GHANA i -- -I-NMEN TAL At-. _' C', -, (VOLUME 1I It I.c - Ghn :11i t ~~~~~Environmental Protection Council j ~~~~~~~P.O. Box M-326 ! ~~~~~~~Accra.- Ghana: 1~~~~~~~ i. } w- - -- --a~;-b.-X ______ GHANA ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN (VOLUME 1) Environmcntal Prolection Council P. . Box M-326 Accra-Ghana _ _.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page of Tables and Figures Vl. ^abreviations VIl Execute Summary IX CHAPTER ONE INTRODUCTION I A Sustainable Development Slrategy for Ghana I Scope and Process 2 CHAPTER TWO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT IN GHANA 4 Current State of the Ghana Economy 4 Economic Development and Ernvironmertally Sustainable Growth 4 Economic Justffication for an Environmental Action Plan 5 Towards a Remedial Incentive Framework 6 The Role of Ownership 6 Functloning Markets 7 EXTERNAUTIES 7 PRIORMZATION OF INVESTMENTS IN THE EAP 9 AgrIculture 9 Industry 10 Urbanization 10 Water Resources 11 "'4APTER THREE '9NAL ENVIRONMENTAL PCJUCY A. PREAMBLE 12 B. DEFINMONS 12 C. OBJECTIVES 12 D. PRINCIPLES 12 E. POUCY STATEMENT 13 ISSUE-SPECIFIC POUCY ORIENTATIONS 13 1.0 Management of Ervironmensal Resources 14 2.0 Prevention and Control of Poilution 15 3.0 Action In Specific Areas 16 4.0 Development of Appropriate Instruments 18 5.0 Enviroraner.a Education 18 60 Environmental Monitoring 18 7.0 IntematIonal Co-operation 18 CHAPTER FOUR LEGALAND INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES 20 a) Need for a National Environmental PolIcy 20 b) Present Legal and Instittonal Fzamework 20 c) Proposed Policy Agenda 20 Need to set Standards for Air Quality. Water OuaIity and Noise levels In Urban Areas 24 Need to Prepare and implement Environmental Regulations for Water Management, Mining and Industry 24 Role of Sectoral Agencies 25 Rde of District Assembiles 25 Rde of NGOs and Community Groups 25 Environmental Action Plan Hi ACTIONS 26 CHAPTER FIVE NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 28 ISSUES 28 LAND MANAGEMEN iT 28 Population Pressure 29 Land Ownership and Tenure 29 Land Use Planning 29 Agro-chemical Residues 30 Shifting Cultivation 30 Agriculture in the Coastal Zone 30 Range Lands 31 Bushfires 31 FOREST RESOURCES 31 ENERGY RESOURCES 32 Environmental Impacts of Energy Development 34 WATER RESOURCES 36 Inadequacy of Water Cycle Data 36 Water Resources Assessment 37 Inef fective Water Resources Planning 37 Problems of Water Management 36 WATER POLLUTION 39 MARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS 41 MINERAL RESOURCES 42 ACTIONS CHAPTER SIX MANAGING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT 49 COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT 49 HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS 49 MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES 50 a COASTAL POLLLTnON 52 INDUSTRIAL SOUD WASTES 52 HUMAN SETTLEMENTS 54 ACTIONS 57 CHAPTER SEVEN ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 60 it ISSUES 60 NON-FORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION 60 Natural Resources 61 Population Dynarnics 61 Human Setlerents 61 -I Industrialization 62 I; Environmental Management 62 [ Methods of Dissemination 62 FORMAL EDUCATION 62 Prirmary Level 63 Content AreaslSubject Emphasis 63 Method of Instruction 64 Middle and Junior Secondary Schools fiA METHODS OF INSTRUCTION 65 IV Environmental Action Plan PAGE Senior Secondary School 66 Content Areas and MeLhiod of Instruction 66 K Third Cycle Institutions 65 ACTIONS 66 CHAPTER EIGHT ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 69 ISSUES 6 DATA AVAILABHJTY 69 DATA GATHERING 69 RECOMMENDED ACTIONS 70 L Health-related Monitoring Programme 71 DATA MANAGEMENT AND SYNTHESIS 73 INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE 74 LAND AND LAND COVER 75 WILDUFE POPULATIONS AND HABITATS 76 WATER OUAUTY 76 MARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS 76 CHAPTER NINE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN SUMMARY 79 CHAPTER TEN IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY 83 The Role of the EPC 83 The Role of Sectoral Agencies/Institutions 83 National Energy Board 85 Water Resources Research Institute 85 The Role of the District Assemblies 85 The Role of Community Groups 85 X Environmental Aotlon Plan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~-I LUST OF TABLES AND FIGURES Table 1. Major Ecologicai Zones of Ghana Fig. I Map of Ghana Showing Administrative Regions Fig. 2 Map of Ghana Showing Drainage and Physiographic Regions Fig. 3 An Integrative Institutional Framework for Environmental Management an5 Policy. Fig. 4 Ghana: Project Sampling Stations Fig. 5 Proposed Protected and Planning Coastal Zone Areas Annex A: Activities and Their Impacts on Receiving Media Annex B: Investment Projects to Arrest Environmental Degradation V i- I.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ w ~vl Envionmental Action Pl ABBREVIATIONS ADRA - Adventist Development and Relief Agency AESC - Archilectural and Engineering Services Corporation AMA - Accra Metropolitan Authority CEC - Community Environmental Commitee CCFI - Communiry Collaborative Forestry InhiabvoL DA - District Assemblies ECOWAS - Economic Commun!ty of West African States EEZ - Economic Exclusive Zone L EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment EMC - Environmental Management Commmtee r EPC Environmental Protection Council EIA - Environmental Impact Assessment ERP - Economic Recovery Programrne GAEC - Ghana Atomic Energy Commission GDP Ghana Domestic Product GIC - Ghana Investment Centre GIS - Geographic lrdormation System GSB - Ghana Standards Board GWD - Gane and WidW.e Deparment G'NSC - Ghana Water ard Sewerage Corporation IAB - Insite of Aquatic Biology IDA -Irigation Development Authority IPCP - Inter-Depantmental Pesticide Control Programme IRNR - Instute of Renewable Naturl Resources MSD - Meteorological Services Depanment NEB - National Energy Board NEIS - Natlonal Environmental Informaion System J NDPC - National Development Planning CommissIon Enironmental Action Plan Vil NGO - Non-Govmmenntl Organisations NRC - Natonal Redemptlon Councfl OAU - Organization of African Unity OCP - Onchocercaisis Control Programme PAMSCAD- Programme of Action to Milgate the Socal Cost of Adjustment PNDC - Provisional National Defence Council PIP - Public Investment Programme PPP - Polluter Pays Principle PTA - Parent-Teacher Association UNDP - United Nations Development Programme UNEP - United Nations Environment Programme UNIDO - United Nations Industrial Development Organization UST - University of Science and Technology VIP - Ventlated Improved Pt VRA - Volta River Authority WRC - Water Resources Commission WRRI - Water Resources Research Institute ViW, Envronm entaLAcflnalan EXECUTIVE SUMMARY BACKGROUND Ghana is endowed with abundant natural resources. These served as the spring-board for the country's Industrialisation effortaftertheattainment of independenceaand they remain thefundamental endowment from which the nation's people deriwe their livelihood. In the process of exploiting these resources to meet socio-economic needs, however, adequate care has not been taken to guard against the depletion of the resources. This has given rise to a host of problems, including deforestation. desertffication. and soil degradation. Also many problems associated with industrialisation. such as pollution of air and water, have surfaced. A point has now been reached when it is necessary to balance national development effort and the quest for economic growth with a rational exploitation of the resource base. This must be done to ensure that economic devehapment can be sustained In the long termL In Marci 19B8, the Govemment of Ghana initiated a major effort to put environmental issues on the priorityagenda. The exercise has culminaed in the preparation ota strategyto address the key issues relating to the protection of the environment and better management of renewable resources. The objectiLe of what has become known as the Environmental Action Plan (EAP) is to define a set of policy actions, related investments, and institutiona strengthening acbvities to make Ghana's development strategy more environmentally sustainable. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT IN GHANA Prior to the launching of the Economic Recovery Programme (ERP) in 1983 the economy of Ghana was in decline due to the combined effects of poor veather, Institutional rigidities, inappropriate economic policies and internal and external shocks. The ERP has led to a positive growth performance in the economy, however at some social cosL It has been noted that the sustainabiity of Ghana's economic acnd social development depends ultnately on proper and responsible management of the natural resource base and the environment in general. An attempt has been made to estimate the costM imposed on Ghanaians and the economy from envirornmental degradation in sectors such as ariculture, forestry, hunting, industry and mining. The wuiUlngness to pay by Ghanaians to avoid such negative Impacts has been estimated using market prics where available, or our best estmateswhere mnarket information Is unavailable or inappropriate. The pkiure Is ncomplete In a number of respecs Nevertheless, and conservative as these estimates may be. the costs of environmental degradation are significant. The total estimated annual losses in 1988 amounted to 41.7 billion cedis. the equivalent of 4 per cent of total GDP. The magnitude and pervasiveness of the losses inpose a strong case for taldng effective action to reduce the losses via the EAF. The incentives facing users of Gharkms nvionmrn alrmost all encourage Its exploiation, degradation and destruction. The Action Plan seeks to newalise or reverse these incentives, and to do so cost-effectively. ENVIRONMENTAL POUCY A National Environmental Policy is to be adopted to provide the broad framework for the implementation of the Action Plan. The policy aims at ensuring a sound managemrent of resources and the environment and to avoid any exploitation of these resources in a rmnner that rrught cause Irreparable damage to the environment. Specffically, the policy provides forr * maintenance of ecsystems and ecological proceses sse for tlhe functioning of tho blosphere; * sound management of natural resources and the environment; * protection of humans, animals and plants and their habItts; * guidance for healthy envronvmntul practices In the naional development effort; E., Environmental Action Plan Ix ExecAlve Summafy EAP * integtion of environmental consideratlons In sectoral structural and soclo-economic planning at all levels; * cornmon approach to regional and global environmental Issues. Appropriate Incentives and sanctions wil be put In place to ensure compliance wIth the provisions d the Poilcy. The fundarnemtal aims d the Policy will be pursued and achieved through harmonisation and enforcement of relevant laws and treaties on the environment, and through the Implementation d the EAP. ISSUES Land Management The strength of Ghana's economy. and hence the inmegrity of the environment. is related to the efficient use and mnanagement of avaiiable land. The need for efficient management of land is the more urgent in the face ot an ever-increasing population and the growing demands in all the various activities based on land. Land resources and the processes of thelr development and use, however, have varying consequences on the environment. Ii A major aspect of the land ranagement problem in Ghana has to do with ownership and tenure. There is also no land use planning and therefore optimal land use is not attained. The situation has led to Land use conflicts and degradation all over the country. The issue of land management is recognised as a central point in any efforts to address environmental and resource problems in Ghana. Forestry and Widlilte One estimate Indicates that only about 2 mlion hectares of Ghana's cdsed forest actua;ly remain. Of this only about 0.4 million hectares lies outside land legally constituled as Forest Reserve. This situation has arisen largely as a result of the progressive conversion of forest lnds to other forms of land use, particulay agriculture. without any control. Logging and bushfires have also exerted thr toll an the forest The extraction of woodfuels. both for domestic and industrial use. furMer contribuxL to delorestation in Ghana. The depletion of forest resources is significant not only in terms of woocl WildlIfe habnas have been destroyed through various economic activiies. Including agriculture and logging, not to menition the effects of the high incidence of bush fires. Wid animal populations are also severely depleted as a result of the excessive exploitation tor meat And a wiae range of imponzant non-wood forest products important as sources of food. raw naterials for rural industries, medical treatment, etc., are becoming increasingly scarce. Water Management In its natural form water is fairly abundart in Ghana. although seasonal shortages are quite comnmon. Such shortages are due primanly to poor rmanagement and inadequate use of available technologies. From an environmental stand point, a primary principle, should be tha3t water should be available in a potable form for the entire population with .minimal effort, and that ts avaiability on a sustainable basis should be guaranteed. This unfortunately is not the case. Only about 30% of the population of Ghana can be said to have ready access to potable water. Water pollution. on its part. iOses significant threats to many people both in the fural areas as well as tt * urban centres. The problem arises from the discharge of all kinds of wastes into water bodies withoucanyformoftreatmenL Wastestrom agricutural actves also entervarious streamsand riers each year al overthe country. Water-borneandwater-related diseases are common in the rural areas. Problerms of water management in Ghana include the paucity of data on the resource itself, and also on related factors For istance, the absence of suitable maps and necessary relevant data hamper comprehensive assessment of avaiable water resources. x Environmental Action Plan EAP Executive Sumnary Marine and coastal ecosystems The over-concentration of Industries In the coastal zone has aggravated the environmental stresses normally associd with lindustrlalisatiorL Prominent among the problems are industrial and urban pollution and over-crowding. Iftructure is stretched to break-down poinL All of these constitute a serious threat to fragle and sensitive coastal ecosystems. Uncorntrolled agricultural activiies in the zone also have degradational effects. Of particular concem Is the discharge of agricultural ch3micals and wastes released into the environment through run-off and direct discharges into the drainage catchments in the zone. The mos. readily apparent environmental problem of the coastal area is erosion. The most well known areas stifering serious erosion are the Keta Coast, the Ada-Foah Beach. the Labadi Beach. the Nkontompo Beach. and the Axim Shoreline. The rate of erosion in all these cases exceeds 1,5m per - annum. There are other less krown areas where the rate of erosion is about the same. Indus:rial pollution The forms of pollution most commonly associated with industrial activity are air, water, and noise pollution. Fortunately, the problems have not yet assumed very serious dimensions In Ghana. However, there is cause for concem. particularly in the industrial concentration srea of Accra-Tema. Over the years the quantity and diversity of Industrial wastes have increased, and there are hardly any waste recycling or proper managemrnt practices in the country. Improper siting of Industria instaliaons in relation to other activities and residential housing also poses considerable problems. Mining The main problems associated wiM surface mining In Ghana Include land devastation, son degradation, water and air quality changes. Gold processing also has deleterious environmental effects. The use of cyanide as the main chemical for processing eventually leads to the pollution of rivers and water bodies. The roasting process also results in the discharge of large quantifies of arsenic ito the atmosphere. Underground mining has. on Its part, given rise to problems with water quality change and potential for subsidence, especially if underground mine water is pumped to the surface. The health and safety hazards to miners are numerous and may indude accidents (rock falls. mine firs, haldage accidernts shaft accidents etc.), gas poisoning, hightemperawureand humidity effects. andvarious occupational diseases. Hazardous chemicals For many years the importation, nufndacture, disibution, handling and use of potentially toxic chemicals in Ghana has proceeded withoit much consideration to the possible environmental consequences. This poses considerable hazard to human health The problem Is the more serious because the quantities and types of chemicals in the country are not ftdly known. Human settlements Rapid population growth coupled with the concentration of Inrrastructurl faciles and job opportunities In the urban areas has resulted in the movementofr mral people Into urban centres. The InRux of people into cties and other urban centres has brought considerable stess on the already inadequate urban infrastructure, including the shortage of suiable housing and oher basicamenties> The situation has led to the development of sluns and the consequent degradation of the ,:.bn. enrironment, causing deterioration of large areas in urban centres The environmental problemns associted with urban settlements In Ghana are those that have direct bearing on human healfth, such as basic sanitaton and disposal of waste, the shortage of essental facilltes, and rampant disregard of approved land use alocaons Oher serious problerns associated with urban life are noise, overcrowvng, poor and Inadequate tnsportatkon Town Environmental Acton Plan xl EAP Execuie Summary planning processes seem unable to keep pace with the rate o expansion, with the result that atonal land use becomes exwrmely difficult or even impossible. Problems of rural seaements are relatively simple and are concmernd maiy with basic saniatIon and good adequate water supplies rathr than the proper nmnagement of space It Is a sad cornmentary that despite the onormous conMIbutlon of rural production to the national economy, the benefits of national development do not reach rural setmlemens and thelr Inhabtants. They have poorer share of services. Infrastructure and public hwestrnefts generaly. POUCY ACTIONS The EAP provides a coherent framework for Interventions deemed necessary to safeguard the environment. Govemment wil undertake the foUowing policy actions, among others that mnay be deemed essential: Resource Management Land Management .Esta ish a body to be responsible for policy, planning, co-ordination and monitoring of land-based developmrent programmes and projects In Ghana; * Institute land use planning to ensure harmony in the allocation and use of land for dilfer- erit purposes; * adopt lard tenure; iand rnanagement policy and establish appropriate institutional frame- work-; * strengthen the legal and administrative machinery for land acquisition and tenure, inlud- Ing proper maintenance of land title and transaction records; review, enforce, update. and approve a stronger anti-bushfire iaw-. Forery and wildlife * Adopt forest management pdlicy: * establish protected woodlands; * adopt revised conservation laws and regulations; * adopt range management policy; * register Charcoa bumers and commnercial wood producers. Water management * Establish the proposed Water Resources Commnission; * adopt Proposed Water Law; Madne : adopt policy ftmworkfor Me etaction of water for the dilferent uses Irtegrated plan- | ~~~~~~ning for fiver basins, and the conltrol of waste discharge Into water bodies. ) pt estish watersheotection areas; : Mul~no *nid coastl acomaon o Adopt fistieds rnangemera politcy, * adopt proposed legisation and regutOons on coastal zone managermna s estabish prtected areas in coastal wetands; Human etements * Adopt human setements policy law to provide a general framework for planning and man- agbi seuements, xU . Environmental Action Plan LAP Executive SummarY * estabilsh a Human Settlements Unit to act as the central authority for the planning, devel- opment. improvement and management of human settlements; * review, update and approve the National Physical Development Framework; Pollution Control * Prepare and adopt regulations for environmental control of mining operations; * prepare and adopt regulations for environmental control of industrial operations: * adopt proposed legislation to control the import and use of pesticides and other hazard- ous chemicals; * adopt revised Factories. Offices and Shops Act; * adopt revised incentive system for siting of small scale industries. * adopt incentive system for greater energy efficiency in industry. POUCY INSTRUMENTS Forthe successful Implementation of the National Environmental Policy, necessary steps will be taken , to develop appropriate instruments geared towards: * improving the scientitic base of environmental policy, among other things. through appro- priate research programmes; * the assessment of the potential impacts of certain public and private projects on the en- vironment. and the integration of the environmental dimension in national policies; e establishment and implementation of appropriate standards and guidelines so as to en- sure an acceptable level of public health and environmental protection; * harmonisation of appro- priate legal instruments; irnmproved access to information on the environment. Legisblion will be enacted to prescribe the necessary environmental quality standards and guidelines for mining and manufacturing industries. To this end Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) will be required for all new investments that would be deemed to affect the quality ot the environmenL Penalties and Incentives will be instituted to encourage the adoption of environmentally sound production technologies to discourage pollution. INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING To enhance the effectiveness of the EPC - as the custodian of the national environment, the co-ordinator of all activities relating to the environment, and the lead agency for the implementation of the Action Plan - Govemment wIl review the status of the Councl. Including Its placement within the administrative machinery of the country. The EPC will be entmusted with the responsibility for setting envimnmental quality standards as well as for ensuring the enforcement of these standards. In addition other agencies to be involved in the implementation of the EAP will be strengthened to ensure the efficient perfomance of their assigned roles. IMPLEMENTATION The EAP is to be implemented over a ten-year period, from 1991 to 2000. The necessary policy nstruments and structures will be put in place during the 1991-1992 start-up phase. A variety of Individual projects will be implemented by various national agencies. Environmental Action Plan XIII CHAPTER 1 .I' INTRODUCTIDN Background Ghana abounds In natural resources which have played a very importart role in the agricultural and Industrial development efforts of the country since the attainment of Independence. However, a point has been reached when it Is necessary to balance economic grwth with rational management of the resources to ensure that the resource base is not eroded In the process of developmentr Public concem about envIronmenal degradation in Ghana dimwaed during the long dry spell and rvaging bushfires of 1983184. Ironically this was the single enwironmental event that set the stage for a concerted national effort to check environmental degradation. Several efforts had, however, been made In the past to address the problems of the environment Of specific relevance to the present intiative are the following activities: Preparation of a National Oi Spill Contigency Plan (1985); Preparation of a National Plan of Action to Combat Desestification (1986); National conference on Resource Conservation for Ghana's sustainable development (1987); I, Draft National Environmental Protection Programme (1987) based on priorities identified through a series of regional and distric! fora organised over the period 1986-87. A Sustainable Development Strategy for Ghana All Over the worid, peopie and nations are starting to recognize that ervironment and development issues are inextricably intedinked. World attention was first focused on environmental issues at the 1972 Stockholm Conference on the Human Environment, in which Ghana took an active part In 1973. Ghana created Its own Environmental Protecion Council (EPC), the first goveming body in Africa to focus on issues of environmentai ranagemenL Through the leadership of t.e EPC. with support from a broad base of local participants, this Environmental Action Plan has been formulated. The Plan addresses stf to issues of sustainable development as defined by the World Commissionl on Environment and Development in 1987. 'The concept of sustainable development provides a framework for the integration of environment policies and development strategies... Sustainable development seeks to meet the needs and aspirations of the present without compromising the ability to meet those of the future. Far from requiring the cessaion of economic growth. It recognizes that the problems of poverty and underdevelopment cannot be solved unless we have a new era of growth in which developing countries play a large role and reap large benefits." Ghana has achieved a remarkable sucCeSS in reversing the process of economic decline through the Economic Recovery Programme of 1983 and its successors. However, this success has not been without its environmental as well as social costs. The present strength of the economy derives principally from expon earnings in agriculture, mining and forestry. Food crop and livestock production must continue to grow in order to feed a popuiation of 15 milion people, growing at 3% .per year. Umits on the capacty of remaining agrictwiral land to absorb this growing population imply that future growth must provide employmrent opportunities In domestic manufacturing and services, and that the population wil come to be Increasingly concentated in urban centres. These projected panems of development offer both opportunifies and constraints with respect to the environment Intensive use of savanra land through high-input irrigation, and extensive use for grazing and cropping on marginal lands, are helping to create massive problems of soil and water degradationand even desertification in the north. Ghana's rich forest and wldlife resources are rapidly diminishing and may disappear entirely i their management is not drastically improved. Water and mineral resource development projects bring in their wake problems of environmentaly-related disease and social disruption. Improper use of hazardous chemicals in both agricultme and Industry Environmental Action Plan t ChIptr on*e SI iUw__e- creates additionrl threats to human huealt and safety. Fishery resoures and sites of histoic alnd cultural importance are negativelyaffected by uncontrolled developmen In the sensitive coastal zone. The Environmental Action Plan i- Isnended to address these problems. not by caling a halt to development, but by redirecting development efforts Into more enmronmentally sustainable programs and prarcUces. Implernraton of the EAP will help to protect and preserve the resoure base for use by futue generations as well as the present one. Assessment of the potenti environmental Irnparts of development projects and planning In advance to mitigate or enhance these impacts will decrase environmental costs to the economy and make more cost-effective use of the country's human and financIW capital. Evaluaton of alternatve uses for the country's land and water resources and planning for multi-purpose use wi maximize the efficiency of future investmenrts. Finally, the promotion of popular participadon In planning, evaluating. and implementing environment and development Initiatives will help to create a sound social and poitical climate for sustained economic growth in the future. SCOPE AND PROCESS In March 1988, the Govemment tasked a group of experts to review existing policies related to environmental protection in Ghana, and to propose a strategy to address the key issues. Induding deforesmalon, deterioration In soil quality. and better management of renewable resources. The Task Force's work evolved into the preparation of an Environmental Action Plan to put In place a comprehensive and integrated national strategy to deal with the identified environmental problems of the country. For the preparation of the EAP. Workdng Groups were set up in Jiuy 1988 to address areas of concem under the following sectors: . land management; * forestry and widlife; * water managemernt: * marine and coastal ecosysterms; * mining, manufacturing Inrdustries and hazardous chemicals; * human setemntrs. A seventh group, made up of the leaders of the sectoral working groups. addressed legal and3 Insttuoa issues, cross- sectoral, environmentWal educaion. and environm ntal daa systems and monitorng. The groups were tasked to under2ake the following acttes wihin each sector. a) Assess the state of knowledge; b) Identify data gaps and addrItinal research needs; c) Review existing legislaton and policy recommendations that have been made in the past. and proposing a set of needed poliy actions; d) Make proposals for montoring enironmental change in relton to development acties; e) Review projects underthe 1988-1989 PIP and maw recommendations on their environmental suitablity or otherwise; and f RFeview institutional arrangements forthe implernertation of recommended policies. identfying gap. overlaps, and iradequaces, and makgng recommndtions tor approprie stional strengthening. A dft sttgy for action nthe ernvronm was dram up by the worng groups. In Januay 1989. a two-day review work-session was held to discuss e drfts. Foowing this the workin groups reconvened to rvise the drafts In te light of the suggestirs and comments emanating from the work-sessiorL- The suggested revisions were effced durin the second phase of the EAP process. which culminated In a naional conference In June 1989 to dIsus the draft proposals and to seek a wider public pareipation In the Plan preparation. Some 200 partciparts representing a wide -2 \~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ - -. ,.,,,,.- introduction Chaptr One cross-section of Interests, including members of district assemblies, representatives of non-govemmental organisations and govemmemt tunctonaries, took part in the conference. The conference adopted the Action Plan In principle and charged the EPC with the responsibility of Oinalisang the document, taking Into account the views expressed atthe conference and anythat would be submitted to i later. A major task for the third phase of the EAP prepaation was the incorporation of economic dimensions into the draft Plan, partily wtth regard to national overall economic srategy, and sectoral development strategies. It was necessary to identify specific projects for implementltion and to estimate the total cost for the Plan implementation. There was also need to identriy and assign ntirional responsibulties, and to revise or draft essential legislation and regulations to make the implementaalon of the plan effectve. The Envrronmental Action Plan will be presented in fourvolumes. The current volume presents critical environmental issues in Ghana and actions recommended underthe PlarL The Plan includes adoption of the proposed National Environmental Policy (Chapter 3), action to address egal and Institutional Issues (Chapter4) actionsi the areas of natural resource managemerit (ChapterS), and in managing the built environment (Chapter 6). It also Includes the Implementation of comprehensive programs In environmental education (Chapter 7) and environmental monltorin (Chapter B). A summary ot the Action Plan is given in Chapter5. and the proposed implementation strategy in Chapter 1 0. The second volume of this report presents the draft legislaton which is recommended for Government to adopt as part of the Plan This voiume includes the following documents: 1. Restructuring of EPC 2. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) 3. Revised Forestry Policy 4. Revised Conservation Legislation 5. Revised Factory. Shops and Offices Act 6. Legal Framework for Coastal Zone Management 7. Legislation to Contirl Pesticides 8. Legislation to establish a Water Resources Commission Thethird volume, to be published in February 1991, wil pesent the details of the proposed investment program. A fourth volume, to be published together with Volume l11, will presen the reports of thg various working groups and other background material. In addition. several sudies have been completed as part of Plan prepartion. They include: Evaluating the Costs of Enfnronrnental Degradation in Ghana. Report on Land Managemerit Systems in Ghana Coastal Zone Indicative Plan Ernvronerntal Guidelines for Distrkt Assemblies Guidelines for Environmental Impact Assessment Remnant Woodlands Recmmended for Protection Environmental Education Curriculum for Prirnary and Secondary Scoods -hese reports are available for corn=uitain at EP?. :nvironmental Acffon Plan 3 _____ __... .~p CHAPTER 2 ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT IN GHANA Current State of the Ghana Economy During the period 1970-1983. poor weather. Insttuonal rigidities. inappropriate economic policies. and intemal and etemal shocks all combined to result In a persistent decline In Ghana's economy. GDP fell atan avmage rate of 1.3% per year. During these years. all key sesctors, agriculture. industry, and services, registered negative average annual growth rates. Population. however. grew at a rapid rate during this period. An Intercensr growth ratedof 2.6% per annum was recorded for the period 1970-1984. Undfficial sources indicate that the growth rate was in fact between Z9% and 3.1% per annum - the result of dedines In the mortaity radt combined with a high fertility rate. The combination of very rapid population growth and prolonged decline In aggregate economnic peformance resdted in a continuous and severe decline in average per capita incomes. At the same time the mounting population pressure on the country's natural resource base and the absence of incentives for prudent and sustainable mranagement of these resources comrbined to fuel an accelerating degradation of the environment - both natural and man-made. In April 1983. the Government launched an ambitious program of economic policy reforms designed to arrest the decline and to put the economy on a positive growth path. The Economic Recovery Program (ERP) was given both financial and technical support by the World Bank. the IMF, and other donors. The components of the reform efforts involved a broad constellation of stabilization and growth-nducing measures; viz.: iQ depreciation and floating of the cedi to about one tenth of its 1983 value to stimulate exports and to narow the dfferential between the parallel and official rates respectively i. prvatization of and introduction of cost-recovery schemes in parastatal enterprises i to enhance er efficiency and proftability; iii) reduction in the size and scope of the public sector as well as an expansion of the role of the private sector in the production and marketing of goods and services; iv) liberalization of credit and monetary arrangements; and v) creation of an enabing errvironment for foreign and domestic Investment With these measures fimly In place. rea GDP. for the first time in a long period. registered a positive growth rate of about 8.6% In 1984. For the period 1984-88 GOP recorded an average growth rate of about 5% perannumLPositveoveral annual GDP growth continued in 1989(G.1%) and sofarin 1990 i orecastat4%). GOP growth projections for the next decade are on the order of 5% per annum. The positive growth peromance brought about by the ERP has, however, entaied Its social costs. Because of the Governments concern aboult the impact of economic reforms on the.poor and the susrainabiity of reform the Program of Actions to Mitigate the Social Costs of Adjustment (PAMSCAD) was introduced. PAMSCAD Involves projects with a strong poverty alleviation focus aimed at specific target groups: i) rural households, particularly In the northem regions; i) urban poor (unemployedlunderemplyed) and iii) retrenched workers Economic Development and Environmentally Sustainable Growth The sustaRity of Ghan's economic and social development depends utimately on proper and responsible management of the natural resource base and on the environmert In general. The environment is complernentary to economic growth but requires a broader appreciation of the synergism between forces which generate growth and those that involve conservation of the natral resource base. The widely held view that there is an inevitable tradeoff between growth and environmental degradation is miseading. There are such tradeofs in the shor run - but in the longer tn. the tactors which induce growth must be reconciled with the integrity of the natural resource base if growth is to be sustained and to benefit future generations. In Ghana. economic growth has been based primariy on the use of its renewable and non-renewable natural resources: forests, soil. water. biogass. and 4 Environmental Action Plar Economic Development & Environment In Ghanm Chapter Two other elemental resources. Proper management of this natural capital' contributes significantly to regenerative growth and the long-run maintenance of consumption levels consistent with healthy and productive lives. Irresponsible attiudes to the natural resource base result In environmental degradation which is likely to have grave consequences on the future welfare, if not actual survival. of human civilization, animal. and plant species. The pressures on natural systems in Ghana are significanL It is likely that If adequate Interventions are not made now, pressures could build up to result in a breakdown in such natural systems. thereby ensuing in irreversible poverty. At present, the problems confronting the natural resource base are numerous: the loss of productive sol and biomass due to inappropriate agricultural practices, the loss of forests as a result of farmer encroachment, extensive logging, fueiwood extraction and charcoal production; the degradation of range and pasture lands due to overgrazing; the irresponsible release of pollutants into the air and water. the pressures of popuLdation growth on a limited carrying capacity; and the overburdening of urban systems as a result of rural to urban migration and natural increase. thereby resutting in air and water pollution. congestion, poor sanitation. and disease. Sustainable growth and development in Ghana vdl depend on the degree to which the rate of natural resource extraction is balanced against the rate of resource replenishment Individual Ghanaians must be made to realize that it makes economic sense to conserve the environment from which they derive their livelihood. Economic Justification for an Environmental Action Plan F In Ghana. environmental degradation affects production in agriculture, industry and services. It arises as a - neither desirable nor unavoidable- by-product of the processes of resource extraction and utilization in the procuction of goods and services in the various sectors An attempt has been mnade to estimdtethe costs imposed onthe Ghanaian economy by environmental degradation inthe different I sectorns. The willingness to pay by Ghanaians to avoid or prevent such negative impacts has been estimattid using market prices where available, or using some proximate estimates where market Information is not avaiable. The picture is incomplete in a number of respects. Nevertheless, even using very conservative assumptions, the costs of environmental degradation are dearly significant Table I at the end of this section gives the ranicng and sectors in terms of prioties for intervention and the associated costs imposed on the economy in the absence of any remedial or preventive action'. Degradation related to crop and livestock production activities imposes the greatest cost to the Ghanaian economy, with a total estimated annual cost of at least 28.8 bilion cedis. These costs are largely attributable to productivity losses arising from sod degradation. soid erosion and loss of tee cover. and to a lesser extent costs resulting from rangeland degradation due to the grazing of livestock. The next economic activity that suffers a significantly high environmertal cost is foresty. The total cost borne by the country as a result of the loss of forests through fire. logging. fuelwood extraction. charcoaling and agricultural encroachment has been estimated at 10.8 biWlion cedis per year There are other costs which arise from the disappearance of mre species of anikals and plants, the loss of non-wood forest products, the reduced benefits from research on sources of medicine. etc. Significant 1: costs also arise from the disturbance of watersheds which lead to siation and drying of water bodies and the consequent desertification. These costs have not been estinated. but localized evidence suggests that such costs are significanL Unfortunately, it has not been possible as yet, ior lack of adequate data to quantffy the costs of environmental resource degradation arising out of mining and manufactuing actvies Estmates based on observation of damuge to humans, animals, vegetation and water bodies support the case that such costs are substantial. A natrik has been developed to describe the impact of these and other economic acivities on the receiving media (animate and inanimate resources). Some efforts I These estimates were developed for 1988, the most recent year for which sufficierit data are avaiable. Environmental Action Plan 5 Chapter Two Economic Deveopmemn a cmnvmiaw.a.... have been made, however, to estimate the costs of environmental degradation from such activities as mining. manufacturing. and urbanization by evaluating their impacts an human health. These costs have been captured in terms of lost eamings, cost of medical resources (doctors, nurses, technicians. equipment. etc.). and cost of drugs. The total cost is estimated to be as high as 3.8 billion cedis (f not more) per annum. This estimate obviously understates the true cost of illnesses arising from environmental degradation, because secondary effects (e.g. Impacts on pregnancies. etc.) and the numberof environmentally related premature deathsare not accounted for. Moreover, even thedirect costs estimated above are an understatement because it has not been possible to capture the costs incurred by all persons alfected. It should also be noted that longer-term costs to the economy attiibutable to environmentally Induced health problems - especially long-term losses In labour productivity- have not yet been quantified. What emerges clearlyfrom this analysis is that Ghana's economy sustains losses due to environrnental degradation that amount to a minimum of 41.7 billion cedis annually - equivalent to 4% of total GDP in 1988. It is important to note that it Is only since 1984 that GDP growth rate has aLtained an average of about 4% per year. If nothing is done to arrest the processes which degrade the environment. Ghana loses at least 4% of the potential output ot its economy each year. In other words, Ghana's economic growth. even when it has been clearly positive as measured by conventional methods of national income accounting methods, has been achieved almost entirely by 'mining' the country's natural resource base and thereby gradually destroying the foundation for future sustained growth and developmenL The significant magnitude, persistence. and pervasiveness of environmental losses provides a strong case for taki ig action to reduce the damage through the Environmental Action Plan. Towards a Remedial Incentive Framework Environmental assets are conserved or destroyed for a variety of reasons, but an important - often the most important-reason is that it is in the immediate self-interest of individuals. communities. agencies and firms to conserve or destroy. When it is in the short term interest of users to destroy Ghana's environmental endowment. it is very difficult for positive policy to prevail. What is necessary to redress and reverse the severity of the problerns of environmental degradation is not necessanlV more taws, regulations and enforcement mechanics, but greater reliance on incentive mechanisms that wil induce the users of natural resources to perceive that i is in their self-interest to mfanage this resource base in a sustainable way. Economic incentives which promote environmentally sound production and consumption activities are superior to approaches that rely on regulatory measures The fomer are far more cost-efective and easier to administer than the latter, moreover, they are largely self-enforcing". The use of incentives wil encourage individual Ghamnaians to manage voluntarily and wisely the enviroxnment on the basis of prospective rewards. whereas regulatory and enforcement schemes rely on involuntary t (if not "coercive') measures which are prone to generate adversarial outcomes. An important element in environmental policy must therefore be to deterrnine whether, and to what extent, the incentives facing those using the environmert encournge them to destroy it and i so. how to redirect incentives so that conservation is encouraged. On a positive note, a serious attempt to provide an effective incentive framework for a benign management af the ervironment wil have to address the issue of ownership, control and use of resources, the transparency of rules and claims. the existence of effective functioning of markets and the issue of externalities. The Role of Ownership It is one of the axioms of economics that, if resources are not owned, economic efficiency will not be mfaximised;the inceivnesencourage over-use, and ultimatelydestruction ofthe resource. Ownership * in this contxt can be defined as the ability and willingness to limit use andlor access. Ownership can be exercised equally by the private and the public sector. by individual or group. aear. undispumable rigtts of ownership. usufruct rights. etc. to productive assets, especially to land resources. including the right to bequeath to one's descendants, to sell, to otherwise transfer ownership or certain rights of use to others fincluding wives, widows. chfidren. parents, business partners. strangers) are incentives which ensure responsible mnanagement of the resource. 6 Environmental Action Plan Economic Delopmen & Environmet in Ghana Chapter Two ' The transparency of the rules and claims which govem resource use can also Induce proper or improper use of the resources. When farmers and communities are cerain about the extent of their piots and communal lands and of their rights to these. they will more likely assume responsibility to prevent abuse than n there Is contusion with respect to the ru:es. Transparency of riles and cdaims j enables owners of land or natural resources to exercise the terrttorial Imperative" and to protect these assets against abusive .encroachers as well as to safeguard the inteogrty of these resources in perpetuity. Functioning Markes The existence and access to functioning markets for iand, labour, capit/credttL inputs and outputs are imiportant for proper mnanagenent of resources. If markets for factors of production do noL exist or are imperfect. then there are no right signals as to the use of the factor, such as land. This could lead to misuse. t*. Access to these markets, unrestrained by factors, such as membership in a particular community, gender or adminisive barriers such as input or output markeing monopolies or price controls enhances the Incentive structure towards conservation. If paricular groups of people, such as females do not have access to technology or credit then they might undertake agricultural practices which are environmentally destructive. if famiers could have remuneraive reward for their activities. then it could enhance their choices for environmentally friendly practices. EXTERNALMES It may be economically and financially beneficial for an individual producer or consumer to deplete or poilute an environmetal resource because the cost of this depletion or poUlution is borne bv someone else or by society at large or by future generations. These externalities arise because Individual economic agents face different time horizons. Whie factories which pollute water bodies or the atmosphere care about the short-nun maximization of profits or minimization of costs, society which cares about a sound environfent takes both a short-and long-term view at what happens to the environmenL When such externalities occur, public policy that seeks to ensure environmental resource conservation and integrity overthe long run will need to consider ways to deal with them. This might taicke a vaiety of forms regulatory and enfocement mechanisms are orny one possible set of lnsruments nat can be appied. Other inentives could be instituted. For instance tax breaks could be gven to factories that ine new benign technologies or txes increased -for alternative technoloies that pollute the environment, For instance Achimnta Brewery that pollules the Odaw river could enjoy such a facilty f they were to install technologies that could reduce its effluents significantly or treat their polutants. Sometimes, temporary subsidies could be given to activities which use alternative and more resource-friendly technologies up tO the poit where It is no longer necessary or dif act compensation paid to certain resource users for foregoing specific types of resource exploitation. For instance, tobacco inustry that uses a lot of wood in the Brong Ahafo area t and hence causes a lot of deforestation could enjoy such subsidy If theywere to undertake a mfethod v of tobacco curing without using wood. They could also be encouraged through subsidies to establish their own woodlots or taxes placed on them for using exsting wood to enable the villagers reafforesL| With regard to cleaning up lagoons - Korle and Chemu - which are now vitually dead. It would be possible to institute a system of tmdable permits, which would work as follows: The inputs which the I lagoons could absorb without environmental damfage - say 50% of the existing levels - would be determnined. Each emitter would be given license' to emit up to 50% of their existing levels (to be e achieved over. say,a2year period). Thereatter, if any ofthe existingfirmswanttoexceedtheircurren allocation, or if new firms want to set up, and use the assimilative capacity of Ut lagoon, they wals p have to buy our the equhivent in pollution rights from exing holders. Thus a market in pollution rights is created, the total loading is stabiised. A parficular industy can Increase its loads, but orny at a price, and the system tends to be efficint and largely self-regulatng. id Br Examples of how incenives affect the erMronment in various sectors of the economy are indicated ,s below: in Environmental Acton Plan 7 Chapter Two Economic Development & Enmironmenm n unmsm. Agricultural Land The land tenure system in Ghana covers a spectrum of arrangements. Including outright private ownership, long-term lease, short-term rental (including share-cropping), community and open-access. Although there Is an extensive - and generally highly legalistic - literature on this subject nane of It addresses the central environmental issues: to what extent do the tenure arrangements allow effective ownership - the abiiity and willingness to limit access - to be exercised? Tenurial securitr Is perhaps the single most powerful Incentive to prudent management of land resources. Conersely. insecurity of tenure inevitably results In abuses and/or misuses of land. Also directly relevan: to conservation is the question of the duration of tenure. Tree and soil conservation requires that the cusiodianr of the land have an incentive to invest in the long-term future: to plant trees, to build terrac-c erd conserve water demands sacrifice today so that benefits will be yielded in the future. It is most unlikely that the confusing amalgam of tenure arrangements now prevaiing will result in resource conservation. The deficiencies are perhaps most striking in the Northem grazing lands, where relatively open-access conditions prevail, but the problem - and the associated destructive incentives - appears to be widespread. Deforestation Incentwes which cause this problem range from the non-competitive pricing o wood. to inappropriate and ineffective tenurial arrangements. The State is the legal owner of the forests, but ownership has only been sporadically enforced, to a substantial extent, the forests have. de factn been open-access resources. Logging is undertaken by private companies on a concession basis; the terms of the concession (and the associated enforcement) have not encouraged resource conserving L'nhavio Tr, and neither havethe verylowprices charged. Incentivesto remedythe problem could indude raising the silvicutural and royalty fees to competitive levels, encouraging the use of improved technologies in extraction and/or processing of wood, through tax incentives to wood-based processing industries and charging for incidental destruction of trees in the process of extraction. The conservation of the unique flora and fauna of Ghana is Important for the global community. because it keeps options open - for genetic enrichment of food crops, for medicinal value. for basic research - for the future. However, unless such biota have immediate value for food. medicine. etc. their conservation will not be of interest or concem to local dwellers; thus, the incentive facing the loca1 custodians difer from that of the world community. WVidlife Loss In Ghana hunting of wldlife is mainly for meat. Therefore factors which result in this problem arise from lack of alternative sources of proteinimeat or wildlife by-products ardlor ignorance of better techniques of hunting. Individuals who engage in activities which promote livestock production should be given incentives through tax concessions to produce more so as to reduce the demand for wildlife. Water Contamination The problem of externality leads to misuse and abuse of water. Incentives, such as creation of market for pollution right outined above could be used to reduce pollution by industries, mining, and households. Human SetUements Factors which cause environmental degradation arising from human settements are unplanned population growth along with inappropriate or inadequate spatial planning. Incentives should be created to reverse the tide of rural to urban migration through the provision of comparable soclal amenities in rural areas and creation of access to markets by rural dwellers. Fscal measures (eg properrytax, gasoline taxes, selective leases) coUld be used to induce bettertown planning and fines imposed on irresponsible disposal of solid/liquid wastes into common property (eg. lagoons, stre park. etc.) Environmental Action PlanI -_ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ - ~ -~,f Economic Devlopment & Envionment In Ghina Chapter Two PRIORITmATION OF INVESTMENTS IN ThE ENVIRONMENTAL ACTION PLAN The inwestment projects In the EAP have been grouped under broad sectors of Agriculture. Urbanization. Water Resources and Industry. There are two sets of matrices: Annex A and B. Annex A shows the Impact of economic acsivities on receiving media, such as people, animals, vegetation. water (fish) and air. Annex B tables show investment projects, their objectives, activities. impiementing agencies and duration of InvestmenL The following criteria have been used to list all the projects In order of priorities. 1. Where projects are in sectors which have been found to be experiencing the highest environmental degradaion and the extent to which such projects can reduce the cost of degradation. 2. Where projects are well identified In termns of clear-cut objectives and actfities. On the study of the cost of degradation to the economy by Convery and Tutu, the order In terns of sectors with greater cost of degradation to the economy was agricufture (soil and nutrient loss through erosion, grazing). forestry, health effects from urbanization. mining and industry and tourisrm Thus. the projects are considered from sectoral level, namely, agrinuLture. urbanization, water resources. and industry. Agriculture On agriulture induding forestry and wildlife. projets which prevert wind and soil arosion are considered as very imponant. There are a total of 18 projects out of which 6are in the 1990-92 Public investment Programme (PIP). These projects can be grouped broadly into a) soil protection and soll nutrlient replenishment, reafforestation and energy saving technologic- b) monitoring and management of forest resources including trees and wildlife. The projects In a) are the priority ones since they go to reduce the lrgest component of the cost of degradation. The projects in b) generally coudd be undertaken through the insttutional strengthening that are on-going. Projects wil be indicated by their code as they appear in either the EAP or PIP. The few proiects that are In the PIP wI be Indicated as such. The proiects are ordered in order of top priority. Thus i only one project has to be undertaken the first one goes. The first 10 projects can be seen as very importanLt The investments in order d priority are as follows: 1. Program for son feity regeneration and maintenance(RCMO2). 2. Sol elrtlIty and productivty (RCM 03) 3. National Agroforestry project (DCS 011/88) PIP. 4. Utflization of strawand other agncutural waste products for dry season feeding (AHP 010/88) PIP. 5. Charca production study (STR 05). 6. Feasilty study of wood saving technology (STR 07). 1 7. Subri industrial plant project (FOR 012/89) PIP. S. Establishment of Strip Plntation (FOR 008188) PIP. S. Drought resistancetolerance In cocoa (CMB 005189) PIP. 10. Soi conservation education and training ',cR 15) I1. Forests and woodland monitoring system (ESS 04). Environmental Action Plan 9 Chaptw Two Economic Development & Environment In Ghana 12. Improvement of classified forests (RCM 08) 13. Desertification control plan of action (RCM 12). 14. Widlife monitoring system (ESS 05). 15. Widlife management project (FOR 007190) PIP. 16. Range monitoring pmgram (ESS 03). 17. Range mnanagement program (RCM 04). 18. Improved managed of parks and reserves (RCM07). Industry Although it was not possible to put costs to the environment due to lack of data as to the extent of pollution taking place. indusuy which mainly constitute mining and manufacturing as tar as pollution is concemed has cost to the environment as depicted in one of the matrices. Projects in order of priority are those which can assess the extent of pollution. technologies which reduce pollution and awareness creation. Those that emphasize control are least priority since they already have institutions charged to do so. They may only need strengthening. The first set of five projects are the most important 1. Environmental impact assessment (ESS 12). 2. GIS-based environmental monitoring system (ESS 02). 3. Air quality monitoring system (ESS 03). 4. Envimnmental aspects of mining activities (POC 01). 5. Strengthening local training insitutions (ESS 15). 6. Environmental awareness programme (Public awareness to protect natural resources) (ESS 13). 7. Incentive systems for greater energy efficient industry (MBE 07). 8. Strengthening of factory inspectorate (POC 02). 9. Industrial chemicals control system (POC 04). 10. Air pollution control programme (POC 06). U.rbanization There are 11 projects out of whicch 2 are in the 1990192 PIP. Projects which deal with urban waste management and decongesting of cities are top priority because they tend to improve sanitation wfhch will reduce disease and hence cost of health. In this sector there are lots of projects which soan over work thaS is already being undertaken or where the activities are such that it cannot be accomplished at a reasonable time. The first five projects are the most importanL 1. Improvement in the solidr waste and nighsdl disposal systems in Accra (MBE 05). 2. Preparation of 1125.000 scale maps (ESS 01). 3. Urban II and other district projects (OUR 002189) PIP. 4. Accra district rehabiitation project (UR 001/89) PIP. 5. Reduction In energy consumption in urban transportation (STR 08). 10 Environmental Action Plaj Ecnomic Developmet & Envionment In Ghana Chapter Tw0 6. Improvement of infrastructure in secondary cities (MBE 08). 7. Structure plan for regional capitals and special areis (MBE 03). 8. District structure plans (MBE 01). 9. Street and mnarket foods protection policy and study (STR 10). 0. Approprite technology for waste disposal and treatment (STR 12). 11. National physical development plan (MBE 02). Water Resources There are 7 projects with one in both the 1990/92 PIP and the EbP. Projects that reduce pollution or that improve water quality, or assess extent of pollution are top priority. The first three projects are most Important 1. Water quality monitoring system (ESS 08) EAP and PIP. 2. Environmental impacts of water based actties (STR 13). 3. River basin water mnaster plan (STh 02). 4. Impact of inland drainage and land based poflution source on costal zone (STP 03). 5. Monitoring of marine polution (ESS 11). 6. Coastal protection works (RCM 13). 7. Coastal zone management (STR 04). m i ' Environmental~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A.InPln CHAPTER 3 NATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL POUCY A. PREAMBLE Attempts over the years to address environmental problems In Ghana have been largely ad-hoc and cosmetic, or at best sector-oriented and thereore limit in scope. It has become evidern that the body of existing legislation on the various aspects of the environment Is Inadequate and unimplemented, and many provisions have no bearing on present-day realties as well as the aspirations of the people of this country. There is clearly the need for a new direction and thrust In national development efforts to ensure that plans aimed at Improving the standard and quality of life take due cognizance of environmental considerations. The economic prosperity of Ghana depends on the maintenance of a high quality environment. The losses being sustained at present reduce the living standards of the present generation. If the urban and rural environments are degraded to the extent that Ghana Is not an attractive iocation for the growth industries of the future - information-led technologies. high quality food produ"ton. tourism - then the prosperity of future generations wDlI also be prejudiced by today's irrespoi &sIblltles. B. DEFIN"lONS In the context of this document "Environmenr' is understood as comprising the whole set of natural or biophysical and man-made or socio-cultural systems in which man and other organisms live, work and interact By environmental protection is meant all the interventions that may be deemed necessaryto malntain a high level of environmental quality. and which at the same time enhances sustainable socio-economic development C. OBJECTIVES The ultimate aim of the National Environmental Policy of Ghana Is to improve the surroundings, liing conditions and the quality of life of the entire citzenry, both present and future. It seeks to ensure reconciliation between economic development and natural resource conservation. to rmake a high quality environmernt a key element supporting the country's economic and social development SpeciRcally, the policy seeks to: * maitain ecosystems and ecological processes essential for the functioning of the bio- sphere; * ensure sound management of natural resources and the environment; * adequately protect humnans. animals and plants. their biological communities and habitats against harmful impacts and destructive practices, and preserve biological diversty = guide development in accordance with quality requirements to prevent, reduce, and as far as possible, eliminate polilution and nuisances; * integrate environmental considerations in sectoral structural and socio-economic plan- ning at the national, regional. district and grassroots levels; * seek common solutionsto environmental problems in West Africa. Africa and the world at large. D. PRINCIPLES For the effective implementation of the National ErrAronmental Policy the following principles will be applied: * optimum sustainable yield in the use of resources and ecosystems; * use of most cost-effertive means to achieve environmental objectives; 12 Environmental Action Plan .~~ . * * 4~~~~~~~~~. r I Natiorl Environm.ntl Policy Chapter Three * USe of Incentives In addition to regulatory measures: * delegatIon of decision-maidng and action tD the most appropriate level of govemment; * polluter pays for the cost of preventing and eliminating pollution and nuisances caused by him; id * public participation In environmental decision-making; le Id International co-operation. n E. POUCY STATEMENT fe Environmerntal protection in Ghana should be guided by the preventive approach, that Is, with the re ognition that socro-economic developments must be undertaken in such a way as to avoid t, ae cr ition of environmeital problems. le in Spelically. the Govemment wil: ie a) commit Itsef tothe environmentaly sound use of both renewable and non-renewable resources in the process of national development; b) create awareness among all sections of the community of the environment and Its relationship to socio-economic development, and of the necessity for rational resource use among all sectors of the country. 31 c) develop procedures for the utilisation of land resources in a manner that wil ensure the .k maximum degree of economy in the use of land and avoid or minimise conflicts; d) Institute and Implement an environmental quality control programme by requiring prior n environmental Impact assessments of all new investments that would be deemed to affect the e quality of the environrnent; e) the appropriate measures. irrespective of the existing levels of environmental poliution and extent of degradation, to control pollution and the importation and use of poaentially toxic chemicals. g f) take appropriate meawres to protect crtical eco-systems, induding the flora and fauna they -e * contain against harmful effects, nuisance, or destructive practices; .h g) develop and maintain a professional cadre within the country to supervise, co-ordinate. implement and enforce procedures and legislation essential for safeguarding the environment and maintenance of sound ecological systems;, h) oblige all concemed to provide the appropriate agencies with the relevant information needed I for environmental protection and for the enforcement of relevant environmental regultions and legislation; i? promote and support research programmes aimed at better understanding -of the different ecozones and the factors affecting them, as well as health-related envronmental problems. and the development of appropriate technologies for environmentally sound management and use of loca resources, including renewable energy resources; ir j) establish an adequate legishative and 'r-stitutional framework for monitoring. co-ordanating and enforcing environmental matters; The fundamental aims of the National Environmental Policy shall be pursued and achieved through the harnonisation and enforcement of ralevant laws and treeties on the environment, and the 31 implementation of an Environmental Action Plan. The Plan is intended to provide a coherent framework for the various interventions necessary to safeguard the environment. ISSUE-SPECIFIC POUCY ORIENTATllONS The envkonment represents an asset, though finite with a limited carrying capacity, which must be utilised and mranaged in the best possible way. It must be recognised as an essential factor in the organisation and promotion of humian existence and progress The resources od the environment Environmental Acton Plan 13 Chapter Three National Environmental Polircy must be managed such that they exert the maximum contributlon to the long- erm econoric and social well-being of Ghanaians. 1.0 Management of Environmental Resources Conservation of forest, fishery and wildife resources: The neeo to protect nature and habitat, landscape, flora and fauna from the threat of further degradation and depletion is an area of concem to many Ghanaians. There is an increasing awareness of the direct econonic benefits of forests and widlife to the people. and the linkages between these resources and the tota environment. These concerns shalt be translated into an action plan which will ensure nature conservation. Protection of the soil: The protection of the soil has been recognised as an important action in the rnanagement of resources in Ghana. This arises from the recognition of the growing threats to tne soil as a result of increasing agricultural, mining and mnanufacturing activities. The threats to the soil can be categorised as foilows: a) contamination by hamffu substances of various origins; b) degradation of the chemical. biological or physical structure; c) misuse and waste as a reslt of space-consuming activities. In order to tackie these principal threats, existing policies and actiities shall be co-ordinated and re-nforced to ensure that soi protection is more effectively taken into account especially in agricultural and other developmert policies and activities. Steps shall also be taken to encourage the development of innovative soil protection techniques and the transfer of available know-how. Coastal regions and highland areas: The development and ecological management of Ghana's coastal regions is of rrajor Importance. Because of the peculiar and fragie nature of these areas It is of the utmost interest to the country to manage these on a sustainable basis. It is also recognised that a commonly agreed upon action plan will provide the appropriate framework for an envronmentally- sound and comprehensive approach to coastal area development in the West Africansub-region. Inthisdirection.GovemmentWIAlenditstuflsupporttotheprogrammeacivities under the Regional Seas Programme of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) appropriate to the needs of West and Central Africa (VACAF); within this regional framework Govemment will prepare and implement a Coastal Zone Management Plan- The highland areas In Ghana fulfil several. often conflicting functions. They guarantee the economic well-being of the local population serving as farm lands and at the same time, protect the watersheds and habitats for wildlife. The ominous destruction of vegetation on hill sides threatens the stability and beauty of these areas. Local authorities will prepare and enforce appropriate bye-aws and massive public education programmes will be carried out Energy Resources: Woodfuels constiue the primary energy source for most Ghanaian households, whiles the industrial sectoris almost entirely dependent on hydro-power. Thissituation poses a seriousthreat to economic development and to the environmentL Eftorts to develop the country's indigenous energy resources wil be pursued in such a manner as to reduce the possible adverse impacts of energy development on the environment To reduce the pressure on forests for woodfuels the development of renewable energy sources will be promoted, while the efficiency of production. conversion and use of woodfuels will be improved. lndustrieswDl be giventhe appropriate incentives asa means to promote the use of renewable energY sources. 14 .Environmental Action Pis cy NtiDonal Enwironmentl Policy Chapter Thre nd I Water Resources: Water Is used for various purposes, including domestic, Industrial, agriculture, recreation and transportatlon. The necessary measures wU be instituted to ensure that conflicts between the different * uses of water are avoided or reduced to the minimum. In particular efforts will be made to protect the various watersheds and also employ environmentally sound methods of disposing waste water as 'er well as to prevent poliluion of fresh water bodies. es Also efforts will be made to reduce land-based polutants from various sources entering the sea. The 3n National 00 SpDi Contingency Plan will be implemernted to reduce the risk of poilution from oD spils and ensure timely intervention In case of such spils. Ghana wil co-operate with all countries in the * West and Central African sub-region in the event od a serious oil spill In the region. - Urban areas and waste management lgDi E The volume of wastes generated In the urban centres Is rapidly increasing. Although a substantial percentage of the urban waste in Ghana is readiy biodegradable and therefore potentially re-usable or recyclable for raw manerias or energy, the appropriate technology and necessary resources are not readly available. A small but Increasing proportion of urban waste In Ghana is toxic or dangerous and deserves special handling. Much of the urban waste is disposed of on the land and some are dumped into the sea with little or no treatment before disposal. A more comprehensive policy for waste management shall be adopted to encompass prevention. recdamaton and disposal. This policy shall focus on three broad themes: the reduction of the volume id of waste, the increase of recycling and reuse, and the safe disposal of unavoidable wastes. in *e 2.0 Prevention and Control of Pollution A pollution problem might, to varying degrees, be classified as: a) a}cte or chronic; b) locallsed or geographically dispersed; 4 c) related primarly to a single pollutant or a combina- tion of pollutants;- 0, d) concentrated in one medium (air, water or land) or affecting several and/or Involving the : movement of pollutants between media; j *k 0e} point-source(s), diffused, fixed or moble, and may be linked with one or several industrial -t sectors f The approaches to pollution control in practice wil therefore differ In their emphasis, depending on k technical, adniinistrative and legal possibilities for control measures It is recognised that the first stage in the control of a pollution problem is research and detaled study to investigate ttie factors involved and their inter-relationships. S When a problem has been identified and investigated. an appropriate control strategy can be decided Y upon. The control strategy may include the use of biological standards, exposure limits. J environmental quality objectives or standards, emission standards, process or operating standards. product standards, limits on total emissions or a range of preventive controls, for example, the application of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) procedures, or some combination of these. 1 - Control action mray be directed towards any one or more of the following: . the poflluant; 5 * pollutant sourres; * receiving and/or transporting media: I tart. organism or environmenL 1 Environmental Action Plan 15 Chepte Thre Naiso .1 tnwomnsuas rusay Comprehensive Pollution Control: The control of the emission of pdlutants trom many sources into a single medium will be based on emission limits or on environmental quality standards set for that medium. It is recognised that one inevitable consequence of the sectoral approach to pollution is that, as standards are tightened In one area, so the pressure may increase in another area. To avoid this situation, emphasis wil be placed on stricter environmental standards in all sectors. Substance-oriented Controls: In orderto be able to assess the exposure by a particular pollutant throuqhthe varicus pathways (air. water, soil) of a particular target, assess the effects of such exposures. tacluding risks for health and the environment, and set standards designed to limit the impact of pollution, where appropriate an integrated substance-oriented approach to chemicals will be adopted. This approach will: * consider the occurrence of a particular substance from any source: * proceed towards an integrated risk assessment, taking into account the different routes through which people and the environment are exposed; and * lead to choices regarding the most effective and efricient solution to the problems caused. Source-oriented Controls: Environmental management should Ideally take into account interaction between sources of pollutants. In some cases. however, it may be reasonable to focus controls on a single type of source. A source-oriented control approach, aimed at individual industries or target groups of industries, and covering all discharges to air, land or water and including the generation of solid as well as liquid or gaseous wastes. may be adopted where deemed appropriate. To ensure effective support for such an approach, a better, more comprehensive knowledge of the emissions into air, water and to soil in the form of wastes from major sources of such emissions is required. Emission inventories wMll be set up and kept up to date and the state-of-the-art technologies to control emissions will be regulary mainrained and disseminated to those cncermed and to the public together with the costs entaied. Product Standard Emission Umits and Environmental Quality Objectives and Standards: Environrnental regulations are already in existence although scattered, which set standards for products emissions. These are based on the technical characteristics of the industry, the product. and/or on a fomially specified quality objective or standard for the receiving environmentL A more comprehensive regulation wil be enacted for the control of, for example, gaseous emissions from motor vehides, pollution of soil and water through sewage discharges, et cetera. 3.0 Action in specific areas Atmospheric Pollution: The atmospheric poluion control strategy under the national environmental policy is geared towards an overall long-term objective to reduce air poHlution within the country as well as beyond Ghana's boundaries. The main objectives of the strategy will be to: a) identify the atmospheric pollutants which are currently and potentially of greatest concem for the protection of human health and the environment; b) deterrnine the most appropriate means (substances and/or source oriented) for handling the pollution problems identified, without transferring air pollution to water or soil; c) set and implement national standards for specific sources discharged into the air; d) reduce, in the longer term the ambient air concentrations of the most crucial pollulants to levls considered acceptable for the protection of sensitive ecosystems; I | 16 Environmenta Action Plan1 National Envionmrl Policy Chapter Three e) define and implement preventve measures against Indoor pollution: f) deop relevant Irnsments which can assist In achbieng these objectves. Inciuding: iQ an inventory of emissions and major source categories; IQ an Inventory of best available pollution abatemenm technologies and costs. Il) new non-polluting techndlogiesm iv) monitoring networks; v) economic instruments to prevent pollution. Water Bodies: The environmental policy on water Is aimed at sustainable development and use of water resources In this regard, particular quality standards wil be set for. a) specitic uses of water; b) pollution caused bythe discharge of certain dangerous substances to the aquatic environment In addition. programmes will be mounted to: * irnroduce in all water resource development schemes effective measures to control or avoid distortions of the ecological balance which affect the health and qualky of lIfe of the eople: * generally monitor and control activties with a view to Improving water quality In general and rediuce poliut,on; * protect watersheds thmugh the contrd of deforestaton.1 The marine environment wIl be accorded special attention throught a) the implementation of the conventions and protocols of relevant intemaonal bodies dealing with marine polluton, especialy in the West African region; b) the reduction of landbased poliutants Into the seas through the dumping of raw sewage and unrea2ed liquid industrial vrastes;j c) contrd and prevention of polution from oil spills: d) improvement of national capabilities for dealing with oi spils. Chemicals: The increasing number of chemicals used In the country deserves control. A procedure wiD be established for a) regulating potentially dangerous chemicals by enacting appropriate legislation regarding the export. import marketing and use of chemicals that are banned or severely restricted in other counrvies or where local experier^e makes such contrd necessary b) gathering information, requi ing testing, and evalua- ting the risks to humans and the environment; c) undertaidng a continuous review of the classffication systems, testing requirements and test guidelines. Noise: Noise is a by-product of Industria]isation and modemisation. However this is an avoidable problem given the present-day state-of-the-art industrial technology. Appropriate standards and legislation on noise control, both ambiernt and industrial. wil be enacted and enforced to prevent the worsemng of the noise prooiem as the national economy gathers momentum and the standard of livng fora larg cross-section of the popuiation improves. Public education wil ie a key component of noise control efforts within communities. Environmental Action Plan 17 Chaptw Three National Environmematiroomy 4.0 Development of Appropriate Instruments Forthe successful implementatlon ofthe Natlonal Environmental Policy, necessary stepswil be taken to develop appropriate instruments geared towards: a) improving the scderntfic base of environmental pdicy, among other things, through appropriate research programmes; b) the assessment of the potential impacts of certain public and private projects on the environment, and the integration of the environmenal dimension in national policies: c) establishment and implementation of appropriate sTandards and guidelines so as to ensure an acceptable level of public health and environmental protection; d) harmonisation of appropriate legislative instruments; e) Improved access to intormation on the environmenL To ensure the greatest economy in land resource utilisation and to minimise land use conflicts a landuse policy will be formulated and an action plan adopted to provide a comprehensive and integrated framework for the development of land resources. Legislation will be enaced to prescribe the necessary environmental quality standards and guidelines for mining and manufacturing industries. To this end EIA will be required for all new investments that would be ceemed to affect the quality of the environmerL Positive and negative incentiveswill be instituted to encowage the adoption of environmentally sound production technologies and to discourage pollution. Programmes wil be developed to ensure the availability and wise application of cost-effective technologies for the exploitation of resources. 5.0 Environmental Education The success of an environmental policy presupposes that all sections of the population understand the functioning of the environment and the problems thereof, and contribute to the protection and improvement of the environmentL To this end continuous and detailed educational programmes wil be implemented at all levels sothat every Ghanaian becomes aware of the problems and fullyassumes his responsibilities in safeguarding the environment Environmental education wAl formn an imnegral pat of the educational system. Sustained eflorts will be nmade to promote awareness among policy mnakers, provide training for resource managers at appropriate levels, and promote greater public awareness and motivation for environmrenal action. 6.0 Environmental Monitoring Monitoring constitutes an essential actvity in the sdution of environmental problems Human activities and the environment in which they occur are in a constant state of flux, therefore the process of environmental monitoring must necessarily include the need to describe change. Monitoring must be designed to provide a sound knowledge about the resources themselves, that is their spatial distribution, their quantity and quality, and of all the interacting elements within the framework of development There is also the need to know the extent to which the environment is being modified as a result of the various human use systems. This wil ensure that rational choices wil be made among altemative development strategies. 7.0 International Co-operation It has become increasingly obvious that environmental problems hardly respect national boundaries. Some of these problems, such as drought, atmospheic pollution. climate change, and marine pollution are, by their very nature. intermational or even global in character. It is therefore essential that they should be tacided at those respective levels Ghana will participate actively in irntenational efftw towards the protection of the environmnent Ghana will naintain and where necessary, increase her participation in the activities of the United Nations agencies. other mUtiateral organisations and non-govemmental organisations. and observe the numerous intemational agreements to which Ghana is a parTy. 18 Environmental Action Plan Y tdonl Envionmental Policy ChapterThr0 At th regonal and continental levels, Ghana's environmenhal policy wDi operate in the contex of an IncreaOd effective participation In (including where appropriate. financial conMribution to) the n protods of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU). Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and sub-regiorul groupings such as West African Sub-West and Central Africa (WACAF) e Regional Seas Programme of UNEP. e n a d 3s at id -d -idl es be at n. an Ss ist ial of ed de 3s. ne tial .ed *ve an Environmental Action Plan 19 I~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_ _____ CHAPTER 4 LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL ISSUES ISSUES: a) Need for a National Environmental Policy Attempts over the years to address environmental problems in Ghana have been largely ad-hoc and cosmetic, or at best sector-oriented and therefore limited In scope. It has become evident that the body of existing legislation on the various aspects of the environment is Inadequate. and many provisions have no bearing on present-day realities as well as the aspirations of the people of this country. There is clearly the need for a new direction and thrust In national development efforts to ensure that plans aimed at improving the standard and quality of Ife take due cognizance of environmental considerations. The economic prosperity of Ghana depends on the maintenance of a high quality environment. The losses being sustained at present reduce the living standards of the present generation and may affect future generations if the present trend is allowed to continue. The proposed National Environmental Policy is presented in Chapter 3. b) Present Legal and Institutional Framework Long before the establishment of the Environmental Protection Councl in 1974, many legal enactments existed In the country empowering various official bodies which actually exercise executing powers as far as the care and protection of the environment are concerned. However these powers are widely scattered among these bodies and no one of them can be said to enjoy exclusive oversight of the whole o. the environment or even of significant portions of it. In the face of this highly confused state of affairs. it is extremely difficult atthe presenttimeto determine exacty the responsibilities specifically assigned to the various organs of government with respect to the environment. Besides, mnany of the sectors with executing powers are unable to exercise these powers effectively. It is evident that there are a number of problems relating to the environment which have not received tha attention they deserve because they have not been seen as falingl deafly within the sphere of responsibility of any particuar body or because so many different bodies are officially entrusted with responsibility for them. In the event, none of them has taken the initiative in attending to them. The question at issue is one of administrative and legal failure to demarcate clearlythe responsibilities of the various bodies concemed with the environment and ensure that these responsibilities are pmperly carried ouL c) Proposed Policy Agenda i) EPC restructuring The Environmental Protection Council was established by NRC Decree 239 of January 23rd. 1974. The Councii is primarily an advisory and research organisation, which is expected tG co-ordinate the activities of other bodies concemed with environmental matters but without the power to enforce any measures for improving the environment or preventing damage to iL It serves as a meeting point for the bodies that actually exercise power with regard to various sectors of the environment and so facitate the co-ordinating role of the Council. Membership of the Council is made up of Ministries of Health, Agriculture. Foreign Affairs. Lands and Natural Resources, Industries, Science and Technology, Local Govemrnment. Finance and Economic Planning and Works and Housing. The EPC also mairnains networks through its expert commimtees on education, naurl ecosystems. toxic chericals, human settlements, among others. There is however an urgent need for restructuring 20 Environmental Action Plar LGS & ir n Chapter Four the Councdl to provide ft withthe necessarypolftical backing aswell asa minimum level of enforcement powers to enable it carry the additional responsibillties that the EAP imposes on it. 1I) Role of NDPC The National Development Planning Commission which was set up under National Development Planning Law. 1989 is charged with the following responsibilIties: 1. Formnulate and advise govemment on comprehensive National Development Strategies and ensure ind that the Planning and Development Strategies Including consequential policies and programmes are the effectively carried out; tny his 2. (a) undertake studies and make recommendations to the Govemment on development issues and . to on national development goals and objectives; of (b) issue for the guidance of both public and private sectors approved development policies as directed by govemment; (c) integrate and synthesise all macro-economic sectoral and terrtorial policies and ensure that -he such policies are compatible with the national development goals; iay (d) ensure that all development strategies and programmes are in conformity with sound nal environmental principles; (e) monitor and evaluate national development plans, programmes and projects and report progress to the govemmem from time to time; 3al ' (f) prescribe the content and format of national development plans and [se (g) perform such other functions as the government may assign to it se I 3.Keep under constant review national developmen. plans in the light of prevalling domestic and ive international economic. social. politcal conditions and recommend to the government necessary revision of existing policies and programmes. I :ne 4. Deliberate and advise govemment on such alternative strategies as there may be to attain the to national development goals and present such viable alternative strategies together with the !se assumption upon which they are based including the advarntages and disadvantages of each option rcbl *to the govemmentL ily Although it has been established by law and indeed maintains a physical existence the NDPC is yet - ! ng to take off from the ground. It needs to be strengthened to become operational and effective. Its lead role in the national ptanning process must be asserted with particular emphasis on human settlements for which a special unit is required. ies ire (iii)E I A Process Doubless. the goverr ?nt and both public and private sectors of the economy are committed to the need to consider. cdrefully. environmental issues before making a decision on the future of a development action. The PNDC Law 116 establishing the Ghana Investment Code of 1985 requires that the Ghana Investment Centre (GIC). which is the govemment agency for the encouragement, promotion and co-ordination of private investment (except for mining, petroleum and cottage 74 industries) in the Ghanaian economy, must in its appraisal of enterprises. "... have regard to any effect .he the enterprise is likely to have on the environment and the measures proposed for the prevention and .ny control of any harmful eKfects to the environmentL Currently the discharge of this requirement is met for by sending information on the enterprise to the EPC for review. Comments are expected within 21 so days. Environmental Impact Assessment is a method used to identify a project's probable impacts o0. the * nd enionment. Itiscarriedoutinordertoinfluenreprojectdesignandthechoiceofprojectaitenatives nic There is no EIA procedure in Ghana at present There is only a systematic environmental review procedure in which EPC is the focal point deciding whetheran environmental grant, an Environmental ns. Impact Certificate can be issued or noL Clearly. EPC cannot be expected to cope indefinitely with :ng tne demands placed upon it by existing practice, hence the need for a formal EIA procedure within which responsibility for consideration of envronmental effects is more dispersed among various anj Environmental Action Plan 21 Chpter Four Legal & Instullonal lsu "actorsr In the development process but which maintain EPC Input at critical stages. Also the cost of undertaking the work would be distributed, more equltably as the project proponents would be responsible for preparing Ernlronmenta Impact Statements for their own projects and meeting the costs of the work. At preSent such Environmental Impact Statements are produced by some proponents, particularly in the mining sector, but on an adhoc basis and frequenriy only where there is a sizeable foreign Investment (Iv) Land Management Legislation To date the non-existence of a co-ordinated and comprehensive land use/management policy Is seen as the most critical problem In environmental managemenL Another problem is the multiplicity of agencies responsible for various aspects of land management; there are twenty such agencies. Various experts have Indicated that the situation if not rectilied would seriously impair any efforts to address environmenra problems in the country. no malter what their nature. The lack of integrated policy and planning lies at the heart of the land management problems at the national, regional. district and farm levels in Ghana. The Ministries of Local Govemment and Education together with U.S.T. a-id the Dept. of Town and Country Planning are currently preparing a Land Use Planning Policy tot the country. (v) Water Management Legislation a) Abstraction of Water InGhanaat present there are no procedures requiring organisationsand agencieswishingto abstract water to submit their request to an authority responsible for the overall management of water resources, so that the right to abstract water Without any detrimental effect can be granted. It is only in the case of the Volta River Authority (VFRA) and Irrigation Development Authority (PDA) that would be users ofthe Volta Lake orVolta River and reservoirs for iigation are required to obtain permission from these bodies. which seem to have conferred on them ownership rights to their facilites. There is therefore an urgent need to streafline and rationallse the right to abstract water for varicus uses In the country. b) Water Quality The question of water quality is a matter of great concem. The settng of minimum quality standards is an nescapable responsbilty of all agencies concemed with the provision of water for human use and especialy of any national body charged wth the care and protection of the endronmenL There can therefore be no justification for the present diffusion of authority and the Implied acceptance of a multiplicity of standards within the country. As things stand now this aspect of water mranagement is too diffused, with the Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation, the Water Resources Research Institute and Aquatic Bidogy Institute. IDA, VRA and the EPC, to some extent all exercising or claiming responsiblity for various aspects, not to mention the authority exerised by local communities and even individuals with regard to water rights and use. With regard to the envirormentai impact of water utilization. the situation seems to be diffused. Tre VRA. IDA, GWSC, Minerals Commission and the EPC have various provisions in the leg6iaiions establishinrg the respective institutions to ensure that the water bodies over which they have1 jurisdiction are not polluted or that they also do not cause pollution. However, it is only VRA which has been asked to take measures to protect downstream users and the water regime. Though laws prohibting pollution of water bodies exist, the lack of enforcement of these laws is detrimental to national water management There Is a need for an agency (Water Resources Commission) to coordinate matters related to water. This body will formulate a comprehensre national water policy and mnake regulations to coorol and manage water resources In the country Existing instions should also be strengthened. 22 Environmental Action PISl Legl & lt onual Iusu Chapter Four (vi) Forest Policy The major envlronmentally-related deficiency in the Forest Policy of 1948 was the absence of any percelved pemianent role for trees In land use outside the reserved forests. In practice the Policy pefrmttd the progressiWe utilizaton of forest resources in areas outside the legally constituted permnent forest estates without replacemenL This practice has led to the destruction of forest lands outside reserves through conversion to other farms of land use without control. Efforts are however being made to reverse the situation. The proposal for the revision of the policy departs from the former perception and focuses on the overall management of the national forest estate to ensure sustalnablity of the resource and environmenia preservation. The relevant provisions In the revised National Forest Policy wUIl Include: * protection of sol and water rescurces; * protectIon of critcal hilly areas and water courses; * conservaton of flora and fauna - indigenous species; * control of desertlficaton; * controlled exploiaon of forest resources based on principles of sustainable yields, envi- ronmental preservation and enhancement of bio-diversity. vii) Conservaton Legislation Wildlife populations are severely depleted as a result of excessive explotation for meat. In 1969 a report to Govemment poilntd out that unless a much larger and urgent effort was made to restore wildlife the 7rapid destruction of animal resources and habitats would ruLe out forever the possiblity of faunal regeneration in habitats which are stil capable of giving necessary food and shelter." .! In additon animal habIMts outside the reserves both In the forest and savanna ecosystems continue to be under siege from various economic activities including dearing for agricuture, logging and timber extraction, human caused fires, mining and -oad construction. The destuction of wetland a ecosystems also reduces the biodiversity of this unique wildlife habiat. There is a need to shftt emphasis from preservation of useful animals to the conservation of wildlife. Existng laws and regulations on wildlife conservation need to be amended to reflect this changed i emphasis and to make It possible forflora also to be listed as endangered. vili) Human SetUlement Policy The geomphic distbution of popuation and human settlements pattem of the country pose formidable constraints to effective national developrent and equitable distribution of development benefits. Unfortunately, successive natural development policies and strategies hardly ever addressed this spatial issue. The wide dispersal of the country's population into numerous scattered settlements has been the cause for rural deprivation Orly a small percentage of the rural populatlon has access to wage employment, electricity. potable water and health facilities. Urban degradation is another problem associated with our human settlements There is an explosion In lawlessness and uncontrolled urban growth in the rapidly growing urban areas The absence of new infastructure within the last decade. including inadequate sanitation and drainage facilities, as well as rampant disregard for approved land use allocations and inadequacies of provision of basic servces have a direct bearing on human health Ix) Industrial Legislation There is growing concem in the countryabout industrial wasteand pollution, health and safety hazards to industrial workers, public health problems due to adverse environmental changes. and the misapplication of hazardous chem:als. Environmental Action Plan 23- Chupter Four u.al eL Inauwuonaa *mu Evidence and stark realty show that efforts so far made towards control and preventIon of the adverse effects have been Inadequate and Ineffective. This Is In spite of the fact that the level of Industrial development In the country Is relatively low. If proper Industrial environmental controls are not put In place. environmental pollution will be quite significant in the near future, especally since increased Industrial activties are expected due to the Economic Recovery and Structural Adjustment Programmes. At present in Ghana most of our laws on the environment which date back to the colonial era are rule-oriented and as a result, in spite of their existence. abuses are common. For environmental legislation to be effective. it must be management oriented. Environmental legislation demands a new orientation to law making. It requires fresh concepts, policy options and strategies for implementation that would caterforthe management of future environmental problems. In Ghana. some of the major constraints to environmental legislation are: (a) the inadequacy of laws and their enforcement. and (b) the lack of standards and controls for maintaining environmental qualitv. x) Need for Legislation to Control Hazardous Chemicals For many years the importation, manufacture, distribution handling and use of potentially toxic chemicals in Ghana has proceeded without much consideration to the possible environmental consequences. This ha- resulted in considerable hazard to hurnan health. It is more serious in the sense that the quantities and types of chemicals in the country are not fully known. Despite obvious gaps and laxities there have been some attempts to institute controls to curb the possible hazard posed to the environment and health through indiscrimirate use and misapplication of toxic chemicals in Ghana. A draft legislation meant to control the importation, distribution, sale and use of pesticides and other toxic chemicals has been prepared and is being considered bythe EPC committee on toxic chenircals. xi) Need to Establish a Legal Framework for Coastal Zone Management The management and conservation status of the coastal zone of Ghana is low. This Is particularly re In terms of planning.-co-ordination and monitoring. Present management is sectoral. and although a number of measures have been put in place these have not been enforced by the appropriate agencies. There is hardly any agency that co-ordinates the developrrmental activities of the various sectors. Data for planning and management is limited and scattered. The situation is unsatisfactory in the light of the increasing population and economic activity in Fe zone, the large potentia of the zone in terms of production and amenities and the ecological fragility of the zone as a whole. Need to set Standards for Air Quality, Water Quality and Noise Levels in Urban Areas To be able to judge whether the level of pollution caused by any impact is acceptable or not, safe or dangerous depends on the minimum quality standards which are considered acceptable at any particulartime and place having regard tothe knovaledge. technology and resources that areavailable. These standards which serve as guidelines for industrialists, imponers and the monitoring agencies are generally lacking in Ghana Need to Prepare and Implement Environmental Regulations for Water Management, Mining and Industry The major pollutants of water in the country are derived from agricultural, mining and manuifacturing i activiies and from human settlements. Once water quality standards are established. It will be necessary to establish and enforce regulations concreming water abstraction and pollution 24 Environmental Action Plani -~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~_ r Legal & Inatltutlonl ioues Chipter Four Furthermore. mining and industrial regulations wil be needed to limit the discharge of emTissions. effluents and solid wastes and to regulate the use of hazardous chemicals In accordance with the established environmental standards and provisions for occupational health and safety. To ensure the effective observance of these regulations, the institutions legaily responsible for enforrcement may aiso need to be strengthened. Role of Sectoral Agencies Prior to the establishment of EPC as an umbrella body responsible for all actities and efforts In the protection and improvement of the quality of the environment. sectoral agencies were in existence charged with speciic responsIbilIties in the area of the environment. Over the years the mandate of these agencies have proved Inadequate to cope with the problems or they have run down in terms of personnel, equipment and enforcement powers. Under the EAP these sectoral agencies will be the implementing agencies for specific EAP components and supply of information to EPC who would co-ordinate the activities of these agencies. With the present state of most of these sectoral agencies, they cannot fulfil this expected role without being strengthened in their areas of weakness to ensure successful implementation of the EAP. Role of District Assemblies In line with the govemments policy of decentralisation within the District Assembly the concept of local institutional arrangement under PNDCL207 of the Local Govemment Law. Assemblies will have a central role to play In the implementation of the Environmental Action Plan. The Local Govemment Law makes the District Assemblies responsible for the development. improvement and management of human settlements and the environment in the district They also underthe law have responsibility for monitoring the impact of projects on people's development, the local, district or national economy, and the environment. The assemblies also have the responsibiity of enforcing legislations and making bye-laws. It has been recommended that each assembly should have a District Environmental Management *7 II: Committee made of assemblymen and representatives of govemment decentralised departments i charged with a broad responsiblity for monitoring and co-ordinating environmental protection and Improvernent activities in the District . It Is difficult for the Assemblies to fulfil these roles at the moment as they are not strong enough and the decentralised departments are not yet firmly estabished in the districts due to problems of office space and housing for the officials. The District Assemblies espeallgy the key depatrtents would have to be strengthened to enabe them discharge these responsibilities. Role of NGOS and Community Groups In recent years. religious groups, professional associations and other groups especially concemed with the promotion of environmental practices have gained prominence at both local and national levels. A number of such groups have given active support in the implementation of programmes by both EPC and that of other agencies like the Forestry Department especially at the local level where they have proved most effective. Some sxamples of NGO participation in environmental projects are the afforestation programmes of the Amasachina, an indigenous NGO and the Community Collaborative Forestry Initiative (CCFI) Project being implemented by Adventist Development Relief Agency (ADRA) with support of US Peace Corps and other Govemment agencies. NGOs wth the advantage of freedom from bureaucraic problems facing govemment agencies, they are able to gain easy access to grassroot level to engage In developmental activities. With this rich experience of the NGOs. they could play a valuable role through involvemrent in sensitizing the local popuiation inenvironmental issuesand environmentalrestorationand enrichmentprgranmmes Pior to the Implementation of the EAP It would be necessary to bring all these NGOs together to explore their full participation in the plan. Environmental Action Plan 25 Chapltr Fow Lgal a mS u., . ACTIONS Legal 1. National Environmental Policy A National Environmental Policy will be adopted by govemment to provide the broad Iramework for the Implementation of the Action Plan. 2. Policy Agenda Action will be taken by government for the adoption of a policy agenda on: (a) Legislation (i) Restructuring of EPC (ii) Establishment of EIA procedures (iii)Revised forestry policy (iv) Revised conservation policy. (v) Revised Factory, Shops and Offices Act (vi) Legislation for Coastal Zone Managemnent (vii)Legislation to Controi Pesticides (viii) Establishment of a Water Resources Commission The draft text for this legislation is provided In Volume It (b) Prepare and Adopt Sectoral Policies Agricultural land management Range manaementm Fisheries management Water management (c) Prepare and Adopt Standards and Regulations Air quality standards Water quality standards Noise Standards Regulations for water abstraction Regulations for discharge of pollutants into water bodies Environmental regulations for mining Envirenmea regulations for industry 3. Institutional Strengthening a) Strengthen EPC The EAP calls for EPC to assume a number of additional responsibilities and also expand the scope of its activities in several of Its present programmes. The Plarn also implies increased responsibities and work loads for EPC staff and expansion of progran..ies in environmental education and environrnenta monitoring. In the implementaon of the EAP. EPC has a cruci role in co-ordinati:hg i the activities of various other ministries and agencies r -ponsible for implementing specific camponents of the Plan To enable EPC carry out these responsibilities. it has to be strengthened In terms of Its institutonal structure, completion of programme of establishing regional offices with staffing and logist 26 Environmental Action Plafl Legal & Intitutional Inus Chaptr Four b) Strengthen NDPC Tm NDPC which is a crucial role in the national planning process should be strengthened so that tff required for all levels of planning process are In place in addition to required logistics with set timre rame to ensure the odfecthve functioning of all planning units. The establishment of the Human Seaiements Un;t In the NDPC should be a matter of priority. c) Create an Institutional Structure tor Integrated Land Use Planning. Whhthe absence of a comprehensive landuse/management policy and the presence of a multiciplicity of agencies responsible for various aspects of land management It Is imperative to create an instkutlorml structure for land use planning. It is worthwhie taking a Iook at the proposal for an Integrative Institutional framework for environmental management and policy put forward under a study on Land Managemenm Systems in Ghana commissioned as pan of the EAP preparation process for adoption.(Fig. 3 ) (d) Strengthen Selected Sectoral Agencies Strengthen AESC to carry out water-related data collection Strengthen WRRI to carry out water-ralated research Strengthen IAB to carry out waterarelhted research Strengthen Factory Inspectorate to Implement revised Factories. Shops and Otrices AcL Strengthen National Energy Board to carry out energy-lated research. Strengthen third cycle training insttutons to carry out programs d environmental education. (e) Strengthen Interagency Coordination. _ Improve cooperation between EPC. Ministry of Industry. Ghana Investmnt Centre. Towr. and Country Planning Department, and local authorities to ensure that zoning regulations -. are adhered to in siting industries. 4 o Re-actlvate EPC's Environmental Education Committee to coordinate the planning and Implementation of noniomna environmental education programmes. * Joint data collection for environmerna monitoring (f) Support District Assemblies I I Provide a programme of environmental education for district assembly members. Set up District Environmenal Management Committeet. Encourage District Assemblies to establish and monitor protected areas Encourage District Assemblies to control 'woodcutung for commercial purposes and to licence charcoal producers. Encourage District Assemblies to improve sanitation services and to eniorce zoning regt2ations In urban areas. (9) Involve Community Groups and NGOs Provide a programme of nonformal environmental education or local authorities and community groups. Set up Community Environmental Committees. Support tree planting anz agroforestry initiatives by community groups and NGOs. Environmental Action Plan 27 CHAPTER 5 NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT ISSUES Ghana's economy derives its srength mainry from agricuture which accounts for more than 40% of gross domestic product, accounts for some 70% of total export eamings, and provides employrnent for 50% of the labour force. Export eamings trom forestry and mining activities are also significant contributors to the nation] product. The strength of the economy and, by extension, the integrity of the environment, is therefore reiated to the eficient use and management of available land. vegelatlon, widlife, water, and minral resources. The need for efficient managememn of land is the more urgent In the face of an ever-increasing popuLation and the growing demands in all the various atvities based on land. LAND MANAGEMENT Land is a complex commodity of fundamental Importance to the people of Ghana. the management of which involves several intricately woven facets. At the base-level is a traditional system that holds land In trust for the use and welfare of the community as a whole; whatever system of management that is evolved must take cognizance of this Superimposed on this complex base are the demands of a modem state seeking ways to use land and Its resources to improve the well-being of Its peoples. Then there are the private developers The result, unfortunately, is that perceptions and actual use of land conflict tragically and create a serious problem in defining a structure for any land management system Yet. all the different land users!, although having different and often divergen: sets of values. objecfives, Intentions and development targets and strategies, aim at using the Land to the advancement of society. Problems arise in the pursuance of the different objectives, leading to non-conforming uses of the and, conflicts, over-use, and sometimes even under-use of the land. Land resources and the processes of development and use have varying consequences on the environment as a result of bio-physical extraction, increment and waste generation. The environmental effects are effects on the quali y of the land. The effect may be limited to a particudar site as for example, in Increasing sol acidity. Often, however, they are transmitted beyond the imnmediate confines of the process as, for example, In deforestation which leads to Increased runoff and erosion in the immediate area and stream siltation in distant areas. The Issue of land management is recognised as a central point In any efforts to address environmental and resource problems in Ghana. This has long been recognised and over the yeai considerable effts have been made to strea;rnllne the interocking facets of land management In the country. A najorattemptatthlswasthework of theLandUsePlanningCommitteesetup in 1978. The Committee was to: 1. collect land resource information in a form suitable for planning; 2 elaborate land resource use policy aimed a':- a) resolving conflicts in resource use; b) achieving muitiple uses consistent with ecological requirements of the resources; c) projecting major user requirements in the long terrn, e.g. urban, agriculture, forestry, etc. 3. make recommendations to Government. The findings and recommendations of the Committee (May. 1979) are still valid. The report brought together in one volume useful information including the following: * categories of land resources, including size and potential of inland water bodies, major land fomis, ecosystems. soid types and capabOities, mineral resources, and exisUng iand use; o population trends and potential impacts; 28 Environmental Action Plan uam R.oumc Mmnagement Chaptr Five * land supply and demand. patterns of land ownership and tenure. and factors determining land values and land policies In the country. * urban land use system, development and policy. and conflicts: v rural land use with respect to agricudture. forestry. game and wildlife, and mining, and the conflicts that arise. To date the non-existence of a co-ordnated and comprehensive land use/management policy is seen as the most critical problem In the sector. Another problem is the multiplicty of agencies responsible for various aspects of land management; there are twenty such agencies. Various experts have indicated that the situation, If not rectHifed would seriously Impair any efforts to address environmental problems in the country, no matter their nature. However, the issues below focus primarly on key land issues wth regard to agriculture and Its related land uses. Other elements of land mranagement problems are taken up under the appropriate sectors elsewhere In this document Population Pressure Ghana has a mean population densky of 51 persons per square kilometre. The limited esthnates of the blo-physical carrying capaciy of the land indicates that the human carrying capacity of many parts of the northem savannas may be no more than 1D B persons per square klometre under present systems of land use and standards of living. No such estimates are known for the forest areas but the forest lands are likely to have high capacities. Evidence of popu!ation pressure on the land is however widespread and extensive in the northem savannas. where most documertation has been done and plans envisaged to combat the ultimate fomn of lanrd degradation. that is desertiication Pressure is localised around the large settements in the forest areas. Land Ownership and Tenure The problems of land acquisftion arise because ownership boundaries are not clearly marked or mapped. tide is not well documented and registered. In the case of group ownership there rmay be problems as to who may gran title. The net effect Is considerable expense In land acquisition and uncertainty of ttle. The effectiveness of any conservation measures is likely to be reduced under these conditions. Land Use Planning Some data ext to plan the use of land for optimal agricultwa and related production especially at Fe regional scale. Data for local and farm planning however, sem inadequate. This among others swems to have hampered effective planning of the use of land. Optimal land use is therefre not j attained and land Is under-used, over-used and mis-used. Degradation results from this situation and is widespread in all environmrents in Ghana. The overall impression of land use and management in Ghana is one of lack of co-ordinated policy and planning. The management process is here interpreted In a broad sense to encompass: (a) Policy formulation (b) Planning: (i) Survey Ci) Evaluation (ii) Plan fornulation (c) Implementation (d) Monitoring: (i) Environment (IQ Economic (ia)Sociai Environmental Action Plan 29 Chapter Five atwal Resource Managemenl (s) Fedback for reurvsy and re-planning. The lack of Integrated poicy and planning lies at the heant of the land management problems at the national, regional. district and farm levels In Ghana. Survey and evaluation have proceeded more or less independendy ol any planning. There appears therefore to be gaps in data and informatin In terms of the type of data. The land user is seldom guided as to the environmenta effects of his actMvties. The overall effct of this siuation Is the Inability to attain production objectives and also the threatened ecological status of land and the environment Agricultural Land Use Soil Quality: Declining soil quality seems to be a general problem In the country. This is evidenced In reduced vegetafion coverwhich leads to widespread accelerated erosion. reduced crop yields and increasing desertilylng conditions especially In the savanna areas. Quantitative data In terms of crop yield are however not available. Machanisation: Mechanisation in agricultural land use has numerous advanages. However, Its effects on land quality. If uncrontroled. may be disastrous causing accelerated erosion, sub-soil compactlon, reduced water infiltration. This is considered important in the light of increasing population and the need for Increased agricultural production from an Increased hectarage of land. Agro-chomical Residues: There is a general lack o; data and studies on the effect of agro-chemicals on soil quality. From the limited studies that have been conducted under laboratory and field conditions, evidence seems to suggest that the response of micro-organisms in the sod may vary according to the kind of pesticide. Its concentration and the type of soil. Uncrontrolled use od some fertilisers may lead to sol acidification and salnisation In the drier parts of the country Shifting Cultivation: Though the traditional bush fallow system of cultivation has proved efficient in the regeneration of soa fertilty. Its deficiency in the light of increasing population and the need for more intensive use of land makes it necessaryto find viable alternative systems of cuitivation. Agro-forestry and notill cultivation systems offer good prospects at the rsoment. There are however still. gaps in the kwwledge and practice of these systems especially with respect to the selection of suitable tree and shrub species and of spatial relationships. Agriculture In the Coastal Zone: Crop production is notthe majortraditional occupation of the people withinthe coastal zone. Peasant agriculture is the dominant form of arable farming where It occurs. However, irrigation schemes have In recent years promoted commercial production of vegetables and rice. Animal rearing consisting of household piggeries. sheep and poultry along various points on the coastline. is also Important There is some cattle rearing in the Accra plains. Uncontrolled, these activities have degrading effects on coastal zone resources anc' anvironments. Of particular concem is the pollution caused by agricultual chemicals and wastes released into the environmeritthrough run-off and direct discharges in the coastal zone drainage catchments. In the past official emphasis has been on the cultfivation of cash crops especially cocoa. Whilst therE Is a diversity of crops, both cash and subsistence, in this country official attention has mainly beer drawn inthe pastto cocoa. This has led toserious economic consequenceswhen demandforcocoa has falen. There Is need for sufficient attention to the other crops, as a means of diversing agricultura production and ensuring crop ecological stability and the effective use of land resources. 30 Environmental Action Piar 3nt | Itual Reource Management Chapter Flve Range Lands: he Estirmtes Indscate a low carrying capacity of the natural grassards in terms o Tropical Lvestock or I Units (TW). A range of 2.0 ha to 7.6 he per TLU is hdicated. Over-gmzing occurs In locaised areas n :around watering points or in areas where tenure conditions restrict herders movements. Dispersed agriculture and settiement In certain areas of the north also lead to over-grazing in the Immediate f vicinity of setltements. us In Ghana there Is no conscious management of available pasture land and the distribution of pasture varies within the different ecological zones due to different land use practices. There is also very limited information on the utilisation of native forage species, but much information is avaiable on Introduced species. Unfortunately planting material Is not easily available. Different grassland areas : have different capacities and since agricultural practices differ this affects the availability of pasture : for anrimals. Browses and tree species are not widely used as for ge due to lack of information on ad I them. ig, re Bushfires Bush fires occur widely in Ghana but are more extensive in the savannas. Fires are set for varied purposes but mnay be set unintentionally. Most observations have been made in savannas and indications are that the most noticeable effect of buming is the reduction in the composition and Y density of the vegetation. The effect on soi micro-organisms and chemistry have not been er systematically studied. Bush fires have become, in recent years. the most degrading environmental or factor in Ghana. FOREST RESOURCES Forests and forestry have important environmental and ecological linkages. They are linked to the micro- macro-dcimate, water and soi resources. genetic resources of plants and animals. food le § production and food security. and to energy resources, Forests, forestry and widlife are imporant -0 also to the economic and socio-cultural environment of local communities and of the nation. n § Ecologicaly about 822 million hectares of Ghana is made up of closed forests (34 per cent of the country; Table 1). However. much of the original vegetation has been removed or considerably modified through conversion to various forms of land uses. According to one estimate (Owusu. 1989) r only about 2 million hectares of the closed forest. made of about 1.7 milon hectares within Forest il Reserves and 0.3 - 0.5 million hectares outside the legally reserved forests. actually remain. * In all there are more than 28D forest reserves scantered around the country in the closed forest as well j as the savanna areas; there are 1. Wildlife Reserves. some of which coincide with Forest Reserves. s These constitute the remnants of an extremely valuable heritage for which concrete steps must be taken to protect. defend and conserve. I Table 1: Major Ecological Zones of Ghana t Zone Area (million ha) % Land Area of Ghana - | Closed Forest 8.225B 3447 Savanna 15.6280 65,53 Total 23.8538 100.00 Deforestation * - The threat to the forest resources of the country arise from demands for more agricultural lands to feed an ever-increasing population. increasing incidence of bush fires. logging and the extraction of wocdfuels to meet energy demands of households and cottage industries. Deforestation is occurring at an alarming rate. One critical aspect of the problem is that the country has no adequate system for monitoring the exact rate of deforestation or forest destruction. A deforestation rate of about 22.000 hectares per annum was projected by FAO/UNEP for the period 1981 -85. This figure has not been updated and is stil being used for planning the rate of deforestation all around the country. Environmental Action Plan 31 Chapter Five Natural Resouce Managemnt Apart from the physical disappearance or forest cover the Integrity of remnants forest Is also threatened. Both Inside and outside the forest reserves, Ghana's forest estate Is Increasingly being degraded. Forest degradation consists In tbe Interference wih the forest that leads not only to a quantitative diminution In areas under forest cover but also to a qualitative decrease In, or on Impairment of. the ablity of the forest to perform all or some of Its functions. Within the Reserves. degradation arises especially from selective logging which Is resulting In the over-exploitation of the better known timber species, and from selective removal of the best looking Indivduals. However, the mostseriousformsofdegradationaretaking placeIntheforestand savanna ecosystems outside the Reserves. Here repeated attacks on the vegetatlon by farming and fires are Increasingly resulting In the substitution of simpler, less diverse ecosystems for more complex systems. Woodfuels The woodfuei factor is a very critical Issue with regard to the depletion of forest resources. The economy of Ghana is based on agriculture. which relies pnncipalIy on wood as its non-human energy source. Fuelwood is also the backbone of cottage and rural industries and provides nearly all the household energy. It has been estimated that woodtuels. mainly In the form of tuelwood and charcoal. make up 75 per cent or more of total national energy consumption. The concem over woodtuels arises fro,r the fact that the wood for fuel is derived almost exdusively from natural ecosystems, with very little coming from plantations or woodlots. Because the supply of fuehNood and charcoal has become highly commercialised there has been a shift from the dependence on deadwood and wood from fa.m land clearing to the cutting of standing trees for use as fuel. Furthermore, most large scale charcoal production and, to a lesser extent, commercial fuelwood production takes place in the wood deficient savanna. derived savanna and the dry semi-deciduous forest zone. Growth in rural industries will certainly exacerbate the situation although the problem is not oWfined to the rural areas. The landscape in peri-urban areas is also systematically being depleted of woody biomass. These and land management are the major environmental problems in Ghana. Wildlife Each of the three main ecological zones of Ghana, vk. forest. coastal savanna, and the interior savanna. have its unique widlife. Although widlife has many economic and social values to natonal life the most popular form of lts use is generally as a source of protein C(bushmear). Currenty bushmeat isthe most expensive form of meat in most population centres in the country. One market in Accra is estimated to have bagged over 50 mrnlion cedis from bushmeat sales in 1986 (Convery and Tutu, 1990). The demand continues to increase. Wild animal populations are severely depleted as a result of the excessive exploitation for meat. In 1969 a report to Government pointed out that unless a much larger and urgent effort was made to restore widlife the 'rapid destruction of animal resources and habitats would rule out forever the possibility of faunal regeneration in habitats which are still capable of giving necessary food and shelter. Curry-LUndahL 1969). In addition animal habitation outside the reserves both in the forest and savanna ecosystems continue to be Li ler siege from various economic activities induding cl3aring for agriculture. logging and timber e -action, human caused fires, mining, and extension of electricitvthrough transmission lines and road construction. The destruction of wetland ecosystems also reduce the biodiversity of this unique wldlife habitat ENERGY RESOURCES Energy production, supply and utlisation have serious Implications for Ghana's economy and environment As an ol importing country, Ghana spent about 50% of her foreign exchange eamings on crude oil imports during the oil crises of the 19s80s. Though this figure dropped to 16% In 1988 and 24% In 1989, crude ol imports stil constiute the single largest consumer of the country's export 32 Environmental Action Plan Natual Resoume Management Chapter Fie eamings. The volumes of petroleum needed to run the economy are set to increase rapidly In the years ahead as the ERP continues to record success. The high degree of uncertainty associated wlth the Intemational oU rmarket further increases Ghana's vulnerabilty to enremal pressures. It Is agairnst this background that efforts to explore and develop Indigenous ol resources are worth the emphasis they are receMng. It must be noted nevertheless that petroleum provides only 13% of the energy consumed In Ghana. The bulk (over 80%) of our national energy consumption Is derived from woodfuels, which Is the sale cooking fuel for a great majorIty of households. With the rapid growth In population and the existing woodfuels production and utilisation technologies this continued dependence on woodfuels is sure to destroy the ecology. Energy bils have become prominent parts of household budgets, especiallyforthe urban poorwhose cooldng fuel (charcoal) is the most expensive on per unit useful energy basis Energy production and utilisatlon constitute the most pervasive source of environmental pollutants In Ghana. Though reliable staistlLs are not avallable to Indicate the precise levels of energy-sector cotrbutions to atmospheric ecological degradation In the country, professional assessmenrs indicate that woodfuel production and use make up the third major cause of deforestation after agriculture (coupled with bush fires) and logging. With respect to atmospheric pollution, energy is perhaps the largest culprit Considering that shifting cultvWatior/bush fallow and slash and bum are ferilisation and energy use practices, it may be right to consider energy as the major cause of environmental degradation in Ghana. Woodfuels consitute about 80% of the energy consumed In Ghana. Firewood accounts for over 90% of rural energy use, while In urban Ghana. charcoa makes up about 70% of energy consumption. Al current trends of utilisation. estimates indicate that by 1992 Ghana will begin to consume more woodfuel than the forests are able to regenerate. Alhough It can be assumed that charcoal and firewood wil continue to provide the bulk of the country's energy needs !or the foreseeable future. the long term prospects for sustained supply of firewood and charcoal Is threatened by the visible and worsening problems of deforestation and desertification in all Parts of the country. In the coastal and northem savanna zones agricultural residues (cowdung. com cobs, millet stalks) and other biomass materials, such as palm fronds, coconut branches and husks have come Into increased use as cooldng fuels Continued use of these fuels Is likely to deprive the soils of tMese areas of the natural organic nutrients these residues provide. Solar Energy Sodar energy isused ona massive scalein Ghanafordrying agricultural produce. export conmodities, forest-industry products, brick and tie, and laundry. The exact quantIties consumed In these operations have not as yet been measured. With regard to techndlogicaly converted solar energy over 300 communications installtions in the country are solar-based. Studies to identily and standardise solar Photovoltaic (PV) systems and models suitable for Ghana are almost completed. Also work has begun on a pilot scale to substitute solar for fuel oil in large scale crop drying and storage. This notwithstanding, Ghana has barely begun to utlise the vast energy potential from technological conversion and use of her enormous solar energy resources. Indeed solar energy could prove to be the core energy resource for achieving improved living standards for the majority of our population *who'dweUl in the rural areas. Hydropower Hydropower provides almost all of Ghana electricity supply, domestic and exported. Electricty. however, constitutes a paltry 7% of national energy production. Besides Akosombo and Kpong which have been hamessed. two more medium and about 40 nini-hydro sites have been identified. These untapped hydro resources consitute more than 50% of the national potential. =nvjronmental Action Plan 33 Chapr Five Natual Ruoume Manhgement Petroleum Ghana Is known to have commercial quantities of oil deposits. Exploration Is on-going, and it is stlil hoped that Ghana may develop this potential when the economics of it prove beneficial. Currently Imported petroleum makes up 13% of the nation's energy production. consuming up to 24% of export eamings. Environmental impacts of Energy Development Ghana's heavy dependence on woodfuels coupled with the rapid populatton growtl and poor forest management practices pose a serious threat to the environment. The depletion of our forests not only reduces size of the carbon sink but also contributes to carbon emissions, loss of bioulversity. soil erosion. etc. The major forces driving energy-sector contributions to deforestation are: e the need to meet the increasing energy requirements of a rapidly expanding population; | * inefficient production and use of charcoal and firewood; falure to regenerate forest resources more quickly than they are used: and * the persistence of inefficient and soil-degrading shifting cultivation and slash and bum methods as the major agricultural and firewood production system. The rapid increase In the use of petroleum products and the projected rise of up to 10% in the next decades ahead are pointers to the rise that are set to occur in the contributions fossil fuels wUi make in degrading Ghana's environment. Besides greenhouse gases, petroleum products utilisation in : Ghana pollutes land and water bodies through improper handling and disposal of waste oil and oil losses. Hydro dams for power generation bring in their wake environmental problems such as destruction of forest, waterlogging of lake shores, public health hazards, sitation of deltas, and destruction of some . aquatic lifeforms. The environmental impacts of energy sector operations are obviously all pervasive, affecting both natural and the man-made habitaL Energy Policy With the framework of the ERP and In the context of ensuring environmentally sustainable development, the energy-sector institutions have committed themselves to the following strategic policy obiectives in the energy sector d) a) Strategic Objectives Ac * To ensure sustained provision and security of energy supply to all sectors of the economy and all parts of the country by. * resturing improved productivity and efficiency in the procurement, transformation, dis- tribution and use of all energy sources; * reducing the countrys vunerability to short-term disruptions in the energy resources and supply bases; * ensuring the avadabdity and equitable distribuLtion of energy to all socio-economic sectors and geographical regions; *f *f consolidating and accelerating the development and use of the country's indigenous en- ergy sources. especially woodfuels, hydro-power. petroleum and solar energy; and * securing funure power supply through thermal complementation of the hydro-based elec- trcity generation system. e) I * Pali Ope 34 Environmental Action Plaf' -n t twmI Reesure Managemen Chaptr Five b) Renewable Enwgy In the short-tten the objectives that wil guide the developmerit of the nation's renewable energy resources are: * to Improve the efficiency of production, conversion and use of woodfuels In all the soclo- economic sectors; and * to promote the development of renewable energy Industs that have strong Indigenisa- tion prospects over the short and medium tems. * In the medlum- to long-term, the objectives wUI be: * to demonstrate and evauate renewable energy technologies with the potential to meet the needs of pnortused socio-economic and welfare objectives. * to provide support for research, development and demonstration on renewable energy technologies with the greatest potential to increase and diversiy the countrys future en- ergy supply base. c) Biomass In tte area of Biomass energy a number of projects and programmes are either planned or are being t mplemented to ensure better and sustainabi6 use of existing bio-energy resources. These projects are aimed at: * consrn forest resources through Improved methods ior charcoal and iirewood pro- duction; * decreasing consumption of firewood and charcoal by using more efficient cooking de- f vises; a I - I *-expanding the productity and use of existing bio-energy such as biogas. and the pro- duction of charcoal briquettes from logging and wood processing residues; l conversion of municipal waste and domestic garbage into biogas and electriclye * planning for the future securty of biomass supply through the implementation of a sus- tained programme of forest regeneration and afforestation; and * subsuting LP Gas and other fuels such as electricity for firewood and charcoal. d} Solbr Enwgy Activities on solar energy are focused around a strategy whose principal objectives are: * to evaluate the technical and economic viabUity of proven solar technologies to meet the prioritised sociO-economic and developmental needs of the country. * to demonstrate appropriate solar energy technologies 1or seiected applications; * to concentrate support for research, development and demonstration on renewable en- ergytechnotogies with the greatest prospectsfor operation wiltn local technical and user absorption capacities. * to prornote the deveopment of solar energy Industries that have strong indigenisatlon prospects over the short to medium term; * to explolt the courty's enormous solar resources to pump Irrigation water, improve com- munication and health faclities, and provide opportunities for access to modem recre- atonal and educational facilities. e) Power Sector Policies and actions in the power sector that relate to the environment have to do with two areas of operatim namely Environmental Action Plan 35 Chaptr Five Natural Reouce Management * assuring future security of power supply by developing complementary power generation capacity from r :her energy sources and improvement of existing hydro-power sources; and * extension of the reach of electnicity to all parts of the country, especially the norhern part at the country and the rural areas. These have Implications for higher consumption of petroleum and other fossil fuels, as welt as more work on hydro-dams. The potential ernvironmental consequences are serious. f) Petroleum Sector The consumption of petroleum Is set to increase rapidly in the decades ahead. It Is also planned that exploration of Ghana's oil resources would be Intensffied, both on-shore and off-shore. Asa coiueary of these two policy decisions refinery capacity in Ghana is also scheduled to Increase. Essential petroeum products, such as bitumen, lubricants are also to be produced locally. Further aclions tn the petroleum sector include bulk transportation and storage of petroleum products. These definitely have serious environmental implications which need tD be addressed in the EAP. g) Energy Conservation Policy objectives and actions in energy conservation seek to: * create a higher level of awareness of the opportunities and benefits of energy conserva- tion among all energy users; * achieve savings In per capita energy consumption in all areas of energy use through the application of appropriate energy conservation measures; : develop indigenous Ghanaian professional capablity for identification and Implementa- tion of energy conservation measures; and * develop the Institutional capability and implementation strategies required for the realisa- tion of the potential efficiency improvements in all sectors of the economy. By achieving these objectives the energy conservation programme would make significant savings on the mate of environmetal degradation that arise from the energy sector. WATER RESOURCES It I sestimed thatfresh water resources of Ghana amount to about 40 million acre-feeL This Is derived from the following sources: * rainfall ; nvers. streams, springs and creeks * natural lakes e impoundments * groundwater irom various aquifers Thus in its natural form water is an abundant resource in Ghana, even though seasonal shortages due to the nature of the rainfall regime, especially outside the forest zone, are quite commonm To a large extent, however, such shortages are due more to poor management and inadequate use d avalable technologies than to the absolute paucity of water itself in its various forms of natura occurrence- A primary pnnciple, from an environmental standpoint, shouid be that water should be available In a potableformtorthe entire populationwith miimrnal effort, and that its avaiability on a sustainable basis should be guaranteed. Then comes its avaiablity lor agricuftural, industrial, and other uses in such quantities and in such forms as will promote maximum human well-being. 36 Environmental Action Planw Natural Resource Management Chapter Five The critical issues in the Management of water resources in Ghana relate In the main to the following areas: Inadequacy of Water Cycle Data The following have been identified as key issues: 1) There are gaps In the avaiable time series dam. The situation was most serious during the 1981-1983 drought. This applies both to hydro-meteorological and hydrological data. 11) AvaUable data on waler quality, soil moisture, groundwater fluctuations and sediment transport is on ad-hoc basis. iii) There are serious national weaknesses in the areal assessment of water balance components. Fortunately, some of the data is available and the situation can be comrcted. The following on-going projects have been put In hand to correct the situation: a) Development of an operational sediment sampling network; b) Development and implementation of surface water quality networks for Ghana; c) Development of groundwater networks; d) Groundwater assessment of the various regions of Ghana; e) Collection and compilation of all water quality data. The water quality monitoring network is shown in Fg.4. It is being executed in 3 phases: * Phase 1: monitoring at gauging stations of the Architectural and Engineering Services Cor- poration (AESC) on all the major rivers. The parameters being monitored are Colour. Tur- bidity, Odour. Temperature. pH. Conductivity and Dissolved Oxygen (DO). * Phase II: study of water quality problems associated with activities in the river basins, viz.. urbanization, mining, manufacturing, farming, deforestation, etc. • Phase II: study of the water quality of natural and man-made lakes and reservoirs. The full range of physico-chemical parameters including heavy meals will be monitored in Phases 11 and 111. Biological and microbiological parameters will be monitored, but these will be determined by Ji the specific problems to be encountered in the basins, lakes or reservoirs. A national network for groundwater monitoring (level and quality), is under design at the WRRI. Regarding the types of biological species, the problem areas include the lack of data on the weeds of reservoirs. impoundments ana rivers in the northem half of the country. There is even a need to update the data on weeds in all reservoirs, lakes and rivers in the southem half of the country as most of the existing data are more than a decade old. The continued surveillance and monitoring of the spread of the exotic weed. water hyacinth (icfhhomia arsines. and the watch for the possible introduction-of other equally problematic exotic aquatic weeds is important. Also important is the need for in-depth studies on aquatic weeds in ail areas earmarked for water resources development. especially those for reservoirs. irrigation canal complexes, etc. The continuous collection and assessment of water cycle data as discussed above wil provide the basis tor monitoring change in rainfall. runoff. sediment load and groundwater recharge. Water Resources Assessment The absence of suitable maps and necessary data hampers comprehensive assessmerit of water resources. In the areal assessment of water balance components, a lot remains to be done in respect of hydrological mapping. In most cases the data for mapping may be available. The situation with rainfall runoff and groundwater models, is not any better. There is work to be done to establish relationships between time series parameters and physiographic characteristics Areal assessment seems to be a wpdk area in the country's water resources assessment activities. Early steps will have to be talcen io p,oduce the requisite maps. Environmental Action Plan 37 Chapter Five v4atuaa n.ourcw rmaawa^m""e. Ineffective Water Resources Planning In Ghana at the moment only about 30% of the population can be said definitely to thwe access to good drinking water. Over the years much effort has been concentrated on the sLipply of water for domestic uses I municipal areas where it is estimated that 93% of the population have potabie water. The situation In rural areas, however, leaves much to be desired: (i) Only 70% of the people residing In rural communitles of popuiation between 500 and 5000 have access to safe drinkng water, and iQ) only 15% of tho communitles with pcpulation below 500 have access to potable water. The population In this category constitutes 30% of the country's population and contibutes signfficanly to the natural wealth. Underthe circumstances nany usefti man-hours arewasted dailybythe rurai population inthe search for water. Also water-borne, water-related and water associated diseases like cholera. guinea woim, typhoid. diantoes, dysentery, malaria. schistosomiasis stiU plague the rural dwellers. Problems of Water Management (a) Abstraction of water There are no procedures requiring organisations and agencies wishing to abstract water to submit their request to a responsible authority for the overail management of the water resources, so that the right to abstract water without any detrimenta] effects can be granted. It Is only In the case of the Volta River Authority (VRA) and Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) that would-be users of the Volta Lake or Volta River and reservoirs for 'rrigation are required to obtain perniission from these bodies, which seem to have conferred on them ownership rights on their faciities. There is therefore al, urgent need to streamline nd ratoiraiise the right to abstract water for various uses in the country. (b) Negative Impacts of Water Management Presentry, the following environmental problerns are known to have arisen from various water development actfvities: (q Hiuman Settlements The Akosmbo project was the first major project In which a large number of people (80.000) had to be moved and resettled. Some serious problems were encountered with regard to suIabilIty of housing; water sources; land for farming and other economic activities, tribal groupings; compensation for land acquired. etc. The VRA was responsible for resolving the problems for many yeas until it decided in 1971 to cease being responsibie, and for the Local Councis, where people have been resetted to take over. The problems are not completely solved. Since then, a number of lessons have been learnt and subsequent projects like Barikese, Kpong Tono/Vea and Weija have profited from the Akosombo experience. (ii) Health Impact Another urgent issue is the control and prevention of water bome and water-relatd diseases. The health Impacts of water resource development activies have arisen from water-bome and parasitic diseases like schistosomiasis, malaria. trysa onchocerciasis. guinea worrn, etc The VRA has a unit to deal with the problems connected with the Volta Lake. In the other projects, the MInistry of Health is expected to provide servicesforthe control of the diseases In view of the limited resources available to the Ministry, progress is not as can be expected. Oil) Land Use The major water projects generally do not seem to have been affected by land use acvies wihln the catchment areas of the projects. with the exception of the VealTono projecL Present indications 38 Environmental Acton Plan Naturi Resource Managment Chapter Fiva are that farming activities In the Tono river catchment Is Increasing erosion which Is causing silton of the tmo reservoirs. Their capacities are feafed to be reduoing as a resut. (iv) Flora and Fauna Presently weeds problems have emerged on the Weaia and Barikese Resenrvoirs. They are becoming a threat on the Kpong reservoir. Downstream the Kpong Dam in the Volta River. weeds have appeared at the Tefle bridge and are now a nuisance. In the same stretch of the river, river fish which used to thrive beore tho dam was constructed can no longer befound. Also badly affected isthe economically Important Volta cam and Is Industry. On the other hand the prawn fishery is on the Increase In the area below the Kpong dam. (C) WATER POLLUTION Waste Is an Inevitable by-product of the socio-economic development process and water Is one of the means by which it can be disposed of. Also when wastes are disposed of In other ways they eventually find their way into surface and groundwater bodies. The wastes come firstly from domestic and municipal use of water. secondly from agricultural uses and, thirdly, from Industrial uses. Fourthly. the inappropriate use of land, which leads to erosion, creates water quality and sedimentation problerms. It must be noted that the sanitation and pollution probiems that are created by using waterto dispose of wastes are aggravated during periods of floods and droughts. Disposal of Domestic and Municipal Wastes The wastes of concem here ar3 garbage. excreta. dry season liquid wastes and storm water. It Is obvious that with the increase in population at an annual average rate of 2.6% the volume will increase over the years. (a) Disposal of Garbage The capability to handle household and municipal garbage deteriorated except in Accra where a programme of assistance to the Accra Clty Councg from the Federal Republic of Germany is helping to contain a serious siuation. Disposal is by incineration or by land filling. In areas where the land filling is not properdy done leachates are washed into water bodies whenever it rains thereby causing pollution. Inthe ccLastal areas, thesefind theirwayintothe sea usuallythroughlagoons where polluted waters are used by downstream settlements. (b) Excreta Disposal In the case of excreta. there Is a deterioration in sanitary disposal. In the urban settlements where the bucket system is widely used, the collection system has broken-down in rmany places, as It has become difficult to hire labour to collect night soil. In the better planned areas like the Airport Residential Area in Accra, the residential areas in Kumasi and Takoradi. septic tanks are widely use. Open delecation is resorted to in parts of the urban fringes. Central sewerage systesns exist only in Tema. Akosombo and parts of Accra The system in Accra is not being patronised because of the connection cost which individual house owners are called upon to bear. A central sewerage system planned for Kumasi has not been Implemented. Because of the difficulty of recruiting labour to remove night sol and the cost Involved In constnrcon and operating modem excreta disposal system Ventiated Improved PRt (VIP) Latrines are being resorted to and the various city and urban councils are actively promoting their use. The promotion of this system (VIP) latrines is being taken up vigorously In the rural settlemerts where by tar the largest majority resort to indiscriminate defecation and about 1 0% of the population use pit latrines. This effort is being linked with drinking water supply projects. Along the coast, the sea is used as a disposal medium. In the hinterland, both treated and raw excreta eventually found their way into water bodies (surface or underground). The extent of contamination is not known. Environmental Action Plan 39 Chapter Five Natural Resource MUnegement (c) DIspoSJI of Uquld Household Wastes The disposal of liquid wastes from households and commercial houses In both urban and rural settlerents Is worsening, posing serious saniation problems. In places where concrete drains by the side of roads and streets are also used as disposal channels. the drains are faling for lack of maintenance, thus creating standing water which Is quite unsantary. Natural drains also used for disposal which are similarly not mnaintained create worse sanitary conditions In some areas. Ouite apart from the health hazards that they create In the Immediate surroundings (mosquito breeding) they add to the polutlon of waler bodies. (d) Dispoal of Storm Water In the case oif storm-generated waste water disposal by open lined drains and natural drains in the urban settlements Is the most common. In the rural settlements, practically all storm generated waste waters are discharged by natural drains. There are practically no rmajor storm drmlnage works In the country at present. The exception Is In Accra where a few like the Nima. Kaneshie and Clottey drains a,-e being lined In accordance with the Master Plan for the drainage ot the city. The widespread breakdown of the waste disposai system in both urban and rural settlements has led to debate about sanitation standards and the appropriatuness of the technology being used. YEAR 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 a Fertilizer Imports (mt) 46.500 - 38.350 29.999 20.100 120,000 'Estimated Source: Statistical Services. Accra Disposal of Agricultural Wastes As stated earlier wastes from agricultural activities contribute to contaminating water bodies. These come from the use of agro-chemicals like fertilisers, insecticides and herbicides. These chemicals coritinued to be used for crop production during the period. This was particularly so in the northem and upper regions where soils are poorer in quality. They are used on both rain-fed and irrigated farms. One of the main receiving waters are the rivers of the Volta system. The table below gives an indication of the rmagnitude of environmental problems, in terms of impact on the quality of water bodies, arising from the use of agro-chemicals. The decrease In yearly impor!s bet.veen 1982 and 1986 may probably be due to foreign exchange difficulties. The estimated import for 1987 of 120,000 tonnes shows that the national needs are more (about 6 times the 1986 imports) than the available foreign exchange makes it possible to order. Ad-hoc monitoring of the effect of the fertiLsers on the quality of water bodies has been carried out since the 1970's. but there has been no systematic programme for continuous monitoring. Pesticides have been used under the Onchocerciasis Control Programme (OCP) to control the larvae of the simulium fly, responsible for the spread of river blindness. The effect of the pesticides on water quality and aquatic life in the programme area has been monitored by the Institute of Aquatic Biology. Another growing area of waste production from agriculture is that from livestock. Presently livestock are known to be drinking from the same sources from which humans fetch water. In the case of borehole supplies excreta from animals drinking from the borehole heads have been discovered to be contaminating groundwater in a few cases. Disposal of Industrial Wastes Effluents from industries are discharged into water bodies without treatment. The major industries in this respect are the breweries, textiles, mining, chemical. plastics and rubber industries. Th? effluents contain various kinds of chemicals and compounds. 40 Environmental AcUon Plan Natual Resource Management Chapter Five As of now, many of the Industries are still discharging effluents into water bodies which are creating serious pollutlon problems. In the rines, the leviel of arsenic and cyanide effluonts aischarged into receiving waters are many times higher than what is permissible for human health. Watershed Protection In the area of land utilisation, land degradation still continues. No improvement of the adverse effects of land degradation on the water resources can therefore be expected. Though the need for proper land use planning is recognised, most of the efforts hdve not gone beyond tha preparation of policy documents and recommendations for actiorL The main land degradation practices continue. Examples are inappropriate farming systems, such as shifting cultivation. Others are busl:-buming for the purposas of land preparation arid hi'ntiniig *over-grazing by livestock: felling of forest trees for timber to increase exports; removal of vegetation for fushvood to maet household energy needs in both the rural and urban areas. All these have the effect of baring the land ..,id thereby enhance the chances of erosion by wind and water. The result is that desertification has set in in pans of the country like the Upper East Region. Also changes In the relationship between the water balance components, viz. rainfall. evaporation, nunoff and infiltration are expected to arise. Unfortunately, the extent of these changes has not been studied. Soil erosion carries away nurrients thus leaving the land impoverished. These nutrients are washed into water bodies and thereby affect the quality of the receiving waters. In addition, the eroded soils cause sedimentation In water conservation structures liKe rums. dug-outs. etc.. as reported in parts of the northem and upper regions. Monioring to assess the changes in the water balance components or the changes in water quality. orthe rates of erosion and sedimentation as a result of the land degradation practices is yet to receive sufficient atnention. Studies and plans have towever been made to tacide aspects of the problem like the preparation of the National Plan of Action to Combat Desertificatinn (EPC. ' 987). ) Again the extent to which pollution and sanitation problems are aggravated during periods of floods and drought is yet to receive attention. The Plan of Action to combat desertffication is still valid and should be implemented with commitment and vigour. MARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS The coastal zone Is the band of dry land and adjacent ocean space in which land ecology and use directly affect ocean space ecoiogy. and vice versa. Landward the area indludes the lagoons, fagoonaf depressions, marshes and estuarne swamps together with the intervening interfiluve areas. The 30m contour encloses most of the zone- Seaward the boundary is determined as the limit of the continental shelf, 200m depth of water. The zone is about 550km long. The zone is ecologically unique because ot its transitional nature, between land environments and the open seas. The distinctiveness lies in the unique flora and fauna, physical processes and land use. Although fragile it is an area of dynamic biogeochemical activity with materials, energy and humfans in constant movement across it in both directions. The zone has limited capacity to support arable agriculture because the soils have less organic matter contemn, are saline, may be sandy and droughty or poorly drained. On the other hand the biogeoche,-. mical exchanges that take place in that environment are vital for the biological productivity of the adjoining wetlands and marine environments. The full and sustainable exploitation of the physical, biological and buman resources of the zone presents a number of opportunities and challenges. There are important resources for tourism, * fishery. industry and mineral development. For instance, the lagoon, estuary and defta ecosystemns provide -uitable environments for oyster and fish culture. The zone also provides feeding, roosting and nestirmi sites for thousanos of birds and uarine turdes. The beaches, ciffs, lagoons, wildllfe. cultural and historical sites and the coasta landscape all provide an immense potential for tourism developmenL Saci deposits of limestone, slica, feldspar and other minerals have been idenkfilsd within the coastal belt, not to mention the possibility of oil. Copra production has been an important Environmental Action Plan 41 Chepter Five rNuWrID nmauuai,.._ economic activity over a number of years while more recendy higatlon agriculture is also assuming some Importance in the zone. The development oltiese resources, however, requires very careful choices. a full recognition of their linkages, and a commhrment to overcome some of the Inherent limiaons of a fragle ecosysterm Current development trends and pressures exerted on the coasl zone and the marine environment not only conflict wlth resource utilsation. but also lead to degradation and Interference with the various components of the zone. This situation Is further aggravated by the lack of reliabe and consistent scientific data to ensure meaningful management practices It Is necessary to reconcile conflicting demnands on coastal resources In such a way that their tull use wll be realised without destructlon of the natural processes required to renew them. Marine Fisheries Fishing Is by far the most common and the most importarit agricultural activtiy In the coastal zone. However fish stocks have been badly stressed In recent years with the coming into force of the Economic Exdusion Zone (EEZ) concept which constrains fishennen from fishing In the waters of other countries. Another problem Is the non-enforcement of management measures aimed at ratlonalising our rather llmited fish stocks. For instance It Is known that fisherr-.en use under-sized mesh to catch juvenile fishes. Also explosives and poisonous mfaterials are used. The success of the industry In the long term depends upon the successful maintenance of stable ecological conditions of both aquatic and terrestrial environments. Disturbance in wetland and lagoon ecosystems also pose a potential threat to the productivity of these areas which have been shown to provide nesting environments for large numbers of animal species including fish. Coastal Erosion The hydraulic action of ocean waves on the coast, combined with the abrasive actlon of materials they carry, Is able to break and dislodge rock, sand and pebbles. Areas most susceptible to wave action, and hence areas of most rapid erosion, are the well-jointed and the unconsolidated rocks and beach naterialsfound extensivelyalongvarious partsofthe Ghanaian coastline. The problem is most pronounced along the eastem coastline where erosion rates exceed 1.5m per annum. There may stil be otherareaswhich are not known because of poor accessibility. In some of the eroding areas. parcularly in the Keta area, persistent net loss of land has occufred over the years leading to loss of property and crops. Apart from geology the causes of persistent erosion and net loss of land are only broadly determined as due. among other factors, to: * reduction In the material supply by the Volta River to the longshore drfting zone as a re- sult of the dam; e Generally low sit content of the Volta; * seepage of lagoon water into the shore zone: . obstuions in the drifing zone due to construction works such as jetties; * material collection. e.g. sand winning, from the shore zone; The success of protection works along the coast has been limited. It is doubtful If engineering options can provide long-term solutlions. Observations indicate that the iongshore drift mechanism Is such that action in one section of the coast may trigger erosion in an adjoining section. Protection of the coast from erosion should therefore be pafl of the planned and comprehensive development of the entire coastal zone to achieve lasting rests. MINERAL RESOURCES The mining Industry Isone of major sources of foreign exchange eamings for Ghana. It is one of the key sectors to receive a lot of attention under the Economic Recovery Programme. Without gainsaying the Imporance of the sector to the economy the issue of environmental quality should be brought to tts fore and steps taken to address them whie there Is still an opportunity to prevert despoilment as a result of the exploitation of the nation's abundant mining potential. 42 Environmental Action Planl I Rnource Menegement Chapter Five Mining and mineral processing can cause serious environmental and conservation problems If not properdy controlled. The main problems associated with surface mining in Ghana include land devastation. soil degradation, water and air quality changes. Underground mining has, an Its part. given rise to problems with subsidence, visual intrusion. and water quality change, especially i underground mine water Is pumped to the surface. The health and safety hazards to miners are numerous and may include accidents (rock falls, mine tires, haulage accidents. shaft accidents etc.) gas poisoning, high temperature and humidity effects, and various occupational diseases. The conservation problems caused by processing of mineral resources are two fold (Acquah. 1987). The first Is the problem associated with the actual beneficiating of the minerals and the second (rndirect) Involves the use of the minerals in rmanufacturing. Impact of Mining The environmental Impact of surface mininc, rmay be classified as: (a) Visual intrusion, (b) Sold, waste disposal, (c) Aerial Pollution, (d) Water Pollution. (e) Noise and Vibration and (fl Soil and land degradation. The extent of these various aspects of the (potential) environmental impact largely depends on the occurrence and mineralogy (whether non-metallic or metallic ore) of the mineral deposiL Non-Metallic Ore Non-metallic ores are generally less polluting than metallic ores. However, like metallic ores. they can only be worked where they naturally occur. They must be extracted from the ground: consequent environmental problems arise which require remedial action. The various (stone) quarries in Ghana [al under this classification. Visual Intrusion The sources of visual intrusion include pit faces and floor, waste disposal areas. stockpiles, mobie equipment, fixed plant and buildings, rail and access points and dust plumes. Methods for reducing visual intrusion is best considered during the planning stages of mine development. Soil and land degradation Soil and land degradation usually begins with the deterioration or destruction of the vegetative cover. Once the plant cover is disturbed, soil degradation occurs - in the form of accelerated water erosion. soil compaction or surface soil crusting - with a resultant loss of soil fertility. Thus badly controlled mining methods can destroy soi and living resources leaving behind a barren. denuded and eroded wasteland. Solid Waste Disposal Spoil consisting of tips, production waste, substandard and unrnarketable material, and overburden can cause dustblow. contamination of runoff water and sterilisation of land. Spod tips can also present visual intrusion problems and hence require careful siting and landscaping. Air Pollution This mainly results from dust produced by the mining industry. Water Pollution The main problem is likely to be run-off from tips and workings containing significant amounrts of sediment entering streams and rivers. Environmental Action Plan 43 Cheptw Five Natual Reource maneinw.u Noise and Vibration Noise levels wlthin and outside the mine site may give rise to nuisance to nearby people. The sources of noise and vibrations at the mine Inciude air blast, blasting vibrations, mobile equlpment noise. fixed plant noise. etc. Land Use Mlneralsare mined where theyarefound; there is rarelyanychoice in site selection. Hence competing claims on the land would require that careful consideration is given to land use. Metallic Ore The major environmental problems of metal mining are related mainly to the residual metal levels of especially heavy metals, the presence of other uneconomic minerals in the ore, notably pyrite. and the water discharged from mining and milling operations. The mining of gold, bauxite and manganese In Ghana falIs under this classfficadon. However, whereas the mining of bauxtte and mnanganese is by the open-cut (surface) rnethod, gold mining In this country involves both open-cut and underground mining. The environmental problems of surface mining of metallic ores are similar to those of the non-metallic ores described above, except that in some cases the negative impacts are more pronounced. Air Pollution Metal mining can cause local problems of dust blow and toxic particle deposition. Since the dust may contain metallic compounds, widespread contamination of land and watercourses can result AJI dust, whether toxic or not, present a serious nuisance for nearby communities and industrial machinery and has damaging effects on vegetation, by blocking plant pores and reducing light penetration and photosynthesis. Water Pollution This form of pollution is likely to be the most troublesome impact of a mine. Metallic mine effluents consist of a complex of chemicals many of which have deleterious effects on river life. irrigation water, drlnking water and tarmanims. The major hazards are heasy metals, suspendersultdand thae ctsny. IThe esent el poalction likely ft thase soun es depends upon the mineralogy o the oren dimete and geogrphy ofmthe sie, ore processingtechnology, water disposal practicesand natureofthe receiving ! ~~~watercourses, LInd Pollution Pdlutmdn of land may result from al out of toric dust from contaminated mine suter or ftom flooding of duct by ponllted stevmsr Death of vegetation crops and livestock can result and the effects on Pubhi hzard can aiso be serious. I is generally accepted gm surface mining has a greater negative impact on the nvironrIent than unTmergrourId mining. In the case of the latter, the lain environmental conlems may comprise land subsian encd ( Improper mining methods are used)p water polutnion (. underground mlne waters pumfped to the surface are not analysed and treaed), visual irtrusions (e.g. surface installatons), and production waste. However the fnajor concems of urnderground mir.ing are the health and safety hazards to) rriners. Mineral Processing The fmajor Impact of mineral processing or smelting on the environment are likely to be through air and water pollution. Air Pofutlon The common forms of air pollutants associatd with processing are sulphur dioxdde, ntrogen oxides N20 and N02), carbon dioaxide, and pariculates (smoke, dust). Other important air polutants. Environmental Action Plan Natuma Resource Management Chapr Five commonly associated with the processing of Ghana's gold-sulphide compiex, are arsenic and antimony oxide. The oxides of nitrogen and sulphur affect both the environment, largely as precursors of acid deposition and photochemical oxidants. and human health, as notable respiratory irritants. The deleterious effects of arsenic and antimony oxides are well known. Water Pollution The main potential water pollutants from processing plantslsmelters are heavy metals like copper. zinc, lead, iron, manganese and mercury (in the case of gold processing) . Other identifiable pollutants Include high levels of total dissolved solids (soluble salts) andlor suspended solids. Pollution is also caused by carbon dioxide, turbidity, spilled oils, excess nutrients (particuladly nitrogen and potassium) which cause extensive algal growth with resulting oxygen deficiencies and lack of oxygen in receiving waters. Organic reagents commonly used in beneficiation and which occur in mine effluents do not generally pose environmental problemrs when they occur in small concentrations. Typically they are present at less than 2 ppm. It Is well known that cyanides, used in the processing of gold, are very toxic but decompose naturally with time. Waste Management Good management ot (total) mine waste involves careful planning of the eventual land-use even before active mining commences. Predictive final plan(s) formulation on the eventual land use are essential for determining the procedures adopted through the active pan of the mine. Detailed reclamation planning should also start before the mining begins so that plans for final topography and intended land use can be followed and potential pollutions minimised. it is rather unfortunate that these prerequisites are largely ignored in the country principally due to the fact that there is no legislation which requires Environmental Impact Assessmentsformajor projects and the implemernation of such proposals ACTIONS Land Tenure The current land registration exprcise is in the right direction and should therefore be speeded up and broadened. In particular, to solve the problems of improper records of land transactions, documentation of title, i and the correct identification of who should grant title, the follo,. ng are proposed: (a) undertake land rnapping at a scale not less than 1 :2 -. Boundaries wAil be adequately determined to be identifiable on the ground. Disputed territc; es will be marked out. Famiies and other groups that own land should have the responsibility of mnapping their boundaries within stool lands. * (b) undertake land assessment and resource inventory. and identify land degradation, desenification, etc Scattered data in agencies involved in land resources will be collated and synthesized in a national computerized data bank for land resources. ! (c) educate the public as to what the law is regarding land acquisition and (d) strengthen the legal and administrative machinery for land acquisition and tanure . Bush Burning Bush buming has both positve and negative effects. The recommended approach to bushfires is control and use as 2 tool in agriculture. soil conservaion forestry, game and wildlife nanagemenL Recent legislation and control organization needs to be sustained and enforced Environmental Action Plan 45 cmpoi Fl. ' R.scu_ I Soil Conservation To sc!ve the problem of soil fertility. it is necessary to put in place an overall programme to ensure the conservational use of soils. Such a programme may involve mechanization. agro-chemicals. and techniques for regenerating soil fertility. Control of Pesticides An Inter-Departmental Pesticide Control Programme (IPCP) comprising the EPC. the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ghana Standards Board, the Universities and other Research Institutions and the Ghana Medical School. has been set up by Government. Under this programme the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) which is responsible for product quality control will undertake the monitoring of the quality ol all pesticides to be used in the country. Thc Ministry of Agriculture wil provide training for the farming communities an safe and effective applications of pesticides. The Ministry of Health will monitor the health impacts of pesticides used in the country and in addition educate the public on the health aspects of pesticides. The EPC co-ordinates all these programmes and will advise govemment on the environmental impact of the programme. Government should continue to support this programme. Agro-torestry Govemment has identified agro-forestry as an acceptable land use system that enables food and/or animal production to be undertaken without denuding the land of tree cover. Agro-forestry offers a possibility also for maintaining/restoring soil fertility and restoring tree cover on denuded lands. It is noted that several actions on agro-forestry are provided for under the Forest Resources Management Project. To reinforce steps already taken agro-forestry will be introduced into the curricula of all agricultural training and educational institutions. Agro-forestry is already being taught at the technical level at the Sunyani School of Forestry and at the undergraduate and post-graduate levels at the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources. There is therefore sufficient knowledge and educational materials for the subject to be taught at all levels in the educational system. Private and Community Forestry PrIvat and community forestry will be encouraged through: * public education: * involvement of local people and NGOs in forestry decision mr cing and implementation of programmes; * assistance to individuals. organisations and communities to grow, protect, manage and utilise their own tress and forests; - provision of incentives for the development of private and community plantations. Fuelwood Industries that rely or intend to rely on natural woodlands for their fuelwood will be required to demnnrnae sustainable regeneration of the woodlands or be required to meet their wood requirements from tree plantations established by the industry or woodiots established in the vicinity by outgrowers with the support of the industry. The activities of commercial charcoal bumers and commercial firewood producers, especially In the fragiie savanna and savanna/closed forest ecotone (Dry Semi-Deciduous forest zones) will be controlledthrough. among otherthings. licensing atthe DIstrictlevelto make it possible fortree cutting to be directed to designated, preferably non-critical. and specified trees and tree species. It wil be obligatory for part of the revenue derived from such licences to be paid into a District Forest Fund and applied to tree planting and related activities. 46 Environmental Action Plan Natulu Rgsmwg9 mengun ChuplWFkvu Water Cycle Data | Gaps. weaknesses and inadequacies exist in the collection of watercycledata onwhich the indicators of environmental monitoring are based. It is therefore recommended that projects be put in hand to ensure that gaps are filled, weaknesses removed and the range of data being collected expanded to cover all relvant environmental indicators. These should address parliculaily groundwater. water quality. sedirnent transport and biological data. Water Resources Assessment Some work on water resources assessment has been done. However, In order that this will be comprehensive. it Is recommendeLi that the present knovwedge about water resources (surface and groundwater) be updatecd and expanded both quantitatively and qualitatively to cover all river basins. Rlver Basin Development The absence of comprehensive plans for water resources development for the river basins, can lead to irrational use of water. In order to avoid this and assure sustainablity of Ghana's development it is recommended that water maester plans should be prepared for all the river basins of the counrry. A watershed mnanagement programme should be initiated to control the land degradation process within river basins. Landuse planning will be a critical tool in this regard. Marine and Lake Fisheries Implement measures for the rational management of fish stocks. Protected Areas in the Coastal Zone The following lagoons (Fig.5) and their immediate catchments will be set aside as Protected Coastal Zone Areas. They have been selected on the basis of scenic characteristics and potential for recreation/tourism, biological productivity, floral and faunal uniqueness. landuse. and education. 1. Anhusam Beach - Songaw lagoon and catchments 2. Sakumo lagoon and catchments 3. Cape Thres Points and adjoining forest 4. Densu Delta and Panbros Salt Pans S. Muni lagoon and catchments 6. Srogboe - Ada Beach. It is recognised that these areas. as all other areas along the coast, have long been settled and used to varying degrees of intensity. Possible sources of conflict include: * potential in compatiblities between existing resource activities and processes. and the ob- jectives of protection and conservation; * established rights and privileges of ownership, and use of coastal zone commutiities; * control of settement developmenL The approach tothese problems will be based on multiple use management and local participation. Control of Pollution for Critical Ecosystems Contol agricuftural development and practices in the coastal zone. partclgarly in respect of the use of agricultural chemicals and so!i conservation. Implement the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan. Research A systematic study of the non-beneficial effects of mechanization on agricultural land use wil be undertaken in order to recommend types of machinery practices and the managemfent capability of the land users. Environmental Action Plan 47 Chapter Fiwv Natural Resource Management Data and Information on the short-term and long-term effects of the use of agro-chemicals on soil quality, vegetation and crop yields will be collected to aid In planning soil conservation programmes. In view of the possible increase In stock numbers in the country in the future and in view of the fact that rangelands are hardly developed. rangeland studies and development will receive urgent attention. Agro-forestry Research Research will be promoted to studythe indigernous agro-torestry systems and to help identify suitable tree species, especially inc genous. for dIfferent ecological zones, crops and objectives. Hedgerow inter-cropping (alley farming) may not be a suItable mode in all situations. Therefore different models of agro-forestry and farm forestry, Including farm boundary planting, will be tried. Wildlife Research In view of the value of wildlife species as environmental indicators. and the dearth of information on Ghana's wild animal populations, appropriate mechanisms will be established tor baseline data collection and long-term monitoring of wild animal populations: and assessment and long-term monitoring of the effects of pollution (from industrial and domestic wastes) and agro-chemicals on wildlife. Water-Related Research It is recommended that studies be undertaken ;nto the following areas to identty the sources and typep of the degradation: * degradation by wastes from households and municipalities, industries, mines and agricul- ture: * impacts on human settlements, health. landuse, and ecological systems (flora and fauna) of water resources development projects; * siltation of water bodies resulting from ihte use of inappropriate farming techniques, such as shifting cultivation, use of fire for land clearing and hunting, and remova of vegetation for timber, household fuel, medicine and food. Appropriate measures should then be instituted to abate or eliminate the degradation. Energy Research and Development Ghana needs to intensify rese,arch and development inthefollowing priority areas of the energy sector * Solar end-use devices suitable for crop drying and cooking in rural and urban poor house- holds; * Energy-saving technologies in small-scale and informal industries and also in the home; _ Appropriate and cost-effective electricity network extension for rural electrification; e Small-scale hydro power techndogy. 40 Environmental Action Plan CHAPTER 6 MANAGING THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT ISSUES COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT I The managemnent and conservation status of the coastal zone of Ghana is low. This Is paricularly tnre In terms of planning, co-ordination and monitoring. Present management Is sectoral. and although a number of measures have been put in place these have not been enrdoced by the appropriate agencies. There is hardly any agency that co-ordinates the developmental actMties of | the various sectors. Data for planning and mranagement is limited and scattered. The situation is unsatisfactory in the light of the increasing population and economic actMvty in the zone, the large potential of the zone in terms of production and amenities. and the ecological tragility of the 1.3ne as a whole. HAZARDOUS CHEMICALS The presence in the environment. and use. of hazardous substances for various purposes affect the quality of air, water, soil and ultimately lIfe itself. Industry uses a wide variety of chemicals for various purposes. whie agricultural productity has come to depend on the application of dfflerent types of chemicals. The need for health protection and to make our daily lives cormfortable have also resuied in the increased dependence on chemiScas. However, there is a price the country pays in terms of human health and tne quality of the environment. This could escalate unless vigorous action is taken to control their use. Hazardous chemicals refer to those chemicals which pose a risk or danger, through poisoning to those who come into contact witn them thr- -h the handling, application, use. etc The inherent poisonous potency of chemicals under exz- nental condttions is referred to as toaxicity. Hazard depends not only on toxicity but also on the L. .ance (probabilIty) of exposure to toxic amounts of the material. Poison is defined here as any chemical or agent that can cause illness or death when eaten, absorbed through the skin, of inhaled by humans or animals. For rnany years the importation, manufacture, distribution, handling and use of potentially toxdc chemicals in Ghana has proceeded without much consideration to the possible environmental consequences. This has resulted in considerable hazard to human health. It is more serious in the sense that the quantities and types of chemicals in the country are not fully known. Hazardous chemicals may broadly be divided into two main groups, namely: (a) Elements and their derivatives, for example mercury and mercury-based compounds; chlorine and organochlorine compounds, and (b) Radioactive compounds and/or elements. Exposure to hazardous chemicals mayoccurat any stage from their nikal productiontotheireventual use by man. Often It is through the food chain. Consequently measures for prevention and control of exposure should include good manufacturing practices, the observation of environmental measures to limit the exposure, heath education. etc Control of hazardous chemicals in Ghana Despite obvious gaps and laxiUes, there have been some attempts to institute controls to curb the possible hazards posed to the environment and hurnan heafth through indiscriminate use and misapplication of toxic chemicals in Ghana: Toxic Chemicals Committee Followingthe establishment otthe EPC one of the major expert commttees set uptoassist the Councl was the Toxic Chemicals Commditee. The main function of the Committee was to corrol the use of toaic chemicals in the country. Environmental Acton Plan 49 Chapter Six Managing The Buil Environment Clearance for Chemicals Over the past years the EPC, as an interim measure and in collaboration wlth the Ministry of Agriculture, has been examining application for the importation of agro-chemicals Into the country. This Is to ensure tMat only safe and effective chemicals are used in the country. The clearance procedure has now been extended to cover all chemical Importation into the country. The examination of the application for importation of pesticides Is undertaken by a five-member Sub-Committee of the Toxic Chemicals Committee. All applications for dearance are accompanied by technical data available to the applicant on the formulations to be considered. After examining all the data, a decision is reached by the sub-committee and those applicants whose formulations meet the requirements are given temporary clearance by the Council through the Ministry of Agriculture. All approvals by Council are subject to review after a period of use in the country when further investigations are expected to have been undertaken into the impact of the chemicals on the environment Draft Legislation on Pesticides Legislationto control theiimportation. distribution, sale and use of pesticidesand othertoxic chemicals has been drafted and is being considered by the committee on toxic chemicals. The main areas covered by the proposed legislat;on package can be summarised as follows: i) Administration ii) Registration of Chemicals (Pesticides and Other Agro-Chemicalsl iii) Enforcement of legislation (iv) Public and Occupational Health Safety regulations. (v) Monitoring. Administration of Legislation For effective performance of the Councils role as a regulating and monitoring organisation. the EPC considers I expedient to have collaboration among all agencies whose activities are related to pesticides use and control so that all aspects of pesticide control are dealt with under a single set of requirements. To this end a proposal for setting up an Inter-Departmental Pesticide Control Programme (IPCP) comprising the EPC. the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ghana Standards Board, the Universities and other Research Institutions and the University of Ghana Medical School. has been mrade to Govemment. Urnderthe proposal the Ghana Standards Board (GSB) which is responsible forproductquality control will undertake the monitoring of the quality of all pesticides to be used in the country. The Minist.y of Agricufture will provide training for the farming communities on sate and effective applications o1 pesticides. The Ministry of Health will monitor the health impacts of pesticides used in the country and in addition educate the public on the health aspects of pesticides. The EPC peartrrning its satutory role will co-ordinate all these programmes and advise government on the environmental impact of the programme. MANUFACTURING INDUSTRIES One of the basic premises for sustainable development is the recognition that environment and development are not exclusive of one another but are complementary and inter-dependent and. in the long run. mutually reinforcing. Often, however. industrial development compromises the environrrient Although the problems arising from industrial development in Ghana has not yet assumed very serious dimensions there is increasing evidence that in some parts of the country excessive demands are being made on limited resources and the carrying capacity of the fragile ecosystems. . These have led to soil and land degradation, air and water pollution, and public health problems. Concem about industr pollution is growing. The quantity and diversity of industrial wastes have Inceased over the years, and there are hardly any waste recycling or proper management practices 50 Exmrronmental Action Plan Managing Tie ault :n': mnui C'.:Chmu S In the country. Improper sdng d industal Islatons In reon to other actvts and residential housing poses considerable problens. Thereareaver4,000 manufcwng-' industesInhthecounwy. Haff atthelseam dcassiidas medium to large scala, and about 60 are located in the Acra-Tema merpois coveing less than 1% d the tota area of the country. Such a siuatIon has led to the migmaton d people fron the rural anr to AccaWrTenma. thereby aaggmvting th envIronmenrtl stesses usually assocated with Indusral actvty. These Industies hwa had atremendous impact on the economyofthe coastand the countryat lrg However, the concentration of Industries In such a small area has aggrvated the environmeonta Sresses caused by Idustrial activties. Wkthout the due environmental consideratIons Indusal development has brought in Its trail a number of problems, prominent among which Is the problem of pollution. panicldarly air and water pollution. In the Acra-Tema metropols, for Instance, two lagoon systems, the Korie and Chemu, can hardly support any biological productvty. Another problem that Is often glossed over Is the Issue of sting and space. While most of the modem Industries are found In the Industl estates provided for Industrial developmenL small-scale ard/or cottage industries are Increasingly located In tihe residentia and comnmercial areas as well as open SPaces. Their lcational and space needs have generaly not been catered for by planning. This results In nuisance, incompatIbility and pollution problems. Wth the efforts currently being taien by Govemment to attract kNestment and accelerate economic development In the Industrial and other sectors, it is imporant that measures be Instituted to forestel the potentia environmernal problerns that could arise. POLLUTION The major producers of Industria pollutanis in the country are tese Industis food manufcing Industries. Peoleum refining and handling, and finally minera explotation and processing. A UNIDO study (UNEP, 1994) which Investigatedthe sources of dusstria eflunsand thelirprobable pollutant inputs reported that for the zone between Cote d'hoire and Benr, the man producer of Industril pollutants by weight Is the textie Industry whose wastes corntIn 30% of all polluting sustances The manulacture of food products contributes 25% whIle petrdeum refining and handiling contribute 20%. Mineral explolton and processng are also responsible for about 10%. Thus thse tour actvtes contribute up to 95% of the pollution load. Minor sources indude fe following industries - soap and detergents, wood, cement, rubber, plstics and steeLl However, in Ghana the UNIDO survey nay be taken only as guide especially since mining acfivities are more prnounced than In the neighbouring countries. There is a growing concem In the country about industrial wase and poluton health and safety hazardsto industrial worers, public health problems due to adverse enirmental changes. and the misapplication of hazardous chemicals. Evidence and the stark realty shoWthat effots So far made towards control or prevention of the adverse effects have been inadequate and Ineffective. This is In spite of the fact that the level of Industrial development In the country is relatively low. If proper industria environmental controls are not put in place, environmenta poUution wil be qulte significant In the near future, especially since inreased industrni activiies are expectd due to the Economic Recovery and Structural Adjustment Progammes. Air Pollution The major sources of air pollution from manufacturing Industries In the country are the aluminium smenter, ol refinery, cement-asbestos product plants. stee works, cement works. sawnlls and wood processing mils, alumina conveyance and automotive exhaust emissio Atnospheric pollutionassociatedwIth Ghana's industriallaatlontmodemisation actMties reslt mainly from combustion processes. These pollutants tend to be in the form of paiculae matter, smog, odours and 'nuisance' gases These emissLons contain varying amourts of gases such as oxddes of sulphur. ntrogen and carbon, snd some hydrocarbons. etc. Aprt from the heath probiems caused Environmental Action Plan 51 Chapter Six Managing The iuit Enwlronmuet by these gases they also conribute to the problem of acid rain. In recent years hydrocaroons have been identified as substances contributing to the global ozone depletion problem. The effect of particulate mater depend on the size of the particulate as well as the nature. Coarse paicuates lead to materia damage to cloftng, buildIngs, eye irritation or Injury and reduce vsblty. They couLd also damage plants. Fine dust (of the order of 0.5 micrometre or less) mnay enter the respiratory tract and get retained In the aveoar tissue. Prolonged Pex4posure can cause various lung diseases. Particucates such as asbestos and compounds of fluorine, lead and arsenic are toxdc to hurans. Water Pollution The maor pollutants of water in the courtry are derivedf rom the food processingf, material processing. cooling and.mining Industries. Food processing Industries, ncluding the breweries, forexample. have, as their commonest efuents. fruit and vegetable juice pulp, mineral acids, sugar, dirty washings and slops containing yeast and residue from alcoholic fermentation and these are often discharged into surface streams. In 1976. Accra Brewerys waste load alone was 25 millon lirsmonth and most of this endied up In the Kotie Lagoon (Sam & Aylbotele; 1988)). Textie industries Inthe country discharge hydroxyl, sodium carbonate, silicates. chloride and suiphide lons and a wide range of different dye stufs, bleaching agents and detergents. In considerable quantities. In addition to the 'waste' load that Is usually discharged, water used for cooling and disharged with the waste tends to increase temperature of the receiving waters within some distance downstream. The Increased temperature can threAten aquatic life and destroy the quality of water. COASTAL POLLUTION Pdlution In the coastal zone of Ghana has been cited since the eardy 197Ds. The major pollutants Ident Indude soild wastes aid various types of contaminants. Along the whole coastle of Ghana discharges into the environment indcluding industrial, mining. agricultural and human wastes. are. to a rge extent, untrated and unreguated. There are also considemble mine-source pollutn Including heavy meals and suspended sdids tansported down the coastal zone through the maior drainage catchments. The areas of accumulation of the pdlutas from the Immediate coast zone and from futher Inland are the estuaries, the marshes, the lagoons and lagoonal depressions, the beaches and the open marine environment In addkion liquid tar and tar balls occur extensively along the entire coast of Ghana. These come for oDl tankers plying the coast, discharging In the ports or dearing their holds further out at sea The offshore basin along the whole coastlne of Ghana Is an area where oil and gas accumulations are most promising. Petroleum development actvities may Increase the level of employment and expand community facilties. }:owever, petrdeum operaVons pose a severe environmental hazard, Incuding spilage on the high seas durin tansiL Pollution, In whatever form, has a degrading effect on coal zone habitats and on the tourist and recreational potentil of the zone. It also poses considerable risks to population concentrations In the zone. INDUSTRIAL SOUD WASTES The Identified Industria sdid wastes produced by manufacturing Industries In the country are categoised as follows: Metal and Metallurgical Industries Metllic wastes may be daded into three groups: (a) the ferrous, tb) the non-frrous wastes, and (c) miscelaneous wastes. 52 Environmental Action Plan Managing The Bulkt Enronment Chapter Six Sources of fefrous wastes Include the mines, r.lways, automobile shops, metal Industris. the dry docks and canneries. Scrap generation In the country has been estimated to be 30.000 tonstyear. This scrap Is not being fily utilised. The non-ferrous wastes identified Indude bronze, brass, aluminium, siver and copper. They usually occurwith ore and are found Incorporated In ferrous wastes. Aluminium wastes are obtalned as dross and cuttings from the aluminium processing companies The miscellaneous wastes defined as non-metallc wastes of meta industries incLude slag and refractones from smelters. Other wastes are pallets, drums, spent oil and graphite rods. Textile and Garments Industries There are about I 50 medIum-to4arge scale and about 230 small-scale registered twex and garmert hdustries in Ghana. Solid wastes generated Include floor wastes, yarns, wax cotton fluffs, fents (impropedly printeci fabrics), off-cuts etc. Paper and Printing Industrles The solid wastes comprise cuttings, soiled off-cuts, trimmings, exposed photographic films. etc. Rubber and Plastic Industries These industries includethose that produce containers, toys. construction materias, household ware. tyres etc. The identified waste produced in the rubber Industry Include unrefinable rubber, defective tyres. fabric and waste synthetic rubber. In the case of the plastics industry, the wastes generated comprise defecte canisters. sachet wrappers, wate pipastic as fhaff. damaged containers trom mfanufacturing companies. Plastics industries in Ghana produce about 70.000 tonnes of plastic waste per year (Yawson. 198w). Food Processing Industries These ilndusties include the breweies, cannerines ol palm processing, meat processing factorirs Ji gari makn 'factories'. etc. The organic sdlid wastes IdenPfied In the country include og palm sludge. peels, pineapple waste, tobacco waste. Other Sources of Solid Wastes The following industries also generate varying amounts of solid wastes: Paper and printing: Building and construction: Wood processing; Chemical processing. Data and Informatioil There is a general paucity of inforrnation in Ghana on the effects of Industrlal activIies and the use of hazardous chemicals on the enMvronment due to insuflfient instittiona support for susined msearch and mnritorinn of the envronment This has meant tW baseline data for vitlly all the monitoring indicators are non-existent In ths cou'itzy. Very little work has so far been done in Ghana to assess enironmnental changes due to industrial activities. The following problems have been identified with regard to data and formrntion avalabWt. Lack of baseline data There is no baseline data for all the montoring indicators for air. water.. soil. vegetation etc This rmeans tha; the effective monitonng of changes In air quality, water quality. sIls, vegetaon, wildlife and public health due to Industl acvilts and hazadous chemicals Is not possible sic the requisite background information (data) Is lacking. Environmental Action Plan 53 Chapter Six Menaging The Buit Environmem Lack of Standards Standardstoserveas guidellnes for IndustrIalts. Importersand the monftoring agenclesare generally lacldng. PolluUon Sources Sourcos of environmental poiluton are not wall defined. For example. t Is well known that there are many sources for the high level of polutilon In the Kone Lagoon. However. therc Is no work done to determine the nature and quarnity of pollutants contributed by each Identifiable source. QuantIUtative Data GeneWly, there Is nL data on the quanY of industria effluents avalable, even where the nature of the polluats Is known. ClassiMication of Solid Wastes Types and quantites solid wastes discharged by Industries have not been ciasslFed forthe purpose of phlaning a recycing programmne of such wastes. HUMAN SETTLEMENTS Ghana has over 47.000 towns and vllages. where Its 14 mDllIon Inhabtiants (1984) pursue their economic social and cuftura] life. Generaily setlerment sies are smwll. According to the 1984 census no single humnan settement In Ghana has a popudatlon that reaches a mllion. In all there are 189 selments whose population sizes reach or exceed 5.000 persons, the sIe that Is statlsdcally and officlly cassified as urbarL About one-third nf the population live in ever 40,000 ss:llements with less than 500 persons. Accra. the natlonal capItal wlth a population of 984,000 (1984). Is the ordy settlement whose population exceeds 500.000. With the adjoining sea-port of Tem the twin settlements of Acca and Tema have a population of approodmately 1.2 millon persons. One hundred and ten of the 189 urban settlements are district capitals with ten of them also serving as egbrnal capials of which three, Including the national capital. are statutt y declared cites. Population Distibution and Human Settement Panem The geographic distribon of popultIon and human settlements pattem of the country pose formidable constraints to effectlee n;-donal development and equItable distribution of devopment beneritL Unfounately, successive natlonr development policies and stategies hardly seldom ever ressed s spatl issue. ) The wide dbpenral of the countrys populatlon Into numerous scattered setlements has been cause for rural deprvation. It accounts for the tragedy talwthough It Is .ural production thra sustaIns the national economy, nural areas and nral populations have a poorer share of sermice. Infrastucture and public investments generlly. i) There Is a concentration of tabanisation In the Accra-Tema metropolitan area and In two or three other settlements. These centres are rapidly growing to attract and accumulate population and development to the deprivaton of other settlements of the country. IE) The developmrent of Intermediate and lower level urban centres Is weak This gis rise to Inadequate presence and supply of the essential urban-based facilities required to support rral development and to attract part of the flow of urban Investments id populon going Into the prImate city. lv) Northern Ghana, characterised by widely scatered setleerrnts and generally lackdng medium sied setements. Is at a comparatie disadvantage In terms of its attracon for prmvlion of services to support snd promote economic and socal [fe. v) The genel consequence of rural-rural migrations is the creaton of spontan:ous settlements In frtir regions in resuonse to contnuing rmmigralion and vibrarnt economic activity. vi Rural-urban migration has generated, and continues to Inerity, problems of urban prmacy, urban urnepleyment. congestion, sluis and squamter settemrnets In the face of rhffective and 54 Enviromnental AcUon Plan Mainging The BuIl Emironnue; Chaoptr Sk inadeqLate pollules to address and direct the developmenit of setlemants. The situatlon denudes thenural settrnents of the youth, educated and vibrant leadership, therefore of the vita productive tabour. The foregolng Issues act as constaints to national integratlon. What is happening Is not shting the basis of the ;uational economy from the rural areas 1o the urtan cetres. It Is rather paralysing the roots of the nallonal economy without offerng a viable replacement Urbanisatlon The present of modem Industry has been a major contributory tactor In the rapid urbanisation of the najor coastal towns In recent times. By no colncidence the largest urban agglomeration in the country, tht Is. the Accra-Tema Metropolian Area, Sekondi-Takoradi and Cape Coast. are locued on the coast. The fastest growing towns along the coast can be fournd In the Greater Accm region where population more than doubled between 1960 and 1984. The construction of a modem port at Teom served as the major pull factor for Irnustry and population In the area. Desidris the large population centresthere are overa dozen other urban seterments (populatlon mDre than 5.000) along the coast As with other urban settlements In Ghana the concentration of people In the zone has brought severe pressures on housing, the already inadequate urban Infrastructure I Bnd uility services. One result is a deterioratlon of environmenea quvifty. particularly in respect of donestic and human wa.;6 dLsposaL Along the coast alrmost al the waste finds its way onto the shore and Into the sea without any form of treatment. This poses serious risks of poilution and epidemics. and severely reduces the tourism potential of the area. Another Issue associated wIth rapid expansion In populaion is urban sprawv and the expansion In land use for all types of socio-economic activities. These have had great Impact on the environmen.L In particular the expansion of urban land use Into rural areas has not only reduced the amount of land available for agiiculture paticularly In the environs of Accra and Terna. but has also threatened the habitats of both land-based tauna and aquatic resources. The trend has bred a clJtural dualism In which the nional capita city and other cliies comparatvely boom with innovation, captl Invcesmnents and faclits while the remaining large centres and smell towns remain inert and deprived. It constrains progress and modemnisation to economically and lagging areas ] Rural DeprWvation Despitethe enormous cotrIbution of rural production to the national economy, the benefts ofationa developmern do not reach rural seementsi and their nhabitans They have poorershare ofservices. Lnrastucture and public Inveents generally: | (a) Wage Employment Over 80% of wage employmen Is located in the three cities (Accra-Tema. Kumasl. Sekondi-Takorad). (b) Electricity i Over 76% of non-industrial consumers of generated electricity are residert in the same three citis Thus, the rural seteients and other towns together share the remaIning 24% of the supply. (c) Potable Water BS per cent of the urban population are served wih good drinking watr against but only 39.5 per cmt of the rral population with ace to potable water. For the mral comnles In settlements *wlth populations under 500 people, the percentao Is as low as 15 per cent I Handpumps and boreholes provide the ordy source of sale water to setlements of SOO - 20O0 inhbiants 85 per cent of the 4 mililon inhabiants lMng In 40.400 vilages and cotages with populaios of less than 500 people depend on unsafe water sources that are reached odften after long distances of walk. Environmental Action Plan 55 Chapter Six Managing The Bullt Environment In all, about 5 million rural Inhabitants, representing about 40.8 per cent of Ghana's population do not have access to good drinking water. (d) Health Faclities 8.36 million inhabitants living in 47,000 rural setnlements do not have any or ready access to the basic gomemment-provided health facilities which are largely urban based. Generally, mission hospitals and cilnics are located to be more accessible to rural populations in contrast to the Govemmenl facilities. For obvious reasons. the increasing number of private clinics run by industrial and Institutionalk establishments and private practitioners are not attracted to rural locations. Service Centres and Production Support Services Rural sreas further suffer from Inadequate basic production infrastructure services, especially agricultural and technical services, storage and marketing facilities and roads. The situation is further worsened by the absence of strong, well distributed, easily accessible rusal service centres for extending both economic and social services tD support and promote rural production and social lIfe. Urban Degradation (U) Urban Sprawl It is common knowledge that our human settlements are not properly developed and well managed Accra, Kumasi and a few other u:ban centres are rapidly growing to accumulate population and development There Is an explosion In lawlessness and uncontrolled urban growth In the rapidly growing urban areas. The expanding urban fringes are filled with new shelerdr. but without proper access roads and adequate community services. Reservation of lands made for streets and other utlities are taken over by uncontrolled private buldings before public authorities are able to organise resources to open up the roads and connect the services. (b) Infmstructure The last decade and a half has seen virtually no new service roads being made by public authorities to rapidly sprawling shelter in the over expanding urban fringes. Town and cities have ceased to have programmes to make new roads and streets. Existing roads and streets have fallen Into a bad state of disrepair. Pedestrian side-walks are broken, non-existerit or trespassed over by parked motor vehides. (c) Zoning Sltes set aside forthe provision of community and other essential (waste disposallcollection. primary schools, recreation, drainage channels. etc.) are plundered and encroached upon with Impunity. bmcause public authoritles leave the stes fallowwithout signs of developing and delivering the servicS many years after private shalter development and habitation. City centres are choked with unauthorised trading actvties and structures that conflict with pedestrian and vehicular trffic. The big urban markets are crowded places of filth, squalor and seasonal mud. t (d) Sanitation and Drainage In urban areas because of inadequate public and private servics and also unhygienic habits of Sm of the Inhabitants, excrete disposal creates serious health hazards. Drains are broken and choked. Rehuse colection and ste clearing systemfs are unable to cope with mounting refuse and filth In parts of urban settements Colection and deansing lack requisite personnel Workshops do not have the resources and capacity to maintain available few vehicdes. Other equipment and logistIcs are grossly Inadequate. 56 Environmental Action Plan E _._ r~~~~~~~~~ anmuln The Bldt Enviroment Chapter Siv Refuse Is often piled up and dumped two orthree times before being delivered to final disposal points. Several parts of large urban settlements do not receive any form of cllection service. As a result. many uncontrolled private dumps exist, creating high risks of rodent Infestation and disease outbreak. House drains (except in the very few first class residential areas), andi BSpeclialy In newly developing resntil areas. have developed into stagnanL meandering, ofiensive pools of sullage around houses in mass residential areas. (e) Sice In spte of the gross inadequacies of provisbn of basic services, it Is rampant for the instalation of one irfrastructural service to disrupt another at great financial losses and public Inconvenience. The basic services are usually narrovwy planned, carried out as separate actMties outside the stream of general town planning, and so are uncoordinated In space and time with each other and with other physical developments. ACTIONS Coastal Zone Management * Environmental reviews (post-audks) will be reqLured of existing Industries In the coastal zone that have been iderntified to be contributing to environmental damage. * Appropriate penalties wil be brought against Industnal installations that do not comply with set standards and regulations on: - waste water discharges * air emissions *dsPosp of solid and oth3r wastes. In all cases the defaultng industrial concem will be recuired to paythe fudl cost of corrective measures. * The on-going waste ranagement programme of the Accr Metropolitan Area wUl be Con- solidated; District Assemblies and townships In the coastal zone will be supported to im- plement waste management programmes focusing on the following: reduction of the volume of wane Incase of recycling and re-use. safe disposal of unavoidable wastes. * Improve urban drainage * Improve the siting of industries and enforce zoning regulations; demarcate areas which can be preserved for agricultural use to save suitable land for agriculture; Regulation of Chemicals A Nationl Register of Potertially Toxic Chemicatr has been complied. This Indudes data profles and legal mechanisms for contr of all chemicels In use In the country, their Importers and/or their distrilbutor In order to bdng chemicals thatr may constte a potental risk to the enrironment under belter conrl the on-going National Programme on Chemical Safety s;oAl be supponed. The objectives of the Programme are to: a) Monitor the importation, manufacture, disrbution, handling and use of hazardous IndustriWl and agricultural chemicas; b) Dlssomlnate.evalustions of the risk to hafth from exposure to chemlcals c) Promote research on the effect of exposures to chemicals on hunan health; d) Dissmnae lruatlon on methods of coping wIth chemical arcidents- AcivIes under the prgamme Include: 1. Screenng and approval of chemicals to be Imported ito the courtry for Indust,al and agrcttal purposes; Environmental Action Plan 57 CherSix Mongig The iuUt Environment 2. Gathering and compiling hnformatlon on hazardous chemicals that are actually impcrted Into the cournry, their lmpoters quantitles and end-use; similarly for those that are manufactured In the country; 3. Compling and regularly up-dating the list of distributors ol chemicals that may be classfied as hazardous; 4. Obtaining data on the actual use and mode(s) of appflcatlon of chemicals In the manufacturing industry and agriculture; 5. Enforcing the ban on the importation of potentially toxic wastu Into Ghana. Spatial Development Framework The first and only Nationa. °hysical Development Framework was prepared by the First Republic In 1962U63. on the initiative of the Town and Country Planning Department. This wUi be reviewed or updated under the direction of the NDPC. The Framework will: (a) delineate and analyse the major resources and uses of land and their potentials for national development. (b) Identify geographic areas of the country with great productive potentials and employment opportunities. (c) map out national population distribution and elaborate the pattem of settlemernts to show the functionalky and relative potentiaities of settlements as production centres and as service and cultural centres for aiding and dfflusing progress, and modemisation to rural hinterlands. (d) Identffy regions or areas requiring special attention - those that are particulardy deprived or lagging, those that offer unique potential, those which need special protection. : i~~~~~e) outline the principal Infrastructure network andJ the broad distribution of social services nation-wide; (fl estalish A national physical planning framework:- p idernsy the locations of adlicipated major economic aaiviOes; o propose economic and equitable distribution of projected infrastructural and socirl ser- vime; - propose economic and equisable distribufion of projected infrastructural and sociat ser- vjf es; propose an efficient settlement pattem; I identify urban and service centres which have great assets and potentials to support and contribute to national developmenL and for Development In pursuance of a national human setdements policy and In anticipation of future growth. the govemmervtwll acquire lands at specific, appropriate locationswell in advanceof actual developmenL Service Centres for Rural Development Asa policytodecong7estthe metropolitanareas. a numbsrof setected settiementsvAll be strengthened to serve as rural service centres to support and facilitate agriculture and rural development. SantatFon * District development units will be established and strengthened to do the task of erniron- mental protection at the district levels. * Public places of convenience will be provided at vantage areas In Accra and other town centres. 58 Environmental Action Plan Maraging The Bulit EnvlunnMt Chtptw Sk e All commercdal houses wll be obliged to prmide public places of convenience for their customers. The Korle Lagoon, Marine drive. Bakaano (Sekond4 and other coasta resources wil be developed Into recreatIonal grounds. Appropriate legisation to control land use and the deveopment of humn sstemems will be enacted. Landscaping and Urban Forestry wil be reglgarised and supported by legislation. adequate funding and staffing. '1: Ii Enirironment,al Actlon Plan 59 CHAPTER 7 ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION ISSUES The success ot an environmental policy presupposes that all sections of the population urderstand the functioning of the environment and the problems thereof, and contribute to the protection and improvement of the environment. To this end continuous and detailed educational programmers will be implemented at ael levels so that every Ghanaian becomes aware of the problems and fuily assumes his responsibiltles in safeguarding the environment, particulady at the locai and grassroot level. Errvironmental education will form an Integral part of the educationai system. Sustained efforts wDi be made to promote awareness among policy makers, provide training tor resource managers at appropriate levels, and promote greater public awareness and motivation for environmental action. Environmental education Is necessary both at the formal and non-formal levels. The actMties d indiduals in the cormmunity In terms of self-discipline and also In terms of posittve actions for the improvement of the environment go a long way in promoting a healthy environment. Any environmental education programme must therefore emphasise these areas. Since large sections of the population are not in receipt of formal education. it is Important, In drawing up any environmental programme, that due provision be made for the non-fomnal sector. Non-formal education should reach the youth and adults, individually or collectivney. and all the segments rf the populaUon, from the worker to the manager and the decision maker. It must also be aimed at the family and all those who are responsible for bringing up the young. Formal education should not only include the objectives of informal education but also provide pupigs with the basic, technical and scientific knowledge required for the protection of the environmenL To support both formal and nonfomnal programs in environmental education, there is a noed to develop additional training materials that are appropriate to the situation In Ghana, and to make environmental data and Information more generally available to the public. NON-FORMAL ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION OBJECTIVES The objectives of non-formal environmental education can be summarised as follows: 1. Awarenes: To help individuals and social groups to develop an awareness and sensitivity to the total environment and its allied problems. 2.Krinwie;dg To help individuals and social groups to acquire a basic understandling of the total environment, its associated problems and humnanitys critically important role in It 3.Attitudes and Habits: To help individuals and social groups to acquire social values. a strong feeling of concem for the environment and the motivation to participate actively in Its protection and improvemrenL 4.=kj[: To help individuals and social groups to acquire the skill for sdving environmental problems. 5.Decisinn hdakin: To iniluence decision-making bodies and agencies In developing and strengthening national environmental programmes. 6.Particnnaton: To help individuals and social groups to develop a sense of responsiblity and urgency regarding their roles in the solution of environmental problems. 7.Evaluation Ability: To help individuals and social groups to evaluate environmental measures and education programmes in terms of ecological, economic, social, aesthetic and educational factors. 60 Environmental Action Plan ronmental EducaIo Chapter Sen CONTENT Public Helth (a) Home Environment: o Heath and Hygiene in the Home * Home Safety and Accidenms o Consumer products and drugs (chemical) e Traditions, beliefs and customs in relation to health In the homes. * Storage and handling of hazardous chemicals. particularly pesticides. (b) School Environment: * Healthiul schod living * Schod safety and accident prevention o Handicapped children (c) Community Environment: * Cormmunity Health * Good neighboualiness and avoidance of nuisance * Refuse and human waste disposal. (d) Work Environment: O Industrial diseases and occupational hazards. o First aid and MedIcal care at work places * Storage and handling of hazardous chemicals. |j e) Environmental Health Surveillance and Monitoring: o Environmental Health management (public health standards and legislation, policy and planning etc.) Natural Resources Management of natural resources in general: * acquisition. aNocation and management of land; * agricultural practices and their effects on the environment; sod conservation; actions to combat desenilication; * sustainatle utilisation of forest resources; management of forest reserves; * types, uses, conservation and management of wildlife; * sources. distribution. conservation and management of water, * nature, modes of exploitation and conseration of nineral resources; * energy types, sources and methods of energy conservation. Population Dynamics o Population structure, growth and trends and associated problems. Human Settlements * Communities and their planning - infrastructure and housing; Environmental Action Plan 61 Chapter Seven Envlronetal Educatic * Urbanisation and Its problems: water supply. refuse and waste disposal. pollution. trafft recreational faclities (Parks, and play grounds); * Environmentai practices to mitigate coastal and marine pollution. Industrlallsalon * Proper siting of Industrles and their effect on the environment; * Industrial waste disposal. Environmental Management * Environmental policy, environmental quality contrd, Integrated planning and develor ment. environmental ethics and laws. METHODS OF DISSEMINATION 1.The Mas Media (a) Radio and T.V. discussions, talks and dranm (b) Film Shows and videos (c) Artkies in Newspapers. periodicals and magazines. 2. Interpersonal Communications (a) Public lectures, symposia and seminars. (b) Workshops. (c) Plays and skits. (d) Discussion groups. (e) House visits by. (i) Putblc Health AuthoritIes. (,I) Extension Officers. (Ill) Voluntary Leaders. 3. Speciftic wten mtereL ' In the past. EPC has taken a leading role In promoting and coordinating nontormal environmental education in the country. Many other groups have also become Invotved. Futr programs In this area wlil invdve even more groups. including the Nonformoa Education Unit of the MiLstry of Education, the Ministry of Information, the Deparmernt of Community Development and Social Welfae, Gsrict Assemblies, Extension Officers. NGOs ard comnnuniry groups. There Is a need to coordinate the activtiles of a-l these groups and to focus attention on the environmenta education of district and local authorities. FORMAL EDUCATION A detailed program for environmental education In the primary, middle, junior seconrdary and senior secondary schools has been prepared and adopted by the Ministry of Education in collaboration with EPC and other agencies. Environmental education will not be taught as a separme subject in schods but rather through the Interpretaion of the syllabuses for the different subjects. For example, the concept and function of ecosystems can be explained in the teaching of relevant aspects of agriculture. geography, biology, soil science, Etc. Such an approach helps pupils to understand that environmental protection Is pan of the normal activities of life. Pupils will also be encouraged to join the various Environmental Clubs In schools. Parent-Teacher Associabtions (PTA) will be encouraced to -articipate in practical environmental protecion activities with the pupils. 62 Environmental Action Plan Eauvirnma_t.I Educaton ChprSawn A. PRIMARY LEVEL OBJECTIVES The objectives of Environmental Education at the Primary Level will indlude the following: 1. To help chidren to acquire a basic understanding of the environment (physical. cuitural. aesthetic and man-madel. 2. To help children develop an appreciation of the environment 3. To help children acquire a concom lor the environment and its allied problems. 4. To help children acquire positive attitude to and develop a sense of responsibility towards the errvironment. 5. To encourage chldren to contrIbute to the preservation of a dean environment. CONTENT AREAS/SUBJECT EMPHASIS Concept of the environment: Natural, physal, cultural, aesthetic and man-made. Environmental Problems: * Homne and the school: - Refuse and human waste disposal - Source and storage of water - Preparation and preservation of food. * The community - (Vllage, Town, City): a) Pollution of the *nvironment - land, rivem, lakes/dams, lagoons, mm, drains, etc.e- Refduse and solid waste disposal -Pesficides - Or chemicals - Nose - Trafic b) Environmnntal DIsees:- - Malaria - River Blindness - Blharzda - influenza. etc. c) Effects of degradation of land and forest:- - So erosion - Degdatlon of forest; effects on wildlie - Indiscriminate buLsh buming d) Avoidance of waste In the use of resources:- - Water - Electricity - Fuel - Food Environmental Action Plan 63 Chapter Seven Environmental Educaton METHOD OF INSTRUCTION The topics Indicated above wUl be treated during science and environmental studies classes. Pupis will be exposed to the possible solutions for keeping the environment safe and pleasant to live In. Emphasis In treatment will be on what the lIndMdual chld can do to ensure personal health and preserve his surroundings from destruction and deterioration. Topics will be selected and treated based on the background of the pupids and the particular environment in which they live. B.MIDDLE AND JUNIOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS OBJECTIVES Environmental educatlon at the Junior Secondary School levels will aim at helping pupiis in the following: 1. To understand the meaning of the term environment In its totality. i.e.. physical, human, social. cultural and psychological aspects; 2. to appreciate the relationship between man and the environment; 3. to be aware of the limitations which the environment imposes on man's actions and activities as well as the opportunities which It offers to man for the improvement and enhancement of the quality of his life: 4. to understand the special problems of the local and the national environment and the most effective ways of dealing with these problems; 5. to appreciate the relationship between environmental science and other sciences and disciplines e.g.. biological, physical and social sciences; 6. to understand and appreciate the fact that the environment as a resource is heritage for all rmankind, presentaswell asfuture generations, and it isthereforethe responsibdity of every generationto ensure that it is not needlessly depleted or abused. CONTENT AREAS Concept ot the Environment: - Naturai physical environment, human additions and modifications; natural environrnent and rnan-made environmenL Components ot the Environment: - Lithosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere and biosphere: Structure, composition and workings of each, man in relation to the rest of the biosphere, ecological interrelationships. Natura. Resources: - Nature. use and conservation of natural resources. Pollution and Environmental Degradation: - Problems arising from poverty, ignorance and underdevelopment O insanitary conditions, lack of potable water and its consequences; o human pollution of rivers; O improper exploitation of natural resources; - Problems associated with advancement and modemisation: O industrial pollution and abatement methods; * over-exploitatlon of natural resources: * special problems of urbanisation - noise, transport, housing, social maladjustment, waste disposal, etc. 64 Environmental Acton Plan ! Environmental Education Chapter Seven Environmental Policy and Practices: The roles of EPC and other bodles. 1or example, the Factory Inspectorate. Ciy and District Assemblies. Town Development Committees, Ministry of Health. Department of Gaame and Wlcdlife, Depaitment od Forestry. Schools and Individuals: environment management tools. e.g.. Environmental Impact Assessment, environmentai quallty standards, etc. * Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use: (a) Impact of agricultural practices, good and bad, buming of grass and bush, rotation of crops, mechanisation. the use of blocides (insecticides, herbicides. etc.) fertillsers. new seed varieties; (b) elfect of changes in land use pattems, population density and redistribution: (C) advantages and disadvantages of dams and irrigation. (d) erosion and soD degradation resulting from improper methods of land use; (e) importance of forest reserves and vegeation cover and conservation of the ecosystems. ff( agricultural waste disposal. (g) land tenure. I Urban and Rural Environment | Problems of rural and urban environment viewed in relation to different kinds of human activities and varying levels of population concentration; role of local government. Problems of social Y ! Inter-relationship and social responsibly 3 |(a)Urban: tRole of local govemment (District and Metropolitan Assemblies): town planning, housing, traflic, refuse and human waste disposal. markets, schools, recreational facilities, open spaces; services and infrastructuraJ facilities, for example, water supply, electricity. transpolt and communications; limits to urban growth: problems of socia Interrelationships and social responsibility. (b) Rural: Advantages and disadvantages of rura life; effects of rural-urban migration on the rural areas: lack of services, recreational and other ihfrastruural faciities; problems created by custorns, traditions and values; lack of good drinking water, transportation and communication; ways of improving quality of J rura life; role of local govemment (town and village conmmitees) and town planning. Diseases associated with the environment Water bome diseases. e.g., river blindness, malaria, trypanosomiasis. helminthic diseases. Al i gastrO-enterltls. chdlera; occupational diseases and diseases associated with ndustrj e.g. silicosis and asbestosis. Energy Resources: Fossil fuels, firewood, charcoal biogas, wind, solar and nuclear energy; effects of exploltation and pollution: air polutants .rom fossl fuels: thennal polukman of water, land pollution from wastes, ash and other residue: energy availability in relation to demand. conservation practices an polici. METHODS OF !NSTRUCTION I) In addEion to classroom lessons, simple experiments can be carried out In the laboratory and In the field. Lessons wUI be reinforced wih audiovisual materals, field sts to sites and areas as wal as to places of scenic. aesthtic or scientfic ntrest, simple dramas and plays. I The programme of instruction wil start with basic concepts of what constitutes the environment. pollution and conservation. After the basic concepts have been taught, topics can be selected in any order from section II depending on the background of pupils in related subjects n Environmental Action P an 65 Chapler Seven Environntl Educatlon C. SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL OBJECTIVES The objectives of Environmentl Education at the Secondary level will be to help students in the following respects: 1. to acquire a deeper understanding of the environment and Its associated problems; 2. to gain a variety of experience with different environmental siuations and r'oblems; 3. to develop a keen and Informed concem for the environment and the motivation for actively participating in environmental protection and improvement; 4. to develop a sense of responsibility and urgency regarding environmental problems and to ensure appropriate action towards solutions: 5. to acquire the ability to evaluate the effects of measures taken to preserve and improve the quality of the environment: 6. to appreciate the relationship between envimnmental science and other sciences and disciplines e.g. biological, physical and social sciences. CONTENT AREAS AND METHOD OF INSTRUCTION Content areas for the Senior Secondary School level are indicated in the following tables. It is recommended that the topics should be treated in the context of the appropriate subject areas as stipulated by the relevant sylabuses. For example, the concept of natural ecosystems should be treatedas partof thesciences (biology, soil science, chemistry, physics, geography. agriculture, etc.). D. THIRD CYCLE INSTITUTIONS The need for training middle-level as well as specialist personnel in the various sectors of natural resource management has been recognised by all the universities in the country. New departments and institutes have already been created to address this need, while in other cases course contents have been modified to reflect the growing concem about resource management and environmental conservation. Other third cyde and senior management training institutions have Indicated their readiness to organise tailor-made courses to meet specific needs In environmental education and training. ss, z-ACTIO~~NS sow I')A 1. EPC will reactivate its Enviromen Education ee This Committee wil develop a coordinared program of nonformal ncati on to be implemented over the Plan period. 2. EPC wil prepare and implemnent a program of nonformal environmental education directed at the district and community level. through the use of mobile teams to be established in the EPC regional offices. EPC will also prepare and disseminate training materials including posters, songs, drama scripts, videos, etc. 3. EPC wfrl erviblcsh and maintain an Enpironm envIntamatters.entre to provide documeftationr and referrwl services to the geneai public on environmental nmatteio In particuar. data on the efforns that have already been made at agro-forestry and social forestry in the country by several Insttutions and agencies including NGO's will be collated, documented and disseminated. 4. EPC will prepare and publish, starting in 1992. an Annual State of the Environment in Ghana. EPC wil also initiate publication of a monthly newsletter and a quarterly environmental journal. Audio-visual materias aimed at raising the environmental consciousness of the general public and to provide information support for environmenta education programmes will be developed. A Public Information Desk will be maintained to prepare dossiers and other releases for the media periodically. 66 Environmental Action Plan FEvronmentaI Education Chapt rSeven Also, a pemanent exhibition on the environmerit will be maintained for the oeneral public and particuldly for schools and colleges. 5. The Mhicty of Education will implerment the proposed program of formal ervironmentai education at the primary, middle. junior secondary and enior secondary levels. 6. ThIrd cyde InstItuons wil be strengthened with respect to equipment, staffing and logistic support In order to train personnel locally and also to address local problems more effectively. Land managemernt forestry. wvdlife, and water management agencies chould lIaise with these training 1nsUtons to develop appropriate courses to address their needs In the solution of local problems. 7. To Increase the effectveness of environmental education. prommmes wil be Initiated to train tee blswlth the vlew to Increasing the multiplier effect of the ernironmental awareness campaign. Teaching methods of environmental education wUl be emphasised In an Teacher Tralning Colleges In the country. Conservation Education Officers will also be trained at loc Institutions. Agrolorestry will be introduced Into the curricula of all agricultural training institutions. Training on environmental aspects of human setetements will be provided in polytechnics and technical Institutions. B. Baseline studies on people's perceptions and knowAedge of Ghana's environmental problems shou d be conducted, to serve as a basis for future evaluation of the effectiveness of environmental education programmes. SECONDARY SCHOOL LEVEL CONTENT AREASIGUIDEUENS CONTENT GUIDEUNES i. Concept of the environrent natural. The Ecosystems concept: Climate; animals: plants; Physical, cultural and man-made. man; so. 2. Natural Ecosystems Local. country and worlid a) Land Ecosystems 1) Flora and Fauna: the concept of succession and cilmac forest Utilization 2) Sod: Nature and types of soi In agridculture; Plant nutrients and the BiogeochemicaW cycle 3 3) Minerals: Nature and types of mneral wealth b) Freshwater Ecosystemns Rivers, springs. lakes in their natural state and the effect of man on them: water pollution c) Estuarine Ecosystems Special features of estuaries, e.g.. tidal flows and mryxohaiine conditions; estuarine pollution, ecology of estuaries. d) Marine Ecosystems Marine environment. physical chemical and biological. marine pollution. 3. Atmosphere The air around us components and balance 4. Population Dynamics Structure. growth and trends and assocated problems: age distribution; labour orce, rural vs urban; problems associated with over-popuation; population policy. Environmental Action Plan 67 Chapter Seven Environmental Educatic 5. Land Use and Conservation Farming practices (e.g. shiting cultvation; crop a) Agriculture rotation, mechanization) and their effect on the environment e.g.. erosion and soil deogradation. residual effect of feniters (eutrophication), effect uf pest'cldes, effect of land clearing In water resources. b) Forest 1. Forest and game reserves, the need for them and the associated conservation practices. 2. Indiscriminate utilization of forest resources and the effect on the environment. c) Minerals & mineral aggregates Exploitation and ITs effects on the environment. control measures. d) Effect of degradation Erosion, desertilcation, effect of open cast mnining 6. Communities and their planning Town Pl;nning; intnastructure and housing; water supply. - Asm and human waste disposal: urbanisvs end its antecedent environmental problemL. .-, ;and-its effect on the environment e.g. air pollutaon. noise. etc. 7. Industrialization Establishment and development of Industries; effect on the environment. e.g.. pollution and population movement, exploitatlon of natural resources. industrial waste disposal. 8. Public Health Health facilities. superstitious belifs and practices In relation to health hazard resulting from misuse I ' and podlution of the components of the environment Industrial diseases and occupational hazard; '* drig addlctiorn 9. Environmental Marngement Irtegrated planning and development. pollution and environmnental quality control, public policy, environmental ethics and laws. 1o. Project work by students Clean-up campaigns, maintenance of sources of water, tree planting, prevention of soil erosion. 68 Environmental Action Plai CHAPTER 8 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING luman use systems are in a constant state of flux. The need to obtain information about the invironment. involving a three-dimensional space, time and an imprecise fourth dimension ,erceptlons, and about environmental processes, both man-rade and natural. therefore. includes he need to describe change. There Is need for a sound knowAedge about the resource factors *hemselves - where they are, how much there is, and In what state - arnJ of all the interacting elements rvithin the frame-woric of development There is also the need lor knowledge about how the anvironenert Is being modified as a result of the various human use systems. This is necessary to snsure that resource exploitation does not exceed the natural resilience of the environment. EEffactive environmental control requires a "holistic' knowledge reflecting a synthesis of the biological 3nd physical factors. Environmental assessments must also Include social and economic factors althin an institutional arrangement that permits appraisal of alternatives in terms of anticipated :onsequences, Although the needs and desires of people mnay vary from one place to another, the national data base on ren-ources and environmental quality. even It dispersed, must be responsive to :hat variation. ISSUES: DAlA AVAILABIUTY A fair amount of environrmental data already exist in the country. However, these are scattered and tso a arge extent not co-ordinated, liaving been gathered by dffferent organisations for specific Purposes. Water quallty data, on tne whole, appears to be quite adequate, although gaps exist in the rime series data &s a result of the problems enumerated above. It Is thermlore recommended that projects be put In hand to ensure that gaps are filled. weaknesses removed and the range of data being collected expanded to cover all relevant environmental indicators. These should address pani,u1arly groundwater, water quality, sediment transport and biological datL. Also, the EPC will collaborate with the Meteorological Services Department to collect and analyse precipitation data on a more irequent basis. Routine measurement of pH. nitrate. sulphate etc.. (in trifall) will also be undertaken. Ger.erally an extensive monitoring of the air and water quality is required in Ghana so that a base period can be set to serve as basis for comparison in the future. On a long-term basis. the research institutions and the universities in the country will be involved in monitoring ot environmenial change. Ouality assurance results and uncertainty estimates will be included in the repoting in order to establish the reliability of the data A major short-coming or the overall monhoring system is the lack of a common framework. Also the scope of data collected does not provide information on the social, cultural and economic aspects of the human environment in a method which permits determination of inter-relationships. The environment is the summation of what exists in an area. Thus, an assessment of the human environment or an analysis of environmental surtabiliy for an!rmals and plants requires consideration of all factors which affect their existence. and vice versa. DATA GATHERING Over the years a number of agencies and institutions have been s3t up to gather data on a routine basis about natural resource factors and various environmental phenomena in Ghana. In addition a large amount of project-oriented data also exists in the files of several organisations. However, the general economic decline that the country experienced in the recent past has great!y affected the operations of all the institutions that gather data. All the lead institutions responsible for data colection in the area of land and water resources lack the very basic facilUies for efficient operatiorn Most obser-ation and ancillary equipmant have broken down or are non-existentL Environmental Action Plan 69 inapter rugnL Envlronmental Monitoring AIso mechanisms for archivng the data gathered, whether manual or automated, have also broken down. This has led to difficulties of retrieval and serious gaps in the data. Other problems incluae Inadequate funds, lack of requisite manpower, and poor remuneration tor staff at posL Some amount of duplication also exists. Often the same types of data are gathered by dlfferent agencles. One reason for this that most of the time programmes being carried out by agencies are not known to others. In some cases, too, the strict requirements for a particular prolect-oriented end use may not be adequately met by the riosting network and systems. In such circumstances data have been collected and held by the organisation commissloning the project Such a situation leads to Inefficient use of scarce resources. RECOMMENDED ACTIONS: 1. Monitoring Networks The Environmental Protection CouncH will not be a data collection aqpncy. Various agencies hava been charged with the responsibilty of gathering environmental data e.i Ghana. It is only where no agency collects a specific data that EPC wil undertake or commission an institution to do so. These agencies wil serve as nodes of the environmental data base network. The real need now is to strengthen the networks wlth the provision of the required needs. Govemment wUI designate, as appropriate, and support lead agencies in the various data categories. Inter-agency co-operation wii be strengthened to promote co-operation in ioint prngrammes In data gathering at sites o1 common The monitoring programme (system) to be established will support the dffferent environmental management programs of EPC. The suppon will be extended to the whole network to ensure that the data is made available to al! users Under the overall co-ordination cdl the EPC additional nodes will be established for the rouitnre monitoring of the following areas: * Land cover/land use a Indusi environment 3 Human Settlements _ Energy deveopment and use e Agriculture * Critical ecosye:nst *o Socloecononic siatn. The objectives for sting up these networks and those already In existence will be to: ) G;enerate a time-seres of baseline data forthe measurement of change, to predictfuture staus, and for setting standads, where these do not already exist IQ) Provide a database for planning programmes for the prevention and controL of pdiution; i) Provide a database for prdicy formnuation, reguations, guidelines, and the development of public education programmes; ,,h Assess compliance wlth environmental regulations and legisation; v) Assess the success of environmenta Improvement programmes. In locations where there are exsting monitoring stations, the operator agencies wil be reuired to Include parameters that nay be d inter to other users Appropriate contractual agreerents wi be made to enable agencies to collect specific data on behalf of othes Under this arangement instiutes of the Council for SclentMic andi industrial Research, the Mines DeparTmen, the meropoltan autritlesand university departments. wi be asked to carry out measurements forthe EPCaccorilng - to specifications and fomats developed in consutaton with the Councl. There is therfo a need fora technical advisory comnmie to assit the monitinprogramme. The commitewil comprl9e experts from the different nodes of the network to look at data format. specificatlons, compatiilily of the data layers etc. ~ O 0 Environmental dMon Plait nrvironmeuftl Monitoring Cimr Eigh 2. Levels of Monitoring .wo broad levels of monitcring are proposed: a) Synoptic Monitoring The following aspects of the environment will be montored: * changes In forest cover (deforestatlonaflores1ation): e ecotone dynamics; e vegetation stress; * ;and use; e bushfire; * impacted areas; * surface witer (areai extent); * lake eutrophicatlon; * urban areas; * iand degradation. e Climate Foeld data will be supplemented with and Integrated into remote sensing data. A complete set of land resource satellite l rnagery wil be acquired for the entire country tD be used to obtain Inrormation about the current status of natural resources and the environnernt The Irnonnatbon will serve as the baseline for Iutre monioring. After this Initial assessnme detaied studies wil be made of areas thar may be found to have been afdectd as a result of wIronmental deterioration. The assessmernt wil be compIemented with systematic aerial surveys and ground checks. To facitte this. efforts being mnade by the EPC and the Department of Geography and Resource Deveiopmenst of thB Universty of Ghana to build a natrio remote sensing capabilty wil be further suppored. In addition, all Geogaphic Informtion Systms and remote sensing actites In different pars of the country wll be considered when data colection for monronng Is being considered eg. NDPC. Forestry Departn Soil Research Institute. Cocoa Services Dision etc. (b) Health-related Monitoring Programme ) Waer Quaty monorin This aspect d the mntoring progmmewill conrom itlf wth the irnpacts of usage on wate quaity. twil draw onthe network of montring sttons operated bythe Meteorological Services Deparment (MSD). Architectural ard Engineering Sewvics Corporatn (AESC). Water Resources Research Irstitte (WRRI). Instute of Aquatic Bidoogy (lAB) and the Water and Sewage Corporation (GWSC). Of particulr Interest will be stations near settfements in order to mnaawr the qualty of water used. as wel as the inpact of various poLlutanis on the quality of water resources Specific delails ot the water monitoring programme are Indicated under the Water Management saction of Chapter S. Selected stations wgl report basic water quality data and data on toxdc substnces such as hevy metlas and pestcides In dvr streams, kes. reservois and In groundater. These reports wil be colled by the EPC and analysed together wth other relevant datL The objective wE be to assess the sutablity of water for various uses in order for appropriate measures to be put in plc OIQ) Air Qualty Monioring The air mnItorn programme od the EPC wil be xpandied Two monito netw wE be establshed: Envlronmentat AcIoNc P18n1 ---' --- 71 Clupter Eight Environmental Monitoring * Ambient air pollution (air mass stations):- Background monitoring Baseline monitoring * Impact alr pollution (special source stations) Baseline monitoring will assess levels of pollutants In areas which are not directly Influenced by anthropogenic sources. This will help In determining what exists naturally and In Identifying new" pollutants. The monitoring stations will be established away from major settlements. Background monitoring will be for the major pollutants known to exist in Ghana to study trends, set standards and to monitor the effect of control measures. Impdct air pollution monitoring In the environs of major industrial establishments will be undertaken. Industries that will be given priority attention include the gold mines. aluminium processing and cement works. The pollutants to be monitored will Include sulphur dioxide. oxides of nitrogen, oxides of carbon. (total) suspended particulates, acid deposition, heavy metals (mercury, lead. and cadmium), respirable and setUeable dusL Monitoring of occupational exposure to dust. toxic paniculates. particularly lead, asbestos and other toxicpollutants inindustrywUl becarried outin co-operationwith Factoryinspectorate. The objective wiii iie wu uiuiair} iniurmaF1iLu aLouE ievei5 in workers, and to correiaze these with levels in the environment Occupational exposure of mine workers to dust, arsenic and othier zoxic-paniculates wUIl also be monitored in co-operation with the Mines Department (lii) Emision Inventory Assessment of quality and nature of pollutants actually emitted by industry before dispersion Into environmental media is essential for regional environmental managemenL This will enable the EPC to ascefin the contribution of each source to the overall pollution load. It will make It possible to determine in real terms the level of financial responsibility of industry in pollution control measures based on the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP). In this regard a listing and description of air pollution sources. including an estimated pollutant emission quantification, will be compiled. For this purpose the following data will be gathered: * Geographical and geophysical data; * Production data; _ Data on traffic; - Data on point sources; 3 Data on the size of the emissions or emission factors; * Data on the nature of the emitted pollutants. The compilationwil be carried out by the EPC in cdlaboration with the Ministry of Industries. Science and Technology. The inventory will be computerised to allow for quick up-dating as new data or new sources appear. (iv) Noise Monitoring Problems of noise have not received any serious attention in Ghana and information, even on background levels, is seriously lacking. Preliminary studies conducted by the EPC In Accra indicate that noise levels in several parts of the city are generally higher than the pemnissible levels recommended by the relevant international agencies. Noise is a by-product of industrialisation and modernisation. However, this is not an unavoidable problem givn the state of present-day technology. Urgent action will be taken tc prevent the 72 Ernvironmental Action Plan invlronmentl Maonitoring Chapter Eight worsening of the situation as the national economy gathers momentum and the standard of living for a broad cross-section oa the population Improves. A progmmmp on noise will Irnolve the blolwing: 1. Noise level surveys with the view to drawing noise maps for the major urban areas and cities to aid In planning and siting facilitles; 2. Assess outdoor noise with respect to community response with the view to establishing "acceptabie leveis for the purposes of setting standards for ambler: noise; 3. Develop national standards and legislation on outdoor noise: 4. Enact and enforce legislation on industri noise comparable to International standards; 5. Create awareness of the nuisance and hazards of noise among the general public: 6. Establish a network of stations to monitor trends. (v) Food Contamination Food is a good Indicator of the qualtty of the environment In which it Is produced. Chemical contaminants present In food may arise from Industrial pollution In the environment, from agricultural practices. and from food processing. In addition, some chemical contaminants nay originate from natural geological formations or from fungal contamination. These represent a potential hazard for human health as well as an impediment to the exportation of tood. Thne EPC wdl Inftlate a prDgramme to monitor the levels of chemicals In food. The programme wil Involve, among others, the Ghana Standards Board, the Food Research Institute ard the Biochemistry Departments of the universities. The objectives of the programme will be to: a) Establish a baseline and determine changes In the levels of a food contaminant with time: b) Give an indicaticn of the effectiveness of measures Introduced to reduce food contamination; c) Check that levels of contaminants In food do not exceed established standards or guidelines; d) Assist in the development of a system of food control capable d protecting the consumerfrom health hazards and commercial fraud; e) Control and monitor environmental pollution from Industrial and agricultural chemicals generally. A priority list of contaminants to be monitored will be established based on chemicals known to be In use in the country by industry, agriculture, and from urban centres. and also based on the persistence, ubiquity, and abundance of identified contamirnaing agents in the environment. as will be established by the intial surveys. DATA MANAGEMENT AND SYNTHlESIS Efficient information flow is absolutely critical within any network, and for decision making. This wil be particularly important for a decentralised monitoring network comprising autonomous entites. To fkailtate the effective management of the environment a National Environmental Information System (NEIS) wDi be established within the EPC. Al the instituions participating In the monitoring network and those gathering other natural resource and environmental data will be required by legislation to fhmish the EPC with prescribed data periodically. The functions for the system wil be to: i. Provide an information referral service on a wide range of environmental subjects: 2. Serve as a readly accessible archive of homogeneous data sets on environmental qualIy' 3. Provide organised data and Information on the state of the environmnet and to serve as Information support for devdlopment planning; Emnronmental Acfion Plan 73 Chapter Eight Environmental Monitoring 4. Provide a means for early wr.ning and evaluating the Impact ol development activities and environmental Improvement initiatives; S. Provide inputs for environmental education programmes. The system will offer the follovwng services: (a) Relfel Service The refenal service will locate sources of environmental data and Intormation wlShout having to move them, and assist potentiai users to have access to therm. To this end a register of national sources of environmental Inlormation wUi be compiled and published. The original sectoral data wll be maintained by the agencies generating them. PotentW users of the wide range of environmental Information that would be made available through the system would be able to access the Informatlon directly using the register (directory) of sources, or through the services of NEIS. (b) Data Bank A computer-based archMng and retrieval of raw environmental data will be set up. Forthe monitoring network stations operatecd by other agencies, only summaries and syntheses of the orlginal data will iw iiuiu ai ihe EFC. These daa sers wii be noid and provided on -as isr basis. The aim wii oe to build up a base of substantive hiformation to facilitate their dissemination and use by the wider public and for planning applications. Data bases will also be established for the air, water and food monitoring programmes. Where appropriate, data received from the various agencies wUl be processed into a geographical infomation system (GIS) lomnatforease of companson and synthesis. The data base wil thus contain environmental data items described by theirattributes (i.e... what they represent). geographic location (by longitude and latitude, or any reference system that may be deemed appropriate), and their variation in space. (c) Data Synthesis The databases wW be used for assessments and analyses of environmental problems and the state , - of natural resources. It will offer Information support to researchers and resource managers, assist in preparing forecasts, environmental policy development and in environmental monitoring and inpact analyses. (d) Publications and Infomnation Support The following publications will be issued periodicaMy. _ information bulletins and newsletters; , fact sheets; * technical buLiletins; * technical repons. In addition, and In collaboration with other agencies, an annual National Environmental Data Report series gMng indications of the quality of the environrment wil be published. INDICATORS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE For effective monitring of changes in the quality of land, baseline data and Information wil be sysnimatically collected for existing and future research studies. Change, positive or negative, is determined in relation to some previously existing state. Monitorng systems are intended to give an indication of changes in an ecosystem, orthe environment asa whole. and in particular to give a waming of possible deterioration. 74 Environmental Action Plan _~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~M _ _NW Envlwrnmwul Monitoring Chpter Eight To monitor changes in the quality of the environment the foilowing characteristics and parameters indicative o! change will be assessed and measured: LAND AND LAND COVER Soll Quality Change * Alkalinity * Salinity * Organic matter * Erosion (sheet. rnl, guiley and wind erosion) * Surfce cover of Iron pans * Surface cover of rocks * Vlgour of crop growth * Appearance and frequency of Indicator species _ Crop Yleldc Forests * Canopy cover * Openness * Frequency/densty of fire tdoerant species * Humidity and soil moisture * Change in regeneration of common species Savanna . Density/frequency/cover of annual species * Canopy cover of wood spis * Frequency/density of fire resistant species * Reduced overall cover * Frequencyidensity f indicator species Rangeland * Frequency/density of palatable species * Frequency/density of toxic species Xn interesting indicator of vegetation change may be the presence or absence of various vidlte species. Just as some species are exclusively savanna and some torest species so some forest ;pecies prefer or are more abundarnt in dosed forest than in secondary forest. Wih better knovAedge 3f our widlife populations, therefore, i rmay be possible to reLat the presence of absence of certin species of wildlife to various degrees of disturbance or changes In the vegetatiL Zflmate * Temperature * Rain * Humidity * Sol Temperature Environmental AcUon Plan 75 Chapter Eight Environmental Mantorlnc * Evaporation e Radiation * Sunshine hours An indicator of savanna woodland degradation which unsophis- licated peoo,Jo may understand ma, be smount of fuelwood obtained from farm land clearing. The situatIon of farmers digging tree root= for fuel during farm land dearing Is a good Indlcator of deforestation approdching desertlflcatior condiions. Land Use Change * Proponional acreages under the different land use systems o Introduction of new uses of land. WILDL!FE POPULATIONS AND HABITATS In view of the value of wildlife species as environmental Indicators, and the dearth of Intomnation on Ghana's wid animal populations. appropriate mechanisms will be established for the following: a) long-term monitoring of wld animal populations; and b) assessment and long-term monitoring of the effects of pollution (fro-m industrial and domestlic wastes) and agro-chemicals on wildlife. In the dense dosed forests and in most of the savanna woodlands. except during the dry season when the grass has been burnt, animal populations will be monitored from the ground. The following indicators of endangerment will be used: * numbers of the different species recorded: *composition and condition of species in relation to the size and nature of the habitat: l pressure from hunting. export. etc. as indicated by licences. market surveys and other ob- servations. ' MChanges in habitat wfll be monitored by way of vegetation changes and changes in other habitat factors such as water, predators. etc. WATER QUALITY v microbidogical indicators; e pariculate matter, * organic pollution indicators; . temperature; * salinity and specific ions; * inorganic micro-polutants: * organic micro-pollutaras: * pesticides. MARINE AND COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS The following indicators will be used for monitoring the marine and coastal environments: Coastal processes (a) Meteorological indices, e.g. wind. wave characteristics, temperature. (b) Sediment budget i.e., river sediment discharges. longshore and onshore/offshore sediment movement. (c) Beach profiles 76 Environmental Action Plan ,nvironmentall Monitoring Chapter Eight (d) Frequency of use of beaches for recreation. Aarine Pollution (a) 00 slicks and tarballs (petroleum hydrocarbon pollution) (b) ColHorm bacteria (taecal pollution) (c) Pesticrdes (agricultural and Industrial pollution) (d) Shore flora and fauna } (e) Trace elements } domestic. Industrial and (f Nutrients } agricultural pollution (g) Dissolved oxygen } (h) AcIdty Wetland Ecosystems (a) Hydrological indicators: water levels, inflowloutflow rates, sediment trmnsport. (b) limnological Indicators: pH. transparency, colour. conductiity, dissolved oxygen, biochemical/chemical oxygen demand; (c) biological indicators: algae. macrophytes, invtinebratrs. fsh. birds and mammals. Marine fshing resources (a) Daly beach temperatures at selected staLons; (b) weeldy bathythermograph traces; (c) length frequency measurements of fish species of economic importance. Impact oW offshore oil development (a) Oflhore activities: bidoogical communities; 3 physical characteristics of the seabed; o hydrocarbon contamination; * levels of trace metals; * radioactivity In sea water. (b) Onshore activities: s Tarbafls and trace levels of varioLls melals in fauna and Nlora. * oi pollution. impact of urban development (a) Human activities: * rate of immigration into the coastal zone; o impact of beach structures. e.g. harbours. buidings etc; * frequency of beach tecreational activities; * raste of beach sand and clay emxciorL . (b) Environmertal indicators: * Ilmno-chemkal propesties; * sediment transport with respect to rate of erosion inand; * air qualk. Environ mental AcUion Plan 77 Chepler Eight Environmental Mowong * levels of toxic substances In coastal food webs; nuimbers of pathogenic bacteria. Social-Economic Situation Chafacteristics of settlement systems - demogmphy - housing condiJons - characteristics of occupants and levels of living - reglonar soclo-economic system - origin of the people and migratory characteristics - local land tenure system - trends of the traditional husbandry systems. 78 l 78 Environmentel Actlon Plan| CHAPTER 9 ENVIRONMENTAL AC T ION PLAN SUMMARY The following actions wUIl be taken by Govemmen: 1. Adoption of a National Errvironmental Policy; 2 Adoption of a policy agenda consisting of: a) Passage of draft legislation on: 1. Restructuring of EPC. 2. EstablIshmrent of EIA procedure. 3. Revised forestry policy. 4. Revised conservaton legislation. 5. Revised Factory, Shops and Ofrices AcL 6. Legal framework for coastal zone management. 7. Legislation to control hazardous chemicals. B. Establishrent of a Water Resources Commission. ; 9. Revised human settlement pdocy. This draft legislation is presented in Volume Two. b) Preparation and subsequent adoption of draft legislation on the following: 1. Land management policy. (To be prepared by land mranagement structure to be established - see Inst. Strengthening.) *2. Range management policy (Ministry of Agriculture) 3. Fisheries management policy. (Ministry of Agriculture). i 4. Water management policy (lo be prepared by Water Resources Commission). * c) Preparation and subsequent adoption of environmental standards and regulations to Ipemem those standards: 1. Air quality standards (EPC) 2. Water quality standards (EPC) 3. Nloise standards (EPC) 4. Regulations for Water abstraction (To be prepared by WRC) 5. Regulations for the discharge of Pollutants into water bodies. (To be prepared by WRC) S. Mlning regulations (Under Preparation by Minerals Commission). 7. Industrial reguLations (To be prepared by MIST In consultation with EPC and Ghana Standards Board). 3. Implementation of the proposed Investment program together with financing of the assoclated recurrent costs over a ten-year period. The details of this Investment program wil be presented In Volume Three. A summary description is given belowa a) Natural Resource Management 1. Speed up and broaden the curent land registation exercise (ands Commission). 2. SustaIn and enforce current bushfire legislation and strengte control organsaon (District Assemblles). 3. Implement a soiL consevation program with afocus on restoring soi fertility. (Ministry of AgricultWre Environmental AcUon Plan 79 Chapter Nine EAP Sumnary 4. Continue support the Interdepartmental Pesticide Control Programme (EPC). 5. Support current agroforestry programmes, and encourage the development of private and community forests. (Agroforestry Unit., Mh. of Agriculture). 6. Assure sustainable supplies of fuelwood by requiring industries to meet luelwood needs from plantations, and by licensing charcoal burners and commercial fuelwood producers. (District Assemblies). 7. Improve the collection of water cycle data (AESC-Hydro). 8. Expand and update water resources assessment (WRRI). 9. Prepare Water Master Plans for all the river basins of the country. (Ongoing WRRI). 10. Implement measures for the rational management of fish stocks. (Fisheries Department). 11. Establish protected areas to be managed for multiple use in the coastal zone (DIstricr. Assemblias INGOs). 12. Control agricultural development in the coastal zone, with particular reference to the use of agrachemicals and the implementation of soil conservation programs. (District Assemblies). 13. Implement the national Oil Spill Coeningency Plan (Energy Board). 14. Conduct additional research on: effects of mechanizafion on agricultural land (Soil Research Insieute). - effects of agrochemicais on agricultural land (Soil Research Institute). - rangeland degradation (Min. of Agriculture). * - agroforestry, especially with reference to Indigenous species and indigenous agroforestry :. *systems. (I.R.N.R) - Effects of pollution on widlife (Univ. of Ghana, Zoology Dept.) - water-related research including: water pollution; environmental impacts of water resources; siltation resulting from deforestation. soi degradation: and erosion. (Institute of Aquatic Biology). - energy-related research includ3g: household energy use; cha. oal production (Energy Board). b) Managing the Built Environment 1. Conduct post-audits on industries in the coastal zone that appear to be contributing to environmental damage (EPC). 2. Erforce standards and regulations on waste water discl,arges, emissions, and disposal of solid wastes, especially in the coastal zone. (District Assemblies). 3. Support ongoing waste management programmes of the Accra Metropolitan Area District Assemblies, and townships in the coastal zone. 4. Improve urban drainage in the coastl zone. (Ongoing under the Seccr.1 Sector Pro.) (AMAUDistrict Assemblies). 5. Improve the siting of Industries and enforce zoning regulations in the coastal zone. (NDPC). 6. Develop seiected sites in urban areas for recreation and tourism, paiticular in the coasta zone- (AMA). so Environmenall Action Plan -AP Sumnwry Chapter Nlne 7. Imnplement an appropriate strategy for coastal protection, taking into account the effots of other countries In the West Africa sub-region. (AESC-Hydro). 8. Inmpemer.t a coastal zone mfanagement plan. (NDPC). P rcorainue suppon for the National Programme on Chemical Safety (EPC). 10. Review and update the National PhysirlcI Development Framework. (NDPC). 11. Acquire govemment lands in advance of anticipated development needs. (NDPC). 12 P_!t_rca 3c~ ..;elV&JttSm,u iu aui ai rural service centres; reduce congestion in the Accra Metropolitan Area by promoting the development of secondary centres in the coastal zone. (NDPC). 13. lmplcmc- an tiurban sanitation programme in Accra and other urban centres. (Ongoing under Second Urban Sector Prog.) (Min. of Works and Housing). 14. Require commercial houses to provide public places of convenience for their customers. (District Assemblies). 15. Implement urban landscaping and urban forestry programmes. (Parks and Gardens). 16. C. Environmental Education (1) Prepare and implement a program of nonformal environmental education directed at the district and local levels, including the prepaatIon oo training materials. (EPC). (2) Establish an Environmental lnforfnatikn Centre to provide documentation, information and referral services to the general public. (EPC). (3) Prepare and publish an annual report on the State of the Environment in Ghana (EPC). (4) Implement the forrrM e rcnmerma,, educaticn programme in primary, middle, junior secondary and senior secondary schools. (Ministry of Education). (5) Implement environmental education in teacher training institutions (Ministry of Education) (6) Introduce agroforestry in the curriculum of all agricultural training institutions. (Ministry of Education). (7) Provide training in environmenta aspects of human settlements in polytechnics and technica institutions. (Ministry of Education). '3) Condiuct baseline s;udies on i.ate s perceptions and knowledge of the environment. (ISSER). d) Environmental Monitoring (1) Establish data collection networks for land use (NDPC). (2) Establish a computerised data bank of env.;onmental information in the country (EPC). (3) Implement a monitoring programme consisting of: (a) synoptic monitoring of environmernal indicatorsatthe national level; and (b) health-;elated monioringof water quality, air quality, emissions. and noise aW selected sites (EPC). (4) Collect baseline data and monitor changes in wildlife populations. (GWC/NGOs) (5) Monitor the level of chemicals in food (Food Research Institute). (6) Prepare and publish an annual report on National Environmental Data. Environmental Action Plan SI Chapter Nine EAP Sumuriy 4. Strengthening od the Institutions neeo3d to Implement the Plan at the national, regional, district and locai level; and creation of an enabling environmernt for community, private sector and NGO InItiattves In support of the Plan. (a) Strengthen EPC to carry oan Its central role In EAP Implmmentation. (1)Strengthen EPC's capacity to Implsment programs In environmental Impact assessment. environmental monitoring. nonroinal environmental education. and public Informatlon. (2) Complete decentrajlzatlon ol EPC to the regional level, with mobile teams to reach th. district and community level on demand. (b) Strengthen NDPC to carry ou its role In Plan Implementation (NDPC to prepare proposals). (1) Strengthen NDPC's Spatial Planning Division through the establishment of a Humn Settements Unit. (2) Establish District Development Planning Units. (c) Establish an institutional framework for Integrated land management and land use planning. (EPC). (d) Strengthen selected sectoral agencies. (1) Strengthaen Forestry Department and Game and W;cilffe Department (Forestry Research Management Project). (2) Strengthen AESC-Hydro to Implement water ranagement regulat.ans. (3) Strengthen Factory inspectorate to Implement revised Factorius, Shops and Offices Ac.L (4) Strengthen DepL of Mines to Implement revised mining regulations (UNDP-Financed On-going). (5) &-rengthen third cyde training institutions to carry out programs n- ,invIu:-ilmenthl education (EPC). (6) Strengthen institutions involved In data collection for environrun:al monitoring (Survey Dept.). (a) Strengthen interagency coordination/ (1) Improve cooperation between EPC. Mln. of Industry, Ghanr 1.1etramnt Centre. Town and Country Planning Dept. and local aLitho!ites to c"cu L.2. , e6..;ailons are adhered to In siting lndustres/ (2) Reactivate EPC's Environmental Education Commdtee so coordinate vne planning and Implementation of non-formna environmental education programs. (3) Promote joint programmes in enironmentl data gathering at sites of common InteresL * ffl Establish and suppon District Environmental Management Committees and Community Erivironmental Committees. (g) Encourage environmental Iniftaes by community groups and NGOs. 82 Environmental AL-ion Plan CHAPTER 10 IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY The Environmental Aton Plan Is to be Implemented over a ten year period from 1 sl January 1991 to 315t December 2000. The first Two year., 1991-1992 wi be the stt up phase to be devoted to moblbation of resources and support and astance frm the Donor Community. There woLdd be a mid-term review at the end of 1995 to take stock, assess progrems or othewise and plan redirection. tt Is expeced that Government wil adopt the National Enironmental Policy and the proposed policy agenda as listed under EAP Action Plan Summary and that this agenda wil be carried oUt during the stat up phase. The Environmental Protection Councl. the Govemment nstiution that advises and co-ordinates all environmental related Issues In the coumry, will be the overall co-ordinatlng body for Plan Implementation. However, other Institutons and bodies like the National Development Planning Commission and the District Assembiles wil play very Important roles. The Role of the EPC To enhance the effectveness of the EPC as the custodian of the nationwl environment, and the co-ordinator of all acthtles relating, to the environment. Govemrnent will reiew the status of the Council, Including Its placement wlthin the adminislative machinery of the country. Speically, the EPC wll be strengthened technically, administratvy and leglly for the purpose od facltating bts tasks as regards the following: - establishment of standards and guidelines relating to the pollution of air. water. Iand and other forms of environmernal pollution including the discharge of wastes and the corod of toxic substances; * authority to request co-operaton from any govemmental mkity or other Instutlonk . authority to perfonn monioring, inspection and ensure law enforcement In co-operation with other law enforement agencies. . Implementation of the EIA process; * implementation of the environmental monkoring system; implementation df a programme of nonfommal environmental education; * implementation of a public Idormation programme. Some specific implementation programmes/projects by NDPC - Reviw and update the National Physical Development Framework. * Implement a coastl zone management plan (collaborating with DAs and NGOs). * Reinforce selected settlemenms to act as rural service cemres; reduce congestion In the Accra Metropolitan Area by promoting the development of secondary centres In the oas- tal zone. * Improve the siting of industries and enforcs zoning regulations In the coastl zone (colla- borating with DAs). The Role of Sectoral Agencies/lnsttuons Various ministries and agencies who manage some sector of the nural and bult enviwront will "iplement sowme actions in the Plan's implerrenaionr Notable among these ae the Minstry d Agricuture, Forestry Dept. Natiorna Energy Board. the lanrds Comm and some rserch Environmental Action Plan 83 ChaptwrTn Implernentstion Strteogy Ministy of Agricultue: * Implement a soil conservation programme wtth a focus on restoring soil ftrtlity. * Continue to support the Interdepartmental Pesticide Control Programme (collaborating wlth EPC/GAEC) * Support currant agrofostry programmes and encourage the development of prvate and community forests. (Agroforestry Unit with support from Forestry Department) * Implement measures for the rational management of fish stocks, lands Commlislon: * Acquire govemment lands In advance of anticipated development needs (collaborating with NDPC). * Speed up and broaden the curent land registration exercise. National Energy Board: * Implement the National Oil Spil Contingency Plan (collaborating with EPC and Ministry of TransportNavy) Ministy al Works and Housing: * Implement an urban sanitation programme in Accra and other service centres. Department of Parks and Gardens: * Implement urban landscaping and urban forestry programmes (with NGOs) AESC - Hydro: * Im!ament an appropriate strategy for coastal protection, taking Into accourn the efforts of ofer countries in the West African Sub-region. , .. Role of Research Instituions: Under the Plan's implemerntation, some research instutions will conduct studies/research Irto vadous practices and problems on the environment The foilowing Insttutions wil research into: Soil Reseach Institue: -ffcts of mcihnizjlo on agricultual land -effacts of agrochemicas on agriculural land Miistry of Agricultre- nWariand degradation I 1n-od of0 R _ambie Ndal Resources: -agroforestry. especbaly wih reference to indigenous species and Indigenaus agrforesty sysems; Zoology DepL, Urivrsity of Ghaa: -ciffcts d pobLuion on wkdlUe. liotf of Aquati Bloom -x mid onEdd o eSte polrin * envIromenta Impcs of wter resource deveiopment projet. 84 Environmental Action plan lIp muinl_on Stagy Cha3pterTen * dIan; resultng from dforestaion, sol deogradation and erosion. NaUer!; Energy Board: Qnser relatebd research including * household energy use * charcoal production Water Resources Research Instute: * Prepare water master plans for all river basins d the country. * Improve the collection of water cycle dati (collaborating wth AESC-Hydro and Institute of Aquatic Biology) The Role of the District Assemblies: In line with the governments policy of decentraizatior, Distr Assemblies have a centra role to play In the inIplementaeton of the Environmenta Action Plan This is in recognition of the fact that natioral podicesand programmes on Me onvronent can bst be transaeWnto action at the localand district levelsl To this end. District Environmental Management Committees (EMC) wIth te broad responsibUlty for Monitoring and co-ordinating environmental protection and improvenernt activities In the Distics will be sblished wlthin each District Assembly. Some specic actions to be Implrnemented by the District Assembles are: *Sustanand enforce current bushfire legilation and strengthen col organizatlon. (train- Ing by Natonal Fire Service and monioring by EPC). * Assure sustable supplies of fuhwood by requirng Industies to meet fu ea needs from plantions, and by licensing chaca burners and comrercial fuehlood producers. (guidelines from NEB & EPC). * Esta'ish proteted areas to be maraged for rmu ple use In the coas' zone (collaborate w.- NGOs). 9 Contri agriultu development In the coasl zone. wlth partcular reorence to the use of agrochernlcals and the bpementaon of soi consevaion programm (technical suppon from Distic Agritltur Officers) , Endorce standards and reutions on waste water discharges, emissions, and disposal of SOWd wastes. especially in the coastl zora * Develop selected sites in urban areas for rcrion and tourism. parcafly In the coas- tal zone (collaboMe wIth NGOs and AMA). The Role of Community Groups: It is proposed W Comunity Environmental Commnmees (CEC) be esablished to be te organs thrs h which the environmental programmes of the Dis ASemblies wi be carried out at the comnunity town and vilage) level. In Saddtion to the programmes established by the Dstrict Anbly, each CEC may have the responsib iie of moblslngthe people and resresInthe co uniwty. prrvldefwaiordicusso on the nironet pmote energy conservtion and gnally serve as a local erN lonmetl watch-dog ad repor to the appropriate authrIy In the distri any actMty deemed to vlate the I rty of the local environment. Environmental Action Plan 85 *Chptew Ton Impl bmentton Straey The Role of the Non-Govemmental Organisatons (NGOs) The role NGOs have played in the past and continue to play in the area of environmental management is greaty appreciated. Some NGO's are undertaking tree planting and community forestry prolects. In the Implementation of this Plan, the participation of NGO Is greatly encouraged. On the Intematlonal scene, intenational NGOs paricipation In prograrnmes rlated to global climatic change, combating desertification and protection of biodiversity will be greaty encouraged. Locally. apart from specific projects and programrnes they may undertake jointy with the District Assembiles and the Community Environmental Committees. NGOs are encouraged to promote urban beautifcation. non-formal environmental education programmes. afforestatbon and agrtoomstrN projects and projects forthe management of woodlands, watersheds and widlife In collaboratlon wt. local authorities and community groups. 1- !! ,i~~~~~~~' 86 Environmenital AcUion Plan UST OF TABLES AND FIGURES i, i1 (EAP Ust of Table And Figurs , .I. I GHANA: ADMINISTRATIVE REGIONS 30 20' 2lIe oer- -- U UPPER oBolgatongo j *EAST UPPER WEST -10° . Wo S^ -100~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 NORTHERN Tromore I- ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ o ERONG AHAFQ /Sunyani. % :Kumosi -\ (h ~~~~e£AST RN V O LTA _-e ( .Kofor duog TA WESTERN N C EliT aLy >ACCRA ACCRA - > CERBP-_ - 40 80 Ka SeItotudlow - 5 3 - - Environmenmal AcUon Plan 89 Fig.2 GHANA: DRAINAGE AND PHYSIOGRAPHIC REGIONS 3' 2' 1'O'I J t 1~~~~~~~~~ Sle^onnno High I Plains Gambago 2 Egcorpment lo* 3 Voitaeon stin 4 To g BuemR nagf Forect Diggeeted _9 < < \8't (r) @ ~~~~~5 Plaeaou Souhthrn Volt:don 6Plateau 'Coastal Plainr 5. Source: Dickton and Benneh, 1909 90 Environmental Action d Fig. 3 AN INTEGRATIVE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AND POLICY G CO v E ltf ENHT | Ministry of Lands ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~~~Mnus try of Minuitry Of Lindt Notionol Co-ordinatlng - Locol Naturat Renourcet * , Comminsion on Government Environmental Policy and Land Manogement Syste ms Land Resourc-E Utility Ministriet Ministries Hoadquarterg aCnd Agencieg eq. Agriculture Wo rak and H o using Forestry, Game Highwoyr,Transport and Wildltfc,Mining a Commouniotonc Human Settloments Trade 1 Tourism * iaonal Land Regional Co-ordinotating Regional UtilIty Resources Ministriet Committoo oni Sector Minictries oftd Sector AgenicIe Environm.ntol Policy and Agoncle eg Agriculture, Gagne a and Land Management Works am Housing Wildlife, Forudtry Systomt H ighwayt.Transport Minin,g, Human Taond Comnifunicotion Settlements etc E P C Regional Offices District Level Land Lev_l District Utility Re torec *S *ct r _Londmaeneagement Taskt Age ncies Officeoc Recoinrces Sector [ geciu Ofi1 ogencies I Offices Force, VillagoCommunity Workc a Housing Agriculture a ond Town Levels L- Troc,ort aeComms Foreztry, Gome .TouriBm *c Wildlife, Mining Humon SettlenmentIr _...ironmental Action Plan 91 Fig.4 GHANA: PROJECT SAMPLING STATIONS 3S URKINA 2 FASO la - -ron 9 olgatloo / V AC M A ! t T A M A ; 'JSaboba _ . , -- < abayo ' | ~COTE D' \+ 13ui~~~~~~~~~~~~~. ri~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ *t) \ g ai i\\st t f ~I TOGO . X .t ~A SH A-N* (Dam/Lake) Scowling Srtorion 0 Laboratory (Photo 2 ) --international Dloundory H-Sydrologic Area ( AESCl 92 Environmental Action r Fig. 5 PROPOSED PROTECTED AND PLANNING o COASTAL ZONE AREAS Settlements with mort e u*e,on o Adeia2 *'- * 5CC Inhabitant Urban Front Planning Ars e Pl4fib Sd Ppl ad Protected Citeltnmnt coVf O v E1 Aural Unproteted PhnningAre' Nul L RA lt0|"t \ ~~~~~~~~~~~~Catclmnt@ < . _ ! Cap*Thtr" Ph and of_abw O I0~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ t;:- -- g f_"c. o r b-| --. .- D~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 02 04 0I :: .... j (3 1~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~3 I 4 | | E # t I £ c I Q I~~~~10, 1~~~~~~~~~2.:. IY . 2sI-Y ,Y *! W|X I -K } |° * I~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~rC I Ia;ZE Z 1 1E - ~ I i - Y Z i a ' cr { : L I rc i *1~~~~~~ I~~1 Jti I . e _ C - i 9 ES a- a L I .~ iii I l~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*2 a~~~~~~~~~~~C . - L~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Li'~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~' I ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~1 …~~~~~~~~~~~~C I-fr IN - I I~~~~~~~~~~c 94Evrneta cinPa kmx | .2 4CT19111E11 4!D MIN IlfSCli M11 YIENlGil 1014 t1w6In Iill-health frco I reduced habitat I I entruction of vuietalion, I ater eontauination from heavy I eissions of suiphur dlocide, NININGI I pollutants I loicity from I I metals, tine, ltad, mercury, I nitroqen agide, carbon dioxides, Production I Process-l I pollutnts I soil emsion I mangaese *nd so on I paricul.ames, arsenic, antimn Ini wethodsopVn I loss of ardble landi I I asides a to on cast, deep shaft, I I I sall crustirg I diseAses of stocks I dredging I I I I KihICtURIHS I release of toxic I destruction of spees I dtstruction of vegetation by IIrease in te -borne disease I air pollution froe (particulates, Production I Consusp-I ecmpourds roduces I divtrsity by pollution I pollutim I from cemial diseharges I sulphur oides, asestos, lead, tion. I humn health I I I Ihydroxyl, sodium carbonatesletc)l arsenic ete.l processes I I II UuIIr11ATIuR I reduted health froml habitat destiruction I reduced Vegetative cover for I pollution fro solid ard liquid I autobile emissions of carbon household, productionl poo sanitation, I I developent claims leg. housing, I waste dis l I monoxide and noise and consumptioni foodl noise, overtrodingi I plants, etc. I I preparation and I congestion I I I comnuption I I I I I I I I1 I I (0~~~~~____,1_... .............. .z.... _1_____t___ an~~~_. Asia 1.1 Invoment Projects to Oirmt EAvlreinotal DtgiadAtlan Kr1o NA I PI.ECkf1 Tin.i I P~lC SJCT I WTlIlU1I 9 IiNUwern NMc I PEIMJ -~~~~~~~~~~~~~- Pqriculltr I goll EroairAn I Proira for SAIl I reslr and sistain sail I - rsearch, uttenslon aid I oServics Nt. I Protecticr, loil I Fertility Pg.u- I fertility throul sit of I fartion of I tlier us I ifi. of Agritl 1991 - 0 I kpltnlsAsnt ind I reralq I NaIn:.Uo In,IAnic fertillier, I advisory c tittue I I C~nsrvatlen I Prepru 121 I orqgnic smn, cm I I I I Ilrotatlonli grofmentry I I I I oil Ccrvwt4ie, I arrest lald degradation, I trainirn reeds assesawrnt for I Crop Serlces &O. I Edcsttion I Trnq. I emvlroinnal mamas I I lard innqnl, dhnlopn 1 1991 - 200 I I 1511151 1 .tuarat(on (forsal I I of edwtlal .Aterials, I I I I nonforsal),l opuet mill I estibish desowstritim centres I I I I dIsciplirary officlals, I I ouani seeirs a other I I rd omI I I san eductial foranrd s if I I la os polIcyIrplamiq ady. _ _1 , I _--- I - - , I _ .~~~~I I I Coll fertility I I 1 1rv I swstain soil I -tusbea soil ard ster I NIn, of Iplcultw I I Productivity I fertility I convation I e Cr I 11, - 200 I I IKI03I 1 I rotallati, aM devlop I I I I I f rtillln rucomdation I , _ I _ ~~~I I I _ _ _ I I I National ARNoforsty I gewwrale hs I murginal I Establish 10 de stration piloill CrM Servies Oet. I I Projet (CM 01101 11 I 1du fertilly 1w Irm&- I for alley WppIfi ad establish I 9N - sle I I I sd asric prodwtion I nreles to pivide seeilns (li II I I lleuI r a shratb adotfwrtree I i I I I I Crops suitable for aporustry I I I-- I --I -- Bc I I oaiht klistay"t I mvlop cocoa tps I -Develop suitable hytid cocoa I han Cccoa ard _ I I Toleranre In Ccoo I iuiltble for drier arias adi seds ard Irrigation systo I 1SIS - Sl9e *T I I (CmO005/1o I new Agrera ieo thods I I I § I ItO pteI t rca fr. I I g I I I drye sonsplls. I I 2h I ~~~~~~~~~~I I ---- I I I fIuiaHnt rwd (A IJIilzataion of straw I To collest, treat I I Feasibility stdy for lidhiral I Alinul Health I Production I Denlowt I I olthu AR icultural I utiliet soral id other I ard rcosIuc viability I hwrtmwnt 1101-- 15 I a O I Projet I waleproduct fer I SIfitar prgdts for d I I I DryS 1 asm onFmdln Is easa rtdfed I (Ul0/M _-I ~~_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ . _ _ _ _ _ _ ._ IW fm~~ I g- < r~~~~~~~~~~ - - 'GO - S5 l ;1- in MD - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1l~ ~"m ;'I I 1 ez;z tI , 2,so'- _ I||. S- IW ; E l :i TF~ I 1I : Environmental Is - - - - - - - - - - - a' - i:u Eniomna Ato ln9 .~~~~~~U * .. -.9_. .. 3¢ biwM D.3 In%intwm Prjlcts To f nst Etirountal Sgradatlon tCTOR I Mm I PIJOCT TITLE I PEW ! ACIIVE I CTIVITIES I INUMEJTI6 ICY I PERII MILla llRK I I Feasibillty study of I prowote efficint se of I fir, d, dcarcoal, sawdust activity I Natiwal Eregy bard I I woo saing tedhnology I devim, identificatiom I tlesti I I 1991 - 1995 I I ST1 07 1 of stoem fcharcoall fir, I I I I I sa dust, etc.I ard dck level I I I I I of a ptabillity I I I I DCarcoal Production I etiabikh crrtnM data on diarcoall Identify iarcoal prducing areas I Natioal Emergy bard I I Study 1971 051 I production and deelop wthodololyl Ivisitlsurve), train traditioul I 134 - 2000 I I I to assess the lect of dharcoal I diarcoalers in ivproved techniques, I I I I dutelopnt an the emvirorwnt I delop ways to carbonise wsti wod I I I I I and dmvlop veetation typn and I I I I I fulrwd plantatiom I I I__ --_- I _____I- I I fstablishwent of Strip I to establish 25-eter wide strip I to create strip plantatire, provide anr ard ilildIffe Oet. I I Plantation IFO O06/181 I plantation al1n selected forest I foxd and shelter for wild aniuls, 1 1957 -192 I I I cosurvation reas to protect I usi reserve bozrdaries clearer, and I II 1 6uI e San res5 against bush/fir I provide logistic supportIeg.cutlasef l I I I and to proteKt fauna aid flora I nehicles, protective clothil) I I I -- _____-____-______ I--- m I I Subni Irdustrial Plant I Nliiulte production of usable I convert 4,000 hectares of rntural 1Subri Indusrial Plantation Ltd. 9 I I Project IFor.012/691 I wod blowss and produce arc'all forest to fuelwxd ard affores v area 1 195J - 1 "3 a; I I I from wste wrAdl ard other I with goelina sedlings n I I I objectivfe ....planting cassava, I 3 I I I plantoin ard vejetables for sile I | I I I ard prcducion of sum timber I I Ci I I I cuttirn of firew sleepems rd I I b I I I poles I z~~~ I ------ -__ ----I-___--_ I I lildlitfe Nonitorilng I I I I Syste .ESS505 I I _ . ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~I *Rwe P I Investent Projects To Rrmt Envirorm,ntal Dgradatloin I I IWildlife !na;esent I to c'otinue ispleentation of I refidbilitatlon of Departwental I 6m aid Vildlife Det. I I Pmject (For.007901 I Department's dev,lopetal activi-I buildings In the 7 aras; tostrutt I 19 - 193 I I I ties In I wildlife monservation I protective caps In reserves aind I I I I reas ard lo provide for survey, I atfoodate field staffl aqaire I I I I aquIsition I resettling progras I logistics support. I I in resrves I I I I Improved Man gerent I to supplement the activities of I provide officev capirn I field I 6ue and Wildlife Det. I I of Parks I Resrvns I the FW ard inolve local people I eqwlpent, lnluding vehiciles hiring 1 191 - 2000 I I (Ra 01 1 1 in reserves conservatioa aid I of eonsultants and training progr I I I I Institute scientific measures to I for staff, institute conservation I I I I Iasilte wildlifte resource I edwcation pregru1 I I I pro4ction I . I ELTOR I fllf I PIOJnCT TTLFP I PaLW OC71T 1 rtllliEsI IWWIN AGPAW I PERIM .. __ ..... I _ _.#. _ ............. _. ___* 1. ._ - I - - . . UIMEIIATIN It1 IW1Sh1M1TLREI Accra Olirlet Rulbi- I Strenqthen tehnically lowrds I aObilitatiom of selected totH I ept. of Urbrn bAds I I 1i1aticn Projeci I dewlopent ard uirteran or I in kvril conissloninig of traffic I 11965 - I"93) I I low 001/31 I roads In kcra Kmusil lekidi- I studis ard liolmntatlon of de I I I I Takoradi ard Tu I conestimn of heavily trafficked I I I I I rootel uintrce prosram for I I I I I dralnleg strctuwe and road; I I I I I erilgeunt of loal cuiUln I I I I I firm for techilcal assistance I I I Urban It ard other I To urnge the road fd dralmie I lIplemtation of poposals for I Dept. of Urban loads I I District Projects I ecaponents or the above moid I Awa traffic study ircludirn pre- 11990) II IO 002/d3) 1 cities I partiom of detailed desifnsi re- I I I I I habilitation of about EkU of road I I I I I paveent in kcra-Te (provision I I I I of asishalt welayil Updatirg of I I I I I ade leport on IAccr dralnagel I I I I I khAbilittlon of about 2bf of I I I I I roads In Sekord-laboradil flhabi- I I I I I Iltation of parts of Subin drainge I I I I I sysin aid improveert In pedestrian I I I I vehicular conflict areas at adjtial I m I I I I temsil E4uipirn various district I n I I I Iunlisof the hpt. of Urtbn lods. I o I I Reduction of Eergy I Pethodology to &asess ful I Preliminary dita revIew ard nrlysts I Natioal Er rly bard si I I ConsuuptIon im Urban I consuption, identify opowtunityl pilot and national surveyl determln- I 1199l - 2M0) ITransportatlIo I for nely conservation aid I tlion r redection in ererly alter I a I ~ ~ ~~~~~~~~~I fsyl OWi I define Infrastruelwral and I prpd cowvtion wl&sures I g I I I irsititutloI uechilnisa to I I _ I I I addr issuIN I I O I ULOW P"IN16 I Iprovwent in Ihe Solidl Improve the uaemewnt of waste I Ilrove collection treaitent and I waste Manangeent Dept. (AM) 2 I IWeast.e I rinhtsoll I I disposal of wstes, isop Institu- I 11991 - 1991) 19 I I disposal systems In I I tionm of uaste imanement, .bilite I g I crfla ME 05 I I and co-ordinate IOs and rccunitie I I I I I Inwaste manae ntl rcosiruct I I I I I IWIP's to phase C4t pan latrin I Pont 3L. Ililtt, t Pro3JutS to &Irn EnyIroqtl hpadtlu 1 . ------ -_----- _ _-- L ~iwu S 6 Invntment Projects to frrmt Enviromntal liegradatuon 3 I I Matinal Physical D1v- I To addres social, physical and I Data collectti, studies, surveys, I Tow I Country Plannliq St I I lopoert Plan NME 02 1 envirental problm connected I analysis of socioecorowic I politicalI § I I I with ulor investme projects I delopmnt, leographic conditions, I _ I I I I population, industrial developunt, I t I I I I foretry, fisheries, settlement I O I I I I patterrs, tranportation stdWy I n I . I I I utiliti, tourism, landuse I IURDR INIRSTP6UCITUlEI lIprovemn of Infras- I Provide Ideal and efficient I Survey of sitesl preparation and I Town I Country Planiniq Dept. I I tructure in secondary I workir conditions for fitters I demarcation of layout plans, payment I I I cities IK 08 I ard rtisans to as o improve I of compensation, construction of roadsl I road qeality and provide open I provision of utilities, shops, toilets! I I 1 spacs I and dmonstration centres I I URNI PLt.Nlt6 I Structure Plan for I Program to improve planning, I Data collection, analysis, rtview I Town I Country Plaming Dept. I I regional capitals and I development and muagement of I and production of reports I 12 onths I I special areas HOE 03 1 eadh regilonal capital I I 1-*--- ________________________________ ----------~~~~~~--- ------------ ---… I District Structure PlansI Developmert and use of lard I I Data collection, analysis, review I Town I Country Planning Dept. I 1E 01 I other rtsouce, environmental I and production of reports I I I protectior, provision of public I I I I servimel control of hazard ars! 1 II I uanagement, protectlon, restora- I I I I tion and rmclamtion I I I Preparation of l/25,000 I Preparation of 1I25,000 scale I Pre-sarkingl aerial photographic I 1991 - 000 I I scale maps ESS 01 cps Imoverage of terralnl ground cntrol I I I I I surveysl examInation of recordsl I I I I I photogrametric compilatimst (arto- I I I I I graphic fair drawingl field chicking I I I I I printing; procurement of plottirs and I o I I I I instruments; office accomeodation I -' I I I I for officials and equipment I Annzs i7 17 rInvestufnt Projects to akust EnvirYrmial Degradation -I ----- ------ -- - _____________ I I Appropriate techOlogy I Set up a unit to plan, Initiate I Set up unit laboratoryl irdustrial I Industrial Pesearch Institute I I for wste disposal arJ I and coordinate programs ed I surveys; ipact assessunt of ir4us- 1 1991 - 2040 I I Itrulent STR 12 1 activities on agric/irdustrial Itrial activitiesl evaluate ard test I II I waste winageont;update directoryl waste/risk and ha2ard assessent; I I I l o/ utarIturiwg industries; I reaover, recycle, ard reuse wastei I I I I survy of irdustries on type of I treat tramport and dispose wastel I I I I raw materials, produtts, w.stes 11 set envirarental stardards; provide I I I I pollution wna geit develop I aste uanagemt and reearch I I I Imthods of agro/ind.waste cyclingl consultancyqeetemsion and trainirg I I rnse, treatunt and disposal I to irdustries I I Street and Market foeds I Protect all food (raw I preparedll Those activities proposed fru I Ninistry of Heilth Iprotection policy and I sold to the public from I the action study 1 1991 - 2000 o I I study STR 10 I cotuainatlon and Infection I 0 as .* sii =1 -- - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - l _ tr| i l l l :~~~~ -- §SFtl| || tst I _ E U r X liTr--------------------------------- .rM u bi~~~~~1 .i~! .. _i Ih ------- -- -- -- ---n-1 3- f I--~- ------------- Environmental Action Plan 103 3I s isri t1 -} ---aw-E-E3s-! S ---- --- - -- i I liilEW 7 ' E :--------I-- ---- r~A 1 ~~--------T--------T---I- 104 Environmental Action Plan |~ ~ ~~~~ r ] 2~~~ I- .~a !-' --- ------------------------ a------! §~~~9 4 I l 8 & 5 > { I211 - cgIo l~~~~~~I~I I -~~~~~! I- - og a -=0!o- _ n: a_________ -_ _ _ _ _ _- _ _ _ r C~~~~~~~~~~~. I T - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - S !S- i i- !8!gw ! w 1 ! .- a a Lii ~ ~ ~~ ---------a I a ~~~- - - - - -- - - - I nal Ac, on Plan 105 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ L kRnex .11 I nIet ent Projects to urml Elwirorffeal hgraditil I I vImaet of Inlaird I Develop scientifiC I Identify watural a*d un-ade I Institute of Oqutic Biology I I drainage ard laid I basis for provision I drainap systems; idetify I ll991- ml I Ibased pollution I of "pjropirate ibate- I sowrc of pollutants ard I I I souree on coastal I ent ard tontml I assess effects; stien on I I tore SIR 03 I asurn for rnedaying I biological inp cts I I I I of pollution effects. I I -I I1 I_ --I I I Coastal Protection I to itigpte the ITo provide coastal protection (Aric aid Ergineerint Services I I Vorks I effects of coastal I strcuturn for thu critical I Corpuration I I lmnhI ion othe coast- Iareas urder erosi mor the I (1991 - I99t) I I I linel to provide break- I coastlirel provide larding I I I I water shelters for the I beachs ard breakuater I 5 I | | I sal scale fisle n I sheltes for fishvfi I (3 ! }0