for gaining
access to the project
sites, especially when
physical works will
need to be carried out.
Deploy GRM in all 85,860
communities and ensure (Cost of
its been used training and
setting up
GRM
systems in
53
communitie
s and at 5
operational
cohorts)
Disturbance of soil Deploy appropriate Solar Contractor State of soil after Regular and as
structure and soil drilling technology with powered operations appropriate
erosion resulting recommended diameter borehole
from improper soil subproject
management
Excavation works
should not be executed
under aggressive
weather conditions
(rains, strong winds).
52
Topsoil should be
removed and stored in
separate piles and
reinstated after refilling
of trenches, to enable
natural revegetation.
Restore construction
sites in accordance with
specifications as much
as possible upon
completion of works.
Public health risks Contractors shall work Solar Contractor No. of Regular and as
from poor waste with community leaders powered announcements in appropriate
management to inform local borehole community
practices resulting communities ahead of subproject
from the construction the construction project.
activities and the
construction workers
attitude
Contractor in No. of safe disposal

collaboration with the facilities on site
appropriate authorities
shall make adequate
provision for the
disposal of both solid
and liquid waste in ways
that do not jeopardize
the health of
53
communities, especially
children.
Construction
supervisors ensuring
workers respect their
code of ethics
Noise pollution from Disseminate public Solar Contractor No. of public Weekly
drilling and information through powered education sessions
construction appropriate media, borehole in community
activities including radio on subproject
project objectives,
interventions and
expected impact
Caution being given on Availability of
the occasions of caution measures
undertaking activities
with potential noise
making
Ensure that noisiest No. of noise related
activities are not carried complaints from
out at night. communities
Regularly service
machinery and use
machinery and
equipment in good
working condition.
54
Wearing of appropriate Availability of
gears to protect workers protective gears
involved with activities
with the potential to
produce noise
Risks of accidents Implement all measures Solar Contractor No. of warning Daily
from moving necessary including powered signs on site
vehicles and observing speed limits, borehole
machinery and providing road signs etc. subproject
construction to avoid undesirable
activities adverse environmental
and social impacts
wherever possible,
restore work sites to
acceptable standards,
and abide by any
environmental
performance
requirements
Cordon off drilling and No. of public
construction site (within education sessions
acceptable distance) in community
from the reach of
children and other
community members
Provide adequate
accident and emergency
facilities, including the
establishment of
warning systems and a
first aid box with needed
materials
55
Construction works
should not be executed
under aggressive
weather conditions (e.g.,
rains, strong winds,
etc.).
Adhere to vehicle speed
limits not exceeding
50km/hr within project
communities and
30km/hr at construction
sites
Provide banksmen to
direct machine
operators where
necessary.
Public health risks Keep beehives in a safe Beekeeping CBO groups Storage place of Weekly and
resulting from poor environment away from subproject beehives appropriately
beekeeping the public
management
practices
Wear protective gears 11,000 State of beekeeping

when performing (2,750 Cost protective gears and
monitoring activities on of 5 set of extraction
the beehives beekeeping equipment
protective
suit for per 4
CBO
groups)
56
Keep honey extraction
equipment safe and
professionally cleaned
Sensitisation of Reported case of
community members on attack
the locations of beehives
Warming signals to the No. of warming
location of beehives to signs
turn off people
Fire outbreak could Construct bare ground Plantation Sub-project 119,000 (17 Fire belt created Annually
potentially destroy and green fire belt subproject Committee sites at around (December -
plantations around plantations Minimum farms/plantations March)
during the dry season of 7,000 per
site)
Embark on fire patrol Sub-project 102,000 (17 Records of patrol
and monitoring during Committee sites at
dry season Minimum
of 1,500 per
site for 4
months)
Make provision for Sub-project 8,160 (17 Water availability at
water to be access to Committee sites at 480 site
quench fire per site)
Potential loss of Replant removed cocoa Grantees in Individual grantees Number of cocoa Annually
economic returns and trees to the optimum cocoa seedlings and trees
fauna due to the number per land size rehabilitation seedlings planted
removal of diseased
57
and moribund cocoa Introduce other annual Solidaridad DGM Alternative crops
trees crops as alternative for team planted
the family while
replanting cocoa
Incorporate fast Individual grantees / Number of

growing tree species to DGM team seedlings surviving
the optimum per land
size
Potential use of Education on proper Planting Solidaridad DGM Proper storage of Quarterly
agrochemicals/pestic storage of based sub- team / Cocoa health chemicals
ides in plantations agrochemicals to project and Extension
sub-projects prevent accidental use beneficiaries Division
including cocoa by unauthorized persons
Sensitization of Evidence of
appropriate use of education
agrochemicals in farms
Electronic waste (e- Keep all parts of the Solar Contractors Storage room When needed
waste) and other electronic system under powered
hazardous materials good care borehole
from the solar panels, subproject
solar batteries used in
the solar-powered
boreholes at the end
of their use phase? Contact the authorised CWSMT Parts changed
suppliers of parts to
replace old ones when
needed.
58
6.5.1 Project implementation during COVID-19 Restrictions
Undertaking subproject activities during the COVID-19 pandemic will require that various
health and safety protocols be always observed to minimize the risks of spread of the virus
among the workers and community members. In the light of this, the team will be guided by
Solidaridad’s COVID-19 Health and Safety protocol and at large the guidelines by the
government of Ghana and the World Bank (Annex 3). These protocols are to be followed by
the contractors, consultants, workers, all visitors, and project staffs to the subproject sites. This
Guideline which is attached in Annex 3 is guided by the national protocols on social distancing
due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementation and monitoring shall be enforced jointly by
the project team and the safeguard team through scheduled field visits.
6.5.2 Project’s Public Engagement and Consultation during COVID-19 Restrictions
As the outbreak and spread of COVID-19 increases, there is a need to follow the national
protocol to exercise social distancing, and especially to avoid gatherings in large numbers. The
Solidaridad West Africa has also provided guidance on how to conduct public consultations in
a manner that would minimize the spread of the virus. These protocols and guidelines will be
observed during the project activities organised for stakeholders on the ESMP implementation,
public disclosure of the ESMP document in local communities and project monitoring.
Specifically, the project’s strategy for stakeholder engagement and consultations during the
COVID-19 restrictions will ensure that officers:
• Avoid public gatherings (considering national restrictions), including workshops and

community meetings
• Conduct consultations in small-group sessions, such as focus group meetings but with
appropriate social distancing and safety protocols such as the use of personal protective
equipment, handwashing, hand sanitizing etc. Where necessary, meetings through online
zoom, WhatsApp, telephone calls will be explored:
59
7.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS MONITORING PLAN
Introduction
Environmental and Social mitigation measures monitoring is an important process as it assists

in verifying whether the mitigation measures are being conformed with by the stakeholders
with the responsibility in the ESMP implementation. Furthermore, it also helps in ascertaining
if the mitigation measures for the adverse impacts are adequate or if further mitigation
measures are essential in the protection of the environment, workers and people living in the
project areas.
The monitoring plan will serve as an early warning system by disclosing unanticipated impacts
and allowing further remedial measures to be implemented to arrest the situation and ensure
that permanent damage is not caused. It is also likely that the monitoring results will provide
useful guidance for the successful planning and implementation of future subproject
implementation.
The environmental and social impacts mitigation measures will be monitored during the
implementation, and it will be based on visiting to observe and have a visual inspection of the
indicators for each impact.
The responsibility for majority of the environmental and social mitigation measures
implementation associated with the construction activities will be borne by the contractor. The
contractor is required to engage a qualified and experienced safeguards officer among his
labour force to ensure implementation, monitoring and compliance of the ESMP requirements,
including the environmental, social, health and safety standards and legislations and provide
monitoring reports.
Furthermore, as part of his contract to this project, the contractor is required to prepare a
specific ESMP for the works, indicating his strategies for implementation and compliance with
the ESMP requirements.
However, the Solidaridad team and officers from the assemblies will maintain an oversight
responsibility to ensure that the contractor is fulfilling his responsibilities by undertaking
regular field visits and inspections in accordance with the Environmental and Social
Monitoring Plan and report on observations. The Safeguards Specialists of Solidaridad will
continue to provide overall supervision of the safeguard activities implementation and
monitoring. The Specialists will conduct regular visits to the subproject sites.
60
Table 11: Environmental and Social Impacts Monitoring Plan
Monitoring
Potential impacts Monitoring sites Frequency Responsibilities Estimated cost (GHC )
parameters
Preparation phase
Occupational Health Personnel engaged in

Contractors,
and safety during farm survey and 132,500 (53
Daily within the community,
survey and demarcation, demarcation, weeding, communities at a
Subproject sites activity subproject
weeding, digging of digging, and minimum of 2500 per
timeframe committee,
pipeline channels, and construction wearing community)
project team
construction works PPEs
Negative perception
about the subproject due DGM project 79,500 (53 communities
Record of stakeholder Project
to lack of community Monthly team, subproject at 500 per engagement
consultation meetings communities
consultation on the committee for 3X)
subproject
Implementation phase
Contractor,
Constructors
Observable dust Daily within the
Construction sites, Safeguards
Dust generation particles in activity
community Officer, DGM
atmosphere timeframe
safeguards
Specialists
61
Observable 20km/hr
speed limit signs
Record of watering
construction sites
Construction workers
wearing nose pads
Covered haulage
trucks.
Workers wearing ear

74,000 (37 communities
plugs during noise
at 2,000 per trip to each
making construction Contractor,
community)
activities Constructors
Daily within the
Safeguards
Noise nuisance Construction sites activity
Officer, DGM
Absence of excavation timeframe
safeguards
activities during night, Specialists
Observable use of
light duty equipment
for excavation works.
Areas affected by
Contractor,
construction 47000 (3916 per
Replanted vegetation subproject
works, planting Monthly community for 12
on disturbed areas, committee,
based subproject communities)
Loss of vegetation grantees
areas,
140,000 (cost of
Four-fold of planted Annual survival DGM project
seedlings survival count
seedlings count team
annually
62
Contractor,
Contractor’s
Observable backfilling safeguards
of all boreholes and Construction sites Weekly Officer,
spaces along channels subproject
committees,
grantees
Soil erosion at
construction site Absence of
construction works Borehole
during stormy embankments
conditions
Cover crops planted in

Farms/plantations Annually
farms
Number of Contractor,
consultations held safeguards
between contractor Community Weekly Officer,
Injury and accidents and affected community
involving residents due community members leaders
to temporary obstruction
of access by
construction activities.
Availability of
within activity
alternative routes for Community Contractor
phase
the affected areas
63
Availability of signage construction
and barricades routes
Community GRM
Complaints registered. Community
focal point
Contractor,
Availability of
grantees,
Contractor’s Health Construction sites
subproject
and Safety Plan
committee
Availability of
Contractor’s Code of Construction sites
Conduct
Occupational health and within activity 54,280 (37 communities

safety Workers wearing PPE Construction sites phase Contractor, at 1,440 per community
as cost of PPE)
Availability of First
Aid Box stocked with Construction sites
drugs
Record of safety
induction trainings Construction sites
held
64
Availability of signage
at construction sites
warning workers of Construction sites
dangers of the
construction works
Contractor,
Observable absence of
Safeguards
unauthorised persons
Construction site Daily Officer, grantees,
at active construction
subproject
areas
committees
Availability of
alternative routes for
Public health and safety Alternative routes
road users and signage
directing people
Availability of signage
warning people of Alternative routes
danger
Observable presence
of 20km/hr speed limit Alternative routes
sign
65
Observable absence of
construction waste &
materials & equipment Alternative routes
on community
walkways.
Wearing of
appropriate farming Farm/Plantations
gears
Availability of Contractor,
Contractor’s code of Construction site Safeguards
conduct Officer,
Record of workers Contractor,

Contractor’s
who do not sign the Safeguards
office
Code Officer,
within activity
Labour Influx
Record on trainings phase Contractor,
held for workers on Safeguards
code of conduct Officer,
Number of trainings Contractor,

held for workers on Safeguards
the code of conduct Officer,
66
Number of labours
employed from within Contractors
Contractor
the project beneficiary records
community.
Availability of
Contractor,
Contractor’s code of Construction
Safeguards
conduct and signed by communities
Officer,
all employees
Record on training of Contractor,

Increased risk of Contractors
workers on the code of within activity Safeguards
Sexually Transmitted records
conduct phase Officer,
Diseases (STDs)
Code of conduct
Contractor,
integrated into Contractors'
Safeguards
employment records
Officer,
conditions of workers
67
GRM focal point,
Contractors'
Complaints by Contractor,
records, GRM
communities Safeguards
register
Officer,
Construction
Contractor’s code of safeguards
communities
conduct Officer,
Code of conduct Contractor,

Contractors
integrated risk social Safeguards
records
conflict issues Officer,
within activity
Risk of social conflict
phase
Record on training of Contractor,
Contractors'
workers on the code of Safeguards
records
conduct Officer,
Code of conduct
Contractor,
integrated into Contractors'
Safeguards
employment records
Officer,
68
Number of workers
Contractor,
charged with Contractors'
Safeguards
disrespect for social records
Officer,
community norms
GRM focal point,

Contractors'
records, GRM
residents Safeguards
register
Officer,
Contractor’s code of safeguards
conduct Officer,
Code of conduct Contractor,

integrated child labour Safeguards
issues Officer,
Construction
Record trainings held communities Contractor,
for workers on the within activity Safeguards
Child labour
code of conduct phase Officer,
Code of conduct
Contractor,
integrated into
Safeguards
employment
Officer,
Contractor,
Number of child Contractors'
Safeguards
labour reported records
Officer,
69
GRM focal point,
Contractors'
records, GRM
residents Safeguards
register
Officer,
Construction
Contractor’s code of Safeguards
communities
conduct Officer,
Contractor,
Code of conduct
Construction sites Safeguards
integrated GBV issues
Officer,
Record trainings held Contractor,
Contractors'
for workers on the Safeguards
records
code of conduct Officer,
Code of conduct within activity

Gender based violence Contractor,
integrated into Contractors' phase
Safeguards
employment records
Officer,
Number of labours
charged with Contractor,
Contractors'
discrimination based Safeguards
records
on gender Officer,
considerations
GRM focal point,
Contractors'
Number of complaints Contractor,
records, GRM
by the residents Safeguards
register
Officer,
70
Complaints on sub- Functional GRM GRM focal point,
project system Safeguards
implementation Officer,
Grievances associated
with sub-projects 90,100 (1,700 per
Number of complaints Training of community for 53
GRM focal points
by the residents stakeholders community GRM
training)
Operational and maintenance phase
WSMT,
Subproject
committee,
MDAs works
74,000 (37 communities
Observable presents of Engineer,
Borehole system Quarterly at 500 per quarterly
maintenance activities Assembly
visit)
Members for the
project
Public health and safety beneficiary
communities,
Record of defects and
repairs during
Community areas
operation and
maintenance
Complaints from GRM focal point,
GRM Register Daily
residents WSMT
MDAs, Assembly
Members for the
Occupational health and Maintenance workers Project
Quarterly project
hazards wearing PPEs community
beneficiary
communities
71
Availability of First
Community sub-
Aid Box for
project committee
maintenance workers
Number of workers Community sub-

injured project committee
Complaints by GRM focal point,

GRM Register Daily
maintenance team WSMT
MDAs, Assembly
Maintenance of the Subproject Members for the
green fire belts and committees, Seasonally project
bare ground fire belts grantees beneficiary
communities
Fire outbreak could
Subproject
potentially destroy Regularly weeding Minimum of 3X
committees,
plantations plantations within a year
grantees
Avoidance of Subproject
unattended fire at or committees, Seasonally
near farms grantees
72
8.0 REPORTING ON THE ESMP MONITORING ACTIVITIES
Reporting on the mitigation measures and how their implementation is going will be an integral
part of the implementation of this ESMP.
As specified above, during subprojects implementation, the monitoring of the safeguards
mitigation measures implementation will be carried out by the contractors and their safeguards
officers as part of drilling and construction activities and by the community subproject
committees as part of planting subprojects. The Solidaridad Team and assembly officers will
provide oversight responsibility to ensure that those assigned responsibilities are fulfilling their
responsibility under the ESMP.
Reports on the mitigation measures implementation will be produced by the contractor, his/her
safeguards officer, and project team/community subproject committee on quarterly bases to the
Solidaridad safeguard officer and for subsequent reporting to the safeguard desk at the World
Bank. The contractor will submit his/her monitoring reports through the consultant who will
validate and forward these to the project manager through the Safeguards Specialists at
Solidaridad. All the reports should capture progress and status on implementation of the
mitigation measures arising from the ESMP implementation, considering the monitoring
indicators. Relevant pictures should be included in the report.
The project team will from time-to-time conduct monitoring field visits to the subproject sites
to verify the reports presented by the contractor and consultant and make their findings. They
will provide guidance for any remedial actions where the need be to prevent non-compliance
and recurrence of inaction on the part of any stakeholder. The project team will compile a
quarterly - safeguards monitoring reports for submission to the World Bank as part of the
project implementation status report (ISR).
Below is a template for the mitigation measures implementing report.
73
Table 12: Template for Environmental and Social Impacts Mitigation Measures Reporting
S/N Monitoring Date of Site Status of Motoring Remedial Name of Comments

indicator monitoring location subproject Results Action Person
activity Required Monitoring
Name of Name of Contractor

Supervisor: ……………………………………………… /Committee Chairman: ………………………………………………
Signature: ……………………………………………… Signature: ………………………………………………
Community: ……………………………………………… Community: ………………………………………………
Date: ……………………………………………… Date: ………………………………………………
74
9.0 GRIEVANCES REDRESS MECHANISM
9.1 Introduction
To ensure smooth implementation of the Project and timely and effectively addressing of the
problems that would be encountered during implementation, a robust Grievance Redressal
Mechanism (GRM) is required to enable the Project implementers address the Grievances of
the stakeholders of the Project.
9.2 Objectives of the Grievance Redress Mechanism

The following are the objectives of establishing a Grievance Redressal Mechanism. The
objectives of the grievance process are to:
• Ensure better safeguards mechanisms for implementation of subprojects.
• Provide affected people with avenues for making a complaint or resolving any
dispute that may arise during the implementation and determination of G-DGM
project
• Ensure that appropriate and mutually acceptable redress actions are identified and
implemented to the satisfaction of complainants and
• Avoid the need to resort to proceedings that may delay the process.
• Build up a relationship of trust amongst the project staff and the affected parties.
• Ensure transparency in dealings amongst stakeholders including affected parties
through a proper communication system
• Act as an avenue for continuous citizen engagement throughout the project life span
9.3 Project Stakeholders

The following are the main stakeholders of the G-DGM
• Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

• The Forestry Commission
• The National Steering Committee
• The National Executing Agency
• The Forest Investment Project (FIP)
• Project Management Unit at FIP
• Municipal and District Assemblies within project landscape
• The 53 Beneficiary Communities
• Selected Community Based Organization (CBO)
• Traditional Authorities of the 53 communities and their paramountcy (allodial title
holders)
The activities as adopted for implementation in G-DGM will not involve any resettlement or
relocation that may attract preparation of safeguard tools such as ARAP. Citizen’s engagement
plans are part of activities being run by the NEA. Any related issue would be the responsibility
of the National Executing Agency (NEA) in collaboration with the National Steering
Committee (NSC) to solve these issues. It will be based on the Grievance Redressal Mechanism
(GRM) prepared in relation to the project with notification to the 53 selected communities.
75
Notices will be placed in all the communities and also educated on the processes through which
the key stakeholders will access and apply.
9.4 Key staff coordinating Grievance Redressal Process
1. Social Safeguards Specialist (SS)– in charge of safeguards of the NEA would be

designated as the key officer in charge of Grievance Redressal. The SS will be assisted
by the NEA’s Senior Programme Coordinator to undertake the following
responsibilities:
a. Coordinate formation of Grievance Redressal Committees (GRCs) at the LC
level to resolve issues
b. Act as the Focal Point at NEA/NCS on Grievance Redressal issues and facilitate
such activities at the LC level.
c. Assist in Redressal of all Grievances by coordinating with the concerned
parties.
d. Maintain information of grievances and Redressal.
e. Monitor the activities of beneficiary communities on Redressal of Grievances.
f. Prepare the progress for monthly/quarterly reports based on grievances
received during the period.
2. Knowledge Manager – Manages the knowledge component of the project and

responsible for all knowledge packages of the project.
a. Create awareness of the Grievance Redressal Mechanism (GRM) amongst all
the stakeholders through public awareness campaigns.
3. Senior Programme Coordinator (SPC) (Assist the Safeguards Specialist in coordination

of the two regions – Bono, Bono East, and Western North Regions
a. Coordinate formation of Grievance Redressal Committees (GRCs) at LC level
to resolve issues.
b. Act as the Focal Point on G-DGM on Grievance Redressal issues and facilitate
the GRC at the regional level.
c. Regularly contact all points of receipt of complaints, receive the complaints
made and assist in Redressal of all Grievances by coordinating with the
concerned parties.
4. Field Coordinators for Bono, Bono East and Western North Regions do coordinate
training and operational logistics
a. Maintain information of grievances and Redressal.
b. Prepare the progress for monthly/quarterly reports and submit to the SS through
the SPC.
5. Field Trainers are responsible for delivering community training under the G-DGM
a. Receive complaints from affected project beneficiaries/stakeholders
b. Assist complainants file grievances reported on
c. Initiate investigations into the complaint
d. Submit received and investigated complaints to the responsible CGRC within
the cohort
76
9.5 The Grievance Redress Process
A three-tier redress structure is planned to address all complaints in the Project.

The general steps of the grievance process comprise:
• Receipt of complaints
• Determining and implementing the redress action
• Verifying the redress action
• Amicable settlement; or
• Alternative actions for unresolved complaints.
First tier of Redressal

The complaints are to be received at the community level by the field trainers. The stakeholders
are informed of various points of making complaints (if any) and field trainers are to collect
the complaints from these points on a regular basis and record them. In addition, the chief,
queen, focal person, project staff and any other person we collectively agree on by the CGRCs.
This is followed by coordinating with the concerned people to redress the Grievances.
Grievances or complaints can also be channeled through the NSC representative in the area for
onward submission to the project coordinator. The Senior Programme Coordinator of the NEA
will coordinate the activities at the respective regional level to address the Grievances and
would act as the focal point in this regard.
a) Points of receipt of complaints

The various points of receiving complaints at the beneficiary community level would be:
• The NEA Field Trainers
• Community Focal person for DGM/or as will be approved by the CGRCs
b) Mode of Receipt/Processing of Complaints

Grievance Uptake/Registration
Stakeholders propose that the best way authorities should receive grievances is in an oral
format. In that way, poor (illiterate) communities have a chance to access the GRM. It must be
noted however, that any oral complaint received by any person for onward submission to the
system must be recorded in written format by the recipient to avoid distortions or loss of
content. Other modalities proposed are SMS through a dedicated text line, written letter,
website, and telephone hotline. Any grievance received through phone call/text line must be
followed by the complainant and to transform the issue unto a complaint form before filing for
investigation. The latter should ensure that every grievance is recorded.
The complaints can be made in writing, verbally, over the phone, emails, or any other media
applicable. As soon as the officer receives a complaint, he /she would issue an
acknowledgement. The officer receiving the complaints should investigate to obtain relevant
basic information regarding the grievance and the complainant and will immediately inform
the respective Regional Coordinator in the format – Grievance Information Form (GIF)
The Regional Coordinators shall keep a Complaint/ Grievance and Redress register at the
Regional Level in Bono, Bono East, and Western North Region. The format for entry on such
register is presented in table below.
77
Table 13: Grievances Register
GRIEVANCE REGISTER
NO. DATE NAME OF CONTACT SUMMARY LEVEL: REMARKS
COMPLAINANT OF (1, 2, 3) (resolved/referred)
COMPLAINT
Keeping records collected from relevant bodies are the responsibility of respective Regional
Coordinators.
After registering the complaint in the Grievance Registration, Resolution and Referral
Form (Annex 2), the Regional Coordinators would forward it to the Senior Programme
Coordinator. He will study the complaint made in detail and forward the complaint to the
concerned officer with specific dates (sticking to time limit as proposed in this framework) for
replying and redressing the same to the complainant. The necessary channels as prescribed in
the redress process will be followed. Proceedings and outcome of meetings will be recorded as
such, and summary of outcome recorded in the grievance register. During this stage, the field
officers will be actively involved.
If the issue is resolved at this level, the complainant will be informed, and the issue closed. If
no resolution is reached, the matter will be referred to the next tier for redress. If the case is
however not redressed or attended to within 14 days, it will be transferred to the next higher
level of the grievance redress process.
Second tier of Redressal

The Grievance Redress Committee formed at every Cohort Level would be the one which
would address the grievance in the next level if the issue or the problem is not solved at the
first tier.
A Grievance Redress Committee (GRC) will be constituted for every Cohort by the circulars
issued by the Programme Manager. The Senior Programme Coordinator would be the
Chairman of the Committee.
a) The recommended Structure of the GRC would be:

I. 1 Chairperson – District Manager /Representative of the Forestry Commission
II. 2 Members of the Area Council (male and female)
III. 1 Senior Programme Coordinator (NEA)
IV. 1 Representative of the NGO/CBO working in the area
78
V. 1 Member of the clergy
VI. 1 Regional Coordinator of the NEA
VII. 2 Representatives from Focal Persons (male and female)
VIII. 2 representatives from Traditional Leaders (Chief/Queen mother)
The SS of the NEA will coordinate with the respective Regional Coordinators in getting these
Committees constituted for each Project Region (BA/WR) and get the necessary dispatches
issued in this regard so that they can be convened whenever required.
b) Functions of GRC
The GRC will function along the following lines:
i) Providing support to the affected persons in solving their problems

ii) Prioritize grievances and resolve them at the earliest
iii) Provide information to NEA/NSC on serious cases at the earliest
iv) Coordinate on the Affected Person getting proper and timely information on
the solution worked out for his/her grievance.
v) Study the normally occurring grievances and advise NEA and NSC remedial
actions to avoid further occurrences.
vi) Periodic (quarterly) review and analysis of recorded and processed
grievances.
The Senior Program Coordinator of the NEA will coordinate the convening of the meetings of
the GRC, and responsible for briefing the GRC on the deliberations of the first level of Redress
and on the outcome or position from the parties (Complainant and the GRC).
The GRC will hold the necessary meetings with the affected party / complainant and the
concerned officers and attempt to find a solution acceptable at all levels. GRC would record
the minutes of the meeting in the format as approved and adopted. The decisions of the GRC
are communicated to the complainant formally and if he accepts the resolutions, the
complainant’s acceptance is obtained on the disclosure format (see Annex 2: Grievance
Registration, Resolution and Referral Form).
If the complainant does not accept the solution offered by the GRC, then the complaint is
passed on to the next level / or the complainant can reach the next level. The Chairman of the
GRC would require forwarding the issue to the next level through the Senior Programme
Coordinator to explore a solution to this at the District Level before transferring it to the Central
Grievance Redress Committee (CGRC). If the issue is resolved at this level, the complainant
will be informed, and the issue closed. If no resolution is reached, the matter will be referred
to the next tier for redress. If the case is however not redressed or attended to within 14 days,
it will be transferred to the next higher level of the grievance redress process.
Third tier of Redressal

If the affected party / complainant does not agree for the resolution at the 2nd level, or there is
a time delay of more than a month in solving the issue, the complainant can opt to consider
taking it to the third level. The Central Grievance Redress Committee (CGRC) will be
constituted from the NEA, NSC and the District FC. This body will be constituted as the 3rd
79
Tier of Redress to look into the problems of the complainant that had not been resolved at the
first and second tiers.
The Central Grievance Redress Committee would be formulated with the following
Members:
1) NSC Chairman – Chairman

2) Legal Officer, FC – Member
3) Programme Manager, NEA – Member Secretary
The Chairpersons of the respective District GRCs will be the invitees to the Committee
meetings to enable the CGRC to understand the deliberations of the GRC at the first two tiers.
The Programme Manager of the NEA will collect all the details of the Grievance including the
deliberations of first tier and second tier efforts and present it to the CGRC.
The CRGC will deliberate upon the issue and give suitable recommendations. The meetings
are recorded in the format as in Annex 1. After this the decisions of the CGRC will be
communicated to the complainant formally and if he accepts the resolutions, the complainant’s
acceptance is obtained on the disclosure format as in Annex 1. The decisions of the CGRC
would be final from the Project side and the Complainant may decide to take a legal or any
other recourse if he /she is not satisfied with the resolutions from the deliberations of the three
tiers of GRM.
80
The Mechanism of the Grievance Redress System
The process flow of the GRM is presented below
Sources of receiving
complaints/suggestion
• Field trainers.
• NSC representative in the area
TIER 1 • Phone call/ text message
• Other designated persons
Grievance received
by the GRC
GRC meet and take

decision
TIER 2
10 days
Complainant not
Feedback from GRC
satisfied (Grievance
to complainant
unresolved)
Complainant satisfied Grievance sent to

with decision GRC
(Grievance resolved)
TIER 3
2 weeks
Complainant not
Decision taken
through GRC
unresolved)
Complainant Grievance sent to

CGRC
resolved)
2-4 weeks
Decision taken
through discussion
with the parties
Complainant
resolved
Complaints received will be sorted into three levels:

Level 1: Complaints and questions that can be responded to immediately.
Level 2: Complex complaints, for example disputes between Community and NEA, NSC, Focal Persons and
within the Communities.
Figure 1:3:Complaint-Resolution
Level Flowproposed
Complaints related to land being Chartor acquired by a beneficiary
81
9.6 Schedule Template for Grievance Redress and Responsibilities.
Table 13 presents a summary of the grievance redress procedure with institutional roles and
responsibilities.
Table 14: Schedule Template for Grievance Redress and Responsible Persons
Steps Process Description Time Other information Responsible Agency/

frame Person
1 Identification of Face to face; letter, e- 1 Day Residential address; Projected Affected
grievance mail; phone call; recorded Email address (if any); Beneficiary/Complainant
during public/community contact number
interaction; others
2 Grievance Significance assessed and 4-7 Days Significance criteria Regional Coordinators
assessed and grievance recorded or Level 1 –one off event of the NEA in BA and
logged logged (i.e., in a logbook) Level 2 – complaint is WR
widespread or repeated
Level 3- any complaint
(one off or repeated) that
indicates breach of law or
policy or the G-DGM
provisions
3 Grievance is Acknowledgement of 7-14 Senior Programme
acknowledged grievance through Days Coordinator
appropriate medium and
to ensure documentation
and record keeping at all
levels
4 Development of • Grievance assigned to 4-7 Days Project
response appropriate party for Coordinator/Regional
resolution Coordinator
• Response development 10-14
with input from Days
management/ relevant G-DGM
stakeholders
5 Response signed Redress action approved 4-7 Days GRC Chairman/ Senior
off at appropriate levels Program Coordinator/
Regional Coordinator
6 Implementation Redress action 10-14 Programme Coordinator
and implemented and update Days
communication of progress on resolution
of response communicated to
(feedback) complainant
7 Complaints • Redress action recorded 4-7 Days Programme Coordinator
Response in grievance logbook
• Confirm with
complainant that
grievance can be closed
or determine what
follow up is necessary
8 Close grievance • Record finals sign off 4-7 Days Programme Coordinator
grievance
• If grievance cannot be
closed, return to Tier 2
or recommend third-
party arbitration or
• Resort to court of law
9 Documentation, Grievance Redress - NEA/NSC
tracking, Mechanism Process is
82
Steps Process Description Time Other information Responsible Agency/
frame Person
reporting, and documented and
monitoring monitored
83
10.0 THE ESMP TRAINING OF STAKEHOLDERS FOR IMPLEMENTATION
10.1 Introduction
This plan is being put together to help in the implementation of the ESMP in an effective and
efficient manner. In doing that, contractors, and their labour force as well as other stakeholders
(including community subproject committees, MDA staff, assemblymen, unit committee
members, CBO members etc.) who will be engaged in its implementation and monitoring will
receive adequate training to help them understand their responsibilities and execute same. The
training will seek to provide more understanding and skills required for the implementation of
the ESMP. This engagement will be carried out without losing sight of COVID 19 situation in
the country.
Key issues to consider for the training will be
• Project Potential Environmental and Social impacts
• Mitigation measures for potential project impacts
• Monitoring of mitigation measures implementation and reporting
• Reporting on mitigation measures implementation
• Managing planted seedlings
• Community Water and Sanitation Management team
• Dry season strategies to protect planted seedlings
• Project Occupational Health and Safety
• Public Health and Safety issues
• Managing solar powered borehole facility at the community level
• Grievance Redress Mechanism of the project
• Project Code of Conduct for contractor and workers
• Roles and responsibilities for the ESMP implementation
Recognising the current restrictions imposed as the country tries to fight the COVID 19
pandemic, training will have to be carried out with considerations to COVID 19 protocols.
Therefore, various approaches will be adopted in conducting the training taking into
consideration the training needs of the various stakeholders involved. The project will engage
the stakeholders like contractors, MDA staffs at their respective offices to avoid having to bring
many people together, similar approach will be used for district and community level
stakeholders. The project will also consider use of hand bills, illustrations, posters to augment
the efforts of the initial engagements. An estimated budget of ninety thousand Ghana Cedis
(GHs 90,100.00) will be allocated for these engagements.
84
11.0 STAKEHOLDER AND INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE ESMP
IMPLEMENTATION
11.1 Introduction
The following is the arrangement for stakeholder responsibilities and roles in the ESMP
implementation for DGM subproject activities in the project communities.
Table 15: Roles and responsibilities of the ESMP implementation
Name of stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities

World Bank G-DGM Project financier.
Review of ESMP report and provision of IDA No Objection.
Disclosure of ESMP at the Bank’s external website.
Occasional ESMP monitoring visits to subproject sites.
Ministry of Lands and MLNR has the overall responsibility for the G-DGM Project and
Natural Resources (MLNR) compliance with the World Bank Safeguards Policies applicable
to the Project to ensure the overall successful implementation of
this ESMP.
G-DGM NEA (Solidaridad SWA is responsible for the preparation of the ESMP and its
West Africa) disclosure at the country level.
Again, the training of stakeholders on the skills and knowledge
required for successful implementation of the ESMP.
Also, SWA will offer supervision and ensure compliance with
the ESMP provisions by the implementing agents at the
community level.
And monitoring and reporting on the ESMP implementation to
the World Bank on regular basis while maintaining a functional
Grievance redress mechanism at all levels of subproject
implementation.
Municipal and District Responsible for planning and development of infrastructure in its
Assemblies (MDAs) jurisdiction, which structures include potable water systems.
The works department of the Assembly is responsible for:

• Monitoring of ESMP compliance by contractors
• Engagement in grievance redress on the subproject
• Support communities in the operation and maintenance
of borehole facilities
Project Beneficiary • Assemblymen and focal persons help in mobilisation of

community project communities for project awareness raising and
ESMP compliance
• Facilitating grievance redresses on the project
• Partnering with project stakeholders on awareness
creation, reporting illegal behaviour (i.e. stealing of
construction materials and equipment, destruction of
85
Name of stakeholder Roles and Responsibilities
safety signage at construction sites) on the project and
creating conducive construction atmosphere.
• Reporting grievances through the established GRM
structures for the project.
Works’ contractors
Responsibility for the actual drilling and construction work.
Responsibility for overall implementation and compliance with
the ESMP relating to the construction related subprojects.
Recruitment of Safeguards Officer to monitor compliance with
the ESMP and reporting to the project authorities.
86
12.0 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This ESMP was informed by the potential environmental and social impacts of the subprojects.
The management of the E&S impact are of significant important to the project’s implementation.
These potential environmental and social impacts are of influence for the success of the subprojects
and the project in entity. These potential impacts have been identified based on the interactions
between the project activities and the environmental status and sensitivities of the various
ecological and sociocultural components of the project.
The ESMP would among other things not only ensure those procedures for managing the potential
adverse impacts and associated impacts of the proposed subproject on the environment and the
society at large are put in place but will also prescribe measures to ensure their enforcement
throughout the life of the subproject and the project implementation itself. Also, a monitoring plan
for the subprojects has been integrated into the ESMP to ensure that all impact indicators for all
the environmental and social components in every phase of the subproject are within limits
throughout the life of the project. It is expected that through the implementation of this ESMP, the
proposed subprojects activities will have positive impacts on the environmental and social
conditions of the project landscape.
87
Annex 1: Illustration of Grievance Redress Mechanism
Annex 2: Grievance Registration, Resolution and Referral Form

88
89
Annex 3: COVID-19 guiding documents
1. Technical Note: Public Consultations and Stakeholder Engagement in WB-supported

operations when there are constraints on conducting public meetings March 20, 2020
(https://biwta.portal.gov.bd/sites/default/files/files/biwta.portal.gov.bd/page/f3ca1ff6_95b
0_4606_849f_2c0844e455bc/2020-10-01-11-04-
717aa8e02835a7e778b2fff46f531a8c.pdf)
2. WHO guidelines and documents (https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-

coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance)
3. Solidaridad’s internal COVID 19 response documents
90
Annex 4: Individual Selected Subprojects
GHANA DEDICATED GRANT MECHANISM PROJECT

INDIVIDUAL GRANT WINDOW BENEFICIARY DATA
Dedicated Land
M/N
S/N Cohort Region Community member Grantee Name Gender Proposed sub-project size
Status
code (Acres)
Climate-smart cashew
1 5 Bono East Abease AE 16694 Gideon Osei M Native 3
agroforestry
2 5 Bono East Abease AE 16844 Afia Amoakoah F Native 2
agroforestry
3 5 Bono East Abease AE 16508 Emmanuel Addae M Native 5
agroforestry
4 5 Bono East Zabrama ZB 17553 Obed Moja M Migrant 4
agroforestry
5 5 Bono East Zabrama ZB 17644 Seth Nyarko Asiamah M Migrant 5
agroforestry
6 5 Bono East Zabrama ZB 17429 Shaharu Sadiq M Migrant Afforestation 5
7 5 Bono East Benim BN 17048 Cecilia Baalan F Migrant 3
agroforestry
8 5 Bono East Benim BN 16873 Robert Biale M Migrant 2
agroforestry
9 5 Bono East Benim BN 16895 Grace Midibea F Migrant 2
agroforestry
MK
10 5 Bono East Menkor Robert Manu M Native Afforestation 5
18233
MK Climate-smart cashew
11 5 Bono East Menkor Rita Adomako F Native 3
18085 agroforestry
MK Climate-smart cashew
12 5 Bono East Menkor Charles Yaw Mensah M Native 3
18239 agroforestry
13 5 Bono East Praprabon PP 15234 Patience Lapah F Migrant 4
agroforestry
91
14 5 Bono East Praprabon PP 15345 Magul Banyindo M Migrant 5
agroforestry
15 5 Bono East Praprabon PP 15309 Kwabena Nakpin M Migrant 5
agroforestry
16 5 Bono East Baaya BY 16215 Wisdom Nfabi M Migrant Afforestation 5
Sustainable yam production
17 5 Bono East Baaya BY 16261 Yakpeba Tidela M Migrant 3
systems
KN Climate-smart cashew
18 5 Bono East Kanto Akosua Yeboah F Migrant 2
17969 agroforestry
19 5 Bono East Kanto Isaac Narbi M Native 3
18038 agroforestry
20 5 Bono East Kanto Agnes Agyeiwaa F Native 1
17981 agroforestry
AD Climate-smart cashew
21 5 Bono East Akyeremade Charles Boadum M Native 2
17785 agroforestry
22 5 Bono East Akyeremade Abena Sarpomaa F Native 3
17667 agroforestry
23 5 Bono East Akyeremade Stephen Kwaku M Native 2
17879 agroforestry
24 5 Bono East Beposo BP 15832 Amos Tafimi M Migrant 3
agroforestry
25 5 Bono East Beposo BP 15948 Nyaabe Jagri M Migrant 3
systems
26 1 Bono East Beposo BP 15481 Joseph Tamanja C M Migrant Watershed protection 5
27 1 Bono East Ampoma AM 1039 Emmanuel Ayensu M Native 3
agroforestry
28 1 Bono East Ampoma AM 1087 Simon Gyan M Native Afforestation 3
29 1 Bono East Ampoma AM 1056 Joshua Attah M Native Afforestation 3
30 1 Bono East Nante NT 1472 Victoria Saah F Native 3
agroforestry
31 1 Bono East Nante NT 1494 Akua Bafoaa F Native 3
agroforestry
32 1 Bono East Nante NT 1373 Nana Agyare M Native mango plantation 5
92
33 1 Bono East Krabonso KB 2315 S. B. Amponsah M Native 3
agroforestry
34 1 Bono East Krabonso KB 2054 Akua Yeboah F Native 3
agroforestry
35 1 Bono East Krabonso KB 2357 Dorcas Amadu F Native 3
agroforestry
36 1 Bono East Hyereso HS 1233 Francis Piripour M Migrant 3
systems
37 1 Bono East Hyereso HS 1358 Suzanna Kwaa F Native Watershed protection 3
38 1 Bono East Hyereso HS 1225 Kwabena Sekyi M Migrant 3
systems
39 1 Bono East Dawadawa no 2 DD 4846 Janet Antwi F Migrant 3
agroforestry
40 1 Bono East Dawadawa no 2 DD 4601 James Asampana M Migrant Watershed protection 5
41 1 Bono East Dawadawa no 2 DD 4690 Philip Kwasi Laar M Migrant 3
agroforestry
42 1 Bono East Babato Kuma BK 5226 Seidu Abubakari M Migrant 3
agroforestry
43 1 Bono East Babato Kuma BK 5221 Adams Mohammed M Migrant 2
agroforestry
Assaw Dramani Climate-smart cashew
44 1 Bono East Babato Kuma BK 5207 M Migrant 5
Kabotor agroforestry
45 1 Bono East Bawa Akura BA 4521 Aboagye Jagri M Migrant 4
agroforestry
46 1 Bono East Bawa Akura BA 4529 Kwasi Kunde M Migrant Afforestation 2
47 1 Bono East Bawa Akura BA 4482 Mabel Tibala F Migrant 3
agroforestry
48 1 Bono East Bonte BT 2582 Faustina Gyameah F Native 3
agroforestry
49 1 Bono East Bonte BT 2546 Sampson Appiah M Native 3
agroforestry
50 1 Bono East Bonte BT 2835 Eric Adu M Native 3
agroforestry
93
51 1 Bono East Dromankese DM 3802 Sampson Drau Djan M Native 3
agroforestry
52 1 Bono East Dromankese DM 3101 Oduro Bediako M Native 5
agroforestry
53 1 Bono East Dromankese DM 3219 Deborah Dabea F Native 4
agroforestry
54 1 Bono East Asekye AK 4360 Akua Pokuaa F Native Afforestation 3
55 1 Bono East Asekye AK 4380 Kwadwo Ankomah M Native 3
agroforestry
Kwadwo Ankomah Climate-smart cashew
56 1 Bono East Asekye AK 4421 M Native 4
No.2 agroforestry
Bono Climate-smart cashew
57 3 Abirikasu AB 9020 Sampson Nana Adjei M Native 3
Region agroforestry
58 3 Abirikasu AB 9163 Thomas Koosono M Native 3
Region agroforestry
Bono Oppong Kennedy Climate-smart cashew
59 3 Abirikasu AB 9029 M Native 3
Region Kyereme agroforestry
Bono AD Climate-smart cashew
60 3 Adoe Aloko Akurugu M Migrant 3
Region 10519 agroforestry
61 3 Adoe Kofi Dwaa M Migrant 3
62 3 Adoe Hanna Owusua F Native 3
63 3 Boffourkrom BF 10717 Bismark Opoku M Native 3
Region agroforestry
64 3 Boffourkrom BF 10668 Rose Oppong F Native 3
Region agroforestry
65 3 Boffourkrom BF 10654 Regina Awaafo F Native 3
Region agroforestry
66 3 Nsuhia NH 8662 Busanga Adjayobi M Migrant 3
Region agroforestry
67 3 Nsuhia NH 9704 Nana Kwasi Oppong M Native 3
Region agroforestry
68 3 Nsuhia NH 8657 Ama Kissiwaa F Native 3
Region agroforestry
94
Bono Theresah Abena Climate-smart cashew
69 3 Koradaso KD 8018 F Native 3
Region Yeboah agroforestry
70 3 Koradaso KD 8132 Ophelius Siebekpiir M Migrant 5
Region agroforestry
71 3 Koradaso KD 8166 John Paul Beyong M Migrant 3
Region agroforestry
72 3 Duasidan DS 8996 Naweh Kwara M Migrant 3
Region agroforestry
73 3 Duasidan DS 8878 Ansu Kwasi Junior M Native 4
Region agroforestry
74 3 Duasidan DS 8902 Kadiga Winifred F Native 3
Region agroforestry
75 3 Asunso No. 1 AS 7964 Fatima Adama F Native 3
Region agroforestry
76 3 Asunso No. 1 AS 7662 Mercy Amponsah F Native 3
Region agroforestry
77 3 Asunso No. 1 AS 7589 Felicity Agyeiwaa F Native 3
Region agroforestry
Bono MT Climate-smart cashew
78 3 Mpatasie Mutala Agyemang M Native 5
79 3 Mpatasie Felicia Takyiwaa F Native 3
80 3 Mpatasie Rebecca Konoma F Native 3
81 3 Namasua NM 9378 Oppong Dartey M Native 4
Region agroforestry
82 3 Namasua NM 9567 Comfort Kyeraa F Native 3
Region agroforestry
83 3 Namasua NM 9437 Isaac Kyereh M Native 3
Region agroforestry
84 3 Kotaa KT 10172 Nana Kwaku Baah M Native 5
Region agroforestry
85 3 Kotaa KT 10144 Isaac Henneh M Native 3
Region agroforestry
95
86 3 Kotaa KT 10013 Adwoa Appiah F Native 3
Region agroforestry
87 3 Twumkrom TK 8358 Peter Agbelenyo M Native 3
Region agroforestry
88 3 Twumkrom TK 8383 Foster Gyamfi M Native 3
Region agroforestry
89 3 Twumkrom TK 8241 Hanna Asare F Native 3
Region agroforestry
90 3 Nkyenkyenmam NK 9863 Kwabena Yeboah M Native 3
Region agroforestry
91 3 Nkyenkyenmam NK 9806 Vida Saah F Native 3
Region agroforestry
92 3 Nkyenkyenmam NK 9773 Stephen Bediako M Native 3
Region agroforestry
Western Climate-smart cocoa
93 4 Camp 15 CP 13909 Adam Osman M Migrant 3.4
North establishment
94 4 Camp 15 CP 13889 Mathias Baah M Migrant 1.4
North establishment
95 4 Camp 15 CP 13760 Justice Azure M Native 2
North establishment
Western KK Climate-smart cocoa
96 4 Kumkumso Nicholas Lartey M Migrant 1.8
North 14566 establishment
Western KK Climate-smart cocoa
97 4 Kumkumso Elizabeth Arthur F Native 1.3
Western KK
98 4 Kumkumso Yaw Yeboah M Migrant Afforestation 1.1
North 14582
99 4 Elluokrom EL 15157 Dora Mansoh F Native 1.5
North establishment
Western
100 4 Elluokrom EL 14922 Thomas Mensah M Migrant Afforestation 1.8
North
101 4 Elluokrom EL 14794 Peter Osei M Native 1.7
North establishment
102 4 Obeykrom OB 14455 Daniel Akuoku M Migrant 1.6
North establishment
96
103 4 Obeykrom OB 14484 Linda Nimakoah F Migrant 0.5
North establishment
104 4 Obeykrom OB 14469 Kwadwo Yeboah M Migrant 1
North establishment
Western AD Climate-smart cocoa
105 4 Adwumam Simeon Lartey M Migrant 2
Western
106 4 Benchima BC 11141 Philip Asamoah M Native Afforestation 0.8
North
Western
107 4 Benchima BC11129 Samuel Badu M Native Afforestation 1.5
North
Western
108 4 Benchima BC10979 Agartha Ofori F Native Afforestation 1.5
North
Western Juaboso Climate-smart cocoa
109 4 JN 12043 Dominic Eshun M Migrant 2
North Nkwanta establishment
110 4 JN 11806 Ama Serwaa F Migrant 1.4
111 4 JN 11921 Agnes Mensah F Native 0.9
Western NK
112 4 Nkatieso Agnes Amoateng F Native Afforestation 1.1
North 12190
Western NK Climate-smart cocoa
113 4 Nkatieso Elizabeth Ase F Native 0.9
Western NK Simon Kofi Twumasi Climate-smart cocoa
114 4 Nkatieso M Native 4.2
North 11313 Ankrah establishment
115 4 Sefwi Asafo AF 13476 Beatrice Aidoo F Native 0.2
North establishment
116 4 Sefwi Asafo AF 13457 Yaa Ackaah F Native 1.1
North establishment
Western Frank Nkoah Climate-smart cocoa
117 4 Sefwi Asafo AF 13313 M Native 2.3
North Okumdom establishment
118 4 Suiano B SB 13045 Yaw Tweneboah M Native 2.1
North establishment
Western
119 4 Suiano B SB 13063 Joyce Akua F Migrant Afforestation 1.4
North
97
120 4 Suiano B SB 13012 Daniel Frimpong M Native 2.8
North establishment
121 4 Datano DT 13249 Monica Asamoah F Native 0.9
North establishment
122 4 Datano DT 13123 Veronica Gyamporah F Native 2.1
North establishment
123 4 Datano DT 13173 Isaac Kojo Owusu M Native 2.5
North establishment
124 4 Suiano A SA 11363 Yaw Gyasi M Native 1.6
North establishment
Western
125 4 Suiano A SA 11392 Richmond Asiedu M Native Afforestation 2.2
North
126 4 Suiano A SA 11423 Evans Tano M Native 1.5
North establishment
127 2 Asantekrom AS 6371 Sarah Ewudzi F Migrant 2.2
North establishment
128 2 Asantekrom AS 6397 Comfort Nyaletase F Migrant 2.9
North establishment
129 2 Asantekrom AS 6426 Diana Cobbinah F Native 0.9
North establishment
130 2 Damoakrom DK 6807 Rebecca Mochia F Migrant 2.5
North establishment
131 2 Damoakrom DK 6825 Cecilia Asorkoh F Native 1
North establishment
132 2 Damoakrom DK 6798 Lydia Coffie F Native 6
North establishment
133 2 Nyamebekyere NB 6854 Kwame Asare M Migrant 2.6
North establishment
134 2 Nyamebekyere NB 6870 Diana Asabea F Migrant 2.5
North establishment
135 2 Nyamebekyere NB 6853 Juliana Ayebea F Migrant 3.1
North establishment
Western AO Takyi Mintah Climate-smart cocoa
136 4 Adabokrom M Native 2.5
North 14417 Cornelius establishment
98
Western AO Climate-smart cocoa
137 4 Adabokrom Osei Boakye Bernard M Native 2.8
Western AO Climate-smart cocoa
138 4 Adabokrom Janet Ago F Native 3
139 4 Asampaneye AP 14803 Priscilla Gyabeng F Native 1
North establishment
Western
140 4 Asampaneye AP 14817 Veronica Arthur F Native Afforestation 3.2
North
141 4 Asampaneye AP 14767 Afia Fofie F Native 1.1
North establishment
Western KY
142 4 Kankyiabo Nana Kwaku Duah M Native Afforestation 1.3
North 12808
Western KY Climate-smart cocoa
143 4 Kankyiabo Akosua Manu F Native 2.1
Western KY Climate-smart cocoa
144 4 Kankyiabo Faustina Mintah F Native 2.5
145 4 Bodi BD 18301 Florence Addae F Native 5.2
North establishment
146 4 Bodi BD 18288 Mary Ampomah F Native 1.4
North establishment
147 4 Bodi BD 18310 Patricia Tandoh F Migrant 1
North establishment
148 2 Fahiakotwere FT 7018 Kwasi Nalibo M Migrant 0.6
North establishment
149 2 Fahiakotwere FT 6978 Francis Teye A made M Migrant 1.2
North establishment
150 2 Fahiakotwere FT 6979 Listowel I. Tetteh M Migrant 3.1
North establishment
151 2 Fahiakotwere FT 7084 Daimata Seidu F Migrant 0.8
North establishment
152 2 Fahiakotwere FT 7072 Mary Nyansom F Migrant 4
North establishment
153 2 Fahiakotwere FT 6998 James Kwame M Migrant 1.3
North establishment
99
Western
154 2 Jomoro JM 6550 Kwasi Wireko M Native Afforestation 1.6
North
Western
155 2 Jomoro JM 6667 Ruth Sidani F Native Afforestation 1.3
North
Western
156 2 Jomoro JM 6576 Joseph Kwaku Boakye M Migrant Afforestation 1.9
North
100
Annex 5: Selected CBO Subprojects
CBO Prioritized Sub-Projects

S/N Cohort Region Community CBO Selected sub-project Hectares
Bonte Charcoal producers and tree planters’
1 1 BBE Bonte association wood lot and cashew plantation 8
Dromankese Tree planters, Charcoal burners,
2 1 BBE Dromankese and buyers’ association wood lot and cashew plantation 8
3 3 BR Koradaso Koradaso Peaceful tree growers’ association Tree Nursery establishment and Apiculture
Duasidan Community ecotourism management Enhance protection and development of the
4 3 BR Duasidan centre community monkey sanctuary 24
Kwame Danso Charcoal producers and tree
5 5 BBE Kwame Danso planters’ association Woodlot and cashew establishment 16
6 4 WN Kunkumso Kunkumso Farmers Association Apiculture and watershed protection 3.2
7 4 WN Elloukrom Elloukrom Rainforest Alliance & CREMA Apiculture and watershed protection 3.5
8 2 WN Jomoro Jomoro Agroforestry Group CBO-Sacred site planting and Apiculture 3.2
Nsuhia famers group
9 3 BR Nsuhia Cashew plantation 2
101

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GHANA DEDICATED GRANT MECHANISM FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

PREPARED FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF SUB-PROJECTS

The Project has 2 main components:

• Component 1 is directed at implementing capacity-building activities aimed at

1. Establishment of cashew plantation

OP/BP 4.11-Physical Cultural Resources, OP 4.12 - Involuntary Resettlement, OP 4.01-

Environmental and Social Mitigation Plan

An environmental and social management plan aims at avoidance, prevention, mitigation

Grievance Redress Mechanism

Capacity Building Plan

Component 1: Capacity Building for Local Communities

Component 2: Sustainable and Adaptive Community Initiatives

1.3 Purpose of the ESMP

The specific objectives of the ESMP are to:

1.4 Scope of the ESMP

1.5 Methodology for Developing the ESMP

1.5.1 Review of Available Literature/Project Documents

The stakeholders consulted include the following:

i. Forest Service Division (FSD) of Forestry Commission (FC)

1.5.4 Potential Environmental and Social Impacts Identifications

G-DGM PROJECT BENEFICIARY COMMUNITIES AND SELECTED SUBPROJECT

3.2 PROFILE OF COHORT I AND V

4.2 Policy Framework

The National Environment Policy (2012)

National Land Policy (1999)

The key aspects of the policy relevant to the project include:

Riparian Buffer Zone Policy (2013)

National Water Policy (2007)

Local Governance Act 2016, Act 936

Ghana Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715)

Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036)

Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999, LI 1652

Environmental Protection Agency Act 1994, Act 490

Water Use Regulations L.I 1692 (2001)

Wetlands Management (Ramsar Sites) Regulation-LI 1659 (1999)

Environmental Protection Agency

World Bank Safeguards Policies

4. Pest Management OP 4.09. This Policy supports integrated approaches to pest

5. Involuntary Resettlement OP/BP 4.12. No involuntary resettlement is anticipated.

The specific objectives of the stakeholders’ consultation and participation are:

In this context, the stakeholder consultations helped to:

B. Community Water and Sanitation Agency

C. The Environmental Protection Agency

D. Forestry Commission (District office)

F. Project Beneficiary communities and representatives

5.4 Methodology for the Stakeholder Consultation Activities

Alfred Fosu Regional Coordinator DGM – Bono Region

Name Designation Consultation Issues Responses to issues

Name of community participant Issues/ concerns raised Response by the consultant

NAME Occupation Name of CONCERN Responses

i. Disclosure of the ESMP Document at Local Levels:

iii. Stakeholder Engagement during the implementation of Subprojects:

Stakeholder group Proposed medium of engagement

Potential Risks and Impact Intervention Area

a) Potential preparatory phase impacts

b) Implementation phase adverse environmental and social impacts:

c) Potential operational and maintenance phase impacts

Potential Key receptor Evaluation Significance of the