P171933 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA) FOR PROPOSED CIVIL WORKS IN AND AROUND DIGYA NATIONAL PARK Submitted by Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)- PCU January, 2025 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 i LIST OF ABREVIATIONS BA Beneficiary Agency CDP Community Development Programme EA Environmental Assessment ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan EMS Environmental Management Systems EPA Environmental Protection Agency ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework HSE Health, Safety and Environment EPA Environmental Protection Agency GLRSSMP Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project GoG Government of Ghana I&APs Interested and Affected Parties IA Implementing Agency MMDAs Municipal, Metropolitan and Districts Assemblies DNP Digya National Park NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations NOx Oxides of Nitrogen PAD Project Appraisal Document PAPs Project Affected Persons PCDP Public Consultation and Disclosure Plan PDO Project Development Objectives PM Particulate Matter PIM Project Implementation Manual RAP Resettlement Action Plan RFP Request for Proposal SOx Oxides of Sulphur WB World Bank WD Wildlife Division ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 ii TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS .................................................................................................................................... II LIST OF ABREVIATIONS ....................................................................................................................................... II LIST OF FIGURES ................................................................................................................................................. VII LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................................... VII EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... VIII 1.0 INTRODUCTION .................................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.2 JUSTIFICATION FOR THE SUB-PROJECTS....................................................................................................... 2 1.3 AIMS OF THE ESIA STUDY ............................................................................................................................. 3 1.4 STUDY METHODOLOGY.................................................................................................................................. 3 1.4.1 Field Visits .............................................................................................................................................4 1.4.2 Desktop Study and Documents/Literature Review .................................................................................5 1.4.3 Data Analysis and Reporting .................................................................................................................5 2.0 POLICY, LEGAL, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ............................... 7 2.1 RELEVANT POLICIES AND PLANS ................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY ACT, 1994 (ACT 490) ................................................................. 10 2.3 LEGISLATIVE AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ......................................................................................... 11 2.4 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL STANDARDS .................................................................................................. 18 2.5 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ..................................................................................................................... 20 2.5.1 Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation ...................................................... 20 2.5.2 Environmental Protection Agency ..................................................................................................... 20 2.5.3 Wildlife Division of Forestry Commission ......................................................................................... 20 2.6 RELEVANT WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL STANDARDS .................................................... 21 2.7 WORLD BANK ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY GUIDELINES ...................................................... 37 INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS AND REQUIREMENTS......................................................................................... 37 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND ALTERNATIVES ......................................................................... 41 3.1 PROPOSED CIVIL WORKS............................................................................................................................. 41 3.2 DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSED WORKS LOCATIONS ...................................................................................... 41 3.3 DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT CIVIL WORKS ................................................................................................... 44 3.3.1 Water Systems ...................................................................................................................................... 44 3.3.2 Game Viewing Platforms/Observatory towers..................................................................................... 44 3.3.2 Mini Cassava Processing and Other Facilities ................................................................................... 45 3.3.3 Solar Powered Borehole and Toilet Facilities ..................................................................................... 45 3.4 MAN POWER REQUIREMENTS...................................................................................................................... 46 3.5 ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED....................................................................................................................... 47 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 iii 3.5.1 Identified Alternatives .......................................................................................................................... 47 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE INFORMATION ................................................ 51 4.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 51 4.2 CLIMATE ....................................................................................................................................................... 52 4.3 GEOLOGY, SOILS, TOPOGRAPHY AND DRAINAGE ....................................................................................... 52 4.4 VEGETATION AND ANIMAL SPECIES ............................................................................................................ 53 4.4.1 Vegetation ............................................................................................................................................ 53 4.4.2 Fauna ................................................................................................................................................... 55 4.4.3 Mammals ............................................................................................................................................. 55 4.4.4 Birds..................................................................................................................................................... 56 4.4.5 Reptiles ................................................................................................................................................ 56 4.5 AIR QUALITY ................................................................................................................................................ 57 4.6 AMBIENT NOISE............................................................................................................................................ 58 4.7 SOCIO-ECONOMIC SETTING......................................................................................................................... 59 4.8 TRADITIONAL ADMINISTRATION ................................................................................................................. 65 4.9 POLITICAL ADMINISTRATION ...................................................................................................................... 65 4.10 LOCAL ECONOMY ................................................................................................................................... 67 5.0 CITIZEN/STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT ................................................................................... 69 5.1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................. 69 5.2 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION APPROACH ............................................................................................... 69 5.3 IDENTIFIED STAKEHOLDERS ........................................................................................................................ 70 5.3.1 Community leaders ............................................................................................................................. 70 5.3.2 Consultations with Municipal and District Assemblies ....................................................................... 70 6.0 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION AND PREDICTION ........................................................................... 74 6.1 IMPACT ASSESSMENT APPROACH ................................................................................................................ 74 6.2 COMMUNITY INFLUENCE AND VULNERABLE GROUPS ................................................................................. 75 6.3 CRITERIA FOR IMPACT EVALUATION .......................................................................................................... 75 6.4 MAGNITUDE OF THE IMPACT ....................................................................................................................... 77 6.5 POSITIVE IMPACTS ....................................................................................................................................... 78 6.5.1 Employment Generation ...................................................................................................................... 78 6.6 POTENTIAL NEGATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACTS .................................................................. 79 6.6.1 CONSTRUCTION PHASE IMPACTS................................................................................................................. 79 6.6.2 OPERATIONAL PHASE IMPACTS .................................................................................................... 83 7.0 IMPACT MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ................................................................... 86 7.1 TYPE OF MITIGATION MEASURES ............................................................................................................... 86 7.1.1 Preventive Measures ............................................................................................................................ 86 7.1.2 Control Measures ................................................................................................................................ 86 7.1.3 Compensatory Measures ...................................................................................................................... 87 7.2 MITIGATION MEASURES FOR SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL NEGATIVE IMPACTS........................................... 87 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 iv 7.3 MITIGATION OF CONSTRUCTION PHASE IMPACTS ..................................................................................... 88 7.3.1 Habitat and Biodiversity Protection measures .................................................................................... 88 7.3.2 Air quality control measures ................................................................................................................ 88 7.3.3 Noise reduction and vibration control measures ................................................................................. 88 7.3.4 Water contamination prevention measures.......................................................................................... 88 7.3.5 Visual Intrusion management measures .............................................................................................. 89 7.3.6 Erosion and Siltation control ............................................................................................................... 89 7.3.7 Fire hazard control and safety ............................................................................................................. 89 7.3.8 Construction Waste Management Measures ........................................................................................ 89 7.3.9 Occupational Health and Safety measures .......................................................................................... 90 7.3.10 HIV/AIDS prevention and management .................................................................................................. 90 7.3.11 Gender Based Violence, Child Abuse and Child Labour prevention measures ................................... 90 7.3.12 Child protection and Child Labour...................................................................................................... 91 7.3.13 Mitigation measures for Potential Oil contamination of Soil .............................................................. 91 7.4 MITIGATION OF OPERATIONAL PHASE MEASURES .................................................................................... 92 7.4.1 Water Quality Deterioration ................................................................................................................ 92 7.4.2 Potential Drowning Hazard/Fall from Viewing Platform prevention measures ................................. 92 7.4.3 Conflicts prevention and management measures ................................................................................. 93 7.4.4 Fire Management................................................................................................................................. 93 7.4.5 Potential Flooding and Diseases prevention and management measures ........................................... 93 8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ......................................................... 96 8.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE ESMP ......................................................................................................................... 96 8.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISK MANAGEMENT TEAM....................................................................... 96 8.3 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT STRUCTURE ........................................................................................... 97 8.3.1 Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) ....................................................................................................... 97 8.4 GENERAL HEALTH AND SAFETY PROCEDURES ........................................................................................... 98 8.5 COST OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT .............................................................................................. 100 8.6 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT DURING CONSTRUCTION PHASE ......................................................... 100 8.7 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES ......................................................... 100 8.7.1 Environmental Management Responsibilities of the Engineer .......................................................... 101 8.7.2 Environmental Management Responsibilities of the Contractor ....................................................... 101 8.8 REVIEWS BASED ON MONITORING OUTCOMES ........................................................................................ 102 8.9 PROGRAMME TO MEET REQUIREMENTS OF THE ESMP ........................................................................... 103 8.9.1 Development and Implementation of Construction Management Plan (CMP) ................................. 103 8.9.2 Adoption of Environmental, Health and Safety Management Plan ................................................... 104 8.9.3 Contractors’ ESMP (C-ESMP) .......................................................................................................... 104 8.9.4 Worker’s Training and Awareness Creation ..................................................................................... 105 8.9.5 Environmental and Social Monitoring Programme ........................................................................... 105 8.9.6 Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Chance Find Procedure ....................................................... 105 8.10 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM........................................................................................................... 106 8.10.1 Workers GRM .................................................................................................................................... 107 8.11 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BUDGETING ............................................................................................. 107 9.0 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS ............................................................................................. 115 9.1 TRAINING/CAPACITY BUILDING FOR ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY MANAGEMENT ................ 117 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 v 10.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PLAN .......................................................... 119 11.0 DECOMISSIONING ............................................................................................................................ 124 11.1 CLOSURE PROCEDURES.............................................................................................................................. 124 11.2 VEGETATIVE COVER (SEEDING) ................................................................................................................ 124 11.3 POST CLOSURE/AFTER CARE .................................................................................................................... 124 12.0 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................................... 125 13.0 REFERENCES ..................................................................................................................................... 127 14.0 ANNEXES ............................................................................................................................................. 128 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 vi LIST OF FIGURES Figure 3-1: Digya National Park and its fringe Districts .............................................................. 43 Figure 3-2: Existing Game Viewing Platform at Gbele Resource Reserve .................................. 45 Figure 4-1 : Location Map of Digya National Park ...................................................................... 51 Figure 4-2 : Soil Map of the DNP Figure 4-3 : Relief and Drainage Map of Digya National Park 53 Figure 4-4 : Vegetative Map ......................................................................................................... 55 Figure 4-5 : Communities inside and fringes of DNP .................................................................. 66 LIST OF TABLES Table 0-1: Civil Works in/around DNP and Site Characteristic ................................................... 41 Table 0-1 : Summary Results of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring .............................................. 57 Table 0-2 : Ambient Noise Level Measurements ......................................................................... 58 Table 0-1: Estimated Budget for Environmental and Social Management ................................ 107 Table 0-2: Environmental and Social Management Plan: Proposed Civil Works in and around Digya National Park .................................................................................................................... 109 Table 0-1: Institutional Roles and Responsibilities .................................................................... 115 Table 0-2: Training and Capacity Building Requirements ......................................................... 117 Table 0-1: Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan .............................................................. 120 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 vii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Background The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR are currently implementing the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) in support of targeted actions to address land degradation through the promotion of sustainable Integrated Landscape Management (ILM). Under the GLRSSMP, the EPA is responsible for landscape restoration activities while the MLNR is responsible for formalization of Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM). The GLRSSMP is funded by the World Bank / International Development Association credit, with leveraged grant financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the PROGREEN Trust Fund, and the Extractives Global Programmatic Support Trust Fund to upscale and support the Government of Ghana in sustainable land management to address land degradation in Ghana. Project Goal, Description and Alternative The goal of the six-year project is to strengthen integrated natural resource management and increase benefits to communities in targeted savannah and cocoa forest landscapes. The project involves five basic components: ▪ Component 1. Institutional Strengthening for Participatory Landscape Management. ▪ Component 2. Enhanced Governance in Support of Sustainable Artisanal Small-Scale Mining ▪ Component 3: Sustainable Crop and Forest Landscape Management ▪ Component 4: Project Monitoring and Knowledge Management ▪ Component 5: Contingency emergency response The project intends to undertake construction of a number of water systems (i.e., dugouts, mechanised boreholes and water holes), game viewing platforms, toilet facilities, mechanized solar powered borehole, for admitted settlers in the park, cassava mini processing facilities for some fringe communities and safari trails for game viewing, in and around the Digya National Park. The construction of these facilities aims to improve livelihoods of settlers both within and outside the park and contribute to the ecotourism capacity of the park. Detailed description for each of the civil works has been provided in the report. Alternatives considered include design, site, and no action scenario. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 viii Justification for the Sub-Projects The development of the civil works in and around the Digya National Park is needed to boost the ecotourism capacity of the park, the second largest and oldest in Ghana, with both blue and green potential. Farmers in the fringe communities are seen as collaborators in managing the park and reducing the exploitation of endangered resources in the park. Therefore, the development of the mini cassava processing facilities will enhance the livelihoods of these fringe communities through reduction of post-harvest losses and promoting value addition to farm produce. The provision of the sanitary facilities for admitted settlers will also enhance the environmental integrity of the park. Objectives of the Assignment The main objective of the assignment is to incorporate environmental and social (E&S) /sustainability considerations into the planning, design, construction and implementation of various proposed facilities, identify potential E&S risks and impacts, and propose measures to mitigate them. ESIA Study Methodology The approach and methodology for the ESIA study covered the following: ▪ Site inspections ▪ Analysis of project alternatives ▪ Stakeholder identification and consultations ▪ Desktop study and document/literature review ▪ Specialist surveys, sampling and data analysis ▪ Identification and assessment of potential environmental and social risks and impacts ▪ Development of environmental and social management and monitoring/management plan ▪ Reporting Policy, Legal, Regulatory and Institutional Framework The following are national laws, regulations and policies relevant to the GLRSSMP: • The Constitution of Ghana, 1992 • Forest and Wildlife Policy (2012) • Forest Development Master plan (2016 – 2036) • Ghana Forest and Plantation Strategy (2015-2040) • Food and Agricultural Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II, 2016) • Medium Term Agricultural Sector Investment Plan (METASIP, 2011-2016) • Gender and Agricultural Development Strategy (GADS II, 2023) • National Climate Change Policy (NCCP 2013) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 ix • National Land Policy (1999) • Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) • Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490) • Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) • National Environmental Policy (2010) • Forestry Commission Act of 1999 (Act 571) • Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115) • Land use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) • The Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) • Children’s Act, 1998 Amended in 2016 (Act 937) • Workman’s Compensation law, 1987 (PNDCL 187) • Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) • Ghana Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) • Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080) • Water Resources Commission Act, 1996 (Act 522) • Water Use Regulations, 2001 (LI 1692) • Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, 2016 (Act 917) • Hazardous Electronic and other Waste (Classification), Control and Management Regulations, 2016 (LI2250) National Environmental Standards The National Environmental Standards provide for permissible levels for ambient air quality, noise levels and effluent quality standards for discharge into natural water bodies. The environmental standards being adopted for this project include; ▪ Ghana Standards for Ambient air quality and point source air emissions (GS1236:2019) ▪ Ghana Standards Environmental Protection - Requirements for Effluent Discharge (GS1212:2019) ▪ Ghana Standards Health Protection - Requirements for Ambient Noise control (GS1222:2018) Relevant World Bank Environmental and Social Standards The World Bank integrates environmental and social considerations into all its investments. to ensure that adverse project risks/impacts are managed appropriately while enhancing the positive impacts. The Bank policy of ‘do no harm’ to the environment has over the years changed into ‘do good’ which presupposes that undertakings ought not to have negative environmental impacts and ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 x at the same time improve the environment through biodiversity management, waste management etc. The Environmental and Social Framework of the World Bank with its 10 standards set out the requirement for the borrower relating to the identification and assessment of environmental and social risks and impacts associated with the Bank’s investment financing of various projects. The ESF rates environmental risk of investment as either high risk, substantial risk, moderate risk or low risk. The proposed project is rated as substantial and therefore requires the preparation of this ESIA. The relevant standards applicable to the project include ESS1, ESS2, ESS3, ESS4, ESS5, ESS6, ESS8, and ESS10. Environmental and Social Baseline The proposed civil works are located in and around the Digya National Park, which spans five political/administrative districts (Sene West, Sene East, Sekyere Afram Plains, Kwahu Afram Plains North and Kwahu Afram Plains South). Digya National Park (DNP) lies largely within the Sene District of the Brong Ahafo Region. It also stretches into the Sekyere West and Afram Districts of the Ashanti and Eastern Regions respectively (Figure 4-1). It is situated between the latitudes 7o06' and 7o44’; North and longitudes 0o06' and 0o42' west and covers an area of 3478.5 km2. Three quarters of the DNP is bounded by water; on the north by the Sene River, on the east by the Volta Lake and on the southeast by the Obosum River. Digya National Park experiences an annual cycle of rainfall that is transitional in nature. The annual rainfall in the 70's from March to October averaged 1375mm, (Happold, 1973). This is comparable to the mean annual rainfall for Atebubu (1269.6mm) and Kete Krachi (1370mm) as recorded by the Meteorological Service Department (DNP Management Plan). The reserve is underlain geologically by the Voltaian system of late Precambrian to Palaeozoic age (300-1,000 M yrs). The Voltaian sandstone basin is made up of gently dipping or flat-bedded sandstone, shale and mudstone (Dickson and Benneh, 1988). The Park and the thirty-seven (37) fringe communities within the Digya landscape fall within the jurisdiction of five (5) administrative/political districts namely Sene West, Sene east, Sekyere Afram Plains, Kwahu Afram plains North and Kwahu Afram Plains South. The major economic activity of the people is farming and Fishing. The settler farmers do most of the commercial crop farming. The type of crops grown is determined by whether the area is forest or savanna land. Forestlands are primarily used to cultivate cash crops like cocoa and oil palm. Plantain and cocoyam are also grown for sale. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 xi Yam is the principal commercial crop grown in savanna lands. Maize, groundnuts and cassava are either cultivated separately or intercropped with yam. The cassava is generally dried into what is locally called "Konkonte" before it is sold. Rice is also grown where appropriate. Pepper, beans, garden eggs, tomatoes and agushie (neri) are usually cultivated by women on their husband's farms for their own benefit. Within the fishing communities, people of Ewe origin attach a lot of importance to farming of cassava, and the surplus sold to other fisher folks who do not do any farming. Nungos, Efutus and Senyas live by bartering fish for food from those who farm. Citizen/Stakeholder Engagement Citizen/Stakeholder engagement activities were carried out as an important aspect of the assessment process to specifically: • Identify concerns and expectations with the project implementation; • Assess the degree to which relevant stakeholders could be impacted by the project; • Dialogue on the main potential E&S constraints and risks requiring mitigation; • Evaluate mitigation measures and project alternatives with stakeholders; and • Dialogue on E&S opportunities and other benefits that could be enhanced. Identification of Impacts Positive Environmental and Social Impacts Among the sub-projects to be constucted, the dugouts, for example will have several positive impacts including employment generation, improved livelihoods through increased production of livestock, as water availability for watering livestock in beneficiary communities will be enhanced. Also, the facilities (viewing platforms, waterholes, camping etc.) to be built in the Digya National Park will enhance the ecotourism capacity of the park. The potential adverse impacts identified have been summarised in the table below. And to ensure that the potential negative impacts from development of the civil works are adequately managed, appropriate mitigation and enhancement measures for the significant potential adverse impacts have been proposed. These measures i.e. preventive, control and compensatory (section 7.0) have been developed based on the mitigation hierarchy which ensures that potential environmental and social impacts are avoided, reduced or compensated to acceptable levels. These preventive measures will be integrated into the project design at the pre-construction phase ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 xii Summary Risks/Mitigation Table Risks Sources Effects Mitigation Significance measure Loss of habitat and Clearing of land for Ecosystem Selective felling Protect and biodiversity construction disturbance Education of conserve workers biodiversity Air and noise Excavation during Adverse effects on Contractors will be Protect workers and Pollution construction and use workers and required to regularly community health of Obsolete community health service their equipment construction equipment and undertake water dousing to minimise the release of particulate matter and dust pollution Water Muddying of nearby Siltation of streams Implement Maintaining and contamination streams controlled ensuring quality of excavation methods stream water to reduce sediment displacement into water bodies. Where necessary, create sediment basins or traps to collect runoff and allow sediment to settle before water is discharged Visual intrusion Open construction Disturbing sights of Cordoning -off Avoiding visual sites people passing by construction sites intrusion the sites Erosion Storm water run-off Development of Construction will be Landscape integrity gullies and siltation phased, to minimize will be maintained the area of disturbance at any one time, thereby limiting erosion potential Fire Hazards Improper storage of Harm to workers, Keeping petroleum Maintain safety of petroleum products equipment and eco- products in bunded workers, equipment for equipment system and safe area and eco-system leading to leakages ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 xiii and possible explosions Disposal of Improper disposal Causing of nuisance Debris will be Avoiding conflict construction debris of construction to communities deposited at with human and debris appropriate wildlife movements locations after discussions with Park Management Transmission of Labour influx to Infection of Education of Maintaining health HIV/AIDS and construction sites HIV/Aids &STDs workers and and safety of communicable communities on workers and diseases preventive measures communities and management strategies Gender based Poor sensitisation of Abuses on women Contractors will be Human rights of violence, child workers and project and children and obliged to adhered people will be labour and child communities on engaging minors on to an established upheld abuse issues of construction sites. code of conduct GBV/SEA/SH and enshrined in their child labour and operational lack of related site documents policies An Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) has been developed in compliance with the requirements of the Ghana Environmental Assessment Regulations of 1999, (LI 1652), the relevant World Bank Environmental and Social Standards to guide the implementation of the proposed project in an environmentally sound and sustainable manner. The management commitments and the required training programmes for the sustainable implementation of the proposed projects have been presented in the ESMP. An estimated budget for the implementation of the mitigation measures including training and capacity building is indicated below. No Activity Cost/p.a (USD) 1 Implementation of mitigation measures-ESMP (see Table 9-2): • Construction Phase In contractor’s fees • Operational Phase In project’s Environment and safeguard Budget 2 Training and Capacity Building (See Table 9-2) 70,000.00 3 Environmental Auditing and Reporting: 15,000.00 Quarterly environmental, health and safety audits Returns of Monitoring Reports to EPA (In compliance with LI 1652) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 xiv Preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plan every 3 years (In compliance with LI 1652) 4 Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan 50,000.00 5 ESMP and Implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism (Existing - GLRSSM-EPA-PCU Budget) Total 135,000.00 Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan This section presents a detailed Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan (ESMP-Monitoring) to guide the monitoring of the environmental and social impacts and the implementation of mitigation and enhancement measures during the construction and operation phases. The monitoring plan will enable the EPA to confirm the effectiveness or otherwise of the mitigation measures contained in the ESIA and help enhance the effectiveness of the implementation of the mitigation measures. The monitoring plan includes identification of the responsible institutions or persons and estimated budget/cost requirements. The ESMP-Monitoring includes social and environmental protection measures/indicators addressing at a minimum: • Workers’ rights and responsible labour behaviour (including GBV/SEA/SH issues) • Prevention and identification of child labour • Induced development, both short term during construction and long term, from the presence of the Project. • Occupational health and safety requirements for workers. • Project related incidents such as traffic accidents and risks to public safety. • Waste management, including construction wastes and hazardous wastes. • Security issues including material and equipment storage and potential vandalism. • Removal of vegetation and measures for landscaping. • Ongoing information disclosure, consultation and engagement in next project phases, and • Management systems and capacity for implementing them. CONCLUSION The goal of the six-year project is to strengthen integrated natural resource management and increase benefits to communities in targeted savannah and cocoa forest landscapes. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 xv The scope of civil works has been clearly defined under the project, including construction of small-scale ecotourism infrastructure (bird hides/viewing platforms), dugouts/water holes, toilet facilities, solar powered bore holes, processing facilities in and around the DNP. The construction of these infrastructure aims to improve access to water and watering of wild animals and contribute to the development of the Digya National Park while improving the livelihoods of the fringe communities. The proposed interventions may have both positive and negative environmental and social impacts and therefore environmental and social assessment studies have been conducted in accordance with national environmental assessment regulations (LI1652) and relevant World Bank Environmental and Social Standards culminating in the preparation of this Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). Notwithstanding the above potential positive impacts, a broad range of adverse impacts on the natural and human environments could arise from the pre-construction, construction, maintenance and operation and decommissioning phases of the proposed civil works. The various civil works have been designed and will be developed in a manner that will avoid or minimize the environmental and social impacts through careful planning, designing, construction and operation. Residual negative environmental impacts are expected to be limited and easy to mitigate as appropriate mitigation measures exist and are well known to the implementing agencies. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 xvi 1.0 INTRODUCTION Ghana is largely agrarian and natural resource dependent. The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector (Ghana Living Standards Survey Report, 2015) employs about 3.3 million of the rural population; the cocoa sector is reported to employ 1 million households. Together, renewable and non-renewable natural resources contribute significantly to livelihoods for the most vulnerable rural communities. Rural employment makes up 49.1 percent (4.6 million) of total employment in Ghana. Informal employment, including a huge number of unskilled workers in agriculture and forestry, provides livelihoods for more than 70 percent of the rural population, particularly to the country’s poorest households. However, with the advent of climate change and resulting impacts and more recently, the COVID- 19 pandemic, most rural livelihoods have become stressed. It is also evident that natural resources, including land and forests will continue to serve as the vehicle for long-term inclusive growth recovery and economic empowerment. Efforts have to be made to provide alternative livelihood opportunities to the rural population, largely smallholders, to cushion them from the effects of changes in the global climate and disease patterns. In introducing such interventions, it is critical to put up infrastructure that will respond to the environmental, social and economic dynamics prevailing in the zones, and make communities more resilient. 1.1 Background The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) are currently implementing the Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) in support of targeted actions to address land degradation through sustainable Integrated Landscape Management (ILM). Under the GLRSSMP, the EPA is responsible for landscape restoration activities while the MLNR is responsible for formalization of Artisanal Small-scale Mining (ASM). The goal of the six-year project is to strengthen integrated natural resource management and increase benefits to communities in targeted savannah and cocoa forest landscapes. The GLRSSMP is funded by the World Bank / International Development Association credit, with leveraged grant financing from the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the PROGREEN Trust Fund, and the Extractives Global Programmatic Support Trust Fund to upscale and support the Government of Ghana in sustainable land management to address land degradation in Ghana. The project involves five basic components: ▪ Component 1. Institutional Strengthening for Participatory Landscape Management. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 1 ▪ Component 2. Enhanced Governance in Support of Sustainable Artisanal Small-Scale Mining ▪ Component 3: Sustainable Crop and Forest Landscape Management ▪ Component 4: Project Monitoring and Knowledge Management ▪ Component 5. Contingent Emergency Response Component However, the sub-project activities being covered by the ESIA for the DNP fall under the component three (3) of the GLRSSMP. The component aims to link improved food production and ecological integrity. Among others, the component activities are directed towards supporting income generation and income diversification at community levels, with a view to integrated natural resource management in target cocoa and savannah landscapes. In this regard, facilities to be constructed include water systems (waterholes), game viewing platforms and safari trails within the park, boreholes and toilet facilities for admitted settlements within the park; and dugouts and mini cassava processing facilities in some fringe communities. This Environmental and Social Impact Statement (ESIA) has been prepared as part of the Ghana EPA regulatory requirements for decision making and environmental permitting. This ESIA includes an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) which will be used in the preparation of bid documents for the selection of Contractor(s) for the execution of the project and will be required to integrate the recommended mitigation measures through the construction phase of the civil works. 1.2 Justification for the Sub-Projects Tourism continues to be a major earner to many countries especially in Eastern Africa and can also enhance livelihoods of communities around these tourist sites. The Digya National Park is one of the developing ecotourism sites in Ghana and has the potential to increase the tourist visits especially with its unique location, surrounded by the Sene River. It is the second largest national park and the oldest protected area in Ghana. The development of the civil works in and around the DNP is needed to boost the ecotourism capacity of the park. The development of the mini processing facilities will enhance livelihoods through reduction of post-harvest losses and value addition of farmers in the fringe communities who are seen as collaborators in managing the park and reduce the exploitation of endangered resources in the park. The provision of the sanitary facilities for admitted settlers will also enhance the environmental integrity of the park. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 2 1.3 Aims of the ESIA Study The ultimate aim of the ESIA studies is to integrate environmental and social considerations into the sub-project design and to assess and predict potential adverse social and environmental impacts and to develop appropriate mitigation measures. Specific objectives of the assignment are to: a. Delineate and describe the project components and activities; these activities fall under component three including waterholes, game viewing platforms, safari trails and mini cassava processing facilities. b. Characterise the valued environmental and social environments (fundamental elements of the physical, biological or socio-economic environment, including land use that may be affected by the proposed project); i.e biodiversity critical habitats, streams and movements of admitted settlers etc. c. Identify and assess potential environmental and social impacts that are likely to emanate from the construction, operation and decommissioning of the civil works (civil works to be constructed) d. Recommend feasible and cost-effective measures and processes to respectively mitigate or enhance potential adverse and positive environmental and social impacts that could result from construction, operation and decommissioning of the civil works; e. Prepare an Environmental and Social Management and Monitoring Plan (ESMMP) for mitigating the potential environmental and social impacts (including preventing Child Labour, Gender-based Violence (GBV), Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA), and Sexual (SH) Harassment) of the proposed interventions and for monitoring the effectiveness of the mitigation measures, and f. Integrate environmental and social considerations into the technical engineering designs of the civil works and inform the implementation of sustainable measures during the construction, operation and decommissioning of the civil works. 1.4 Study Methodology The approach and methodology for the ESIA study covered the following: ▪ Field visits and sites inspection ▪ Analysis of project alternatives ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 3 ▪ Stakeholder identification and consultations ▪ Desktop study and document/literature review ▪ Specialist Surveys, Sampling and data analysis ▪ Identification and assessment of environmental and social impacts ▪ Development of environmental and social management and monitoring plan ▪ Reporting 1.4.1 Field Visits Field visits and inspection of sites selected for various sub-projects were undertaken as part of the preparation of the ESIA report. Consultations with major stakeholders were undertaken during this exercise to the project districts (Sene West, Sekyere Afram plains, Kwahu Afram Plains North and Kwahu Afram plains South) to sensitize major stakeholders including Beneficiary Agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies (MMDAs), the Digya National Park Managers and Rangers and fringe communities within the project area. The citizen engagement and stakeholder consultation took place from the period, 21st to 30th January 2024. The purpose of the team visit was to ▪ assess the baseline conditions of the proposed sites for the civil works ▪ gather relevant data and have first-hand information for the preparation of the report ▪ consult with relevant stakeholders for their feedback to enrich the ESIA List of team members involve in the visits are presented in table 1.1 (annex 1) Community leaders in fringe communities (Dome, Lassi, Tato, Apapasu etc.) i.e. Chiefs, opinion leaders, and assembly members have been involved in decision making processes. Other groups in the beneficiary communities such as women, and other vulnerable groups were also engaged. These groups were given information on all aspects of the project intervention including the benefits, challenges and their obligation to the successful implementation of the project. Methods used to achieve this included focus group discussions and public announcements using existing community channels of information dissemination. Details of consultation outcomes, stakeholder concerns, and how their concerns informed the design and implementation of the sub-projects are contained in chapter 5 of this report. The separate Stakeholder Engagement Plan prepared for the GLRSSMP provided guidance to the stakeholder engagement during the field visits. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 4 1.4.2 Desktop Study and Documents/Literature Review As part of preparation of the ESIA, relevant documents have been reviewed to provide insight into the proposed civil works. These include the following: ▪ Existing reports/documents, maps and data related to the execution of the Project. • Existing field designs under the Sustainable Land and Water Management Project ▪ Design for Waterholes ▪ Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) Environmental and Social Screening of selected civil works, Screening Report Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ▪ International Development Association Project Appraisal Document for Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project August 10, 2021 ▪ Environmental Protection Agency/Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (P171933) Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), February 2021 ▪ Environmental Protection Agency and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (P171933) Negotiated Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), June 27, 2021 ▪ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) Project Implementation Manual (PIM), June 2021 ▪ Centre pour le Développement de la Production Faunique Wildlife Production Development Centre, Inception Report, 30 December 2023 ▪ Centre pour le Développement de la Production Faunique Wildlife Production Development Centre, Site Evaluation and Summary Construction Plan, Community : Sakalo, Site: Sata Optimised Dugout, 31 January, 2024 1.4.3 Data Analysis and Reporting A collation and analyses of relevant data, pieces of information extracted from the desktop study / literature review, field visits and environmental media sampling have been carried out to produce this draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The ESIA has been presented and organized under the following headings ▪ Executive Summary ▪ Introduction ▪ Description of the Proposed Project and Alternatives ▪ Policy, Legal and Regulatory Framework ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 5 ▪ Description of the Baseline Biophysical and Socio-Economic Environments ▪ Citizen Engagement and Stakeholder Consultation ▪ Identification of Potential Impacts ▪ Mitigation and Enhancement Measures ▪ Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) ▪ Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan ▪ Conclusion ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 6 2.0 POLICY, LEGAL, REGULATORY AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK National and sector legislation and policies relevant to the development of the civil works under the GLRSSMP have been reviewed in this section. Also, institutional requirements, World Bank Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) and national environmental quality standards for the management of environmental and social issues potentially associated with the proposed interventions have been considered. 2.1 Relevant Policies and plans The relevant national policies and plans to guide the implementation of the project include the following • National Environmental Policy, 2012; • National Land Policy, 1999; • National Water Policy, 2007; • National Climate Change Policy, 2013; • National Gender Policy, 2015; • Ghana Accelerated Action Plan Against Child Labour (2023-2027) • Riparian Buffer Zone Policy, 2014; • National Environmental Action Plan/Policy, 1994 • National Workplace HIV/AIDS Policy; and • Forest and Wildlife Policy, 2012 A detailed narrative of the applicable Ghana laws/policies, World Bank environmental and social standards and relevant international treaties, conventions and protocols are presented in this document. Table 2-1 : Relevant Policies and Applicability No Policies/Plans Applicability to the project 1 National Environmental Policy, 2012 The ultimate aim of the Policy is to improve the surroundings, The proposed project seeks to living conditions and the quality of life of the entire citizenry, both promote sustainable development present and future. It seeks to promote sustainable development by including economic, social and through ensuring a balance between economic development and environmental considerations natural resource conservation. The policy thus makes a high-quality environment a key element supporting the country’s economic and social development ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 7 2 National Land Policy, 1999 The key aspects of the policy relevant to the project include: The Some of the civil works are in the use of any land in Ghana for sustainable development, the protected area that is Digya protection of water bodies and the environment and any other National Park, whiles others are in socioeconomic activity will be determined through national land the fringe communities. The use planning guidelines based on sustainable principles in the long- implementation of the project will term national interest. Land categories outside Ghana's permanent conform to the environmental laws forest and wildlife estates are available for such uses as agriculture, of the country which includes the timber, mining and other extractive industries, and human conduct of environmental and settlement within the context of a national land use plan. All land social impact assessment and and water resources development activities must conform to obtaining an environmental permit the environmental laws in the country and where Environmental from the EPA Impact Assessment report is required this must be provided. Environmental protection within the 'polluter pays' principle will be enforced 3 National Water Policy, 2007 The project's Environmental and The objective of Section 2.2.3 Focus Area 3 –Water for Food Social Management Plan (ESMP) Security is to ensure availability of water in sufficient quantity and will include mitigation measures quality for the cultivation of food crops, watering of livestock and against over- exploitation of water sustainable freshwater fisheries to achieve sustainable food security resources potentially arising from for the country. The relevant policy measures and/or actions to be the development of boreholes and undertaken include: encouraging efficient water from the dugout also against water pollution which for livestock watering to ensure conservation of water could emanate from construction activities or waste management at the operation phase and use of other chemicals in riparian zones. 4 National Environmental Action Plan/Policy, 1994 The National Environmental Action Plan was initiated to define a The design and implementation of set of policy actions, related investments and institutional the proposed civil work will take strengthening activities that would make Ghana’s development into consideration measures to strategy more environmentally sustainable. The Plan formulated a promote the sustainable use of national environmental policy as the framework for implementing natural resources and ensure the Action Plan. The Policy aims at ensuring a sound management environmental management. of resources and the environment and to avoid any exploitation of these resources in a manner that might cause irreparable damage to the environment. Specifically, it provides for maintenance of ecosystems and ecological processes essential for the functioning of the biosphere, sound management of natural resources and the environment, and protection of humans, animals and plants and their habitats. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 8 5 National Climate Change Policy, 2013 The civil works seek to build the The Policy is built on seven (7no.) systematic pillars and the resilience of beneficiary objective of the Policy is to mitigate and ensure an effective communities by adding value to adaptation in key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and the primary product i.e. mini food security, natural resources management, energy, industry and cassava processing facility, the infrastructure among others. The objective is to build climate waterholes will also ensure that resilient technology wildlife is not impacted negatively through water stress 6 Buffer Zone Policy, 2014 The policy aims at providing comprehensive measures and actions The project will ensure that the that would guide the creation of vegetative buffers for the necessary buffer distances are preservation and functioning of the nation’s water bodies and vital observed around Digya and ecosystems. Obosom rives 7 Ghana Accelerated Action Plan Against Child Labour The project will raise awareness on (2023-2027) what child labour is in the The Plan aims to strengthen communities and awareness raising communities, ensure clear labour and behavioural change to prevent and remediate child labour, standards for civil works, including decent youth employment and skills development. Priority sectors age-verification and awareness, of relevance for the GLSRSSMP and civil works activities where and collaborate with mandated child labour needs to be proactively identified and prevented ministries to monitor, identify and include child labor in street hawking, begging and porterage help remediate any potential cases which could happen around work-sites, illegal Small-Scale Mining of child labour that might occur. (“galamsey�) and Quarrying which could take place in mining sites covered by the project, and transportation i.e. driving tricycle and small van, commercial sex exploitation of children, type of exploitation of children which could be occurring around project sites as a result of an increase in works and economic activities in the area. 8 National Gender Policy, 2015 The National Gender Policy aims at mainstreaming gender equality The project will mainstream gender concerns into the national development processes by improving the issues including not discriminating social, legal, civic, political, economic and socio-cultural against women and the vulnerable conditions of the people of Ghana. It also seeks to empower the in the local communities. The vulnerable groups particularly women, children, and people with ESMP has special needs such as persons with disabilities and the marginalized made provisions for managing GBV risks/issues. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 9 9 National Workplace HIV/AIDS Policy The broad objectives of the National Workplace HIV/AIDS Policy, The project duration will be among others, are to provide protection from discrimination in the short-term and use just a few workplace to people living with HIV and AIDS; prevent HIV and migrant workers for some of the AIDS spread among workers; and provide care, support and facilities. This will reduce the counselling for those infected and affected. The project will potential for HIV spread but an institute a plan of action to prevent HIV/AIDS spread through HIV policy will be provided as awareness creation. required by the national policy. 10 Forest and Wildlife Policy, 2012 The policy aims at the conservation and sustainable The proposed civil works align development of forest and wildlife resources for the with the objectives of the policy. . maintenance of environmental stability and continuous flow of The construction of waterholes will optimum benefits from the socio-cultural and economic goods help conserve wildlife due water and services that the forest environment provides to the present availability for wildlife watering. and future generations whilst fulfilling Ghana's commitments The construction of facilities like under international agreements and conventions. The policy game viewing platforms, safari among others seeks to consolidate good governance through trails etc. will also promote accountability and transparency, enhance active participation ecotourism and provision of basic of communities and land owners in resource management and facilities for admitted settlements addressing issues on tree tenure and benefit sharing, promote and fringe communities will small and medium forest and wildlife enterprises as a means of enhance community participation. job creation for the rural and urban poor, and promote ecotourism development 2.2 Environmental Protection Agency act, 1994 (Act 490) The Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490) is the main legislation for ESIA studies in Ghana. The Act grants the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) enforcement and standards- setting powers, and the power to ensure compliance with the Ghana environmental assessment requirements/procedures. Additionally, the EPA is required to create environmental awareness and build environmental capacity among all sectors. The EPA, including its Regional and District Offices, is also vested with the power to determine what constitutes an ‘adverse effect on the environment’ or an activity posing ‘a serious threat to the environment or public health’, to require environmental assessments and environmental management plans of an undertaking, and to regulate and serve enforcement notices for any offending or non-complying undertaking. The EPA is required to conduct monitoring to verify compliance with given approval/permit conditions, required environmental standards and mitigation commitments. The Environmental Assessment (EA) Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) combine both assessment and environmental management systems. The regulations prohibit commencing an undertaking / activity without prior registration and an environmental permit (EP). Undertakings are grouped ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 10 into schedules for ease of screening and registration and environmental permitting. The schedules include undertakings requiring registration and EP (Schedule 1), EIA mandatory undertakings (Schedule 2), as well as Schedule 5-relevant undertakings (located in Environmentally Sensitive Areas). The proposed civil works in the Digya National Park falls under schedule 5. The Regulations also define the relevant stages and actions, including registration, screening, preliminary environmental assessment, scoping and terms of reference (ToR), environmental impact assessment, review of EA reports, public notices and hearings, environmental permitting and certification, fee payments, environmental management plan, suspension/revocation of permit and complaints/appeals. Under the EA Procedures it is required that an Environmental Impact Statement is prepared by the proponent to clearly present an assessment of the impacts of the proposed project on the environment based on the terms of reference as stipulated in the scoping report. The EA Procedures requires that potential direct and indirect impacts of the project on the environment covering the pre-construction, construction, operation, decommissioning and post decommissioning stages are addressed. 2.3 Legislative and Regulatory Framework The project will be implemented and guided by relevant legal and legislative frameworks to ensure sustainability and compliance. They include the following • Environmental Protection Act, 1994 (Act 490) • Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) • Forestry Commission Act, 1999 (Act 571) • Mining and Minerals Act, 2006 (Act 703) • Land use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) • Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) • The Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) • Workman’s Compensation law, 1987 (PNDCL 187) • Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) • Ghana Disability Act, 2006 (Act 715) • Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080) • Water Resources Commission Act, 1996 (Act 522) • Water Use Regulations, 2001 (LI 1692) • Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, 2016 (Act 917) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 11 • Hazardous Electronic and other Waste (Classification), Control and Management Regulations, 2016 (LI2250) • Wildlife Resource Management Act 2023 (Act 1115) • Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) • Children’s Act, 1998 Amended in 2016 (Act 937) • The Child Labour Hazardous Activity Framework (2021) • Wild Animals Preservation Act 1961 (Act 43) • Wildlife Conservation Regulation, 1971 (L.I. 685) • National Building Regulations, 1996 (LI 1630) • Ghana Building Code (GhBC; GS 1207), 2018 • Factories, Offices and Shops Act, 1970 (Act 328) • Ghana National Fire Service Act, 1997 (Act 537) • Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations, 2003 (LI1724) The relevance of the above listed legislative and regulatory framework is provided in the table below Table 2-2 : Relevant Legal Framework and their applicability No Legal Framework and Key Compliance Requirement Applicability to Proposed project 1 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1994, Act 490 The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1994 The project will be in compliance (Act 490) gives a mandate to the Agency to ensure with the Environmental compliance of all investments and undertakings with laid Assessment down Environmental Assessment (EA) procedures in the (EA) procedures for approval of planning and execution of development projects, including the EPA. compliance in respect of existing ones. The Environmental The proposed project will Protection Agency (EPA) Act 490 Section 12 of 1994 involve the clearing of confers enforcement and control powers on the EPA to vegetation and generation and compel existing companies to submit environmental or disposal of waste. Also, an EPA pollution management plans on their operations as a permit will be obtained management tool for effective pollution control. The EPA is the responsible for issuing environmental permits for operations such as this project subject to EPA review 2 Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999, LI 1652 The Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999 (LI The project will be guided by LI 1652) enjoins any proponent or person to register an 1652 including registering project ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 12 No Legal Framework and Key Compliance Requirement Applicability to Proposed project undertaking with the Agency and obtain an Environmental with the EPA and obtaining an Permit prior to the commencement of the project. This environmental permit. regulation allows the EPA to place proposed undertakings at the appropriate level of environmental assessment. The LI 1652 seeks to ensure that development is undertaken in a sustainable environment 3 Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2022 (Act 1080) The Fees and Charges (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, The processing and permit fees 2022 (Act 1080) sets out the fee regime for processing and are required for initial issuing environmental permits, in line with the registration, and permit issuance Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999, (LI1652). respectively 4 Water Resources Commission Act, 1996 (Act 522) It establishes and mandates the Water Resources The dugouts and bore holes will Commission (WRC) as the sole agency responsible for the be constructed in compliance regulation and management of the utilisation of water with this requirement. The PCU resources and for the co-ordination of any policy in with the approval of the ESIA relation to them. Section 13 prohibits the use of water will secure environmental and (divert, dam, store, abstract or use water resources or water permits from EPA and construct or maintain any works for the use of water WRC respectively resources) without authority. Section 16 empowers the Commission to grant Water Rights (water use permits) to prospective users. The Act states under Section 24 that any person who pollute 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. 5 Water Use Regulations, 2001 (LI 1692) The PCU will ensure compliance The Water Use Regulations 2001, LI 1692 prohibits the with this regulation by obtaining use of water resources without authority from the Water the necessary permits. The Resources Commission. It provides procedures for approval of the ESIA report is allocating permits for various water uses including required for these permits. domestic, commercial, municipal, industrial, agricultural, power generation, water transportation, fisheries (aquaculture), environmental, recreational and underwater (wood) harvesting. The Act provides under section 16 for any person to apply to the Commission in writing for the grant of water right. The Regulations also prescribe the raw water charges and processing fees to be paid by ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 13 No Legal Framework and Key Compliance Requirement Applicability to Proposed project prospective water users with respect to the water use permits. The Commission is also mandated to request for evidence that an environmental impact assessment or an environmental management plan has been approved by the EPA before issuance of the Water Use Permit 6 Local Governance Act, 2016 (Act 936) This Act establishes and regulates the local government Technical advice will be sought system and gives authority to the Regional Coordinating from the Physical Planning Council (RCC) and the District Assembly to exercise Department of the District political and administrative power in the regions and Assembly on the siting of dugouts districts respectively. This includes initiation of and processing facilities. The development programmes as well as development, department will advise and assist improvement and management of human settlements and the PCU to secure site plans and the environment through departments such as the zoning for the sites where, these Environmental Health (EHD) and Social Welfare and facilities will be constructed. Community Development (SWCD)Departments 7 Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036) The Land Act provides a This Act harmonises and consolidates the laws on framework to guide the project land, to ensure sustainable land administration and proponent in the acquisition of management, effective and secure land tenure. It also land for facilities to be provides for related matters. constructed in the fringe communities. It also defines the various approaches the state (including the project proponent) may acquire land for public purposes, including gifts or voluntary donations of land to the state. Furthermore, it provides for how the land so acquired should be documented, and registered etc. 8 The Children's Act 1998 Amended in 2016 (Act 937) It seeks to reform and consolidate the law relating to Provisions against exploiting children, provide for the child's rights, maintenance, and child labour have been included adoption, regulate child labour and apprenticeship for in the ESMP ancillary matters concerning children generally, and to provide for related matters. Section 87 of this Act states, "No person shall subject a child to exploitative labour". Therefore, no project activities shall engage children ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 14 No Legal Framework and Key Compliance Requirement Applicability to Proposed project below the legal working age (18 years for hazardous work). 9 Wild Animals Preservation Act 1961 (Act 43) The Act provides for the protection of selected animals The project activity will not through restrictions on export and hunting of scheduled trigger this regulation. species. This empowers the President to exercise the overall control over wildlife and also provides for the creation of Wildlife Reserves. 10 Wildlife Conservation Regulation, 1971 (L.I. 685) The Wildlife Conservation Regulation provides for The project will contribute to the hunting restrictions in relation to different species of conservation of wildlife by animals which are classified into wholly and partly ensuring that the Contractor will protected animals. have the responsibility to educate The Regulation further prohibits hunting without a license and control workers against and exporting game or trophies without permit and actions that will disturb wildlife provides for rules and procedures in relation to game i.e. unauthorised hunting of licenses and export permits. Lastly rules of operation for animals game officers are included in the regulation. 11 Wildlife Resources Management Act, 2023 (Act 1115) The Wildlife Resources Management Act aims to promote Some of the project interventions sustainable wildlife management, conservation, and will be managed by the two community involvement in protecting Ghana's CREMAs that will be established biodiversity. It sets clear guidelines for wildlife protection, in the fringes of the Digya licensing, and enforcement to safeguard the country's National Park, precisely the Sene natural heritage for future generations. The Act outlines West and Kwahu-Afram Plains the functions of the Forestry Commission, including south sections of the park managing protected areas, establishing advisory committees, and promoting sustainable tourism development within these areas, while ensuring environmental safeguards and community involvement. Additionally, it assists local communities in establishing and managing Community Resource Management Areas (CREMAs), enforces regulations on hunting and trading of wildlife, and represents the government in international wildlife conventions. It establishes Protected Area Management Advisory Committees for each area to integrate local community needs and ensure conservation efforts align with national objectives 12 National Building Regulations, 1996 (LI 1630) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 15 No Legal Framework and Key Compliance Requirement Applicability to Proposed project The National Building Regulations, 1996 (LI 1630) make The project will involve it an offence for any individual to undertake any development of infrastructure development without the acquisition of a Building Permit particularly the mini processing from the appropriate authority. This ensures that buildings facilities and the necessary are well planned and are in conformity with the building permit will be acquired Assembly’s plan designs of an area. The LI 1630 ensures that buildings are well planned, consistent with the Assembly’s spatial plan for an area. 13 Ghana Building Code (GhBC; GS 1207), 2018 The Ghana Building Code sets out the requirements, The project activities will be recommendations, planning, management and practices undertaken according to the that will lead to the country's smooth operation and specification of the Ghana construction of residential and non-residential buildings. Building Code. 14 Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) The Land Use and Spatial Planning Act, 2016 (Act 925) The project design will be guided regulates land use through a decentralised planning system by planning schemes and local to ensure judicious use of land in order to improve quality plan guides developed by the of life, promote health and safety in respect of human Land Use and Spatial Planning settlements and generally provide for spatial aspects of Departments/District Assemblies socio-economic development and related matters. 154 Labour Act, 2003 (Act 651) The Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) Section 118(1) stipulates Construction activities could that it is the duty of an employer to ensure that result in injuries and fatalities. satisfactory, safe and healthy conditions are provided for HSE issues will be duly assessed every worker. Under these provisions, a worker is required and mitigated against in the to report situations that he believes may pose “an imminent proposed ESMP for the project and serious danger to his or her life, safety or health 16 Workmen’s Compensation Law, 1987 (PNDCL 187) It is to provide for the payment of compensation to The Labour policy and workmen for personal injuries caused by accidents arising employment contracts will out and in the course of their employment. The tenets of provide for workmen the law place a large share of the burden of supporting compensation in the event of workers injured at the workplace on the shoulders of the injury. employers. 17 The Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) The Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) is an Act to revise Measures will be put in place to and consolidate the law relating to public health to prevent ensure project activities do not disease, promote, safeguard, maintain and protect the cause any public health risks to ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 16 No Legal Framework and Key Compliance Requirement Applicability to Proposed project health of humans and animals and to provide for related humans and animals in matters. accordance with the Act. 18 The Persons with Disability Act 2006. (Act 715) An Act to provide for persons with disability, to establish a The project will comply with this National Council on Persons with Disability and to provide Act and ensure that there is no for related matters. Provisions include the right to a family discrimination against disabled life and participation in social, creative or recreational persons. Non-discrimination activities; the prohibition of differentia treatment for policies will be put in place and residential purposes, the right to the same living conditions enforced, including ensuring that as persons without disability when persons with disability infrastructure developed are are placed in special institutions. No exploitation, abuse, accessible by people with discrimination or disrespect to persons with disability, disabilities appropriate facilities when involved in court proceedings; and access to public places. 19 Hazardous and Electronic Waste Control and Management Act, 2016 (Act 917) The Hazardous and Electronic Waste and Control Act Substances hazardous to health 2016 (Act 917) provides list of hazardous and other waste. such as waste oils and residual It also provides control, management and disposal of chemicals will be disposed of electrical and electronic waste. Hazardous waste generally properly refers to waste with properties that makes it potentially dangerous or harmful to human health or the environment and they include liquids, solids or gases which cannot be treated or disposed of by common mean 20 Hazardous, Electronic and Other Wastes (Classification) Regulations,2016 (LI2250) The purpose of these Regulations is to (a) regulate the Management of hazardous classification control and management of waste: (b) waste e.g. chemicals or other establish a mechanism and procedure for the listing of toxic wastes will be guided by the waste management activities that do not Schedules in LI2250 require a Waste Management Permit; (c) prescribe requirements for the establishment of take-back systems, (d) prescribe requirements and timeframes for the management of wastes listed in the First Schedule; (e) prescribe general duties of waste generators, waste transporters and waste managers; and (f) prescribe requirements for the disposal of wastes 21 Factories, Offices and Shops Act, 1970 (Act 328) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 17 No Legal Framework and Key Compliance Requirement Applicability to Proposed project The Act requires all proponents to register every Processing facilities will be factory/workplace with the Chief Inspector of Factories operated in accordance with this Inspectorate Division (FID), report accidents, dangerous Act. Accidents/incidents will be occurrences and industrial diseases, post in a prominent captured in the HSE policy. Also, position in every factory the prescribed abstract of the relevant safety notices will be Act and other notices and documentations, as well as posted at vantage points. outlines the regulations to safeguard the health and safety of worker 22 Ghana National Fire Service Act, 1997 (Act 537) The Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) Act, 1997 (Act Fire incidents are common in 537) re- established the National Fire Service to provide Ghana and in the project area so for the management of undesired fires and to make the Fire Service will be engaged provision for related matters. The objective of the Service to provide education/ is to prevent and manage undesired fire. For the purpose of sensitization on fire prevention achieving its objective, the Service shall organise public and fighting as part of the overall fire education programmes to create and sustain awareness project implementation of the hazards of fire, heighten the role of the individual in the prevention of fire and provide technical advice for building plans in respect of machinery and structural layouts to facilitate escape from fire, rescue operations and fire management. 23 Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations, 2003 (LI1724) The Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations 2003 (LI Fire certificates will be obtained 1724) requires all premises intended for use as workplaces for the processing facilities to have Fire Certificates 24 Child Labour Hazardous Activity Framework, 2021 The project will ensure through Defines light work permitted to children under the the contractors that employment minimum age of employment and hazardous work and hazardous work is prohibited prohibited to children under 18. for children under 18 during constructional activities 2.4 National Environmental Standards The National Environmental Standards provide for permissible levels for ambient air quality, noise levels and effluent quality standards for discharge into natural water bodies. The environmental standards being adopted for this project include; ▪ Ghana Standards for Ambient air quality and point source air emissions (GS1236:2019) ▪ Ghana Standards Environmental Protection - Requirements for Effluent Discharge (GS1212:2019) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 18 ▪ Ghana Standards Health Protection - Requirements for Ambient Noise control (GS1222:2018) ▪ Ghana Standards for Environment and Health Protection - Requirements for Motor Vehicle Emissions (GS1219, 2018) Table 2-3 : Ghana Standards and their relevance No. Standard Applicability 1 Ghana Standard for Environmental Protection - Requirements for Effluent Discharge (GS1212, 2019) Ghana Standard for Environmental Protection - Effluent from the operational Requirements for Effluent Discharge (GS1212, phase emanating from mini 2019); specifies requirements for sector specific cassava processing facilities effluent quality and also gives guideline discharge will be managed as specified into the environment. in the proposed ESMP 2 Ghana Standards for Environment and Health Protection -Requirements for Ambient Air Quality and Point Source/Stack Emissions (GS 1236, 2019) Ghana Standards for Environment and Health Dust and vehicular emissions Protection - Requirements for Ambient Air Quality will be controlled as specified and Point Source/Stack Emissions (GS 1236, 2019) in the proposed ESMP specifies the requirements and methods of analysis for ambient air. It also specifies the requirements and test methods for point source or stack emissions based on the sources of energy. 3 Ghana Standards for Health Protection - Requirements for Ambient Noise Control (GS 1222, 2018) Ghana Standards for Health Protection - Noise generated at both the Requirements for Ambient Noise Control (GS 1222, construction and operation 2018) specifies the requirements for acceptable stages will be monitored as ambient noise levels within categorized locations. stated in the proposed ESMP According to the Standards, the test method should be to ensure it does not exceed in accordance with the relevant test methods given in acceptable limits GS 1253:2018 (Acoustics- Guide for the measurement of outdoor A-weighted sound levels ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 19 4 Ghana Standards for Environment and Health Protection - Requirements for Motor Vehicle Emissions (GS1219, 2018) Ghana Standards for Environment and Health Vehicles for transportation of Protection - Requirements for Motor Vehicle materials and workers will Emissions specifies the requirements for exhaust produce fumes but will be emissions of motor vehicles as well as tractors, farm managed with regular equipment, mobile industrial /construction machines maintenance as stipulated in (such as excavators) the proposed ESMP 2.5 Institutional Framework 2.5.1 Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation The Ministry is the parent ministry that oversees the activities of the EPA and is responsible for formulating policies aimed at safeguarding the country’s environment and ensuring accelerated socio-economic development of the nation through the formulation of sound policies and a regulatory framework to promote the use of appropriate, environmentally friendly, scientific and technological practices and techniques. Specific medium-term objectives include: • Intensification of the application of safe and sound environmental practices • Development and promotion of a science and technology culture at all levels of society; and strengthening of compliance of human settlements standards in communities. 2.5.2 Environmental Protection Agency The EPA is a statutory body mandated to deal with environmental protection and regulation of environmental issues and its related purposes and it is also an implementing Agency for the GLRSSMP. The EPA coordinates other beneficiary agencies who are part of the implementation and is the main proponent of these civil works. 2.5.3 Wildlife Division of Forestry Commission The Wildlife Division (WD) is one of the three divisions of the Forestry Commission and it is a beneficiary agency under the GLRSMMP. The mission of WD is to ensure conservation, sustainable management and development of Ghana’s wildlife resources for socio-economic benefit to all segments of society. It has the mandate to conserve wildlife in Ghana in general and manage wildlife protected areas in particular within representative ecological zones of the country. The Division will manage the infrastructure that will be constructed within the Digya National Park and its fringes. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 20 2.6 Relevant World Bank Environmental and Social Standards The World Bank, through the development of its Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), sets out standards to be applied to an investment. The ten standards replace the former operational policies that guided project implementation. The ten Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) set out the obligations that a project must comply with throughout its life cycle. Among these, eight (8) are triggered by the project and they are discussed below: ESS 1-assessment and management of environmental and social risks and effects: it calls for an environmental and social assessment that is proportionate to the risks and effects of the Projects to ensure that the Projects are environmentally and socially viable and sustainable. This assessment will serve as a basis for Project design and will help to identify mitigation measures and actions and improve decision-making. ESS 2-Labour and working conditions: it defines, within the framework of the jobs created by the Project, inter alia, conditions for fair treatment and equal opportunity, the obligation to prevent the use of forced labour and child labour, to protect and secure Project workers, especially those who are vulnerable such as women, disabled persons, etc., and to ensure that the Project can meet the requirements of the ESS2 ESS 3-Rational Use of Resources, Prevention and Management of Pollution: This standard recognizes that economic activity is often the source of air, water and soil pollution and depletes already limited resources. It calls for 1- Promoting the sustainable use of resources, including energy, water and raw materials; 2- Avoiding or minimizing the adverse effects of the Project on human health and the environment by avoiding or minimizing pollution from Project activities; 3- Avoiding or minimizing emissions of short- and long-lived air pollutants associated with the Project; 4- Avoiding or minimizing the generation of hazardous and non-hazardous waste. ESS 4 Community health and safety of the population: It addresses the risks and effects of the Project on the health, safety and security of Persons Affected by the Project (PAPs), and the Proponent's responsibility to avoid or minimize these risks and effects, with particular attention to vulnerable groups. The proponent is responsible for "1-Preventing or avoiding adverse effects on the health and safety of people affected by the Project throughout the Project, whether in normal or exceptional circumstances; 2-Encouraging the consideration of quality and safety considerations and climate change issues in the design and construction of infrastructure, including dams; 3- Avoid or minimize community exposure to risks related to Project traffic and road safety, diseases and hazardous materials; 4- Implement effective measures to deal with emergency ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 21 situations; 5- Ensure that the protection of personnel and property avoids or minimizes risks to communities affected by the Project". ▪ Annex 1 of ESS 4: "Dam Safety": It imposes specific safety measures for dams, including the recruitment of independent, experienced and competent professionals to supervise the design and construction of new dams or to inspect and assess the safety level of the existing or under construction dam, their operation and maintenance procedures, and make recommendations for any refurbishment or safety measures necessary to bring the existing or under construction dam to an acceptable level of safety. It is mentioned that "dam safety reports" will have to be prepared, ESS 5-land acquisition, land use restrictions and forced resettlement: which is the standard of reference in the event of population displacements necessitated by the Project. ESS 5 advocates the avoidance or, failing that, the minimization of physical or economic displacement through a rigorous and careful study of the various Project design options. Where displacement cannot be avoided, ESS 5 provides the mechanisms for carrying out the process in a participatory manner with a view to achieving peaceful, sustainable and mutually acceptable resettlement and compensation solutions. It also states that displaced populations should receive "prompt compensation for the replacement cost of their property" and that the Project should "help displaced persons to improve, or at least restore in real terms, their livelihoods and standard of living prior to their displacement or prior to the commencement of Project implementation". ESS 5 also provides for handling instances of land acquisition where people or communities willingly donate a portion of their land for project purposes, for no compensation or reduced compensation. Voluntary land donations may involve some monetary or nonmonetary benefits or incentives provided to the land donor by the project or by community members benefiting from a project. Both can be broadly classified as a voluntary land donation, because the transfer of assets takes place without payment of compensation at replacement value. . Such situations will be considered subject to the World Bank’s Voluntary Land Donation Protocol and prior Bank approval. In any case, the following conditions and requirements, as foreseen in ESS5, should be verified, demonstrated and documented: 1. the potential donor or donors have been appropriately informed and consulted about the project and the choices available to them; 2. potential donors are aware that refusal is an option, and have confirmed in writing their willingness to proceed with the donation; 3. no household relocation is involved; 4. the donor is expected to benefit directly from the project; and 5. for community or collective land, donation can only occur with the consent of individuals using or occupying the land. 6. All family members (including spouses) must be aware of the donation, in order to minimize the risks of women users of the land to be donated being passed over in decision- making on land donation and the risks of cross-generational conflicts being avoided. 7. Individuals using or occupying community or collective lands must also be aware of the donation to minimize risks of settlers or migrants being passed over in decision-making on land donation. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 22 8. The PCU establishes that the land to be donated is free of encumbrances and encroachment and 9. registers the donated land in an official land registry (i.e., the Lands Commission in this case) 10. Any donated land that is not used for its agreed purpose is returned to the donor by the PCU in collaboration with the Lands Commission. 11. The PCU will decide, when necessary, whether the land donated is no longer needed for the intended purpose of the project. 12. a transparent record of all consultations and agreements reached is kept by the PCU. 13. There is documentation of the land indicating clearly, the size, the location/situated, and signatories of the parties (consent). ESS6 recognizes the importance of maintaining core ecological functions of habitats, including forests, and the biodiversity they support. Habitat is defined as a terrestrial, freshwater, or marine geographical unit or airway that supports assemblages of living organisms and their interactions with the non-living environment. All habitats support complexities of living organisms and vary in terms of species diversity, abundance and importance ESS 8 on cultural heritage: to be considered if a cultural heritage site is present in the Project area. It sets out general requirements relating to the consideration of cultural heritage as an "integral aspect of sustainable development", and its protection (both tangible cultural heritage, such as natural elements, and intangible cultural heritage such as beliefs, traditions, practices, representations, skills, etc.). Cultural heritage will need to be identified and inventoried through in-depth consultations with communities. Its protection during both the construction and operational phases must be a priority of any Project. ESS 10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure: This standard recognizes the importance of open and transparent collaboration between the Borrower and Project stakeholders as an essential element of good international practice. It is recommended that : 1- Establish a systematic approach to identifying and mobilizing stakeholders that will enable a constructive relationship to be established and maintained with them, particularly those affected by the Project; 2- Assess the level of interest and commitment of stakeholders and allow their opinions to be taken into account in the design of the Project and its environmental and social performance; 4- Ensure that stakeholders receive timely, understandable, accessible and appropriate information on the Project's environmental and social risks and effects A gap analysis of national regulation as compared with the ESS is presented in table 2-4 covers ESS1, ESS2, ESS3, ESS4, ESS5, ESS6, ESS8, and ESS10. The columns describe the scope and objectives of the aforementioned ESS’s, description of WB policies, description of government ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 23 regulation, identified gaps and how these gaps will be addressed during project implementation. ESS7 and ESS9 are not relevant to this project. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 24 Table 2-4 : Gap Analysis – Comparison of Ghana’s Regulations/Policies and World Bank ESF for Handling Environmental and Social Risks Scope/Objective Description of Description of Gaps Identified Gap Bridging Bank Policy Government of Actions Ghana Regulation ESS 1: Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts - identify, The standard Environmental Even though the - Assistance evaluate and provides Assessment. regulation seeks /compensations are manage the guidance on Regulation 1 (2) of to anticipate and provided for the environment and assessing the LI 1652 mandates mitigate/avoid affected parties by social risks and Project’s that no person risks and government through impacts of the potential shall commence an impacts, it does the district and project in a environmental undertaking which not fully address municipal manner and social risks in the opinion of potential impacts assemblies at consistent with and impacts and the Agency has or and mitigation various project the ESSs. addressing is likely to have hierarchy locations. - To adopt a potential impacts adverse effects on approach e.g. - The MDAs were mitigation through planning the environment or content wise it fully involved in the hierarchy and mitigation public health does not address project preparatory approach to: hierarchy unless, prior to the impacts on the stage through (a) Anticipate approach. commencement, vulnerable consultations for and avoid risks the undertaking them to become and impacts has been registered abreast with project (b) Where by the EPA and an components roles avoidance is not environmental they will play possible, permit has been during minimize or issued by the implementation. reduce risks and Agency in respect - The capacities of impacts to of the undertaking. the MDAs staff on acceptable levels; world bank ESF (c) Once risks will also be built at and impacts have the early stage of been minimized project or reduced, implementation to mitigate; and enable them (d) Where collaborate significant effectively in residual impacts addressing this gap remain, ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 25 compensate for or offset them, where technically and financially feasible. ESS2: Labour and Working Conditions - To promote ESS2 promotes - The Labour Act The Ghanaian -The project will safety and health the fair 2003 (Act 651) laws do not adopt and enhance at work, fair treatment, non- provides for the explicitly or and existing treatment, non- discrimination rights and duties of specifically transparent GRM discrimination and provision of employers and consider which addresses and equal equal workers; legal or protection of concerns promptly opportunity of opportunities for illegal strike; vulnerable group - It has also project workers workers engaged guarantees trade and prevention developed labour including on projects it unions the freedom of all forms of management vulnerable supports. It of associations and forced and child procedures e.g. workers such as strongly establishes Labour labour. working conditions, women, persons encourages Commission to - it does not occupational health with disabilities, protection of all mediate and act in provide for and safety, child children project workers, respect of all grievance labour etc. (section - To prevent the including labour issues. mechanism that 5.4) which will use of all forms of vulnerable Under Part XV addresses guide project forced labour groups such as (Occupational concerns implementers in and child labour. women, persons Health Safety and promptly and managing labour • To support the with disabilities, Environment), the transparent related issues. For principles of children (of Act explicitly process that instance, in to avoid freedom of working age) and indicates that it is provides timely child labour the association and migrant workers, the duty of an feedback acceptable age will collective contracted employer to ensure be 18 years and the bargaining of workers and the worker works The minimum Ghana 2010 risks project workers primary supply under satisfactory, age for light assessment in a manner workers, as safe and healthy work is lower in technique of child consistent with appropriate. It conditions. the Ghanaian labour monitoring national law. • To provides certain - The Workmen's legislation than (CLM) described provide project requirements that Compensation the standard set under (section workers with the project must Law 1987 (PNDC in ESS2. 5.4.4) will also be accessible means meet in terms of 187) seeks to observed to ensure to raise working address the that labour workplace conditions, necessary management concerns. protection of the compensations procedures in work force needed to be ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 26 (especially the awarded to - Currently respect of child prevention of all workers for Ghana does not labour is respected. forms of forced personal injuries have a national and child labour), arising out of and policy on The 3 main and provision of in the course of occupational regulations that a grievance their employment. health and safety deals with OHS mechanism that Ghanaian issues are addresses legislation defines Factories, Offices concerns on the the minimum age and Shops Act project promptly for light work to 1970, (Act 328), and uses a 13, minimum age Workmen's transparent for employment to Compensation Law process that 15 and minimum 1987 (PNDC 187) provides timely age for hazardous and the Labour Act feedback to those work to 18 years. 2003 (Act 561), concerned. ESS2 have regulations defines the that deal with minimum age for health and safety work to 14 years, management at the unless national work environment. standards set a OHS issues are higher age, and regulated by the the minimum age Department of for hazardous Factories work to 18 years. Inspectorate of the Ministry of Employment and Labour Relations (MELR). The project will work closely with the department to ensure that issues on OHS are dealt with to meet standards set out in the ESS2 ESS3: Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management To achieve the The ESS3 The Act 490 The regulation The Project has sustainable use of provides mandates the ensure that developed a pest resources, requirements for EPA to enforce measures are put management plan ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 27 including energy, projects to compliance with in place by (PMP) to be water and raw achieve the established EIA polluters through implemented materials, as well sustainable use of procedures routine holistically by all as implement resources, among monitoring by implementing measures that including energy, companies and regulatory Agencies i.e. avoids or reduces water and raw businesses in the agencies and MOFA, EPA and pollution materials, as well planning and institutions i.e. FC to ensure that resulting from as implement execution of EPA, WRC etc. pesticides use is project activities measures that development it does not reduced to the and to minimize avoids or reduces projects, address the risks barest minimum and manage the pollution including associated with whilst promoting risks and impacts resulting from existing projects. the use of integrated pest associated with project activities. pesticides by management - Part II of the Act pesticide use. The standard prospective users techniques. also mandates the places specific Agency to register consideration on and manage all hazardous wastes pesticides to or materials and ensure that the air emissions approved ones are (climate used. pollutants) given - There are also that the current national standards and projected for wastewater atmospheric discharges and concentration of ambient air and greenhouse gases noise quality. (GHG) threatens These are: the welfare of 1. Ghana standards present and for environmental future lives. protection and health requirement for effluent discharges, GS1212, 2019 2. Ghana standards for environmental protection and health requirement for ambient air quality and dust/point source ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 28 emissions GS 1236, 2019 3. Ghana standards for environmental protection and health requirement for ambient noise control GS1222, 2018 4. Ghana standards for acoustic guide for measurement of outdoor weighted sound level, GS1253, 2018 5. Ghana standards for environment and health protection requirement for motor vehicle emissions GS1219, 2018 ESS4: Community Health and Safety - To anticipate This standard The Public Health The regulation The law provides and avoid recognizes that Act, 2012, Act 851 does not the platform to adverse impacts project activities, revises and consider engage with on the health and project consolidates all the assessment of stakeholders and safety of project equipment and laws and events and with the stakeholder affected infrastructure regulations measures to deal engagement plan in communities increase the pertaining to the with occurrences place for project during the exposure of prevention of and emergencies implementation project life-cycle project disease, promote, community needs from both stakeholder safeguard and with respect to routine and non- communities to maintain and project activities routine various health, protect the health will be assessed and circumstances. safety and of human and necessary measures - To promote security risks and animals, and to taken. The national quality and impacts and thus provide for related disaster safety, and recommends that matters. The law management ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 29 considerations projects has merged all organisation relating to implement provisions in the (NADMO) and climate change, measures that criminal code, Ghana National in the design and avoids or limits ordinances, Fire Service are construction of the occurrence of legislative and represented in the infrastructure, such risks. It executive zonal TCOs and including dams. provides further instruments, acts, have the - To ensure that requirements or bye-laws of the responsibility to safeguarding of guidelines on District deal with personnel and managing safety, Assemblies etc. emergency issues property is including the The Act enjoins e.g. bushfires, carried out in a need for projects the provision of flooding etc. manner that to undertake sanitary stations avoids or safety assessment and facilities, minimizes risks for each phase of destruction of to the project- the project, vectors including affected monitor incidents mosquitoes, communities. and accidents and protection of water preparing regular receptacles and the reports on such promotion of monitoring. environmental ESS4 also sanitation. provides guidance on emergency preparedness and response. ESS 5: Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land use and Involuntary Resettlement -To avoid ESS5 recognizes No constitutionally Bank Policies The Project by involuntary that project or legislatively provide for design do not resettlement or related land recognized compensation anticipate any form when acquisition and resettlement rights for all category of displacement unavoidable, restrictions on or assistance for of land users (physical or minimize by land use can those without Ghanaian laws economic) in exploring project have adverse recognized do not. implementing its design impacts on (formal) rights to activities. For land alternatives communities and land donated for - To avoid forces persons. For community eviction those without infrastructure the formal rights to proponent will ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 30 - To mitigate lands or claims conduct due unavoidable to such land that diligence in adverse social could be accordance with the and economic recognized under World Banks’s impacts from the laws of the Voluntary Land land acquisition country, the Donation Protocol; or restrictions on government secure the World land use. should provide Bank’s clearance to resettlement accept the assistance in lieu donations; draft an of compensation ESS 5-complaint for land to help land agreement livelihoods discuss agreement improve or at with traditional least restore authorities in those affected charge of land; person. explain content of Implement all agreement to the relevant community resettlement members, and then plans before execute the project agreement between completion and the proponent and provide the traditional resettlement authorities entitlements responsible for before land. displacements or restriction of access. ESS6: Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources - To protect and ESS6 promotes The 1994 Forest All national laws The project conserve the conservation and Wildlife relate to implementing biodiversity and of biodiversity or Policy was revised protection and agencies in habitats. • To natural habitats in 2011 and management of collaboration with apply the and supports the subsequently forest and PCU will take mitigation protection and approved in 2012 wildlife and not measures to protect hierarchy and the maintenance of aims at the biodiversity and conserve precautionary the core conservation and holistically biodiversity and approach in the ecological sustainable habitats and all design and functions of development of requirements ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 31 implementation natural habitats forest and wildlife specified in the of projects that and the resources for the ESS6 could have an biodiversity they maintenance of impact on support. environmental biodiversity. It also stability and - To promote the encourages continuous flow of sustainable projects to optimum benefits management of incorporate into from the socio- living natural their cultural and resources. development, economic goods - To support environmental and services that livelihoods of and social the forest local strategies that environment communities, address any provides to the including major natural present and future Indigenous habitat issues, generations, whilst Peoples, and including fulfilling Ghana’s inclusive identification of commitments economic important natural under international development, habitat sites, the agreements and through the ecological conventions. adoption of functions they practices that perform, the integrate degree of threat conservation to the sites, and needs and priorities for development conservation. priorities. ESS8: Cultural Heritage - To protect This standard The Fourth The regulations The National cultural heritage sets out general Republican and policies do commission on from the adverse provisions on Constitution not address culture provides a impacts of cultural heritage (1992) recognizes cultural heritage platform for project activities preservation and culture as a as an integral collaboration with and support its recommends necessary tool for part of Chiefs, opinion preservation. protecting national sustainable leaders and - To address cultural heritage integration and development and community cultural heritage from the adverse development and, promotion of representatives and as an integral impacts of under the Directive equitable sharing other institutions to aspect of project activities. Principles of State of benefits protect cultural ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 32 sustainable It addresses Policy (Article assets. The project development. physical or 39), declares as will go by the - To promote tangible cultural follows: procedures outlined meaningful resources, which “(1) Subject to by the Commission consultation with are defined as clause (2) of this in respect of stakeholders movable or article, cultural assets. The regarding immovable the State shall take project will also go cultural heritage. objects, sites, steps to encourage the extra mile to - To promote the structures, groups integration of complement this equitable sharing of structures, and appropriate collaboration with of benefits from natural features customary values stakeholder the use of and landscapes into the fabric of engagement cultural heritage. that have national life procedures archaeological, through formal and enshrined in the paleontological, informal education SEP to educate historical, and the conscious communities to architectural, Introduction of appreciate the role religious, cultural of cultural values aesthetic, or dimensions to and assets in other cultural relevant Aspect of sustainable significance. national planning. development and Physical cultural (2) The State shall also the need to resources may be ensure that share benefits in urban or rural appropriate accruing from the settings, and may customary and use of cultural be above or cultural values are assets. below ground, or adapted and underwater. It developed as an also addresses integral part of the intangible growing needs of cultural heritage the society as a such as practices, whole; and in representations, particular, that expressions, traditional instruments, practices which are objects and injurious to the cultural spaces health and well- that communities being of the person recognize as part are abolished. of their cultural (3) The State shall heritage. Projects foster the ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 33 involving development of significant Ghanaian excavations, languages and demolition, pride in Ghanaian movement of culture. earth, flooding, - The Ghana or other cultural policy environmental (2004) enjoins the changes are to National take cognizance Commission on of this standard Culture to in the ESMF. undertake the following actions to protect and preserves monument, forests reserves, national parks and recreational facilities ESS10: Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure - To establish a ESS10 seeks to The key laws most The national - The project has systematic encourage open relevant to regulations and developed a approach to and transparent stakeholder policies do not stakeholder stakeholder engagement engagement are: have structures Engagement Plan. engagement that between the - Article 21(1) (f) through which The SEP also will help Borrower and the of the 1992 grievances could includes a GRM Borrowers project Constitution of be addressed and based on an existing identify stakeholders Ghana which also mechanisms grievance redress stakeholders and project-affected recognizes the to disclose or mechanism for build and parties) right to disseminate resolving maintain a throughout the information for all information to grievances for the constructive project life cycle. citizens as a the required Sustainable Land relationship with The standard fundamental audiences and Water them, in establishes a human right. To Management particular systematic fully Project (SLWMP). project-affected approach to operationalized the The GRM is a parties. To stakeholder right to decentralized and assess the level of engagement that information, transparent system stakeholder potentially helps people need to be which ensured ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 34 interest and the Borrower to effectively quick resolution of support for the identify engaged and complaints and project and to stakeholders and provided with disputes, it also has enable build and information on the structure for stakeholders’ maintain a issues that affect disclosing vital views to be taken constructive their lives. information to into account in relationship with - The Right to requisite project design them, as well as Information Act, stakeholders and disclose 2019 (Act 989), - It also provides environmental information on which was also means for effective and social the passed into law in and inclusive performance environmental 2019 by Ghana’s engagement This - To promote and and social risks parliament is instrument which provide means and impacts to meant to put into satisfy almost all for effective and stakeholders in a effect the the requirements of inclusive timely, aforementioned ESS 10 will engagement with understandable, article in the jealously be applied project-affected accessible and constitution of the during project parties appropriate Republic of implementation to throughout the manner and Ghana. bridge the gaps in project life-cycle format. It national regulations on issues that recommends that - Articles 40 to 48 and policies could potentially stakeholder of the Local affect them. engagements are Governance Act, - To ensure that commenced as 2016 (Act 936), appropriate early as possible mandate local project in the project authorities to information on development create environmental process and opportunities for and social risks continued residents and other and impacts is throughout the stakeholders to disclosed to lifecycle of the access information stakeholders in a Project. This and to participate timely, allows for in decision understandable, stakeholders’ making. accessible and views to be appropriate considered in the - Stakeholder manner and project design engagement is an format. and integral part of the - To provide environmental Environmental project-affected and social Impact ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 35 parties with performance. Assessment accessible and The Borrower is process. Ghana inclusive means also expected to Environmental to raise issues implement a Assessment and grievances, grievance Regulation LI and allow mechanism to 1652 (1999), as Borrowers to receive and amended (2002), respond to and facilitate requires effective manage such resolution of public consultation grievances. concerns and and participation grievances. as an integral component of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) procedures - Strategic goal 4 of the National Environmental Policy, which focuses on participation and coordination in environmental governance, charges the lead institutions in environmental governance to ensure active participation in all environmental matters. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 36 2.7 World Bank Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines The Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Guidelines are technical reference documents that address IFC’s expectation regarding the industrial pollution management performance of projects. This information supports actions aimed at avoiding, minimising, and controlling EHS impacts during the construction, operation, and decommissioning phase of a project or facility. In the context of the proposed project, the most relevant EHS Guidelines to be considered are: • World Bank Group General EHS Guidelines (2007); • World Bank Group EHS Guidelines for Construction Materials Extraction (2007) Guidance provided in the General EHS Guidelines will be applicable in the areas of environment, occupational Health and Safety, Community Health and Safety, and Construction and Decommissioning. Section four of the General EHS Guidelines focuses on construction and decommissioning of infrastructure. During the construction through to the decommission phase, cognizance will be taken of the specific directives for construction and align mitigation of risk and impact measures alongside with the specific performance indicators. Key issues to be considered include the following a. Environment • Noise and Vibration • Soil Erosion • Air Quality • Solid Waste • Wastewater Discharges b. Occupational Health and Safety c. Community Health and Safety • General Site Hazards • Disease Prevention • Traffic Safety International Conventions and Requirements Healthy ecosystems and forests play an important role in the resilience of local communities. Sustainable forest management and access to services and benefits from forests and wildlife PAs can help vulnerable communities better absorb and adapt to the impacts of shocks and stressors, among them climate change. Ghana’s NDC to the Paris Climate Agreement place a strong ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 37 emphasis on adaptation to ensure that all people and communities are resilient to climate impacts. Sustainable land use, including food security and sustainable forest management have been identified as two priority sectors in the NDC. Table 2-5 below summarizes the international and regional treaties, conventions and protocols to which the Government of Ghana is a signatory and identifies those aspects of the Project where they may be relevant. Table 2-5 : International Treaties, Conventions and Protocols Applicable to Project Treaty/Convention/ Objective Relevance to the Project Protocol Convention on Preserving and sustaining biological diversity. Biodiversity studies and Biological Diversity management/preservation (CBD) (1992) Convention on An international regime for the protection of Biodiversity studies and Migratory Species migratory animals and their habitats, and the management of migratory (CMS) of Wild prevention, reduction and control of factors that species of wild animals. Animals (1983) endanger them. Convention on To conserve and protect the wise use of The project will ensure that Wetlands of wetlands through local, regional and national contractors during International actions and international cooperation. construction works and other Importance especially operations (carting of scooped as Waterfowl Habitat earth) for waterholes sites (Ramsar Convention) close to wetlands are well (1993) managed to preserve them to augment water volumes of these water systems. Vienna Convention Protection of the Ozone Layer Compliance with standards for the Protection of and protocols by limiting the Ozone Layer biodiversity destruction during construction activities and use of obsolete equipment. United Nations The reduction of negative changes to the earth’s Manage GHG emissions Framework climate, with focus on greenhouse gases. Places associated with the Project. Convention on focus on industrialized countries to reduce Climate Change emissions. Developing countries like Ghana are (1992) currently exempt from the reduction requirement; however, this may change ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 38 Treaty/Convention/ Objective Relevance to the Project Protocol Convention International Convention to identify and Protection of natural heritage Concerning the conserve the world’s cultural and natural and zones of cultural Protection o the heritage influence within the Project World Cultural and area. There was no indication Natural Heritage of existence of Cultural (World Heritage heritage in the project area Convention), Paris during initial screening and (1975) consultations Convention The Convention encourages that employers in Project occupational health Concerning the consultation with their workers understand and safety Protection of Workers project hazards related to air pollution, noise Against Occupational pollution, and vibrations Hazards in the Working Environment due to Air Pollution, Noise, and Vibration (ILONo.148) Convention on the Provides the standards for protecting children The project will protect Rights of the Child from all forms of exploitation and abuse children from exploitation and (CRC) abuse ILO Conventions 182 Defines and prohibits the worst forms of child The project will ensure age and 138 labour, and defines the minimum age for light verification of workers and work and employment. that child labor is prevented, and in case identified, is remediated in accordance with standards set in the CRC and the Children’s Act, 1998 Amended in 2016 (Act 937) . African Convention The objectives of this Convention are: to This project is providing a on the Conservation enhance environmental protection; to foster the number of interventions that of Nature and Natural conservation and sustainable use of natural would promote conservation Resources resources; and to harmonize and coordinate and the sustainable use of policies in these fields with a view to achieving natural resources. ecologically rational, economically sound and socially acceptable development policies and program ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 39 Treaty/Convention/ Objective Relevance to the Project Protocol Universal Declaration The law provides for the promotion of respect Employment (conditions of on Human Rights for rights and freedoms and for progressive engagement, safety of work national and international measures to secure environment, etc.) or the effective recognition and observance among management of labour issues people of signatories themselves and among the and protection of worker territories under their jurisdiction. Key welfare would be promoted provisions include: during project activities. Article19: Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression. Article 20: (1) Everyone has the right to freedom of peaceful assembly and association. (2) No one may be compelled to belong to an association. Article 24: Everyone has the right to rest and leisure, including reasonable limitation of working hours and holidays with pay Arhaus Convention Protection of the right of present and future Enhance Project information on Public Access to generations to live in an environment adequate disclosure, public consultation Information and to their health and well-being. Each party would and stakeholder engagement Participation in promote the rights of access to information, for the Project Decision Making and public participation in decision-making and Access to Justice in access to justice in environmental matters in Environmental accordance with the provision of this Matters (1998) Convention. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 40 3.0 PROJECT DESCRIPTION AND ALTERNATIVES 3.1 Proposed Civil Works The specific civil works for which this ESIA Studies covers are Civil Works in/around the Digya National Park in the Sene West, Sene East, Sekyere Afram Plains, Kwahu Afram Plains North and Kwahu Afram Plains South of the Bone East, Ashanti and Eastern regions. They include the following • Cassava Mini Processing Facility (Lassi) • Cassava Mini Processing Facility (Koranten) • Cassava Mini Processing Facility (Deefour) • Dugout (livestock Watering) at Nsogyanafour • Mechanised Solar powered Bore hole and Toilet facilities at Dome • Mechanised Solar powered Bore hole and Toilet facilities at Agoam-Saabuso • Observation Tower and Safari Trails for Game Viewing at Tato Camp • Waterhole and Observation tower at Apapasu • Waterhole and Observation tower at Nsogyaso Beat The proposed interventions may likely have both positive and negative environmental and social impacts and therefore environmental and social due diligence is to be conducted in accordance with Environmental Assessment Regulations (LI 1652) and relevant World Bank Environmental and Social Standards 3.2 Description of Proposed Works Locations The proposed civil works listed above will be located in the Digya National Park and selected fringe communities Table 3-6: Civil Works in/around DNP and Site Characteristic S/N Site/Community District Proposed Civil works Site Characteristics 1. Dome Settlement Sekyere a. Solar Powered Generally flat terrain (Digya National Central Borehole Park) Sekyere b. Toilet facilities Bare land Central ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 41 2. Agoam Saboso Sekyere a. Solar Powered The site has some trees and (Fringe Community) Afram Borehole shrubs Plains b. Toilet facilities The site has some trees and shrubs 3. Apapasu Sekyere a. Waterhole The site is undulating (close to (Digya National Afram b. Observatory the Tato range) and close to the Park) Plains Tower Sene River which serves as elephant pool 4. Tato Camp Sekyere a. Observatory The site is wooded and (Digya National Afram Tower overlooking the Sene River Park) Plains b. Develop Safari Trails for Game Viewing 5. Nsogyaso Beat Kwahu a. Observatory The site is covered with trees ( Digya National Afram Tower and overlooks the existing pool Park) Plains South b. Waterhole 6. Lassi Sene West Mini Cassava Generally flat terrain with trees (CREMA Processing plant and shrubs Community) 7. Koranten Kwahu Mini Cassava Processing Generally flat terrain with trees (CREMA Afram plant and shrubs community) Plains South 8. Deefour Sene East Mini Cassava Processing Generally flat terrain with trees (CREMA plant and shrubs community) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 42 Figure 3-1: Digya National Park and its fringe Districts ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 43 3.3 Description of Project Civil works 3.3.1 Water Systems A total of five (5) water systems (One (1) dugout, two (2) waterholes and two (2) mechanised boreholes) will be constructed. The dugouts and waterholes will be designed to have the minimum depth required to render a water point permanent and can vary according to its size and circumstance, but for small to medium sized water points the depth must be at least 4 m deep in order to support the loss of depth and volume due to seepage and evaporation, the consumption by animals that will concentrate around the water hole and provide residual depth of at least 50 cm in order to avoid the growth of algae that renders the water unwholesome for animals at the end of the dry season. The dugout will be the generic cleaned (waterhole) type. The mechanized boreholes will be designed to be powered by solar panels. 3.3.2 Game Viewing Platforms/Observatory towers The Wildlife Division has an existing Game Viewing Platforms (See figure 3-2 below) at Gbele Resource Reserve and Mole National Park which are designed with the following technical details and would serve as a guide to improve those to be constructed within the Digya National Park under the GLRSSMP a. Reinforced Concrete Structure b. Height is at about 4.5 meters c. The structure’s platform is about 6 meters high d. Concrete stools to enable the Forest Guards to be able sit for meetings The proposed platforms to be constructed will have the following features to allow tourist/guest who may be interested in wildlife viewing, photography and at the same time environmentally friendly to have the maximum satisfaction a. Structure to be between 4.5 meters and 6.0 meters b. Power Supply from Solar Cells c. Rainwater harvesting with reasonably sized holding tanks d. A borehole would be done to complement water supply during the dry season. e. Sanitary facilities for Forest Guards and Guests f. Good seating facilities to enable meetings for Forest Guards and Guests g. Facilities to enable photography. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 44 Figure 3-2: Existing Game Viewing Platform at Gbele Resource Reserve 3.3.2 Mini Cassava Processing and Other Facilities The processing facilities will consist of buildings that house processing machines, including a motorised grater, wooden fermentation racks, presses for de-watering cassava mash, mechanical sifters, improved roasting bays, grinder, bag stitching machine and weighing scales. The motorised grater has a capacity of 2 tonnes/hour. These facilities will be powered by electricity or gas. Wherever gas will be used management of the facility at communities the PCU will engage an LPG expect to educate them on these precautions: ▪ Ensuring adequate ventilation and not using it indoors or confined spaces ▪ Reading and applying manufacturers operating instructions ▪ Disconnecting cylinders near naked flames ▪ LPG should not be used in windy conditions ▪ Keeping cylinders cool and away from flames, sparks and heat sources. 3.3.3 Solar Powered Borehole and Toilet Facilities The borehole will be drilled based on the hydrogeology of the selected site and recommendation of the Water Resources Commission. It will then be pumped into an overhead tank using solar energy. The toilet facilities will contain basic facilities such as water closets and wash hand basins, with separate sections for males and females. The treatment method will be either bio fill or digester depending on water table of the area. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 45 3.4 Man Power Requirements The Contractor for each of the facilities shall employ the key Personnel and use the equipment identified in its Bid, to carry out the works or other personnel and equipment approved by the Project Manager. The Project Manager shall approve any proposed replacement of key personnel and equipment only if their relevant qualifications or characteristics are substantially equal to or better than those proposed in the Bid. The contractor will employ unskilled labour from the beneficiary communities/fringes around the Digya National Park in order to reduce cost of accommodation and transportation which will be incurred if such labour are hired from outside the community as well as create some employment opportunities which will improve their livelihoods. Manpower (number of workers) both skilled and unskilled will be determined by the Contractor, however, labour required for each activity per site is estimated as follows: Table 3-7 : Workforce estimates for sub-projects Construction Activity Estimated No. of Workers Dugout 12 Game Viewing Platform 7 Processing Facility 10 Borehole 6 Toilet Facilities 6 Total 41 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 46 3.5 Alternatives Considered The Ghanaian EA Regulations LI 1652 of 1999 require the provision of an outline of the main alternatives considered with the main reasons for the choice selected. This section provides a full description of the process followed to select the proposed preferred activity, technology, site and location within the project site, including details of all the alternatives considered In order to achieve the goals and objectives of the GLRSSMP, alternatives analysis of the proposed investments that would meet the expected objective developing the infrastructures have been considered. As part of the alternative analysis of the proposed investments the following were considered: ▪ location/site, ▪ design, ▪ technology/resource management strategy and ▪ Operational alternatives vis-à-vis baseline information. ▪ No action scenario 3.5.1 Identified Alternatives 3.5.1.1 Location/Site Analysis Water Systems The water systems will be located in the Digya National Park and its fringe communities. Evaluations have been made to propose the actual location of each site, choose, to confirm or re- select the best-fit model that may be proposed for that specific site and determine precisely the site’s physical characteristics such as soils and dimensions of the drainage. For sites of optimized dugouts and the river weir, the drainage characteristics such as the size of the drainage basin, average rainy-season flows, 5-year, 10-year and 50-year peak flows have been calculated, the width and height of the spillway and of the freeboard between the spillway level and the dike have been calculated so that the structure will accommodate the highest flows without endangering the structure’s integrity. These parameters were critical in selecting the site. The siting of the water holes in the park were based on tourist optimization i.e. close to the viewing platforms where more wildlife will congregate. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 47 3.5.1.2 Design Analysis Water Systems The different models for construction of waterholes and their fringe community range from cleaning and deepening old natural ponds that are no longer permanent, digging new artificial ponds or dugouts, constructing small dams that will provide substantial depth and volumes of water as well as develop community fishing, larger dams for community areas, as well as in Protected Areas (PA) where biodiversity conservation considerations can be important, to weirs and spillway dikes across seasonal rivers. The following options were considered for the various site 1. “Cleaned� dugouts: in the national parks where ecological and touristic considerations are important (dumping excavated earth away from the dugout so as to avoid: 1) transport back into the pond by rain or elephant, 2) carnivores on the earth-pile ambushing drinking animals, and 3) the unseemly pile of earth with an “unfinished� look, inimical to international tourism). This model is 4 m deep, 50 m wide at the surface and 10 m wide at the bottom, with 20% (1/5) slopes that permit wildlife to descend to drink as the water level reduces during the dry season, and at the beginning of the dry season retains about 3,570 m3 of water. This option is selected for the water holes in the park 2. “Optimized� dugouts: in community areas to provide the most cost-efficient structure for water supplies that will be adequate for multiple community uses of cattle watering, fishing and/or gardening, where the full potentials of given sites can be attained through the use of relatively low but wide bulldozer-packed dikes to impound and send the outlet flow over a laterite shield lining the drainage that can serve as a natural and inexpensive anti-erosion structure. This option will be used for the dugout in the fringe communities 3. “Non-cleaned� dugouts: (earth classically piled to the side of the dugout) in community areas where none of the local drainages fit the profile required for optimization. As an alternate model for the same cost as an optimized dugout where the terrain is not conducive to an optimized dugout, the average non-cleaned dugout will be designed to provide at least 6,000 m3 of water. This model may be used as a secondary option for the optimized dugout in fringe communities Game Viewing Platforms/Observatory towers The main alternatives considered for the design of the platforms are the materials and the height. Options for the material was either a concrete or wooden structure. Each of these have their merits whiles the concrete is economically expensive, it will last longer than a wooden structure though cheaper due to the temperature conditions. The option selected was therefore a concrete platform with stone cladding or a suitable paint to blend with the environment. . The choice for this option ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 48 was also based on its durability compared to old existing wooden structures which are out of use at the moment. The height alternative was based on structural integrity and most importantly tourist ability to view game. The optimum height selected that will not be too short or too tall was 4.5m. Mini Cassava Processing Facilities The main alternatives considered for the design of the housing for the processing facility are the materials and the purpose for the use of the processing machine. The option for the material was either sand block or bricks. The use of each of these materials have their merits, whilst the bricks may be expensive there will be no need to paint the structure. The use of the processing machine could be single purpose i.e. for processing of cassava only or multi-purpose i.e. processing of cassava and other cereals. Even though the multi-purpose facility will be more expensive beneficiaries will derive more benefits and this was selected as the best option. 3.5.1.3 Technology/Resource Analysis Water Systems Two bulldozers will be used at each site at the same time. Another possible measure to accelerate the construction of the proposed water facilities will be to bring in and use more than 1 bulldozer at each pond or dugout. This would also help to continue the cadence if a machine breaks down (as some inevitably will, needing to be as rapidly as possible repaired or replaced). Borehole Mechanizing the boreholes to pump water into an overhead tank was considered to be critical for the operation of the toilet facilities. However, there were alternatives for the energy to be used i.e., electricity from national grid or from solar cells. Connecting the national grid to the facility was evaluated to be more expensive and challenging including operational phase cost. Though the initial set up for the solar panels was high, it was evaluated to be the best alternative considering low management cost at operational phase and its sustainability. 3.5.1.4 Do-Nothing Alternative Among the goals of the GLRSSMP is to strengthen integrated natural resource management and increase benefits to communities in targeted savannah and cocoa forest landscape. It is evident that doing nothing with respect to the proposed civil works in and around the Digya National Park and its fringes will not bring about the expected socio-economic development and improvement in ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 49 wildlife as well as boosting ecotourism. There will be significant negative effects on biodiversity, communities will be deprived of the expected benefits an outcome much worse than the impacts of the proposed projects activities such as the dugout and game viewing platforms. The do-nothing alternative is therefore not an option. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 50 4.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL BASELINE INFORMATION 4.1 Introduction Digya National Park1 is the second largest national park and the oldest protected area in Ghana. It is located in the Bono East Region. It was created in 1900 and given national park status in 1971. The park is the only wildlife territory in Ghana to have Lake Volta at its borders. Digya National Park (DNP) lies largely within the Sene District of the Brong Ahafo Region. It also stretches into the Sekyere West and Afram Districts of the Ashanti and Eastern Regions respectively (Figure 4-1). It is situated between the latitudes 7o06' and 7o44’; North and longitudes 0o06' and 0o42' west and covers an area of 3478.5 km2. Three quarters of the DNP is bounded by water; on the north by the Sene River, on the east by the Volta Lake and on the southeast by the Obosum River. Digya National Park was created in 1900 as a protected area, the first in Ghana. It was acquired by the government and gazetted as a national park in 1971. When the government acquired the park, there were living settlements in the park, with most of the residents being fishermen and farmers. In 2006, there were 49 settlements and the government of Ghana began evicting settlement residents from the park, currently eighteen settlements are within the park. In early 2005, a patrol- based system was established in the park to curb illegal activity Figure 4-1 : Location Map of Digya National Park 1 : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digya_National_Park ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 51 4.2 Climate Digya National Park experiences an annual cycle of rainfall that is transitional in nature. The annual rainfall in the 70's from March to October averaged 1375mm, (Happold, 1973). This is comparable to the mean annual rainfall for Atebubu (1269.6mm) and Kete Krachi (1370mm) as recorded by the Meteorological Service Department (DNP Management Plan). 4.3 Geology, Soils, Topography and drainage The reserve is underlain geologically by the Voltaian system of late Precambrian to Palaeozoic age (300-1,000 M yrs). The Voltaian sandstone basin is made up of gently dipping or flat-bedded sandstone, shale and mudstone (Dickson and Benneh, 1988). Generally the soils of Digya National Park are similar in appearance to the soils of much of the transitional savanna-forest zone. They are mainly savanna ochrosols (Brammer, 1956,1962) or Haplic Acrisols (FAO/UNESCO, 1988). Savanna ochrosol - Groundwater Laterites or Haplic Acrisols - Plinthic Ferrasols are found between the Digya and Obosum arms of the Volta lake whilst the soils along the streams and rivers are Savanna Gleisols or Dystric Gleysols. It is well– attested that the relatively deep savannah ochrosols of the Voltaian sandstone in Gonja and Dagomba have long been the leading areas in Ghana for the production of yam, guinea corn and millet (Figure 4-2). The elevation of Digya National Park lies between 2760ft (lake level) and 5000ft above sea level. The park can be divided into two topographic sections. The northern and north-western parts (Sene areas) is covered by undulating flat lands whilst the eastern section (Ntonaboma area) is covered with sandstone outcrops. The overall drainage of the park is into the Volta Lake by way of the Sene, Digya and Obosum rivers (Figure 4-3). The rivers and streams in the heart of the park dry up during the dry season ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 52 Figure 4-2 : Soil Map of the DNP Figure 4-3 : Relief and Drainage Map of Digya National Park 4.4 Vegetation and Animal Species 4.4.1 Vegetation In a full account of the vegetation of the park by Schmitt and Adu-Nsiah (1994), four main groups have been distinguished: Tall-grass savanna, Boval vegetation, Riparian forest and Aquatic vegetation (Figure 4-4). According to Management the Digya National Park as a recognized protected area has no classified areas, recognized Wetlands or Ramsar sites, generally is a natural habitat and no critical habitats exists around the sub-projects areas. Similar sub-projects i.e. dugouts were constructed during the erstwhile Sustainable Land and Water Management (SWMP) and implementation activities did not have any significant adverse environmental and social impacts due to the mitigation measures put in place. The proposed mitigation measures will also be implemented to ensure that implementation activities will not pose threat to the ecosystem. Tall- grass or Guinea Savanna The tall-grass savanna supports typical fire controlled tree savanna community of broad-leaved deciduous trees. They are densely distributed in a continuous ground cover of perennial bunch grass and associated forbs. Their spreading crowns reach a height of 12-15m but seldom form a close canopy except over small areas. Typical trees and shrubs include Lophira lanceolata, Terminalia avicennioides, Vitellaria paradoxa, Daniellia oliveri, Borassus aethiopum, Burkea ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 53 africana, Combretum fragrans, Annona senegalensis, Maytenus senegalensis, Bridelia ferruginea, Hymenocardia acida and Parinari polyandra. The characteristic bunch grasses include Hyparrhenia subplomosa, H. rufa and Andropogon gayanus. Boval vegetation: This comprises all plant communities on sandstone outcrops with shallow soils in the eastern and south-eastern parts of the park. The characteristic vegetation is made up of annual grasses and low herbs in soils between the sandstone outcrops Riparian forest: This type of forest is found on the seasonal watercourses, depression and other sites where the ground water table is high enough to sustain forest vegetation throughout the dry season. These narrow bands of species-rich plant community may grow up to 20 (25)m. high. Tree species commonly encountered here are Erythrophleum ivorense, Manilkara multinervis, Cola gigantea, Ceiba pentandra and Afzelia africana. Aquatic Vegetation: The Digya arm and Sene portions of the Volta lake have a zone of land averaging about 25m wide which is covered and uncovered each year by water as a result of the annual fluctuating water level of the Volta. Three specific plant communities have been identified to be associated with this type of regime. a. Sedge Zone; dominated by annual species of Cyperus, Fimbristylis and Ludwigia on land exposed above water for about 10 weeks in a year b. Perennial grass/polygonum zone; where the land is exposed for 10 to 35 weeks a year. Floating grasses such as Brachiaria mutica, Leptochloa caerulescens, Polygonum senegalense and Vossia species are found. c. Annual forbs zone; consists of broad-leaved herbs (forbs) of the genera Tephrosia and Indigofera. This area is out of water for more than 35 weeks. Perennial grasses like Imperata cylindrica, Hyparrhenia subplomosa and Hyperthelia dissoluta can be found ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 54 Figure 4-4 : Vegetative Map 4.4.2 Fauna A fauna baseline survey conducted in 2022 by Wildlife Division and the Resource Management Support Centre of the Forestry Commission as part of the development of the Digya National Park Management plan revealed the following fauna in the DNP 4.4.3 Mammals The survey recorded one thousand seven hundred and twenty-five (1725) mammals consisting of thirty-three (33) species belonging to eight (8) orders from fourteen (14) families, of which nine (9) species are of global conservation concern according to the IUCN Red List of threatened species (2022). The s fourteen (14) mammal families namely: Bovidae, Cercopithecidae, Viverridae, Manidae, Suidae, Herpestidae, Elephantidae, Leporidae, Barthyergidae, Hystricidae, Nesomyidae, Sciuridae, Thryonomyidae and Orycteropodidae. The Bovidae family (cloven- hoofed, ruminant mammals) recorded the highest number of species followed by Cercopithecidae (primates), Viverridae (filiform mammals), Manidae (pangolins), Suidae (pigs), Herpestidae (mongooses) and so on. ..The ten most abundant mammal species recorded included; Bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) Red River Hog (Potamocoerus porcus) Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas), Kusimanse Mongoose (Crossarchus obscurus), Grass Cutter (Thryonomys swinderianus), Red-flanked Duiker (Cephalophus rufilatus), African Bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), Common Warthog (Phacocoerus africanus), Waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymus) and Maxwell’s Duiker (Philantomba maxwelli). The Bushbuck was the most abundant species in the Park, with a ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 55 relative abundance of 16.81. It also recorded the highest encounter rate of 6.04 signs/ km) followed by the Red river hog. The survey recorded nine (9) mammal species listed on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of threatened species (2022) namely: Ursine Colobus (Colobus vellerosus)-Critically Endangered (CR), African Bush Elephant (Loxodonta africana)-Endangered (EN), Giant Pangolin (Smutsia gigantea)-Endangered (EN), Tree Pangolin (Phataginus tricuspis)-Endangered (EN), Long-Tailed Pangolin (Phataginus tetradactyla)-Vulnerable (VU), Patas Monkey (Erythrocebus patas) - Near Threatened (VU), African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer)-Near Threatened (NT), Bongo (Tragelaphus eurycerus) - Near Threatened (NT), and Mona Monkey (Cercopithecus mona)-Near Threatened (NT). 4.4.4 Birds The survey recorded two thousand one hundred and eighty (2180) individual birds belonging to one hundred and ninety-three (193) species from fifty-eight (58) families (Table 2). One thousand five hundred and thirteen (1513) birds representing sixty-nine percent (69%) were recorded by sight and six hundred and sixty-seven (667) birds representing thirty-one percent (31%) were recorded by vocalization (call or song) and the ten most abundant non-wader species were the White-faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata), Great Egret (Ergretta alba), Spur-winged Lapwing (Vanellus spinosus), Red-eyed Dove (Streptopelia semitorquata), Yellow-fronted Canary (Serinus mozambicus), Bronze Mannikin (Spermestes cucullatus), African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus), Village Weaver (Ploceus cucullatus), Common Bulbul (Pycnonotus barbatus), and the White Helmet shrike (Prionops plumatus). The Bateleur (Terathopius ecaudatus) listed as Endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (2022) was recorded during the survey. The Park, which is strategically flanked by the Volta Lake as its borders, serve as a habitation for numerous water birds (wetland specialists) who ecologically depend on wetlands for at least part of their annual cycle of which the ten most abundant included the Great Egret (Ergretta alba) Common Moorhen (Gallinula chloroplus), White -faced Whistling Duck (Dendrocygna viduata), African Fin foot (Podica senegalensis), Hamerkop (Scopus umbretta), Long-tailed Cormorant (Microcarbo africanus), Spur-winged Lapwing, (Vanellus spinosus), Black Crake (Zapornia flavirostra), Grey Heron, (Ardea cinerea) and African Jacana (Actophilornis africanus). 4.4.5 Reptiles The survey recorded two hundred and six (206) herptiles consisting of twenty-six (26) species belonging to four (4) orders from seventeen (17) families. The orders consisted of fourteen (14) Squamata, seven (7) Anura, four (4) Testudines and one (1) Crocodylia, The survey recorded seventeen (17) herptiles families namely: Pipidae, Hyperoliidae, Phrynobatrachidae, ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 56 Ptychadenidae, Dicroglossidae, Ptychadenidae, Bufonidae, Testudinidae, Pelomedusidae, Agamidae, Scincidae, Varanidae, Elapidae, Chamaeleonidae, Pythonidae, Viperidae, and Crocodylidae. The ten most abundant were the; Central African Rock Python (Python sebae), Savanna Monitor (Varanus exanthematicus), Broad-banded Grass Frog (Ptychadena bibroni), Brown Banana Frog (Afrixalus dorsalis), West African Mud Turtle (Pelusios castaneus), Slender Chameleon (Chamaeleo gracilis), Spotted Savanna Skink (Trachylepis perroteti), West African Tree Agama (Agama paragama), Ahl's River Frog (Phrynobatrachus latifrons) and African Groove-crowned Frog (Hoplobatrachus occipitalis) of which five (5) herptiles species listed on the IUCN Red List of threatened species (2022) namely the: Home’s Hinge-back Tortoise (Kinixys homeana)-Critically Endangered (CR), African Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)- Vulnerable (VU), Gaboon Viper (Bitis gabonica)-Vulnerable (VU), Ball Python (Python regius)- Near Threatened (NT), and Central African Rock Python (Python sebae)-Near Threatened (NT). These species along with the Nile Monitor (Varanus niloticus) are also listed on schedule I of the Ghana Wildlife Conservation Regulations, 1971 L.I 685. 4.5 Air Quality Baseline air quality data was collected to understand the level of deterioration or otherwise of the project site. This will help to determine any changes in the quality during the constructional and operational phases of the facilities earmarked for the DNP and communities within and outside. The parameters of concern were Total Suspended Particulates, Respirable Dust (PM10 and PM2.5). Ambient air quality refers to the standard quality of the air within a defined environment that supports ecosystem functioning. The ambient air quality standards are the concentrations of pollutants in the air, and typically refer to outdoor air. The standards are meant to ensure the protection of human health. Two (2) sampling locations (north and south) were selected in order to give a fair idea of the air quality in and around the project site. The instrument used was a 224-52TX Air Sampling Pump. The equipment was mounted at about 1.5 meters above the ground. The results of the monitoring are presented in table 4-8 below. Table 4-8 : Summary Results of Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Sampling Point TSP PM10 PM2.5 (µg/m³) (µg/m³) (µg/m³) North 152.2 66.3 31.1 South 122.4 61.2 26.5 GS 1236: 2019 Standard 150.0 70 35 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 57 The TSP in the ambient air were found to be slightly above the permissible levels of 150µm-3 for a 24-hour averaging time as prescribed in the GS 1236:2019 with values of 152.2µm-3 in the north however the south recorded 122.4µm-3 which is within the permissible limits. PM10 in the ambient air were found to be within the permissible levels in all sampling locations in the north with 66.3µm-3 and south with 61.2µm-3 as compared to 70µm-3 for a 24-hour averaging time as prescribed in the GS1236:2019. PM2.5 in the ambient air were also within the permissible levels in all the sampling locations north with 31.1µm-3 and south with 26.5µm-3 as compared to the ambient air quality standard value of 35µm-3 for a 1-hour averaging time prescribed in the GS 1236:2019. 4.6 Ambient Noise The project location currently has no activity that generate noise which may impact negatively on the environment. The two locations used for the ambient air monitoring were also used for the noise level assessment, i.e., north and south of the project site. The proposed site is a protected area therefore, the assessment was based on the permissible noise corresponding to protected areas in Ghana. The noise levels were captured in-situ in decibels on the A scale, i.e., dB (A) using a CR: 812B Sound Level Meter. Readings were taken at 1.5 m above ground level for 24 hours, which is for daytime and night time periods. The results of the noise measurement are presented in table 4-9 below Table 4-9 : Ambient Noise Level Measurements Location Leq dB(A) Leq dB(A) (Day time) (night time) North 60.2 49.6 South 54.3 48.4 EPA* Standard Value 55 50 Source: Field Data, February, 2024 Leq: The equivalent continuous sound pressure level EPA*: Guideline value set for day and night time The results, presented in Table 4-9, indicate that the measured Integrated Equivalent Noise Levels (Leq) ranged from 60.2 dB(A) to 54.3dB(A) for day time and 49.6 dB(A) to 48.4 dB(A) for night time. Thus, all the baseline noise level measurements fell within the relevant Ghana standard for Health Protection- Requirement for Ambient Noise Control (GS 1222: 2018 and Ghana Standard- ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 58 Acoustic Guide for Measurement of Outdoor A-Weighted Sound Levels (GS 1253: 2018) for Educational Institutions except for the day time noise at the northern end. This may be attributed to the movement of vehicles on the access road to the north 4.7 Socio-Economic Setting There are about an estimated 10,000 to 18,000 people living in 70 communities in and around Digya National Park Much of the human impact on the Digya National Park is centred on the invasion of the park by farmers and fishermen in the early 80's as a result of numerous vacations of posts by staff. The people that were resettled at the time of the establishment of the park in 1971 re-entered and settled along the shores of the rivers and in the interior of the park. These new communities engaged in fishing, hunting and commercial farming, particularly of yam. These activities were degrading the resource base at such an alarming rate that a second relocation of the settlements was done in 1989. However, even though the relocation was successful, there has been a massive influx of settler farmers and fishermen, particularly into the Digya Arm areas, because of inadequate staff and logistic support. This influx was also made possible because the park was seen as a "common property" where one does not have to go through any traditional rites to settle or farm on. As a result of the influx of settlers the hunting pressure is so intense that the wild animals are almost shot out. The activities of the settlers and hunters, i.e. cutting of trees and bush burning, play an integral part in perpetuating the savanna ecosystem and also have a lot of devastating effects on the forest as well as the local animal and insect populations. a. Roads - The communities surrounding the park are not readily accessible. Although there are roads linking most of the communities to the major marketing centres and district capitals, only tractors and in some cases big trucks can ply them. The roads become very difficult to use during the peak of the wet season. During such times the southern and parts of Kwahu are inaccessible from the park headquarters due to the flooding of the Sene River at Seneso. Those sections can then only be reached through Kumasi and Nkawkaw. The canoe is the most common means of transport among the communities residing along the Sene, Volta Lake and Digya Arm b. Public Infrastructure- Public infrastructure such as schools and markets are generally in poor state due to lack of regular maintenance regime. Many of the school buildings are grass roofed and hardly survive more than two rainy seasons. Markets are usually held in the open and under grass roofed sheds with no built structures. c. Water Supply - Almost all the farming communities depend on running streams that dry up during the dry season. Women from such communities travel long distances to ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 59 obtain water for their domestic needs. However the water supply has greatly improved over the last few years with the provision of hand pump-fitted boreholes for some of the communities by World Vision International (W.V.I.) free of charge. The beneficiary communities were made to make a bank deposit of ¢75,000.00 for the future maintenance of the hand pump before drilling of the borehole is begun. One person in each community is trained to undertake minor repairs and maintain the hand pumps. All the communities located along the Volta and its tributaries rely on its water for drinking and other domestic purposes even though there is the danger of contracting bilharzia (shistosomiasis) from it. d. Health Status and Facilities - The health status of the communities within the immediate vicinity of Digya National Park in general is poor (DNP Mangement Plan). Diseases prevalent in the communities include malaria, anaemia and bilharzia. Access to health facilities is very poor particularly in the wet season. Clinic services for the farming communities could be obtained from Anyinofi, Jajaji, Kyeame-krom, Tease, Ekyi, Amanfrom and Kwasi Fante. There are district hospitals at Atebubu and Kwame Danso and also Donkokrom in the Brong East and Eastern Regions respectively. People in the fishing communities along the Sene River obtain clinic services at Bassa, Kwame Danso, and Kadjeji. There is also a hospital at Kete Krachi. Distances travelled to reach some of these facilities range from 8km to 100km on bicycle or tractor. The Donkokrom hospital is running a mobile clinic on the lake for communities up to the Digya arm. There is also a Government Lake Craft, named Onipa Nua, also carrying out a health delivery service for all communities living along the Volta Lake. The Atigagome settler community also has a functional (Community Health Planning services) CHIPS Compound. e. Environmental Sanitation - Sanitation in all the communities is very poor. There are no decent toilet facilities in many of the communities, resulting in people going "free range". Where there are toilets, they are open, posing health risks to inhabitants of the communities Refuse is also dumped haphazardly, as there are no dedicated dumping sites. f. Educational Status and Facilities - There is a high degree of illiteracy in the communities surrounding Digya National Park, as many parents are not enthusiastic about sending their children to school. Moreover, most of the communities in the Digya arm do not have any schools at all. This stems from the uncertainty about the possibility of being relocated on short notice. The few schools in some of the communities are ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 60 housed in temporary structures and have from two to six classrooms. There is not a single Junior Secondary School (JSS) in the Digya arm. Children of the communities along the Sene River attend JSS at Lesi, Bassa or Kwame Danso. For the farming communities, JSSs are situated in Anyinofi, Tiase, Kwasi Fanti and Donkorom. Students at the JSS level in areas without JSS are compelled to relocate to stay with either extended family relatives or friends of their parents, to access JSS education. The problem is exacerbated by the lack of qualified teachers at the JSS level. g. Child labour: The area, situated on the western banks of the Volta lake, is known for having large cohorts of very vulnerable children. There is a significant problem of child labor particularly around Lake Volta. This region is known for its high incidence of child trafficking and labor, with many children working in hazardous conditions in the fishing industry. Children as young as six have been found forced to work long hours, under abusive conditions, being subjected to physical abuse, starvation, and dangerous tasks such as diving to untangle fishing nets underwater. Many children found in such conditions are thought to be coming from other areas of the country and have been moved to relatives or friends in the hope of getting education or better living conditions. h. Population - According to the Statistical Services (1989), According to 2021 Ghana Population and Housing Census, the total human population of the five District that fringe Digya NP is 315,114. The Kwahu Afram Plains South has the largest population amongst the five fringe district. Sekyere Afram Plains District has the least population (32,640). The total number of households in the five Districts is 75,781, with an average household size of 4.18 individuals. Digya NP has more than 130 communities fringing it within 20km radios/buffer of the park. These fringe communities has a total of 179,500. There are more than 20 settler communities of varied sizes inside the reserve with human population of about 5000. Sekyere Afram Plains District has the least population density (9.5), followed by Sene East District (17.0) with Kwahu Afram Plains North the highest density (25.9). Detailed population data of the fringe district is indicated in the table below ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 61 Sn District Urban Rural Total Number of Ave. Populat Number of Estimated Number of Estimated Population Population Population Household Househ ion Communit population Communitie population old size Density ies within within s Within within 20km 20km 10km buffer 10km buffer buffer buffer Communit Communit ies ies 1 Sene West 17,900 51,936 69,836 16,541 4.2 23.4 27 41,902 17 17,459 (80%) (25%) 2 Sene East 6,873 65,208 72,081 14,520 4.9 17.0 52 57,665 36 43,249 (60%) (60%) 3 Sekyere 5,518 27,122 32,640 7,666 4.3 9.5 22 10,445 13 4896 (15%) Afram Plains (40%) 4 Kwahu 26,747 47,255 74,002 19,431 3.8 24.3 16 29,601 7 14800 Afram Plains (40%) (20%) South 5 Kwahu 14,404 52,151 66,555 17,623 3.7 25.9 19 39,933 10 19967 Afram Plains (60%) (30%) North Total 71,442 243,672 315,114 75,781 4.18 136 179,546 83 100,371 (32%) Source: GSS 2021 Housing and population census ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 62 i. Ethnicity - The Digya National Park is surrounded by a variety of indigenous ethnic groups. These include the Ashanti, Kwahu, Nchumbulu and Guan. Settlers of different ethnic origin occupy the rest of the area. Ewes dominate the fishing communities, from the Volta Region, Dangbe and Ningos from Greater Accra Region. The farming communities are also occupied by Krachis, Ewes from the Volta Region, Kokombas from the Northern Region, Frafras and Dagartis form the Upper East and Upper West Regions respectively. Except the Ewes who insist on speaking their native language, the medium of communication in most communities is Akan. j. Settlement patterns - The settlement pattern of the communities in the study area is of the cluster type. That of the farming communities is a conglomerate of single-family unit houses made of wattle and daub and thatch roofing. People of northern origin generally put up round type of buildings whilst those from the south build rectangular houses. Houses in the fishing communities are more widely spaced to enable the people to do homestead gardening and keep livestock around their homes. k. Land Tenure - Land is customarily owned in this part of the country where the Digya National Park is located. Here, land ownership is communal in nature, and organised around traditional areas/ stools, with a Paramount Chief at the top of the governance architecture in each traditional area. Paramount Chiefs are custodians of the allodial interest (i.e., the highest interest in land in Ghana), which they hold on behalf of themselves and members of the landowning group (i.e., the traditional area/ stool). Depending on its size, a traditional area may be sub-divided into several Divisional Areas. One divisional area may constitute several communities. Thus, in the hierarchy, divisional chiefs are directly below the level of a paramount chief and support the latter in the performance of his land and community governance duties. Divisional chiefs superintend over and community governance issues in their appointed divisional areas, and report same to the paramount chief. In turn, divisional chiefs can appoint a Community Chief/ “Odikro� to each community under their division. With such arrangements, authority is traced upwards the hierarchy. The leadership and type of land governance at the community level differ, depending on the status of the inhabitants – natives/indigenes or settlers. Settlers are mostly Ghanaians who have migrated from elsewhere in the country to live in the area. Community chiefs are appointed to native communities, whilst headmen are appointed to settler communities. It is important to clarify that this land ownership and governance arrangement applies to the fringe communities and communities beyond. It does not apply within the ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 63 boundaries of the Digya National Park which is a state property. Ownership and management rights of the park rests with the state, and exercised by the appropriate state agencies In the fringe communities, indigenes, by virtue of the usufructuary interest they hold in the communal land, can use land anywhere provided the piece of land falls within the jurisdiction of their community/ chief and is not being already occupied and used by another person. Settlers on the other hand have to obtain approval from the chief or headmen for the land. They pay an initial introductory fee of one bottle of schnapp to announce their presence in the community. Later, an approach is then made to request farmland with two additional bottles of schnapps and some quantity of cola nuts. One of the bottles of schnapps is later sent to the paramount chief and the other is used to pray to the gods of the land. Per the Land Act 2020, Act 1036, and as with custom in the area, land is never sold. However, a settler seeking land for farming purposes would usually enter a tenancy arrangement with the community chief/ headman or a usufruct. According to DNP management currently, an allocation of land to settlers in such tenancy arrangements attracts a one-time administrative fee ranging from GH¢2,000 - GH¢5,000 depending on the paramount chief where the land is being given out. In addition to this, settler farmers on Kumawu Paramount Stool land are required to pay an annual "agreed ritual fee" to the chief for onward transmission to the paramount chief. A leasehold is another type of interest in land acquired for valuable consideration, and through which land can be acquired for various purposes in the area. Land leased to individuals or companies for large-scale farming is the sole prerogative of the ultimate (paramount chief). For individual farmers or settlers, they are referred to the sub-chief (odikro) who introduces the farmer or settler to the paramount chief. Aside voluntary donations, land for government projects within the fringe communities may also be acquired through leases which are usually negotiated with the paramount chief. (DNP management Plan, 1995). l. Land Use- Subsistence agriculture is the predominant activity for the indigenous inhabitants. The settler farmers however, engage in commercial farming. The major crops cultivated in both situations are yam, cassava, maize, plantain and groundnuts. The land is very fertile and yields in the area are generally quite high. Some amount of cocoa and oil palm is cultivated in the forestlands. Virtually all farming is done in the rainy season between April and October of each year. During the dry season, the people are engaged in digging and transporting of yams to the big towns for sale, and then making yam mounds for the following year's planting. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 64 4.8 Traditional Administration The Digya National Park falls under the Kumawu, Abetifi and Ajade Traditional Areas, all of which are under the stool land regime of customary land tenure. Similarly, each of the 70 fringe communities around the park falls under one of these three (3) traditional areas. One characteristic of stool land regime is that Chiefs have authority over both land and community governance matters. The farming communities fall under five paramount chiefs either Kumanwu, Abetifi stool lands, Nkoni, Kwaaman whilst the fishing communities come under Ajadi traditional area (DNP Management plan 1995) and this valid for today. Functionally the chiefs/headmen at the respective levels perform executive, legislative and judicial functions and are directly responsible for the maintenance of customary law and order in the respective communities. The paramount chief exercises ultimate authority over the chief/headmen. The traditional administration provides a viable and dependable institution through which many development programmes are initiated and implemented. 4.9 Political Administration The Park and the fringing communities within the Digya landscape fall within the jurisdiction of five (5) administrative/political districts and key fringe communities are shown in the table below: District Key Fringe Communities Sene West Akyeremade, Akyeremade Battor, Dwankrom, Lassi, Kyeamekrom,Tato, menkor, Kofi Djan, Drobbe, Today Sene East Dadetoklo, Kwadjokrom, Kajaji, Basa, Deefour, Ntonaboma, Premuase Sekyere Afram plains Drobonso, Tuntum, Samso, Anyinofi Kwahu Afram plains North Kwaekese, Adiembra, Amankwakrom, Agodekeh, Tonu, Donkorkrom Kwahu Afram Plains South Hwanyaso, Nsogyaso, Asanyaso, Samanhyia, Dedeso, Kwasi Fante, Tease, maame Krobo Key Fringe Communities of Digya national Park ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 65 Figure 4-5 : Communities inside and fringes of DNP ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 66 4.10 LOCAL ECONOMY 4.10.1 Crop Farming The settler farmers do most of the commercial crop farming. The type of crops grown is determined by whether the area is forest or savanna land. Forestlands are primarily used to cultivate cash crops like cocoa and oil palm. Plantain and cocoyam are also grown for sale. Yam is the principal commercial crop grown in savanna lands. Maize, groundnuts and cassava are either cultivated separately or intercropped with yam. The cassava is generally dried into what is locally called "Konkonte" before it is sold. Rice is also grown where appropriate. Pepper, beans, garden eggs, tomatoes and agushie (neri) are usually cultivated by women on their husband's farms for their own benefit. Within the fishing communities, people of Ewe origin attach a lot of importance to farming of cassava, and the surplus sold to other fisher folks who do not do any farming. Nungos, Efutus and Senyas live by bartering fish for food from those who farm. 4.10.2 Fishing Fishing is the major occupation of the communities that border the Sene, Digya arm and certain parts of the Volta Lake. These people from diverse ethnic origins have migrated to their present locations to take advantage of the inundation caused by the damming of the Volta. The fish is generally smoked and transported to the big towns for sale or sold to fishmongers who then transport them to the big towns. 4.10.3 Livestock Raising Livestock raising is done on a small scale by quite a number of people in the fishing communities along the Sene and in Old Nkomi. They keep mainly sheep and in the case of Old Nkoni, the chief of Wayo is keeping a large herd of cattle. In some communities, pigs are kept in addition to the sheep and goats. Livestock production provides supplementary source of income to farming and fishing. Livestock is not prevalent in the Digya arm where significant amount of farming is taking place. Few fowls are kept in many of the communities for home consumption and occasionally for sale. 4.10.4 Hunting Most of the hunting in the Digya National Park is done from the major farming communities during the hunting season, from where they go into the park to poach. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 67 Many of the farming communities started as hunting camps. There are still some people within such communities recognised as hunters, even though it may now be secondary employment. These hunters generally set up hunting camps deep inside the park where they smoke their entire kill before bringing it out for sale to meat mongers, who transport it to the big towns. 4.10.5 Other Activities Distillation of the local gin (Akpeteshie) also forms part of the economy of some people, especially the indigenous people around the forest areas. They make use of palm wine from matured palm trees as the major raw material. Along the Digya arm, Akpeteshie is also distilled from sugar cane grown along the shores of the river. Other economic activities include wild honey hunting, basketry and petty trading. Others operate drinking and "chop" bars. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 68 5.0 CITIZEN/STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT 5.1 Introduction A stakeholder to the project refers to any individual or group potentially affected directly or indirectly by the proposed project or has an interest in or influence on the proposed Project. , the rationale for stakeholder engagement is that it is an essential part of good international practice and can help projects succeed. Effective stakeholder engagement can improve the environmental and social sustainability of projects, enhance project acceptance, contribute to successful project design and implementation, and support project's risk management process. Ghana’s EA regulations provide for the consultation and participation of stakeholders in the Environmental Assessment process in order to ensure that their concerns and inputs are considered as part of the project design and planning. There are enormous benefits that come with ensuring that there is an effective engagement with all stakeholders. Stakeholder engagement and participation is a process, not a single event. It provides an opportunity for all stakeholders to influence decisions that affect their lives. The objectives of the stakeholder engagement are to; • provide information about the project and its potential impacts to those interested in or affected by the project, and solicit their opinion in this regard; • provide opportunities for stakeholders to make inputs into decisions on undertakings that may affect their lives • bring local knowledge to bear on the project planning process • provide the opportunity for stakeholders to raise issues and concerns at an earlier phase of the project planning in order to avoid conflicts during project implementation • build a constructive relationship between proponent and stakeholders throughout the entire life cycle of the project • facilitate the consideration of alternatives, mitigation measures and trade-offs and • manage expectations and misconceptions regarding the project; 5.2 Stakeholder Consultation Approach There are a number of approaches that can be used for effective engagement of stakeholders. The following tools and approach were adopted; • Field visits and observations • Community engagements ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 69 • Key Informant Interviews The information obtained was then analysed and summarized to identify the baseline socio- economic conditions, to determine the potential project risks and impacts, to develop the mitigation measures and to enable monitoring and evaluation of the project implementation activities. 5.3 Identified Stakeholders The following stakeholders were identifies and engaged on the preparation of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA): • Beneficiary District Assemblies • Beneficiary Communities • Traditional Authorities • Community Leaders/representatives • Youth and other vulnerable groups (disabled and elderly) • Management of Digya National Park 5.3.1 Community leaders Community leaders in CREMA communities fringe communities and in admitted settlements i.e. Chiefs, opinion leaders, CREMA committee members and assembly members have been involved in engagement processes. Other vulnerable groups such as women and youth were consulted as they constitute the major beneficiary group of the project. These groups were given information on all aspects of the project intervention including the benefits, challenges and their obligations to ensure successful implementation. Methods used to achieve this included focus group discussions and public announcements using existing community channels of information dissemination. The separate stakeholder engagement plan prepared for the project provided some good guidance to the stakeholder engagement during the field visits, engagement with community members and civil works site selection processes. 5.3.2 Consultations with Municipal and District Assemblies Consultations were held with District/Municipal Assemblies in the Sekyere Afram Plains, Kwahu Afram Plains South and Sene West. The specific objectives for these consultations were: • To provide detailed information about the project as a follow up to mails sent to introduce and explain the project objectives and components ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 70 • To participate in civil works site selection and solicit their views that could inform the project design • To collect and find ways of collating data to enrich project design • To identify other relevant stakeholders within the project area for further engagement The district authorities provided the following documents and information: • Current Medium-Term Development Plan • District Maps • Land Use Maps • List of organizations working in the Municipality or District i.e. private companies, NGO’s, CBO’s, farmer associations etc. • Cultural/historical sites present that can be develop for ecotourism These documents were used to ascertain existing activities, evaluate sites selected and determine their suitability, to develop synergies, identify gaps, avoid duplication of activities, mainstream issues and to identify potential risks/impacts that could result from implementation of project activities. Tables 5-10 outlines the consultation process and key consultees and outcome of consultation respectively. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 71 Table 5-10 : Outcome of consultations No Stakeholder/Facility Issues/Concerns Responses to Address Concerns 1 Mini Cassava processing • Community indicated that the The facility will be for plant at Lassi community processing facility will be very the community and that useful in the community and the project is facilitating grateful such an intervention. such an intervention. • Issue of ownership of the facility Community leaders have • Siting of the facility so it can be assured the PCU their easily assessed willingness to donate • Adding processing capabilities for lands for this activity. cassava flour and dough, in The facility will be addition to gari. owned and managed by the community through the Water management Committee compose of representatives from all relevant units within the communities. Dome Community (DNP)- ▪ This is a settler community The design consultant Solar powered borehole within the DNP. The community is will take all their and toilet facilities small and remote, which could concerns into make mobilizing materials and consideration and come labour more difficult out with designs that are • The chief was grateful that the environmentally friendly project will provide water and as there are located toilet facilities for them. within the park. • Issues of designing biodigester toilet facility • The women indicated they wanted a 2 units toilet facility (1 for the men and 1 for the women) • The land for these facilities was available • There was a request for the Solar panel for the borehole to be large enough to provide electricity at least to street ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 72 lamps to brighten the community. Tato Community (DNP)- • Initial site for the viewing All concerns were taken Game Viewing Platform platform was changed because into consideration during its floods during the rainy the designing of the season platforms. • How to get tourists to the site Improving tourism will for bird viewing since the WD provide revenue for the has only 1 boat which is not that district Assemblies, the comfortable for large tourist project through the WD numbers will work with the • With increased tourists, there former to improve tourist will be a need to properly infrastructure i.e. roads, manage human waste and trash. sailing boats, provision Lack of toilet facilities is of toilet facilities, already an issue. Proper upgrading of roads (with sanitation facilities will be important. the introduction of • The poor road conditions between District Road the town and camp could worsen Improvement Project by with more traffic. Upgrades to Government) etc. access may be needed to support tourism. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 73 6.0 IMPACT IDENTIFICATION AND PREDICTION The report has identified, qualitatively assessed and classified potential environmental and social impacts and their respective management options. The proposed project is expected to have both positive and negative social, economic, and environmental impacts at different levels of significance. Potential impacts on the physical, biological and social environments have been identified and are assessed below. The identified potential environmental and social issues and impacts have been discussed based on the nature / features of the project, project area of influence, field inspections and observations, concerns from stakeholder consultations. 6.1 Impact Assessment Approach To assess and quantify the identified impacts, factors considered to assess significance included: • Relationship of the impact to temporal scales - the temporal scale defines the significance of the impact at various time scales, as an indication of the duration of the impact. • Relationship of the impact to spatial scales - the spatial scale defines the physical extent of the impact. • The severity of the impact - the severity/beneficial scale is used in order to scientifically evaluate how severe negative impacts would be, or how beneficial positive impacts would be on a particular affected system (for ecological impacts) or a particular affected party. The severity of impacts can be evaluated with and without mitigation in order to demonstrate how serious the impact is when nothing is done about it. The word ‘mitigation’ means not just ‘compensation’, but also the ideas of containment and remedy. For beneficial impacts, optimization means anything that can enhance the benefits. However, mitigation or optimization must be practical, technically feasible and economically viable. • The likelihood of the impact occurring - the likelihood of impacts taking place as a result of project actions differs between potential impacts. There is no doubt that some impacts would occur (e.g. loss of vegetation), but other impacts are not as likely to occur (e.g. vehicle accident), and may or may not result from the proposed development. Although some impacts may have a severe effect, the likelihood of them occurring may affect their overall significance. The assessment of impacts included direct, indirect as well as cumulative impacts as provided in the EPA’s guidelines for the preparation of Environmental Impact Statement as well as the World Bank’s ESS1. The impact and risk predicted / identified will have the following attributes . ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 74 6.2 Community influence and vulnerable groups The Digya National Park is the main area to be affected by the proposed project infrastructure and as well as some fringe communities (Lassi, Koranten, Deefour, Nsogyanfour, Agoam-aabuso) which are close to the sites proposed for construction of project facilities. These will be the main areas of impact such as noise, dust, biodiversity loss, etc. Vulnerable groups including women and girls within the fringe communities and even staff of the park may be vulnerable to gender-based violence, sexual harassment, teenage pregnancy from potential influx of migrant labour. Mitigation measures proposed will minimize these impacts during the construction phase. Table 6-11 : Impact Types Term Definition Beneficial / Positive An impact that is considered to represent an improvement on the baseline or introduces a positive change. Adverse / Negative An impact that is considered to represent an adverse change from the baseline or introduces a new undesirable factor. Direct Impacts that arise directly from activities that form an integral part of the Project (e.g. new infrastructure). Indirect Impacts that arise indirectly from activities not explicitly forming part of the Project (e.g. noise changes due to changes in road traffic resulting from the operation of Project). Secondary or induced Secondary or induced impacts caused by a change in the Project environment (e.g. employment opportunities created by the supply chain requirements). Cumulative Impacts arising from the combination of multiple impacts from existing projects, the Project and / or future projects. Transboundary Impacts that extend to multiple countries, but are not global in nature (e.g. air pollution extending to neighboring countries and use or pollution of international waterways). Global Impacts that, when taken together with impacts created by other human activities, can become nationally, regionally or globally significant. 6.3 Criteria for Impact Evaluation Duration of the Impact A temporary impact can last days, weeks or months, but must be associated to the notion of reversibility. A permanent impact is often irreversible. It is observed permanently or may last for a very long term. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 75 Extent of the Impact The extent is regional if an impact on a component is felt over a vast territory or affects a large portion of its population. The extent is local if the impact is felt on a limited portion of the zone of study or by a small group of its population. The extent is site-specific if the impact is felt in a small and well defined space or by only some individuals. Intensity of the Impact The intensity of an impact is qualified as strong when it is linked to very significant modifications of a component. An impact is considered of average intensity when it generates perceptible disturbance in the use of a component or of its characteristics, but not in a way to reduce them completely and irreversible. A weak intensity is associated with an impact generating only weak modifications to the component considered, without putting at risk its utilization or its characteristics. Impacts Severity Major Impact: repercussions on the environment are very strong and cannot easily be reduced. Moderate Impact: 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 the application of mitigation measures. Following international best practice, significant impacts will be determined by consideration of the following: i. Sensitivity of the resource or receptor (rated as high, medium and low) by considering the importance of the receiving environment (international, national, regional, district and local), rarity of the receiving environment, benefits or services provided by the environmental resources and perception of the resource or receptor). For instance Schedule 5 (Regulation 30 (2) of Ghana’s EA Regulations defines environmentally sensitive areas as ‘all areas declared by law as national parks, watershed reserves, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries including sacred groves’ which could be affected as a result of the development of civil works particularly in the Digya National Park; and ii. Severity of the impact, measured by the importance of the consequences of change (high, medium, low, negligible) by considering inter alia magnitude, duration, intensity, likelihood, frequency and reversibility of the change. The following criteria were used to determine the sensitivity of the receptor / resource and severity of the impact. It should be noted that the definitions given are for guidance only, and not all the definitions will apply to all of the environmental/social receptors and resources being assessed. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 76 Therefore, the assessment will be further justified within each topic, referring to those tables where definitions are applicable. Table 6-12 : Determination of Receptor Sensitivity High Medium Low Guideline Receptor is rare, legally protected, Receptor is of regional Receptor is common, definitions of international or national importance. or of local importance. designation. Resource may benefit Resource is not used or Population rely on resource for the local population, but is of no value to the health, subsistence or livelihood, they do not rely on it for population. or receptor is of high cultural health, subsistence or value. livelihood. Receptor is Human receptors – vulnerable of some cultural value. groups, Project Affected People (PAPs). 6.4 Magnitude of the Impact The assessment of magnitude has been undertaken in two steps. Firstly, the key issues associated with the Project are categorised as beneficial or adverse. Secondly, impacts have been categorised as major, moderate, minor or negligible based on consideration of the parameters such as: • Duration of the impact - ranging from temporary with no detectable impact to impacts still present beyond decommissioning • Spatial extent of the impact – for instance, within the site, boundary to regional, and national. • Reversibility - ranging from permanent requiring significant intervention to return to baseline to no change • Likelihood – ranging from occurring regularly under typical conditions to unlikely to occur • Compliance with legal standards and established professional criteria - ranging from substantially exceeds national standards and limits / international guidance to meets or exceeds minimum standards or international guidance. Table 6-3 illustrates generic criteria for determining magnitude. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 77 Table 6-13 : Criteria for Determining Magnitude Magnitude (Beneficial Description or Adverse) Major Fundamental change to the specific conditions assessed resulting in long term or permanent change, typically widespread in nature, and requiring significant intervention to return to baseline; exceeds national standards and limits. Moderate Detectable change to the specific conditions assessed resulting in non-fundamental temporary or permanent change Minor Detectable but minor change to the specific condition assessed Negligible No perceptible change to the specific condition assessed 6.5 Positive Impacts The proposed civil works in and around the Digya National Park is expected to generate potentail positive impacts. The water systems in the park will improve the population of the wildlife through the provision of watering points at the peak of the dry season. The viewing platfroms will help boost the tourism capacity of the park and and will also promote the sustainable management of natural resources while the cassava processing facilities will enhance the livelihoods of local communities depending on these natural resources. Other positive impacts include: 6.5.1 Employment Generation The construction phase will generate direct employment opportunities, the majority being unskilled work. These workers will be hired by the construction contractor, which will mobilize the adequate workforce. Most of this workforce will likely be recruited locally, with a smaller percentage of specialized workers likely to be mobilized from abroad. The jobs created by the Project, both directly and indirectly, will lead to an increase in family income of the workers hired locally, and the improvement of the wellbeing of their families. Note, however, that these are temporary jobs related to works duration. 6.5.2 Economic Impacts The constructed water systems particularly in the fringe communities will provide enough water for the watering of animals during the dry season to improve the health of domestic animals which are source of income during the dry season. The provision of processing facilities will enhance the local livelihoods. This will further curtail the practice of rural-urban migration by the youth in search of jobs. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 78 6.6 Potential Negative Environmental and Social Impacts The construction of the water systems (water holes, dugouts and boreholes), game viewing platforms, toilet facilities and mini cassava processing facilities in and around the Digya National Park will be associated with some potential impacts considering the locations of the projects. The projects are in a sensitive area (protected area-Digya National Park) in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Regulations. Both the water systems and viewing platforms to be constructed in the park which is close to existing streams and rivers which have diverse and rich biodiversity. It is therefore important to ensure that any development that goes on within or close to them does not negatively affect their quality. 6.6.1 Construction Phase Impacts The perceived environmental consequences during the construction phase will include: ✓ Loss of Habitat and Biodiversity ✓ Air quality impacts ✓ Noise and vibration impacts ✓ Water quality deterioration ✓ Visual Intrusion ✓ Erosion and Siltation ✓ Potential fire hazard ✓ Conflict between construction activities and livestock watering ✓ ✓ Disposal of construction debris ✓ Impacts on occupational health and safety and community safety ✓ Transmission of infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS ✓ Community health and safety e.g. traffic accidents ✓ Gender Based Violence and Child Abuse (child labour, forced labour) ✓ 6.6.1.1 Loss of Habitat and Biodiversity Site preparation for the construction of the water systems, game viewing platforms, toilets and mini cassava processing facilities would involve the clearing of vegetation and to pave the way for the excavation of the reservoirs. The vegetation clearing may lead to the destruction of rear and endangered flora and the destruction of important habitats for some fauna. Though the construction will be in the national park and its fringes, fringes due to the mitigation measures prescribed it is anticipated that impact on, flora and fauna will be negligible. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 79 6.6.1.2 Impacts on Air Quality Ground preparation, excavation of the dugouts and water holes and the movement of heavy-duty trucks to and from the site will lead to the loosening of the soil, emissions from the combustion of fuel and the re-entrainment of particulate material. Airborne pollution, in particular, dust resulting from clearing and excavation of the land may pose health risk to construction workers and any near-by residents in the vicinity. Though the construction activity will generate some amount of dust, the impacts will be limited to only the construction phase of the project and therefore short term and the impact is considered minor. 6.6.1.3 Noise and Vibration Impacts During construction, noise and vibration nuisance are likely to emanate from the construction machinery, loading of construction spoils, tipping of raw materials, and movement of construction vehicles at the site. The generated noise and increase dust levels could further disturb the serene nature of the area. Noise to be generated during the construction stage will be intermittent and limited only to the construction phase. The impact is considered minor. The EPA permissible noise levels for residential areas is 50-60 dB, however, the construction sites are not close to the communities and therefore will not cause nuisance to these communities. Workers will be provided with appropriate PPEs when noise become excessive. 6.6.1.4 Water Quality Deterioration and Supply Impacts Some of the sites for water systems that will be constructed may be within channels of streams that may serve as source of domestic water for downstream users i.e. the main rivers like, Digya and Obosom The likelihood of the water quality deterioration from constructional activities will be high. If the downstream users continue to use the water, it may have serious implications on their health and that of their livestock. In addition, if the flow of the water is blocked, it will deprive downstream users the use of the water. The impact is evaluated as major.. 6.6.1.5 Visual Intrusion and Aesthetics The construction activities will result in temporal stockpile of soil because the they will be used for the establishment of the embankments for the dugouts and those of the waterholes in DNP will be conveyed to an accepted location agreed upon by the Sene west district assembly and the ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 80 management of the park, This impact will only be limited to the construction phase and sites and therefore rated as negligible. 6.6.1.6 Soil Erosion and Changes in Drainage Pattern Removal of vegetation and subsequent excavation activities required for water systems and the viewing platforms may impact the existing drainage pattern in the area if they are located near streams or rivers. Final selection of sites indicates that none of the water systems are located close to streams or rivers. The risks of soil erosion and changes in drainage patterns would not be a major risk, The sides of the embankments will also be vegetated with vertiva grass to curb erosion and reduce sedimentation of the dugout The impact for this anticipated risk will be negligible. 6.6.1.7 Potential Fire Hazards and Risks The proposed sites selected for the construction of the water systems, viewing platforms are located in the northern part of Ghana with Savana vegetation. This type of vegetation dries up during the dry season and prone to fire outbreak. The use of sources of fire such as matches and lighters and smoking of cigarette especially in the park by construction workers may cause fire outbreak and therefore affect the integrity of the flora and fauna. The storage of flammable materials and petroleum products such as petrol, diesel and engine oil may trigger fire outbreak. However, this impact is rated as negligible the activity itself will not pose any serious risks. 6.6.1.8 Disposal of Construction Spoils The construction spoils and debris generated at the site will have to be disposed of at an approved site to avoid environmental problems. The loading of the construction spoil into trucks and the movement of these trucks to and from may pose safety risks to both the construction workers and the communities along the haulage route. If the site for the disposal of the construction spoil is not carefully chosen, it may generate additional environmental challenges especially if the site is environmentally sensitive. The impact is rated moderate. 6.6.1.9 Liquid and Solid Waste Disposal Inadequate provision of portable restrooms/mobile toilets and garbage receptacles at the construction site could lead to unsanitary conditions. Resulting impacts could vary from unsightly littering of the site, fly and vermin infestations. It is essential to ensure that there is no direct defecation and discharge of untreated effluent into the nearby environment. The impact rating is negligible. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 81 6.6.1.10 Occupational Health and Safety Risks Particulate matter and noise to be generated during construction phase could affect the health of workers if not managed well. Dust emissions, noise nuisance, vibration and other risk factors in the work environment can pose serious occupational health and safety problems. The combined exposure of dust and noise could increase the risk of hypertension among workers, asthma, bronchitis, heart and lung disorders, sleep disorders, hearing loss etc. Another area of safety concern is the possibility of workers falling into the reservoir when it starts filling with water while construction is still on-going. The use of heavy equipment such as excavators can also pose serious safety risks. Overall, the impact of these factors is rated moderate. 6.6.1.11 Community Health and Safety Risks During the construction phase especially of water systems for the fringe communities there will be issues of dust, traffic, and community health and safety concerns. The earth materials excavated from dugouts near fringe communities will be used to create the embankments so there will no haulage of materials. The truck movement will only be the transporting of equipment. Dust may only be generated during excavation at the construction sites which are not close to the communities. 6.6.1.12 Gender based violence including sexual harassment, child abuse and child labour exploitation The contractor will at all times use local labour if they are available. The Works Contractor could engage children minors (child labour) for the construction works if proper checks and monitoring is not enforced. It will be necessary to ensure age verification of all workers, since it is sometimes difficult to define a person’s age, simply from the physical appearance. There is a possibility that construction workers may engage in acts of sexual exploitation and other forms of exploitation of workers if proper checks and monitoring are not enforced. Female workers/ female community members are at risk of gender-based violence including sexual harassment and exploitation from their male counterparts. According to the Domestic violence in Ghana document, 2016 its incidence among women decreased from 17.2 percent in 2008 to 10.3 percent in 2015 and that of men from 12.7 to 11.2 percent during the same period and this was higher in urban areas than rural. The inference is that the assessment area being rural has limited rate of gender-based violence. This impact is rated moderate. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 82 6.6.1.13 Transmission of infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS During the construction phase, workers are likely to move from their permanent place of residence to the communities. There is the possibility of sexual promiscuity and if the partners are unprotected there is the likelihood of transfer of sexuality transmitted diseases from one partner to the other, especially HIV/AIDS. The estimated district adult HIV prevalent rate for four out of five districts which falls under the DNP are Sene West 0.67, Sene East 2.51, Afram Plains South 1.14 and Sekyere Afram plains 0.72. (Ghana HIV Facts Sheet, 2020). 6.6.2 OPERATIONAL PHASE IMPACTS Operational phase impacts have been identified to include the following; ✓ Water quality deterioration ✓ Potential drowning hazard ✓ Employment generation ✓ Socio-economic impacts ✓ Conflicts ✓ Solid and liquid waste impacts ✓ Occupational Health and Safety ✓ Potential flooding and diseases 6.6.2.1 Water Quality Deterioration The water systems for the fringe communities are meant to water livestock in the beneficiary communities, however, due to scarcity of water resources, it may be used for other domestic purposes such as cooking and drinking. Animals which drink from the dugout are likely to defecate and urinate into the water which can lead to the deterioration of the quality of the water and render it unwholesome for other uses. The stagnant water may also serve as a breeding grounds for disease vectors which will have implications for the health of the people. This impact is rated major. 6.6.2.2 Potential Drowning Hazard/Fall from Platform During the operational phase of the water systems in the fringe communities, the dugouts will be full of water to a depth of about four meters. This will pose a serious risk of drowning to users, both human and animals if measures are not put in place to prevent such incidents. The operation of the viewing platforms may lead to accidental fall of tourists if adequate safety measures are not instituted. The impact is rated major. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 83 6.6.2.3 Inter community Conflicts The Digya National Park in Ghana has been the scene of conflicts between local communities and wildlife managers ever since its establishment in 1971. The conflicts range from apprehension of local people by Wildlife Officials for entry into the park to collect non-timber forest products, to serious confrontation with poachers, arrests and evictions that occasionally result in deaths. The provision of processing facilities for the fringe communities can lead to other dimensions of conflict during the operational phase. Issues of access (how and when) to the facility by community members may arise. The facility is also provided for the larger CREMA communities, though will be sited in just three (3) areas, which can also create some form of conflict at the operational stage. This impact is rated negligible. . 6.6.2.3 Solid and liquid waste The mini-processing facilities is expected to generate some amount of solid and liquid waste (effluent). The main source of solid waste will be cassava peeling from the mini processing plant. Improper accumulation and disposal of wastes can make the site aesthetically unpleasant, produce foul smell, and create conditions for breeding of disease-causing insects like houseflies. This poses a threat both to the health of workers onsite and the public as disease outbreaks. Pressing of grated cassava will also generate some liquid waste as well as that from toilets have to be managed. 6.6.2.4 Potential Flooding and Diseases The construction activities may lead to impoundments and stagnation of water, the physical locations of these water systems are at the low lying areas of the communities and water catchment areas. In the event of high and prolonged rainfall events, the possibility of the dugouts overflowing their banks is very low considering experiences on dugouts constructed during the erstwhile Sustainable Land and Water Management Project. However, variations in rainfall patterns due to climate change make the risk of flooding unpredictable and when it happens it may also be accompanied by disease-causing contaminants which may affect the community members. This impact is rated moderate. 6.6.2.5 Occupational Health and Safety risks Operation and maintenance of the cassava processing facility can put workers at high risk of accidents and incidents. Workers may also be exposed to exhaust fumes, fire hazard and noise. Noise operation is mainly expected to arise from machinery and equipment such as grinder and grater. This impact is site specific and rated moderate. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 84 6.7.2.6 Analysis of Cumulative Impacts? Regarding the analysis of cumulative impacts, it is anticipated that the impacts of individual interventions may be negligible, the cumulative effects of the past, present and reasonably foreseeable actions on biological resources and communities can be considerable. No significant cumulative impacts are expected on archaeology and cultural heritage, land use, air and water quality, noise, geology and soils. Overall, the cumulative impacts of the proposed civil works in the study area would be manageable with diligent adherence to World Bank standards and national requirements. Communities and resource agencies affected by these interventions have been substantially involved in the project planning and design of processes of these facilities to be constructed. The fruitful engagement the PCU, consultants and contractor had with them which the project will continue regularly will ensure that communities are not adversely affected or otherwise minor impacts can easily be mitigated. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 85 7.0 IMPACT MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES Mitigation measures are meant to ensure that project impacts are prevented from happening or minimized to a large extent. It is always appropriate to apply the mitigation hierarchy of avoidance, minimization and offsetting. Proper site selection and engineering and design may help avoid certain impacts. Where avoidance is not possible design can further minimize the impacts of the proposal so that their intensity can be reduced or mitigated. After mitigation measures are put in place proper monitoring regime can help evaluate the effectiveness of the measure put in place and where they are not effective corrective measures are implemented in order to ensure success. In situations where the impacts are positive, further measures are put in place to optimize the beneficial effects 7.1 Type of Mitigation Measures The mitigation measures proposed for consideration have been classified into three main groups, namely based on the mitigation hierarchy: • Preventive measures; • Control measures; and • Compensatory measures. 7.1.1 Preventive Measures At the design and pre-construction phase, preventive measures are developed and adopted. The avoidance or minimisation of potential major impacts at source are the aims of preventive measures. Avoiding or reducing an impact at source is essentially ‘designing’ the project so that a feature causing an impact is designed out (e.g., site selection to avoid sensitive areas) or altered (e.g., working at night where necessary) or avoided (e.g., community sensitisation programmes to avoid conflicts or confrontations). Regarding child labour, prevention measures would primarily include sensitization on the problem in the community, workforce and contractors, age verification of workers, and the planning of works activities in such a way it does not affect negatively the use of children’s time in the households. For example, if parents or adult household members are undertaking remunerated work for the project, this should not negatively affect children’s school attendance. This could happen if the works activities are not adapted to also take into account the time adult household members need to manage the household and undertake domestic chores. 7.1.2 Control Measures The measures adopted to abate or remedy the impacts occurring during construction and operation / maintenance phases are the control measures. The abatement of impacts could be done on site or ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 86 at the impact location. In instances where there is unavoidable damage to a resource, repair or remedy of impacts may be applied, e.g., re-vegetation of the affected areas where vegetation is cleared during land preparation. In this case repair essentially involves re-vegetation of the affected parts. Regarding child labour, contractors and workforce would be trained on age verification of workers, what child labour is, overall, in order to be able to identify cases, and know what to do if a case has been identified. 7.1.3 Compensatory Measures Where other mitigation measures are not possible or fully effective, compensation, when required, will be provided in accordance with the local standards as set forth by the relevant entities. 7.2 Mitigation Measures for Significant Potential Negative impacts The assessment revealed some significant potential project impacts for which mitigation measures will be required to ensure environmental soundness, social acceptability and project sustainability of both the construction and operation phases. While some of the measures will be in-built into project design, others will be implemented during project execution. The mitigation measures outlined to address their respective constructive phase impacts are: • Habitat and Biodiversity protection measures; • Air quality control measures; • Noise reduction and vibration control measures; • Water contamination prevention measures; • Visual Intrusion management measures; • Erosion and Siltation control; • Fire hazard control and safety; • Conflict prevention measures • Land acquisition and compensation management measures • Construction debris management; • Occupational health and safety measures; • HIV/AIDS prevention and management; • Community health and safety measures; and • Gender Based Violence, Child Abuse and Child Labour prevention measures. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 87 7.3 Mitigation of Construction Phase Impacts 7.3.1 Habitat and Biodiversity Protection measures During the construction period, clearing of the land will be limited to only the designated place and trees that can remain will not be felled. Where reforestation is required the project will task the Forest Services and Wildlife divisions to undertake this activity in consultation with management of DNP and community leaders in fringe communities Workers will not be allowed to capture any form of wildlife in spite of the regular patrol of park guards, they will also be educated on biodiversity protection. Selection of final sites with the assistance of park management will be don’t to jeopardize any critical habitat if any. 7.3.2 Air quality control measures Construction machinery will be serviced regularly according to manufacturer’s specifications to avoid/minimise the release of particulate matter into the air. It is expected that where the water systems will be built will be wet and therefore the soil will not be loosened to the extent of releasing suspended particulate matter. However, in areas where the soil is dry, water dowsing will be frequent especially during the dry season to avoid/minimise dust pollution as a result of wind action. Minimum amount of particulate matter is expected to be released from the construction of the viewing platforms, toilet and processing facilities will have minimum particulate matter emissions. 7.3.3 Noise reduction and vibration control measures Drivers of trucks and operators of construction machinery and equipment will be sensitised and required through regular safety meetings to use their horns only as a last resort in order to keep down noise levels at the project site. Construction equipment and machinery will be serviced regularly in order to keep their noise levels low. 7.3.4 Water contamination prevention measures Where the dugouts/waterholes will be constructed within the channels of streams and rivers, there will be temporary diversion so that the construction activities do not muddy the water and render it unwholesome for downstream users. The construction of the other infrastructures will not cause disturbance to the water resources within the park and its fringes. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 88 7.3.5 Visual Intrusion management measures During construction the project site will be fenced off and prevented from direct public view. This will also prevent unauthorized persons from accessing the site whiles construction is ongoing. The fencing will also prevent stray animals/wildlife from getting to the site which could be injurious. 7.3.6 Erosion and Siltation control Exposed soil surfaces will be compacted as much as possible to reduce erosion and siltation into water bodies. Sediment traps will be installed during construction to intercept solids from the site to prevent transport into near drainage systems. However, it is anticipated that construction of the water holes, dugouts and boreholes will take place during the dry season in order to avoid sediment-laden runoff and erosion incidences. Also exposed land surfaces will be landscape and vegetated immediately to minimize sediment movement. 7.3.7 Fire hazard control and safety Using naked fire or any ignition source that has the potential to spark or start fire on the construction sites will be prohibited and regarded an offence. Petroleum products to fuel construction machinery will be kept in a bunded and safe place to avoid leakages and possible fire explosion. Wildfires are controlled by creating fire belts as a preventive measure and control burning are intentionally done by park management to also prevent wildfires. Other emergencies are also the responsibility of park management to ensure that appropriate authorities are involved to address the issue depending on which part of the park such emergency situation occur. In addition first aid facilities are made available for victims immediately the situation occurs. 7.3.8 Construction Waste Management Measures The main construction waste and debris will be the cleared vegetation, the excavated soil, construction rubbles, paint containers and campsites waste which will require disposal. The cleared vegetation which will be mostly organic can be deposited near the construction site, while the excavated soil will be disposed of at an approved site where it will not generate further environmental problems. The disposal of the soil will be discussed with the relevant community leadership and the relevant District Assembly (Sene West) so that there will be common understanding in order to reduce conflicts. Plastic used by workers will also be collected in dustbins and disposed off at the appropriate dumpsite. Littering of plastics by workers will also be prohibited to protect pristine conditions of the site. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 89 During construction workers will be entitled to sanitary facilities such as mobile toilets and urinals. The job specification given to the contractor will ensure that provision is made for sanitary facilities for construction workers at the site to avoid unhygienic conditions. 7.3.9 Occupational Health and Safety measures The contractor will ensure that adequate and appropriate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other facilities are provided in accordance with the Factories, Offices and Shops Act, 1970 (Act 328) and the relevant Environmental and Social Standards of the World Bank. Operators of noisy equipment and machinery will be provided with earmuffs, whilst others who will be working in the trenches and on the walls of the water systems will be provided with harnesses if required. The contractor will enforce the use of PPEs and will have powers to sanction or reward workers of good behaviour. Traffic notices will be posted in the communities where haulage trucks will be passing to warn them of the potential dangers associated with the movement of the trucks. Speed limits will be imposed on all vehicles that will commute on the access road. The control of traffic to and from the site will help to avoid instances of vehicular-pedestrian conflicts. The contractor will hold weekly safety meetings with workers. 7.3.10 HIV/AIDS prevention and management Construction workers as well as the communities will be taken through an awareness and education programme on STDs, especially HIV/AIDS and the need to abstain or protect themselves. Preventive materials such as condoms will also be made available at vantage points such as the washrooms. 7.3.11 Gender Based Violence, Child Abuse and Child Labour prevention measures Efforts should be made to prevent project related GBV issues during construction and operation of infrastructure. Some measures to be instituted include • Require all contractors to have a Code of Conduct for project workers that: prohibits gender- based violence (including sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment (SEA/SH) as well as child and forced labour; prohibits sexual contact with persons under 18; and contains clear sanctions in the event of breach. • Require all contractors to regularly train employees on the GBV/SEA/SH Codes of Conduct and how to report incidents; • Require all contractors to document other SEA/SH risk mitigation measures (including incident response procedures) in their ESMPs or other safeguards instruments ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 90 • Ensure the implementation of the project’s Grievance Mechanism which has special procedures for confidentially responding to GBV/SEA/SH complaints with a survivor- centred approach; and put in place a referral pathway to GBV service providers linked to the Grievance Mechanism; • Develop an incident response protocol to guide the Wildlife Division’s response to GBV/SEA/SH incidents (Accountability and Response Framework) • Sensitize communities on GBV/SEA/SH risks as well as reporting mechanisms and expectations; • Post contact numbers of representative on the Grievance Redress Committee and GBV Service Providers around the construction site • Indicate a minimum requirement of female employment in the human resource policy of the facility manager/operator. 7.3.12 Child protection and Child Labour In order to prevent child labor, the community, workforce and contractors will be sensitized on what child labour is, and why it is harmful to children, age verification of workers will be undertaken. During the construction, contractors should only engage the right category of persons meeting the requisite minimum age requirement under the Ghana Children Act 1998 and the provisions made in the related World Bank ESS 2. Photo Identification with DOB (voter ID, NHIS card, SSNIT) should be provided prior to engagement of persons as proof of their legal age and all contractors will be required to have a Child Labour Policy in place and ensure their implementation. Child labour will also be prevented through planning works activities in such a way it does not affect negatively the use of children’s time in the households. For example, if parents or adult household members are undertaking remunerated work for the project, and if the works activities are not adapted to also take into account the time that adult household members need to manage the household and undertake domestic chores, this should not negatively affect children’s school attendance and opportunity to benefit from education. Thus, the work activities and engagement of adult workers for the project need to be carefully planned. Community members, contractors and workforce would also be trained on what child labour is, in order to be able to identify cases, and would be told what to do if a case has been identified. 7.3.13 Mitigation measures for Potential Oil contamination of Soil In order to prevent the potential for oil leakages from construction machinery, the contractor will adhere to strict maintenance and servicing regime so that any leaking part of the machines will be detected as early as possible and maintained to prevent soil contamination by oil leakages. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 91 7.4 Mitigation of Operational Phase Measures The mitigation measures outlined to address the operational phase impacts include the following; ✓ Water quality deterioration prevention measures ✓ Potential drowning hazard prevention measures ✓ Conflicts prevention and management measures ✓ Potential flooding and diseases ✓ Effluent discharge from toilets and processing facilities ✓ Solid Waste ✓ Occupational Health and Safety ✓ Noise 7.4.1 Water Quality Deterioration The dugout are being developed to serve the needs of the beneficiary communities mainly for livestock watering. In order to prevent deterioration of the water quality, the design will include water trough where little quantities may be collected where the animals will drink from instead of entering the reservoir. Notices such as ‘do not defecate’ will be posted around the dugout as a form of education and caution to community members to maintain the quality of water that will be collected in the dugout. Grasses will also be planted around the dugouts to reduce soil erosion and siltation of the dugouts. 7.4.2 Potential Drowning Hazard/Fall from Viewing Platform prevention measures The depth of the water at the deepest part may range from 2.5 to 4 meters. The potential risk for users’ drowning will be high. The design permits a slope of 20 % that permits animals and humans to fetch water from predetermined entrance to prevent drowning. Additional strategies to prevent drowning of humans may include the following: • Warning notice will be posted to indicate ‘no swimming’, ‘danger of drowning’, etc. • There will be extensive education in the communities on the use of the water including how to prevent the risk of drowning. There can be accidental fall of tourist from the viewing platforms. Forest/Tourist will be available to orient tourist on the precautionary measures to take when viewing game from the platform. The design of the platform will have some ‘benches’ where tourist can sit and view the game. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 92 7.4.3 Conflicts prevention and management measures Conflicts may arise when there is disagreement between or among parties. The water systems and processing facilities will not be provided in every fringe community and therefore those who will not be direct beneficiaries may also want to send their livestock to drink from the dugout especially during the dry season when there is scarcity of water as well as send their agricultural products for processing. This has the potential for conflicts between any two communities within the project area. Conflicts will be resolved through the following means; • A Water Management Committee (WMC) /Facility Management Committee will be put in place in all the beneficiary communities where there are no existing ones to oversee the use and management of the water. The committee will comprise representative from the traditional authority, cattle owners, women, youth, assemblyman/woman, farmers etc. • The Community Resource Management Committee (CRMCs) will be put in place in beneficiary communities where there are no existing ones to oversee the use and management of the processing facilities. The committee will comprise representatives of all units within the community i.e. traditional authority, women representative, assemblyman/woman, leader of Fulani herdsmen, farmers association, unit committee members, youth groups, fisher folk etc. • A grievance redress mechanism will be put in place as part of the management of the dugout and processing facilities. This will spell out the processes for reporting and resolving the conflicts. • Water sharing and use of processing facilities mechanisms among the communities will be developed to allow for the use of the water and processing facilities by other communities. 7.4.4 Fire Management The operational phase of the water systems especially those in the fringe communities will not have a direct linkage with fire hazards but the potential for water users to set fire into the vegetation around will be very high. The major tool for managing fire will be education and awareness creation. The community members will be educated on the hazards of fire and the need to prevent it from happening and more importantly maintain the vegetation around the dugout. The processing facilities to be constructed will comply with the provisions of the Fire precaution (premises) regulations, 2003 (LI 1724) by ensuring that appropriate fire extinguishers and other q as recommended by the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) are in place. Experts from the GNFS will also be engaged to train caretakers of these facilities. 7.4.5 Potential Flooding and Diseases prevention and management measures Flood control measures such as weir and appropriate buffers will be provided so that in the event of flooding it will not affect any of the communities. The dugouts are also sited far away from ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 93 communities in order to reduce the risk of flooding. In addition district Engineers of the various Assemblies the locations of the dugout and the Ghana Hydrological Authority will be involved in the review of design sessions to be organised by the Consulting firm. 7.4.6 Effluent Discharge from Toilets and Processing facilities Sewerage generated from the toilets to be constructed will be channelled to bio-fill or digester as the main treatment method. Where this is not feasible septic tanks will be installed as primary treatment and disposed at the approved District Assembly disposal facility when full. During the operations of the processing facilities wastewater generated from cassava processing activities would be held in ponds of different chambers for primary treatment. Treated effluent will be discharged in accordance with Ghana Standard for Environmental Protection-Requirements for Effluent discharges (GS 1212:2019) for the applicable sector. 7.4.7 Solid Waste Management Management of solid waste such as plastics, cassava peels, etc. generated during the operational phase of the processing facilities shall be done in accordance with the waste management hierarchy. As waste cannot be completely avoided, reuse measures will be exploited. For instance cassava peels will be dried and used for other purposes such as feeds for livestock and other medicinal purposes. Other waste such as plastics will also be segregated into color-coded bins and given out to EPA licenced companies for recycling. Plastic wastes will be reused or appropriately recycled. Where the waste is to be disposed it shall comply with the District Assembly’s bye-laws on waste management and sanitation 7.4.8 Occupational Health and Safety The FMCs and the CRMCs would be empowered to implement a Health & Safety Policy to guide the day-to-day operations at the facility. The operators of the processing facility will be trained on occupational health and safety measures to guide them in operating the machines in the processing facilities. Appropriate personal protective clothing/gears will be provided to workers and measures will be in place to enforce usage. Within the facilities, a well- stocked first aid kit will be provided to cater for minor injuries that may occur. 7.4.9 Noise All machinery should be maintained in good working condition through regular servicing in accordance with manufacture’s specification to reduce noise and vibration. The equipment, particularly grater and grinder which would be intermittently used, should be shut off in periods of non�use. Ghana Regional Appropriate Technology Industrial Service (GRATIS) the manufacturer of project processing facilities will be responsible for routine and regular servicing ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 94 of these equipment in compliance with the Ghana Standards for Health Protection - Requirements for Ambient Noise Control (GS 1222, 2018). 7.4.10 Cultural Heritage The World Bank Environmental and Social Standard 8 recognizes the importance of cultural heritage for current and future generations and the need to preserve and protect cultural heritage from the adverse impacts of sub-project activities. It therefore requires the assessment of the project impact on cultural heritage of the people. The consultation therefore tried to solicit information on any cultural heritage within the project area of influence that may be affected by the project. There was no indication that there exists any cultural heritage that may be physically affected by the sub-projects. What could not be identified is cultural heritage that might have been buried underground and are previously unknown. Such cultural heritage that may be found by chance during implementation of sub-project activities will be managed using the chance finds procedure described in section 8.9.7. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 95 8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN This Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) has been developed for the proposed civil works in and around the Digya National Park in compliance with the requirements of the Ghana Environmental Assessment Regulations of 1999, (LI 1652), and the relevant World Bank environmental and social standards to guide project implementation in an environmentally and socially sound and sustainable manner. 8.1 Objectives of the ESMP The following are the objectives for the implementation of the ESMP: ▪ ▪ Manage impacts during the implementation phase of the project. ▪ Ensure satisfactory environmental and social performance. ▪ Provide a platform to accommodate changes and uncertainties during project implementation. 8.2 Environmental and Social Risk Management Team In order to maintain control over the implementation of the project and also ensure that commitments made in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) are acted upon in a comprehensive and acceptable manner to meet World Bank and national requirements. The team will comprise the existing structures at the national, regional, district and community level i.e. Safeguards officer (PCU), Technical Coordination office (TCO), EPA Area office/WD and CWMTs/CRMCs. The Project ESRM Team will be responsible for the following: • Ensuring project’s compliance with all relevant environmental, social, health and safety regulations. • Liaising with all relevant regulatory bodies and organizations to ensure compliance. • Formulating and reviewing environmental and social policies and practices associated with the projects. • Assisting in the education and training of project staff in environmental, social and safety awareness. • Making budgetary provisions for projects’ environmental programmes. • Undertaking environmental and social safeguard monitoring activities for the civil works. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 96 8.3 Environmental Management Structure The Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) and the Safeguard Officers are responsible, among others, for pre-project development as well as the post project implementation of all environmental and social-risk management activities. The post-construction or operational phase environmental management will be incorporated into the relevant MMDAs Medium Term Development Plans (MTDP) and implemented by the beneficiary communities. To ensure that the environment is managed efficiently, requisite training shall be provided for the members of the Project Coordinating Unit, Beneficiary Agencies, and the Community Watershed Management Teams (CWMTs), CREMA Executive Committees (CEC)/Community Resource Management Committees (CRMCs). 8.3.1 Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) The PCU will be responsible for all project activities including management of environmental and social issues associated with the project. The PCU is responsible for: • Monitoring all environmental and social programs for pre-construction, construction and operational phases of the project, including issues relating to bio-physical and socio- cultural and economic components. • Working closely with project contractors to ensure that all monitoring and mitigation guidelines, recommendations for the project are adhered to. This includes compliance with all health, social and safety guidelines outlined and environmental policy guidelines. • Working closely and coordinating efforts with the EPA and other regulatory bodies including the MMDAs to ensure full compliance with all legal and regulatory requirements • Organizing activities to motivate and maintain the interest of the project staff in social and environmental issues through training programs and review meetings • Conducting investigations into all types of accidents and incidents • Conducting environmental and social audits in accordance with project monitoring guidelines • Serving as liaison between project contractors and the relevant regulatory agencies • Developing a work plan for the implementation of the ESMP • Establishing and running a reporting system on progress of implementing mitigation measures (including contractors’ obligations), training, etc. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 97 8.4 General Health and Safety Procedures Procedures relating to occupational safety and health will be guided by the Occupational Safety and Health Policy for Ghana (Draft 2004), the Public Health Act, 2012 (Act 851) and the World Bank Group Guidelines on Environment, Health and Safety. Some highlights are provided below; • Manual lifting • Hearing protection • Protective equipment • Good house-keeping • Fire prevention • Prevention of falls from heights • Electrical hazards • Machinery safety • Welding safety • Head protection • Feet protection • Provision of first aid items All the applicable occupational safety and health provisions in the Factories, Offices and Shops Act 328, (1970) shall be complied with during the implementation of the project. The mitigation measures recommended in the ESIA will also be fully implemented. 8.4.1 Fire Prevention and Safety System The general fire precautions to be taken during construction and operation includes: ✓ The posting of “no smoking� signs at fire sensitive areas (e.g. fuel storage areas at the work camp, etc.) ✓ Provision of appropriate and adequate number of fire extinguishers ✓ Proper storage of rags used in cleaning hazards and containing flammable liquids (e.g. in metal containers for safe disposal) ✓ Handling of flammable materials by competent persons only ✓ Provision of emergency fire alarm systems In addition, fire prevention and containment training would be carried out for all project employees at construction sites for civil works. . At the end of the training, the personnel would have adequate knowledge of all fire prevention systems recommended in the ESIA. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 98 8.4.2 Change Management The PCU recognizes that environmental and social issues that are covered by the project ESIA and ESMP could change (in terms of severity, magnitude, etc.) as the project proceeds. The Project Coordination Unit (PCU) will be responsible for change management. The PCU shall specifically undertake the following. ✓ Preview internal environmental reports. ✓ Monitor Project development, and observe significant issues as they arise. ✓ Make decisions about modifications to mitigation and monitoring needs and requirements. ✓ Advice on external reporting on environmental and social issues, as required. 8.4.3 Documenting Voluntary Donation of Community Lands As their contribution, beneficiary communities have donated lands towards the delivery of the sub- projects. The Lands Act, 2020 (Act 1036) refers to such voluntary donation of land to the state as “gifts�, and emphasises the need for documentation. Per ESS 5, a Voluntary Land Donation (VLD), as a method of acquisition of land for a Bank project is allowed, provided that the conditions set out in the VLD protocol are met, and certain confirmations concerning the donation are made by the proponent. In this regard, an agreement template (appendix 5) for documenting VLDs has already been prepared. The template contains the conditions set out in the VLD protocol, and outlines the confirmations to be made as part of the documentation process. It is important to clarify that the template is applicable to the facilities to be constructed in the fringe communities, as lands there are customary owned lands. However, in respect of the facilities to be constructed within the boundaries of the Mole National Park itself, the Lands Commission and Forestry Commission will advise about land allocations processes and documentation. Also, The PCU will work closely with the Lands Commission (LC) and Land Use and Spatial Planning Authority (LUSPA) offices responsible for the location of each land. For each location, LUSPA will confirm the conformity of the planned development with the land use plan of the area, and grant permits accordingly. Before each agreement is signed/ executed with the relevant community representatives, a consultation session will be organized to sensitize the community people and their leaders on the agreement and its provisions. Any concerns raised would be addressed. A transparent record of all such consultations and agreements reached around the land donation will be kept by the PCU. As part of the efforts to ensure transparency and inclusion in the consultations, any Customary Land Secretariat (CLS) that exists in any location for a sub-project would be involved in the ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 99 processes, and copies of executed agreements would be lodged with the CLS for safekeeping on behalf of their communities, aside copies to be given to the community leadership. 8.5 Cost of Environmental Management The PCU will make human resources available for environmental management and enhancement. In addition, financial provision shall be made to ensure that mitigation measures (including compensation), monitoring and training programs are effectively implemented. The PCU will make the necessary budgetary provisions to cover all commitments for the construction and management of the water systems (dugouts, waterholes, and boreholes), viewing platform, processing facilities. Budgetary provision for environmental management during construction will be part of the contractor’s cost and would be adequately provisioned for. 8.6 Environmental Management during Construction Phase The construction phase negative impacts identified in the EIA will be directly associated with the activities of the contractor. E&S management during the construction phase is essentially concerned with controlling impacts, which could result from the activities of the Contractor. This would be done through the enforcement of Contract Clauses which relate to environmental and social protection. These clauses will have effect if they are fully implemented and enforced. The PCU will therefore ensure compliance through the following measures: • Monitor the progress of the contractor in implementing the mitigation measures outlined in the Contract documents and ESIA as well as the contractor ESMP. • Liaising with regulatory bodies to ensure that policies, procedures and environmental management issues are complied with. • Coordinating parties involved in the impact mitigation and enhancement process, including: contractors, consultants, as well as the general public 8.7 Environmental and Social Management Responsibilities The negative impacts expected from the project were outlined and the corresponding mitigation measures were also proposed for implementation. An important consideration for this project is the implementation phase where the immediate environment could be degraded. The key stakeholders in the environmental management of the project are the Engineer (designer and supervisor), the Contractor and the general public. The plan outlined below allocates the responsibility for implementation of the proposed mitigation measures to the various stakeholders. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 100 8.7.1 Environmental Management Responsibilities of the Engineer • Design the project for the least negative environmental impact during the construction and operational phases of the project • Design the project for environmentally friendly construction methods • Design the project prescribing materials with the least negative environmental impact. • Incorporate any feasible safely measures within the project design • The Engineer shall incorporate all suitable clauses requiring the contractor to execute his work with due diligence and applying environmentally friendly methods. Any such requirement must be accompanied by the necessary methods for monitoring and enforcement. Clauses with principle content as outlined below are considered as the minimum requirement • Monitor the overall environmental and social impacts of the project and recommend additional mitigation measures for implementation when deemed necessary. The Engineer will supervise and enforce the Contractors’ performance on all environmental requirements included in the Contract Documents. • The Engineer will monitor the overall environmental impact of the project and recommend additional mitigation measures for implementation when deemed necessary • The Engineer will liaise with the local health and educational authorities to plan and implement an agreed awareness raising campaigns on issues of health and safety, GBV/SEA/SH, child labour and grievance redress. 8.7.2 Environmental Management Responsibilities of the Contractor The responsibilities of the contractor are indicated below; • Mobilization: - Ensure that all staff, including managers and foremen are well informed about all environmental/social (including GBV/SEA/SH and grievance mechanism) issues of the project, and ensuring that they all sign on to a Code of Conduct (CoC) that explicitly include expectations and consequences for GBV/SEA/SH-related misconduct • Ensure that all site managers and foremen are trained in environmentally friendly construction methods • Ensure that all equipment mobilized fulfil the environmental requirements for the Contract Document • Obtain necessary approvals for all borrow pits ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 101 • Requirement for the Contractor to prepare and submit plans for borrow pit management for approval by the relevant authorities and the Engineer in due time before starting any clearing activity at the site • Establish a waste management plan comprising all types of wastes • Apply environmentally friendly equipment and construction methods • The Contractor is responsible for maintaining and operating own and sub-contractors equipment in accordance with the original manufacturer’s specifications and service manuals to control noise, vibrations and particulate emissions. Faulty equipment must be rectified or replaced within 24 hours of being given notice. • Ensure occupational health and safety for all workers and visitors to the sites. • Fulfil all environmental requirements of the Contract Document • Inform the Supervising Engineer if any unforeseen negative environmental impact should occur Ensure that all affected project areas have been properly cleaned of waste, graded and re-vegetated • The Contractor is responsible for providing safe passage around or through his work site. • The contractor is responsible for conducting the necessary community entries, developing appropriate relationships with community folks and leadership, properly implementing the grievance redress mechanism, communicating proactively and conducting meaningful consultations with community people, providing the required sensitisation to manage risks of GBV/SEA/SH and child labour as well as managing any potential risk of influx of migrant workers. • The contractor must have adequate relevant knowledge of the rules and regulation for environmental protection in Ghana which must include; o Noise nuisance o Air quality o Water pollution o Waste management 8.8 Reviews Based on Monitoring Outcomes There will be continuous monitoring of the project activities during both the construction and operation phases. The outcome of these monitoring activities may require changes in the proposed mitigation measures to improve upon their effectiveness and adequacy. The monitoring plan is therefore very key to this ESMP. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 102 8.9 Programme to meet Requirements of the ESMP The programmes proposed to enhance mitigation measures and monitoring programmes include the following: ▪ Development and Implementation of a Construction Management Plan; ▪ Adoption of Environmental Health and Safety Plan; ▪ Environmental Health and Safety Committee ▪ Contractors’ ESMP (including the Community Safety and Traffic Management Plan, and the Occupational Health and Safety Plan) ▪ Workers’ training and awareness creation ▪ Environmental and Social Monitoring Programme ▪ Community Safety and Traffic Management Plan ▪ Occupational Health and Safety Plan ▪ GBV/Sexual Harassment & Abuse ▪ Child labour ▪ Management Plan and Training/Capacity Building ▪ Emergency Response Plan with respect to the potential issues relating to the operational efficiencies and management of the GLRSSMP civil works and infrastructure facilities ▪ Public and community participation; ▪ Grievance Redress Mechanism ▪ Environmental and Social Audits and Reviews; 8.9.1 Development and Implementation of Construction Management Plan (CMP) The GLRSSMP-EPA PCU will require bidders for the GLRSSMP civil works to develop and implement a Construction Management Plan. This requirement will be spelled out in the GLRSSMP Civil works’ contract, which will be performance-based. The plan will cover the following: ▪ Introduction - Indicating the contract Administrative Jurisdiction, Site Location, Site Overview and Development Overview. ▪ Construction Programme and Phasing. ▪ Site Establishment - Site Office and Compound, Site Hoarding and Security, Construction Personnel Numbers, Site Access (Pedestrian and Vehicle Access), Construction Vehicle Numbers, Onsite Construction Parking, Logistics Planning ▪ Site Monitoring and Management including Noise Monitoring, Vibration Monitoring, Air Quality, Dust Control and Monitoring, Site Management and Security, Covered Vehicles and Dust Suppression. ▪ Substructure and Superstructure Construction Methodology. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 103 ▪ Health and Safety including General Health, Safety and Environmental Considerations, Control of Substances Hazardous to Health, Environmental, Emergency and Accident Procedure. ▪ Construction Stage Community Liaison indicating Code of Practices, Respect for the Community, Community Liaison Manager and Community Programmes. 8.9.2 Adoption of Environmental, Health and Safety Management Plan The Contractor shall develop an environmental, health and safety plan to guide the sustainable implementation of the project. The GLRSSMP-EPA PCU shall ensure that contractors implement the EHS Plan. The plan, which should include Code of Conduct, GBV/SH/SEA, child labour issues and standard operating procedures, will serve to guide the workers in their daily activities and also serve as a training manual for in-service training as well as induction of new workers engaged on the project. 8.9.3 Contractors’ ESMP (C-ESMP) The contractors executing the various GLRSSMP civil works will prepare a Contractor’s ESMP to be approved by the GLRSSMP-EPA PCU prior to the commencement of civil work works. The C-ESMP will be used for the implementation of the various environmental and social actions aimed at managing various potential impacts and risks from construction of the GLRSSMP Civil works. The following outline can be considered by the Contractor as a guide for preparation of the C- ESMP: • Introduction • Brief Description of the Civil work and Construction Activities • Legal and Other Requirements • Roles and Responsibilities • Environmental and Social Management • Health and Safety Management • Community Liaison and Grievance Redress • Compliance and Monitoring • Incidents, Non-Conformance and Preventive Actions • Reporting; • Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates, and • Conclusion. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 104 8.9.4 Worker’s Training and Awareness Creation The contractor will ensure effective dissemination of information to all staff on the GLRSSMP civil works. Training programmes will be regularly organised on environmental, health and safety. These will include formal in-service training, and induction for new staff. The trainings will include the following: • EHS policies and procedures; • Worker Code of Conduct • Standard operating procedures; • Machine/equipment handling and operation; • Road safety and traffic regulations; • Public health and sanitation; • Gender-based violence/Sexual harassment/Sexual exploitation and abuse, child labour • Emergency response; and • Occupational health and safety, including First aid. 8.9.5 Environmental and Social Monitoring Programme Comprehensive monitoring programmes will be developed based on the monitoring plan provided in Section 11 for relevant environmental and social monitoring parameters. 8.9.6 Archaeological and Cultural Heritage Chance Find Procedure In the event of finding previously unknown sites or feature of archaeological or cultural value during project implementation, the following standard procedures for identification, protection from theft, treatment and recording should be followed. Specifically, the procedures will be to (a) Stop the activities in the area of the chance find. (b) Delineate the discovered site or area. (c) Secure the site to prevent any damage or loss of removable objects. (d) Notify the Supervising Engineer who in turn will notify the responsible authorities. (e) The Ministry of Tourism, in collaboration with responsible local authorities (where applicable), would be in charge of protecting and preserving the site before deciding on subsequent appropriate procedures. (f) The Ministry of Tourism and National Museums and Monument Board will make decisions on how to handle the findings. This could include changes in the layout (such as when finding irremovable remains of cultural or archaeological importance), conservation, restoration, and salvage. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 105 (g) The Ministry of Tourism shall communicate implementation of the authority decision concerning the management of the finding in writing. (h) Construction work could resume only after permission is given from Ministry of Tourism or other responsible authorities concerned with safeguarding the cultural heritage. These procedures shall be referred to as standard provisions in construction contracts, E&S Procedures for Inclusion in the Technical Specifications for Contracts. During project supervision, the Site Engineer shall monitor the above regulations relating to the treatment of any chance find encountered. Relevant findings will be recorded in the Monitoring Reports. 8.10 Grievance Redress Mechanism The GLRSSMP and the African Environmental Health and pollution Management Project (AEHPMP) which are World Bank investment projects have developed a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM). The objective of the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is to provide clear channels and platforms for receiving and addressing complaints raised by project affected persons (PAPS), communities and other interest groups on the implementation of project activities in a timely, impartial and transparent manner. The GRM consists of four levels and has various structures within these levels for receiving of complaints and addressing them. Complaints are escalated to the next higher level if they are not resolved. For the purpose of this report the levels and structures mentioned below are for the landscape component of the GLRSSMP Community Level At the community level the structures for receiving and resolving complaints are; community watershed management team (CWMT) for farmers in beneficiary communities and community resource management committee (CRMC) for CREMA beneficiary communities. District Level At the district level two structures namely the district watershed management (DWMTs) and the protected areas management advisory units (PAMAUs). Regional Level The main regional structure for the Landscape component of the GLRSSMP is the two (2) Technical Coordination Offices in Bolgatanga for the northern savannah zone and in Kumasi for the transitional and cocoa forest landscape area. All the beneficial and implementing Agencies are represented in the TCO. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 106 National Level At the national level, all complaints from all the other three levels resolved or unresolved will be sent to the main portal. The EPA Project Coordinating Unit (PCU) manages this portal through the Client Relations Unit (CRU). However, gender based violence, sexual exploitation abuse/sexual harassment and child labour (GBV/SEA/SH, CL) complaints will be referred to the Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit (DOVVSU) of the Ghana Police and the Department of Social Welfare to address such complaints and wherever such situations occurs the committee at that level will have the duty to map out public or private institutions whose operations cover such offences to also assist in addressing such issues. These national institutions shall provide feedback information to the EPA- PCU and consequently to victims. The various structures will be provided with complaint receiving forms developed to administer complaints and for record purposes (see annex 7). In addition active telephone numbers of beneficiary institutions (EPA, MoFA, WD and FSD) in the district will also be provided for the community structures for any clarification they may require concerning complaints. Field officers i.e. EPA PCU Safeguards officers, MoFA Schedule officers and Agricultural Extension Agents will always be available to assist community structures to administer complaints at that level. 8.10.1 Workers GRM Contractors engaged by the project shall be made to implement the GRM system which is part of their contractors environmental and social management plans (CESMP) which forms an integral part of the contractual agreement documents approved by the PCU. The GRM will ensure that complaints from workers engaged by the contractor shall be received and addressed in a timely and transparent manner. A complaint log will be made available to contractors for record and monitoring purposes. 8.11 Environmental and Social Budgeting An amount of USD 135,000 (excluding contractor and design consultant cost) will be required for environmental management including monitoring and reporting as shown in Table 8-14. Table 8-14: Estimated Budget for Environmental and Social Management No Activity Cost/p.a (USD) 1 Implementation of mitigation measures-ESMP (see Table 9-2): ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 107 • Construction Phase In contractor’s fees • Operational Phase In project’s Environment and safeguard Budget 2 Training and Capacity Building (See Table 9-2) 70,000.00 3 Environmental Auditing and Reporting: 15,000.00 Quarterly environmental, health and safety audits Returns of Monitoring Reports to EPA (In compliance with LI 1652) Preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plan every 3 years (In compliance with LI 1652) 4 Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan (See Table 10-1) 50,000.00 5 ESMP and Implementation of Grievance Redress Mechanism (Existing - GLRSSM-EPA-PCU Budget) Total 135,000.00 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 108 Table 8-15: Environmental and Social Management Plan: Proposed Civil Works in and around Digya National Park No Potential Impacts Key Mitigation Measures Objective Budget/Cost Timeframe Responsibility (USD) Construction Phase ▪ Careful site selection for the infrastructure ▪ To protect key ▪ In ▪ Engineering ▪ Contractor ▪ Development of Biodiversity management habitat Contractor’s Design and ▪ DNP Management plan if requires ▪ To avoid areas fees Construction (Ecologist) ▪ Careful planning and timing of of conservation ▪ WD Budget ▪ PCU (WD&FSD) 1 Biodiversity construction activities. interest (PCU) ▪ Limit clearing to only designated areas needed for the infrastructure ▪ Reforestation of felled trees to be done by the FSD and Wildlife as pert PCU activity ▪ Regular servicing and maintenance of ▪ Minimize Safeguards Construction Contractor, construction equipment particulate budget (PCU) GLRSSMP-EPA PCU Ambient Air 2 ▪ Water dousing in dry construction areas matter emission Quality/Noise ▪ Limit the use of horns in the community ▪ Reduce noise nuisance ▪ For in-stream works, use isolation ▪ To limit the ▪ In ▪ Engineering ▪ Contractor techniques such as diversion during exposure of Contractor’s Design and Disturbance to construction to limit the exposure of disturbed fees Construction 3 waterbodies/erosion disturbed sediments to moving water. sediments to and siltation ▪ Exposed surfaces will be compacted as moving water much as possible Construction sites will be fenced Not to disturb In Design and Contractor Visual For construction activities in the park, the aesthetics in Contractor’s construction 4 intrusion/aesthetics materials or appropriate colours will be the park / fees used community ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 109 No Potential Impacts Key Mitigation Measures Objective Budget/Cost Timeframe Responsibility (USD) Petroleum products and other fire Eliminate the Construction Contractor flammable materials are kept appropriately risk of fires and PCU Budget Ensure activities that are likely to cause Reduce the fire are prevented incidence of fire Fire Hazard and Creation of fire belts around construction at construction 5 other emergencies sites and dealing with emergency situation sites through collaboration between contractors and park management Provision of first aid facilities to deal with emergencies ▪ Establishing a waste management ▪ Ensure proper ▪ In ▪ Engineering ▪ Contractor hierarchy at the construction site management of Contractor’s Design and Solid and liquid ▪ Construction waste should be disposed of solid and liquid fees Construction 6 wastes in partnership with the Assembly waste ▪ Provide sanitary facilities for construction workers ▪ Fenced off construction sites to prevent ▪ Ensure social ▪In ▪ Engineering • District Assembly/ falls and accidents cohesion Environmental Design and • PCU E&S ▪ Sensitize the community on the objectives between the and social Tendering Safeguards Officer 7 Social Conflict of the project project, safeguards ▪ construction • Contractor ▪ Contractor to use local labour as much as contractor and budget possible community ▪ Create awareness on the construction ▪ To ensure ▪ In ▪ Engineering • PCU E&S Safeguards activities including schedules of work community Environmental Design and Officer ▪ Promote education among workers to safety and and social Tendering ▪ Contractor Community Health 8 reduce the transmission of HIV/AIDS and prevent safeguards ▪ construction and Safety other sexually transmitted diseases transmission of budget (STDs). STDs ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 110 No Potential Impacts Key Mitigation Measures Objective Budget/Cost Timeframe Responsibility (USD) Occupational ▪ Provision of appropriate PPEs and ensure ▪ To ensure ▪ In ▪ Engineering ▪ PCU E&S Health and Safety their use workers are safe Environmental Design and Safeguards Officer 9 issues (accidents, ▪ Develop labour management plan from and social Tendering ▪ Contractor injury/ailments to ▪ Continuous education and awareness on occupational risk safeguards ▪ construction workers) safety working and hazards budget Contractors to engage the right category of To prevent Child In Environmental Engineering • PCU E&S Safeguards persons for construction work in accordance labour and abuse and social Design and Officer with ESS 2 and Ghana’s Labour Law of construction safeguards Tendering ▪ Contractor Child labour and Verification of age of prospective workers workers budget construction abuse of 10 with available means (photo identification) construction Workforce and contractors will be sensitized workers on what child labour is, and why it is harmful to children, age verification of workers will be undertaken ▪ Contractor to ensure all workers sign and ▪ To prevent ▪ In ▪ Engineering • PCU E&S Safeguards abide by the code of conduct on GBV and workers from Environmental Design and Officer SEA/SH sexually and social Tendering ▪ Contractor 11 GBV/SH/SEA ▪ Sensitize the community on the project exploiting safeguards ▪ construction GRM especially on reporting of incidences community budget members Operational Phase Appropriate notices such as ‘do not Avoid pollution of ▪ In ▪ Operational ▪ PCU E&S defecate’, ‘do not farm’ will be posted in the the water systems Environmental period Safeguards Officer 1 Water Quality vicinity of the dugout, waterholes and and social boreholes safeguards budget Potential • Warning notice will be posted to indicate To ensure ▪ In ▪ Operational ▪ PCU E&S Drowning/Fall ‘no swimming’, ‘danger of drowning’ community safety Environmental period Safeguards Officer 2 from Viewing etc. and social ▪ Community platform ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 111 No Potential Impacts Key Mitigation Measures Objective Budget/Cost Timeframe Responsibility (USD) • There will be extensive education in the safeguards communities on the use of the water budget including how to prevent the risk of drowning. • A Facility Management Committee will be Improve cohesion ▪ In ▪ Operational ▪ PCU E&S put in place in all the beneficiary among fringe Environmental Period Safeguards Officer communities to oversee the use and communities and social ▪ Community management of the water safeguards • A grievance redress mechanism will budget be put in place as part of the 3 Social Conflict management of the dugout. This will spell out the processes for reporting and resolving the conflicts • Facility usage mechanisms among the communities will be developed to allow for the use of the processing facility • Education and awareness creation on Ensure the ▪ In ▪ Operational ▪ E&S Safeguards fire management practices infrastructures are Environmental period Officer • Undertake tree growing along the protected from and social ▪ Community 4 Fire boundaries of the water systems fires safeguards • provision of fire extinguishers and budget other equipment as recommended by the Ghana national Fire Service • Bio-fill or digesters to be installed as Ensure proper ▪ In ▪ Operational ▪ E&S Safeguards treatment options. Where not feasible management of Environmental period Officer 5 Effluent Discharge septic tanks to be provided for toilet Effluents and social ▪ Community facilities safeguards budget ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 112 No Potential Impacts Key Mitigation Measures Objective Budget/Cost Timeframe Responsibility (USD) • Waste water from processing facilities will be discharged in accordance with the Ghana Standards for Environmental protection- requirements for Effluent discharge (1212:2019) • Solid waste generated will comply Ensure proper ▪ In ▪ Operational ▪ E&S Safeguards with the District Assembly’s bye- management of Environmental period Officer laws on waste management solid and social ▪ Community 6 Solid Waste • Segregation of solid waste and safeguards disposed of at approved waste budget disposal sites • Recycling and Reuse • Provision of personal protective To ensure workers ▪ In ▪ Operational ▪ E&S Safeguards clothing, such as hard boots, helmets, are safe from Environmental period Officer nose masks, ear-muffs and overalls occupational risk and social ▪ Community to all workers, and enforcing its and hazards safeguards proper use budget • Provision and maintenance of well- Occupational stocked first-aid facilities, with at least, to treat minor injuries and 7 Health ailments. and Safety • Workers who get involved in accidents or suffer major injuries will be transported quickly to a hospital to seek professional medical help; • Train processing facility operators in OHS • Regular servicing and maintenance Reduce noise In Operational E&S safeguards 8 Noise of processing equipment nuisance Environmental phase officer ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 113 No Potential Impacts Key Mitigation Measures Objective Budget/Cost Timeframe Responsibility (USD) • Ensure compliance with Ghana and social Standards for Health Protection - safeguards Requirements for Ambient Noise budget Control (GS 1222, 2018) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 114 9.0 INSTITUTIONAL ARRANGEMENTS This section sets out the institutional framework for implementing the measures including where further strengthening is required or where Environmental Protection Agency which is the coordinating unit for the project may be required to put additional measures in place for the GLRSSMP civil works. The Directorate of Crop Services and the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission who are beneficiary institutions are under the umbrellas of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and Ministry of lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) respectively. Additionally, proposed institutional responsibilities for both the construction and operation phases as well as the monitoring of the proposed projects have been defined in table 9-16 below. Table 9-16: Institutional Roles and Responsibilities Institution Responsibility Phase of Implementation Environmental ▪ Overall responsibility for the design and Project lifespan Protection Agency / implementation of the Sub- Projects under (design and GLRSSMP-EPA- component 3 of GLRSSMP, implementation) PCU ▪ Lead community entry processes with community leaders and chiefs disclosing project objectives and documentation of VLD processes ▪ Implementation, management, oversight, and monitoring of the project interventions ▪ Enter into and manage contracts with Contractors/Consultants including the ESIA Consultant and Design Consultants. ▪ Ensure all design measures proposed in the ESIA are incorporated in the project design and implemented. ▪ Ensure all necessary environmental reports, permits and approvals such as ESIA, environmental permits, etc. are prepared/ obtained for the project. ▪ Ensure that all measures during the pre- construction phase are addressed by the GLRSSMP-EPA-PCU and the Supervision Consultants ▪ Managing administrative processes and related reporting, and public/community relations. ▪ Supervision of contractor(s) and works at the GLRSSMP CIVIL WORK sites ▪ Lead in addressing grievances ▪ Facilitate/support stakeholder engagement Forestry ▪ Responsible for the monitoring and evaluation of Project lifespan Commission/Wildlife project activities which include reviewing of design (design and Division/MoFA implementation) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 115 Institution Responsibility Phase of Implementation (Directorate of Crop and other reports submitted by all project consultants to Services) the Agency ▪ Ecologist from WD (MNP) will assess biodiversity and habitat change Design Consultant/ ▪ Responsible for the E&S Due Diligence, design and Pre-Construction, Supervising Engineer overall supervision of construction works and conduct Construction, of the contractor. Operation and ▪ Ensure environmental and social management Decommissioning considerations in the project design are implemented Phases during construction. Contractor ▪ Implement all environmental and social management Construction measures in the project designs and ESIAs/ESMPs during construction. ▪ Responsible for environmental and social management of the project during construction. ▪ Responsible for the health and safety and welfare of workers and communities during construction. Traditional ▪ Local needs definition and prioritisation Project lifespan Authorities/Opinion ▪ Local knowledge and values (design, Leaders ▪ Community planning and mobilisation construction, ▪ Mobilisation of local assets and resources operation and ▪ Monitoring and evaluation maintenance and ▪ Internal organisation and conflict resolution monitoring) NGOs/CBOs ▪ Local needs assessment Project lifespan ▪ Community mobilisation and participation in project (design, delivery construction, ▪ Community project design and implementation operation and ▪ Leverage external funding for community support maintenance and ▪ Monitoring and evaluation monitoring) Respective ▪ Collaborate with various consultants to manage Project lifespan Beneficiary communication and information dissemination to the (design, Municipal/District public during the project duration construction, Assemblies ▪ Assist with community sensitization/ engagements operation and ▪ Monitoring maintenance and ▪ Play a role in grievance resolution. monitoring) Operator of the ▪ Ensures the necessary water users committee is put in Project lifespan Proposed facilities/ place and manages the water systems (operation and Project/Beneficiary ▪ Ensures sustainable use of the infrastructures maintenance) communities ▪ Ensures the communities structures are put in place to manage the processing facilities ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 116 9.1 Training/Capacity Building for Environment, Health and Safety Management The training and capacity building requirements to ensure successful environmental, health and safety management of the GLRSSMP sub-projects is provided in Table 9-17. Table 9-17: Training and Capacity Building Requirements No Activity Target Group/ Timeline/Duration Proposed Estimated . Participants Facilitator Cost/(US$) 1. Induction on environmental Contractors’ Prior to GLRSSMP 10,000.00 and social management, workers commencement of -EPA-PCU occupational and public GLRSSMP sub- E&S health and safety project activities Specialists requirements of the GLRSSMP sub-project activities 2 Training on environmental Contractor’s During project GLRSSMP 15,000.00 and social management, workers/ Operators construction and -EPA-PCU occupational and public of processing operational phases E&S health and safety facilities/ Specialists requirements of the beneficiary GLRSSMP sub-project communities activities 3. - Public sensitization on -General public Throughout project GLRSSMP 10,000.00 GRM and SEA/SH and duration -EPA- GBV and child labour PCU/Benef - Human rights regulations iciary in Ghana Municipal - Sanctions against culprits Assemblies and remedies for victims 4. Cultural heritage and its - E&S officers Pre-constructional - 10,000.00 relevance in sustainable - Site Supervisors phase Safeguards development - Site Engineers Specialist/ Procedures used in Chance - Formal site Consultant Find (CF) workers - Resource persons from National Museums & ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 117 No Activity Target Group/ Timeline/Duration Proposed Estimated . Participants Facilitator Cost/(US$) Monument Board 5. - Community and project Beneficiary Throughout project Community 15,000 workers relationships Communities duration developme - Stakeholder engagements nt in project development Specialist/ - Grievance Redress Communic mechanism ations Specialist 6. - Workplace Security Contractors and Pre-construction and Ghana 10,000 - Preventive Measures workers Construction phases Police - Emergency response Service procedures - Evacuation procedures etc. TOTAL COST 70,000.00 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 118 10.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PLAN This section presents a detailed Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan (ESMP-Monitoring) to guide the monitoring of the environmental and social impacts and the implementation of mitigation and enhancement measures during the construction and operation phases. The monitoring plan will enable the EPA to confirm the effectiveness or otherwise of the mitigation measures contained in the ESIA and help enhance the effectiveness of the implementation of the mitigation measures. The ESMP-Monitoring presents the comprehensive monitoring plan developed for the GLRSSMP Sub projects for all the potential substantial adverse environmental and social risks/impacts identified, assessed and mitigated in earlier sections of the report (See Chapters 6, 7 and 8). The monitoring plan includes identification of the responsible institutions or persons and estimated budget /cost requirements. The ESMP-Monitoring includes social and environmental protection measures/indicators addressing at a minimum: • Documentation of voluntary land donations in fringe communities. • Grievance redress system operationalisation and management • GBV/SEA/SH and child labour case management • Workers’ rights and responsible labour behaviour. • Induced development, both short term during construction and long term, from the presence of the Project. • Occupational health and safety requirements for workers, including HIV/AIDS awareness strategy. • Project related incidents such as traffic accidents and risks to public safety. • Waste management, including construction and operation wastes and hazardous wastes. • Security issues including material and equipment storage and potential vandalism. • Removal of vegetation and measures for landscaping. • Archaeological/cultural protection. • Potential soil/water pollution. • Ongoing information disclosure, consultation and engagement in next project phases, and • Management systems and capacity for implementing them. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 119 Table 10-18: Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan Environmental/So Monitoring Parameters Frequency Method Location Responsibility Cost cial Component Estimates GHS) per annum Construction Phase Biodiversity ▪ Key habitat, areas of Monthly Observation and Construction Contractor conservation interest logging areas DNP Management WD Budget (Ecologists) (PCU) Ambient air quality ▪ Dust emissions: TSP + Monthly Instrument Construction Contractor/ In contractor’s PM10 sites Safeguards officer fees Noise Levels ▪ Leq, Lmax, Lmin Spot monitoring Instrument Construction Contractor/ In contractor’s (dBA) near sensitive sites Safeguards officer fees receptors, and upon receiving complaints Occupational ▪ Record of PPE Continuous Observation and Construction Contractor/ In contractor’s Health, safety, disbursed logging sites Safeguards officer fees environment ▪ Good housekeeping practices Public Complaints ▪ Type and nature of Weekly Records Project area Contractor/ Included in and Grievances complaints and Safeguards officer Grievance concerns; Redress Budget ▪ Complaint records (Record of grievance and number resolved/unresolved) ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 120 Environmental/So Monitoring Parameters Frequency Method Location Responsibility Cost cial Component Estimates GHS) per annum ▪ Management and Stakeholder Meetings Gender Based ▪ Number of cases As and when Record Project area Contractor/Safeguards 10,000 Violence/Child reported to the officer Abuse/SH/SEA Grievance Redress Committee/Safeguards officer ▪ Number of conflicts/cases dealt with by the Grievance Redress Committee / Safeguards Officer ▪ Number of crimes such as theft, defilement and rape reported, investigated, and concluded by the police involving the Contractor’s worker Child Labour ▪ Employee documents As and when Records Project area Contractor/Safeguards 15,000 confirming age i.e. officer voter ID, NHIS card, SSNIT ▪ Presence of a Child Labour Policy ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 121 Environmental/So Monitoring Parameters Frequency Method Location Responsibility Cost cial Component Estimates GHS) per annum Operation Phase Public Complaints ▪ Type and nature of Weekly Records Project area Safeguards Officer 10,000 and Grievances complaints and concerns; ▪ Complaint records (Record of grievance and number resolved/unresolved) ▪ Management and Stakeholder Meetings Community health ▪ Incidence of drowning As and when Records Water systems Safeguard 15,000 and safety ▪ Record of safety site officer/community awareness training leaders ▪ Cases reported and dealt with respect to use of water systems Waste ▪ Components of waste Monthly Records Processing Safeguard officer/ 5,000 Management generated facilities CWMTs and CRMCs (liquid and Solid) ▪ Quantity generated ▪ Quantity disposed ▪ Quantity reused ▪ Quantity recycled ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 122 Environmental/So Monitoring Parameters Frequency Method Location Responsibility Cost cial Component Estimates GHS) per annum Fire ▪ Number of fire As and When Records Processing Safeguard officer/ 5,000 incidences facilities CWMTs and CECs/CRMCs Noise Levels ▪ Leq, Lmax, Lmin ▪ Spot monitoring Instrument Processing Safeguards officer 5000 (dBA) near sensitive facilities site receptors, and upon receiving complaints Total 65,000 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 123 11.0 DECOMISSIONING 11.1 Closure Procedures It is not anticipated that the infrastructure will be decommissioned, especially those in the Digya National Park, but in the event that they must be decommissioned, the Site Manager shall notify the Environmental Protection Agency, and the relevant Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly and other regulatory bodies of the intention to decommission. For the water systems, the first phase of the decommissioning will involve the creation of a channel at the side of the dugout with the lowest gradient. This will allow the water in the dugouts to drain out. Then the embankments will be pushed into the dugout to fill it to the top at the level of the normal height. In case the embankment material is not enough, additional material including loam soil will be sought from elsewhere to complete the filling. Efforts shall be made to restore the land after closure to fit the neighbouring landscape of the site. For the other infrastructure, a detailed decommissioning plan will be prepared and submitted for approval before carrying out the works Temporal campsites will also be removed to ensure that construction sites are kept clean without any obstacles that will impede movements. 11.2 Vegetative cover (Seeding) All the areas that have been covered with good loam soil, shall be seeded with indigenous plants or grassed. Seeding or grassing will normally be done just before the rainy season. Surface runoff control measures such as drainage ditches and culverts where appropriate will be constructed prior to seeding. All grading and covering will also be finalized prior to seeding. Raking, disking, or other acceptable means shall be used to loosen the top layer of soil before seeding. 11.3 Post Closure/After Care The sites will be monitored for a year to ensure that there is adequate vegetation cover to prevent erosion. It is also to ensure that there are no invasive species among the vegetation. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 124 12.0 CONCLUSION The goal of the six-year GLRSSMP-EPA PCU project is to strengthen integrated natural resource management and increase benefits to communities in targeted savannah and cocoa forest landscapes. The project intends to undertake construction of a number of water systems (i.e., dugouts, water holes and boreholes), game viewing platform, toilet and cassava processing facilities in and around the Digya National Park. The construction of these infrastructure aims to improve access to water and watering of wild animals and livestock and contribute to the development of the Digya National Park as well as improve the livelihoods of fringe communities. The proposed civil works in and around the Digya National Park will have both positive and negative environmental and social impacts and therefore an environmental and social assessment studies have been conducted in accordance with Government of Ghana precautionary principles and relevant World Bank Environmental and Social Standards culminating in the preparation of this Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The proposed civil works in and around the Digya National Park is expected to generate potential positive impacts. The water systems in the park will improve the population of the wildlife through the provision of watering points at the peak of the dry season. The viewing platfroms will help boost the tourism of capacity of the park and will also promote the sustainable management of natural resources and the processing facilities will enhance the livelihoods of local communities depending on these natural resources. Impacts such as air quality deterioration, noise, occupational health and safety, waste generation etc. will be mostly associated with construction and operational phase activities thus the assessment showed that potential environmental and social impacts will be largely localised. The analysis and surveys undertaken to prepare this Environmental and Social Impact Statement has adequately considered and addressed the above potential impacts. Further analysis has been conducted to determine the level of significance of the impacts. Feasible mitigation measures and appropriate management and enhancement measures as well as a comprehensive environmental and social monitoring plan have been developed. Proper facility siting, design, and operation, among other measures, can address and mitigate these potential negative impacts on the surrounding natural environment, the community and ensure sustainability. Appropriate mitigation ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 125 measures have been proposed and with the effective implementation of the ESMP, the residual impacts will be minimal. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 126 13.0 REFERENCES ▪ Design for Waterholes ▪ Design for processing facilities Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) Environmental and Social Screening of selected Civil works, Screening Report Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) May 2002 ▪ International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and International Development Association Project Appraisal Document for Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small- Scale Mining Project August 10, 2021 ▪ Environmental Protection Agency/Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (P171933) Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF), February 2021 ▪ Environmental Protection Agency and Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (P171933) Negotiated Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP), June 27, 2021 ▪ Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) Project Implementation Manual (PIM), June 2021 ▪ Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-Scale Mining Project (P171933), Draft Stakeholder Engagement Plan, March 2021 ▪ Centre pour le Développement de la Production Faunique Wildlife Production Development Centre, Inception Report, 30 December 2023 ▪ Centre pour le Développement de la Production Faunique Wildlife Production Development Centre, Site Evaluation and Summary Construction Plan, Community : Sakalo, Site: Sata Optimised Dugout, 31 January 2024 ▪ Lovi Research Centre Drawings ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 127 14.0 ANNEXES Annex 1: Registration/Correspondence with EPA Annex 2: Administrative Flow Chart of Environmental Assessment Procedure Annex 3: Land Donation Memorandum Template Annex 4: Architectural Drawings of proposed civil works Annex 5: Outline of Contractor’s C-ESMP Annex 6: Evidence of Consultations Annex 7: Grievance Redress Mechanism Forms ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 128 Annex 1: Table : Field Visit -Team B Members No Name Designation Organization Tel No. 1 Anthony Appianti PPO/ EPA, focal person - GLRSSMP EPA-PCU 0207870262 2 Ivy Lomotey APO/ Technical Officer - GLRSSMP EPA-PCU 0261571868 3 Evelyn Gyampo Environmentalist EEMC 0200524450 4 Nana Amoateng-Dadzie Social Development Scientist EEMC 0591747484 5 Mike Arthur Architect EEMC 0246904555 5 Eric Atta Kusi Park Manager FC/WD/DNP 0546057019 6 Godfred Fobiri Supervision EEMC 0244488072 7 Prince Charles Asante Manager WD/FC 0248731126 8 Joseph Binlinla Regional Manager WD / FC 0244960685 9 Clark Lungren Coordinator/Contractor CDPF/WDPC +22607105078 10 Patrick Akwara APO EPA - TCO 0244649873 11 Solomon Y. Beozuoya APO EPA- TCO 0246656297 12 Asher Nkegbe Director/Head of TCO EPA - TCO 0208294658 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 129 Annex 2: Registration/ Correspondence with EPA ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 130 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 131 Annex 3: Administrative Flow of the EA Procedure Annex 4: Chart for cassava processing into gari ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 132 Annex 5: Land Donation Memorandum Template ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 133 XXX COMMUNITY DEED OF GIFT BETWEEN XXX (DONOR) AND XXX (DONEE) 1.0 DEED OF GIFT ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 134 This Deed of Gift (hereafter called the “Agreement�) made on this ………… day of …………………………… 20……... is in respect of a parcel of land located in the xxx community of the xxx Traditional Area in the xxx District of the xxx Region of the Republic of Ghana between: 1.1 The xxx community acting per its lawful representative, xxx, hereafter called the “Donor�, and which expression shall where the context so requires or admits, include its agents, successors-in-title and assignees), with the consent and concurrence of the Principal Elders of the xxx Traditional Area, whose consent and concurrence is essential for the validity of this Agreement and which consent and concurrence are testified to by the execution of this Agreement) on one part; and 1.2 The xxx hereafter called the “Donee�, which expression shall where the context so admits or requires include its agents, successors-in-title and assignees) on the other part. Together referred to as “Parties� and individually as a “Party�. RECITALS A. WHEREAS xxx is one of many communities under the xxx Traditional Area. B. WHEREAS the Government of Ghana is implementing the World Bank-funded Ghana Landscape Restoration and Small-scale Mining Project (GLRSSMP) which has one of its core interventions focusing on strengthening the sustainable management of forest landscapes for biodiversity conservation and ecosystem services in targeted communities in the savannah and cocoa forest landscapes, including the xxx community. C. WHEREAS the Donee, as one of the implementing agencies of GLRSSMP, is responsible for implementing sub-component activities of GLRSSMP involving the xxx D. WHEREAS pursuant to implementing the said sub-component activities, it was agreed that xxx (hereafter referred to as the “Project�) will be established in the xxx community. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 135 E. WHEREAS the Donor is the Chief of xxx community, and the customarily recognised custodian of a parcel of land situate in the xxx community in the xxx Traditional Area in the xxx District in the xxx Region of Ghana, with an area of --------- acres (hereafter referred to as the “Land�), and more particularly described in the schedule hereto and delineated on the attached Site Plan. F. WHEREAS the Donor, in consultation with the x xx community people and elders, as well as the Principal Elders of the xxx Traditional Area, have voluntarily donated the Land in support of the Project. NOW THEREFORE THE PARTIES AGREE AS FOLLOWS: 2.0 REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES The Donor warrants that: 2.1 He has the capacity to enter into this Agreement on behalf of the xxx community; 2.2 The land being donated is a community land, and is free of all encumbrances and encroachment of any form or shape; 2.3 The decision to donate the Land was made in consultation with the xxx community people and elders, as well as the Principal Elders of the xxx Traditional Area; 2.4 The amount of land being donated is minor and will not reduce the xxx community’s remaining land area below that required to maintain the community people’s livelihoods at current levels; 2.5 He and the people of xxx community have been appropriately informed and consulted about the Project and its impacts, its land requirements, and its alternative activity sites, as well as rights to compensation for the Land if it were not donated. 2.6 He is aware that refusal to proceed with the donation of the Land is an option, and that execution of this Agreement is a testimony of their willingness to proceed with the donation; 2.7 No household has been relocated, or will be relocated as a direct or indirect result of the donation; The Donee warrants that: ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 136 2.8 They have conducted the required due diligence, and confirm that the land being donated is free of all encumbrances and encroachment. 2.9 No household has been relocated, or will be relocated as a direct or indirect result of the donation; 3.0 COVENANTS OF THE DONOR 3.1 To provide the Donee with the required consent and assist with, at the cost of the Donee, the registration of this Deed of Gift in the name of the Donee, at the Ghana Lands Commission. 3.2 To ensure that the Donee develops and operates the Project on the Land without interruption by the Donor or any persons acting on behalf of the Donor. 4.0 COVENANTS OF THE DONEE 4.1 To use the Land solely for the development of the Project, as agreed by the Parties. 4.2 To conduct all Environmental and Social (E&S) risks and impacts assessments relevant to the Project, and design mitigation measures commensurate to the risks and impacts identified, in consultation with relevant stakeholders, including the Donor and members of the xxx community. 4.3 To secure all statutory permits, and comply with all legal requirements for the establishment and operation of the Project, from the Government agencies concerned. 4.4 Not to assign, sublet or otherwise part with possession of the Land or any part thereof. 5.0 THE PARTIES HEREIN AGREE that: 5.1 Where the Donee determines that the Land is no longer needed for the intended purpose of the Project, the Donee shall, in consultation with the Lands Commission, return the Land to the Donor in a tenable state. 5.2 The Land, and all rights to it afforded to the Donee by virtue of the donation, shall automatically terminate and revert to the Donor, in the event that the Donee alters the agreed use of the Land without any prior consultation with, and written consent of the Donor. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 137 5.3 Where the donation and this Agreement, by extension, terminate per Clauses 5.1 and 5.2, the Land shall revert to its original status as a xxx community land as was recognized prior to the donation. 5.4 If any covenant on either Party’s part herein contained is not performed or observed, the other Party shall give to the defaulting Party reasonable notice in writing but not less than two (2) months (“the Notice Period�) for the defaulting Party to make good the default. Should the defaulting Party fail to make good the default within the Notice Period, the other Party shall refer the issue to the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) established under the GLRSSMP for redress, provided that the said GRM is still in force, or the agreed dispute resolution procedure under Section 8.0 of this Agreement, where the said GRM is no longer in force. 5.5 Any notice required to be given by either Party hereunder shall be in writing and shall be considered validly given when delivered by hand or sent by prepaid post to either Party or to their last known physical address per Section 6.0 of this Agreement. 6.0 ADDRESSES OF THE PARTIES Address of Donor Address of Donee Nana Awuni Karim II Ministry of Food and Agriculture P. O. Box…………………………….. P.O. Box 14 ……………………………………….. Ministries, Accra 7.0 VARIATION No variation or amendment of this Agreement or oral promise or commitment related to it shall be valid unless committed in writing and signed by or on behalf of the Parties. ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 138 8.0 DISPUTE RESOLUTION Any dispute, controversy, claim or difference of opinion between the Parties or any issue arising out of or relating to this the donated Land shall be settled amicably within 30 days by the Parties. Where the dispute is not settled amicably within 30 days, the Parties agree to submit the dispute for final settlement by arbitration by a sole arbitrator. In the event that the Parties are unable to appoint a sole arbitrator within two (2) weeks of the decision to refer the matter to arbitration, the matter shall be referred to the Ghana Arbitration Centre for appointment of the arbitrator. Where a dispute is not arbitrable, the jurisdiction of the Courts of the Republic of Ghana shall be invoked for the settlement of such dispute by the aggrieved Party. 9.0 GOVERNING LAW This Agreement, its interpretation, performance and the enforcement of the rights and remedies available to either Parties hereto shall be construed by and in accordance with the Laws of the Republic of Ghana. IN WITNESSWHEREOF the Parties hereto have hereunto set their hands, names and common seal the day and year first above written. After the contents herein have been read over, interpreted and explained to them respectively by……………………… ….………………………………………… … of …………………………… (address and mobile number of interpreter) in the…………………...language and they each seemed perfectly to understand and approve of the same before making their marks respectively. SIGNED BY DONOR: xxx ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 139 Chief of xxx Community Address: ____________________________ Signature: ___________________________ In the presence of (Donor’s witnesses): 1. Name:____________________________ Designation:_________________________ Address:_____________________________ Signature: ___________________________ 2. Name: ____________________________ Designation:_________________________ Address: ____________________________ Signature: ___________________________ SIGNED FOR AND ON BEHALF OF DONEE BY: Name:________________________________ Designation: _________________________ Address: ____________________________ Signature: ___________________________ In the presence of (Donee’s witnesses): ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 140 1. Name:____________________________ Designation:_________________________ Address:_____________________________ Signature: ___________________________ 2. Name: ____________________________ Designation:_________________________ Address: ____________________________ Signature: ___________________________ ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 141 OATH OF RECORDING OFFICER The content of this Agreement has been fully read and explained to both Parties and their witnesses and they confirm that they clearly understood all the terms in this Agreement and all the essential features of the Agreement. Both Parties therefore signed this Agreement in my presence. (signed) ………………………………………………. Date ……………………………………………………. CERTIFICATE I, .................................................................................................................................., officer of the Customary Land Secretariat for the xxx STOOL in the xxx Region of Ghana, hereby certify that the above record of a transfer of an interest in land under customary law incorporates the essential features of the transaction sought to be effected. .......................................................................................................................................... (name) Officer of the xxx Customary Land Secretariat Dated at......................................................... this...............................................day of....................................... , 20................................... ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 142 OATH OF PROOF I…………………………………………………………………………………………………… ……… of ……………………………………………………………………… (full name and address of deponent), make Oath and say that on the ……. day of ……………………. 20….., I was present and saw the within-named DONOR duly execute the Instrument now produced to me and marked “A� and that the DONOR can read and write (where a party cannot read and write, a jurat is required)—: SWORN AT ………………………. THIS…………………DAY OF……………... 20......... DEPONENT (Witness of Donor) BEFORE ME ……………………………………………………... REGISTRAR OF LANDS CERTIFICATE OF PROOF On the ……… day of ……………………. 20……. at ………. o’clock in the ……………………… O’clock this instrument was proved before me by the Oath of the within-named ……………………………………… …………………………………………………………………………………… to have duly executed by the within-named DONOR: - ………………………………………………….. REGISTRAR OF LANDS SCHEDULE DESCRIPTION OF LAND SITE PLAN ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 143 Annex 5: Architectural Drawings for the proposed civil works Block Plan for a viewing plafform ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 144 3D Design of Viewing platfrom Block plan of Mini Processing Facility ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 145 3D Model of the Processing facility Design of Dugouts ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 146 Annex 6: Table : Stakeholder Engagement Tools District/Community Engagement Tool/Approach / Facility Interviews/Discussions One-On- Focus Group Key Person Town Hall Key Consultees One Discussions Interviews Meeting discussions Sene West Mini Cassava √ √ ▪ Peter Yeboah- Assemblyman- processing plant at 0542465507 Lassi community ▪ Francis Gambo – Youth Leader- 0557289342 ▪ Philip Mensah-Youth committee chair ▪ Kwame Dipa-Odikro ▪ Faustina Agyeiwaa- CREMA committee treasurer Sene East Mini Cassava √ ▪ Eric Atta Kusi (Park Manager – Processing facility Digya National Park - Wildlife at Deefour Division of the Forestry community Commission- 0546057019 Kwahu Afram Plains South Mini Cassava √ ▪ Eric Atta Kusi (Park Manager – Processing facility Digya National Park - Wildlife at Deefour Division of the Forestry community Commission- 0546057019 Sekyere Central Dome Settlement √ √ √ ▪ Emmanuel Osei – Teacher- (DNP) - Solar 0245152013 Powered Borehole ▪ Kwame Attuah – Chief Priest Toilet Facility - 0555724990 Tato Camp (DNP) - √ √ √ Eric Atta Kusi (Park Manager – Game Viewing Digya National Park - Wildlife Platform Division of the Forestry Commission- 0546057019 ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 147 Annex 7: Outline of Contractors’ C-ESMP Every contractor executing a civil work will prepare a Contractor’s ESMP to be approved by the GLRSSMP-EPA PCU prior to the commencement of civil work works. The ESMP will be used for the implementation of the various environmental and social actions regarding the civil work works. The following outline can be considered by the Contractor as a guide for preparation of the C- ESMP: • Introduction • Brief Description of the Civil work and Construction Activities • Legal and Other Requirements • Roles and Responsibilities • Environmental and Social Management • Health and Safety Management • Community Liaison and Grievance Redress • Compliance and Monitoring • Incidents, Non-Conformance and Preventive Actions • Reporting; • Implementation Schedule and Cost Estimates, and • Conclusion. Table: Details of GLRSSMP-EPA PCU Sites Selected, Geographical Coordinates, Districts and Remarks S/N Site/Community District Proposed Civil works Geographical Coordinates Lat. Long. 1 Dome Settlement Sekyere a)Solar Powered Borehole 7.556048 -0.626523 (Digya National Central Park) Sekyere b)Toilet facilities 7.555195 -0.626610 Central 2 Agoam Saboso/Digya Sekyere Afram a)Solar Powered Borehole 7.367379 -0.746197 National Park Plains Sekyere Afram b)Toilet facilities 7.367555 -.0746018 Plains North 5 Nsugyaso/Digya Kwahu Afram Waterhole 7.184461 -0.511431 National Park Plains South Kwahu Afram Viewing Platform 7.164691 -0.511598 Plains South ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 148 Annex 8: Evidence of Consultations Lasi –Sene West- Cassava Mini Processing Factory Site Dome (DNP) – Borehole and Toilet Facility Site. Crossing the Sene river to the DNP Tato Camp (DNP) – Game Viewing Platform Site Viewing and Inspection – Takorayili shea processing plant ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 149 Engagement with Digya National Park Management Interactions with Dome settler community in the Digya National Park Annex 9: Grievance Redress Mechanism Complaint Submission Forms ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 150 Reference No: Full Name: Contact information and By Post: Please provide postal address: preferred method of ____________________________________________________________________ communication ____________________________________________________________________ Please mark how you wish to be ________________________________ contacted (mail, telephone, e-mail). By Telephone: __________________________________________ By E-mail ______________________________________________ Nature of Grievance or Complaint Description of grievance: What happened? Where did it happen? Who was involved? What is the result of the problem? Source and duration of the problem? Date of incident/grievance One-time incident/grievance (date _______________) Happened more than once (how many times? _____) On-going (currently experiencing problem) Receiver Name: ____________________________________________________________________ Signature ______________________________________________ Date ______________________________________________ Filer Name: ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Signature ______________________________________________ Date ______________________________________________ Relationship to Complainant (if different from Complainant): ____________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________ Review/Resolution Level 1 (MDA) Level 2 (IA) Level 3 (PCU) Date of Conciliation Session: ____________________________________________________________________________ Was Filer/Complainant Present? Yes/ No Was field verification of complaint conducted? Yes/ No Findings of field investigation ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 151 ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Summary of Conciliation Session Discussion ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Issues ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Was agreement reached on the issues? Yes, No If agreement was reached, detail the agreement ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ If agreement was not reached, specify the points of disagreement ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ Signed (Conciliator): ___________________________________ Signed (Filer/Complainant): _____________________________________ Signed: _________________________________________________ (Independent Observer e.g. Assembly Member/Opinion Leader) Date: _______________________________ Implementation of Agreement Date of implementation: __________________________________________ Feedback from Filer/Complainant: Satisfied /Not Satisfied If satisfied, sign off & date_____________________________________________________ (Filer/Complainant) (Mediator) If not satisfied, recommendation/way forward ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Signature & date of Filer/Complainant) ______________________________________________________ (Signature & date of Mediator) ________________________________________________________________ Complaint Register ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 152 Unique reference number Date of incoming grievance Location (where the grievance was received/ submitted) Complainant’ s name Contact details ESIA-DNP, GLRSSMP-EPA PCU, 2025 (Leave it blank in case of anonymous enquiries and Summary of grievances) Complaint Identification of parties responsible Investigation for addressinglaunch and date resolution of Investigation complaint completion date Findings of investigation Proposed corrective actions Deadlines for internal actions required from staff Indication of satisfaction with compliant Close out date 153 Any outstanding actions for non- closed grievances