FORESTRY COMMISSION OF GHANA MINISTRY OF LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES REPUBLIC OF GHANA National REDD+ Secretariat (NRS)/ Climate Change Department Forestry Commission P. O. Box MB 434 Accra-Ghana +233 302 401210, 401227, 401216, +233 302 7010031 / 3 / 4 +233 302 401197 (fax) Email: info.hq@fcghana.org Website: www.fcghana.org/nrs GHANA COCOA FOREST REDD+ EMISSIONS REDUCTION (ER) PROGRAMME Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) November 2018 ESMP for the Ghana FIP_ October 2013 Forestry Commission LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS AfDB African Development Bank CFC Collaborative Forest Committee CIF Climate Investment Funds COCOBOD Ghana Cocoa Board CREMA Community Resource Management Area CRIG Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research CSOs Civil Society Organisation(s) DAs District Assemblies DGM Dedicated Grant Mechanism for Indigenous People and Local Communities EIA Environmental Impact Assessment EPA Environmental Protection Agency, Ghana ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment ELCIR+ Engaging Local Communities in REDD+ ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan ESMF Environmental and Social Management Framework EU European Union FAO Food and Agriculture Organisation FASDEP Food and Agricultural Sector Development Policy FC Forestry Commission FCPF Forest Carbon Partnership Facility FDMP Forest Development Master Plan FIP Forest Investment Programme FLEGT Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade FORIG Forestry Research Institute of Ghana FP Focal Point FSD Forest Services Division GFTN Global Forest and Trade Network (WB/WWF) GHG Green House Gas GIS Global Information System GoG Government of Ghana GNFS Ghana National Fire Service GPRS I Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy GPRS II Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy GSBA Globally Significant Biodiversity Areas GTA Ghana Timber Association GTMO Ghana Timber Millers Organisation HFZ High Forest Zone IFC International Finance Corporation IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature LI Legislative Instrument LVD Land Valuation Division LULUCF Land use, Land Use Change and Forestry MC Minerals Commission M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MESTI Ministry of Environment Science Technology and Innovation MLGRD Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page ii Forestry Commission MLNR Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources MMDA Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies MoFEP Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning MoFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture MRV Monitoring Reporting and Verification NADMO National Disaster Management Organisation NCRC Nature Conservation Research Center NGOs Non-Governmental Organisations NREG Natural Resources and Environmental Governance NFF National Forest Forum NRCD National Redemption Council Decree NTFPs Non-Timber Forest Products NTSC National Tree Seed Centre OASL Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands PF Process Framework REDD Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation REDD+ REDD plus sustainable management of forest, forest conservation, enhancement of carbon stocks RMSC Resource Management Support Centre R-PP Readiness Preparation Proposal SEA Strategic Environmental Assessment SESA Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment SRI Soil Resource Institute of Ghana SRA Social Responsibility Agreement TAs Traditional Authorities ToR Terms of Reference UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention for Climate Change VCS Voluntary Carbon Sequestration VPA Voluntary Partnership Agreement WB World Bank WD Wildlife Division WRC Water Resources Commission ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page iii Forestry Commission Table of Content LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ...........................................................................................................................II TABLE OF CONTENT................................................................................................................................. IV LIST OF FIGURES ...................................................................................................................................... VI LIST OF TABLES ........................................................................................................................................ VI LIST OF ANNEXES .................................................................................................................................... VI EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ........................................................................................................................... VII 1.0 INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 17 1.1 OBJECTIVES OF THE ESMF .................................................................................................................. 17 1.2 APPROACH TO THE ESMF STUDY ......................................................................................................... 18 1.2.1 Baseline Information................................................................................................................ 18 1.2.2 Stakeholder Consultations ....................................................................................................... 18 1.2.3 Analysis of data and content of report .................................................................................... 19 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED REDD+ STRATEGY INTERVENTIONS ........................................ 19 2.1 OVERVIEW OF THE GHANA COCOA-FOREST REDD+ PROGRAMME (GCFRP) ............................................... 20 2.2 IMPLEMENTING AND COLLABORATING INSTITUTIONS ................................................................................ 22 3.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK..................................................................... 22 3.1 INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK............................................................................................................... 22 3.2 WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES ..................................................................................................... 23 3.3 KEY CONVENTIONS/PROTOCOLS RATIFIED BY GHANA RELEVANT TO REDDD+ .............................................. 26 4.0 GHANA BASELINE DESCRIPTION ................................................................................................. 29 4.1 ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITIVE AND PROTECTED AREAS.............................................................................. 29 4.2 ANALYSIS OF CARBON STOCK DISTRIBUTION ............................................................................................ 35 4.3 CARBON EMISSIONS ........................................................................................................................... 35 4.4 SOCIO-ECONOMIC ............................................................................................................................. 36 4.4.1 Population and Population Density ......................................................................................... 36 4.4.2 Land Ownership and Tenure System ........................................................................................ 37 4.4.3 Brief Country Economic Profile ................................................................................................ 39 4.4.4 Forestry and agricultural (cocoa) sectors ................................................................................ 39 5.0 REDD+ ACTIVITIES POTENTIAL IMPACT ISSUES AND CONCERNS AND SCREENING ...................... 43 5.1 LIST OF KEY REDD+ PROJECT ACTIVITIES/ INTERVENTIONS......................................................................... 43 5.2 DESCRIPTION OF POTENTIAL IMPACT ISSUES ............................................................................................ 50 5.2.1 Impacts on Biodiversity ............................................................................................................ 50 5.2.2 Impacts on water resources ..................................................................................................... 50 5.2.3 Impacts on soil ......................................................................................................................... 51 5.2.4 Other Impacts .......................................................................................................................... 52 5.2.5 Social Issues with Plantation Plantings .................................................................................... 52 5.3 SOME ISSUES ARISING FROM THE SESA STUDY ........................................................................................ 53 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page iv Forestry Commission 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN ................................................................ 56 6.1 THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL SCREENING PROCESS .......................................................................... 56 6.2 ESIA PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED FOR PROJECTS.................................................................................. 56 6.3 TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS AND STANDARDS ......................................................................................... 60 6.3.1 Technical specifications ........................................................................................................... 60 6.3.2 Environmental standards ......................................................................................................... 61 7.0 INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY FOR ESMF IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................... 62 7.1 INSTITUTIONAL ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ESMF IMPLEMENTATION .............................................. 62 7.1.1 Implementing Plans ................................................................................................................. 63 7.2 INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ........................................................................ 64 7.2.1 Forestry Commission REDD+ National Safeguard Focal Person (NSFP) ................................... 64 7.2.2 Regional Safeguard Focal Persons (RSFP) ................................................................................ 64 7.2.3 District Safeguard Focal Persons (DSFP) .................................................................................. 65 7.2.4 REDD+ Safeguard Sub-Working Group (SSWG) ....................................................................... 65 7.2.5 Environmental and social consultants (Optional) .................................................................... 65 7.3 INSTITUTIONAL STRENGTHENING AND CAPACITY BUILDING ........................................................................ 67 7.4 BUDGETARY PROVISIONS .................................................................................................................... 69 8.0 MONITORING AND EVALUATION ............................................................................................... 71 9.0 CONSULTATIONS, ESMF DISCLOSURE AND GRIEVANCE MECHANISM ......................................... 74 9.1 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS............................................................................................................ 74 9.2 ESMF DISCLOSURE ........................................................................................................................... 74 9.3 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM.................................................................................................................... 74 10.0 CONCLUSION .............................................................................................................................. 77 11.0 REFERENCES/ BIBLIOGRAPHY ..................................................................................................... 78 ANNEXES................................................................................................................................................. 81 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page v Forestry Commission List of Figures FIGURE 1: MAP OF THE IMPLEMENTATION AREA OF THE GHANA COCOA FOREST REDD+ PROGRAMME (GCFRP) ................ 21 FIGURE 2: DRAINAGE MAP OF GHANA .................................................................................................................... 32 FIGURE 3: MAP OF PROTECTED AREAS IN GHANA...................................................................................................... 33 FIGURE 4: VEGETATION/ECOLOGICAL MAP OF GHANA ............................................................................................... 34 FIGURE 5: ORGANOGRAM FOR ESMF IMPLEMENTATION ........................................................................................... 66 List of Tables TABLE 1: WORLD BANK SAFEGUARDS POLICIES RELEVANT TO REDD+ .......................................................................... 24 TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF INFORMATION ON THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTIONS, PROTOCOLS AND TREATIES RELEVANT TO REDD+ ................................................................................................................................................... 27 TABLE 3: DESCRIPTION OF PROTECTED AREAS IN GHANA ........................................................................................... 29 TABLE 4: 2010 POPULATION FIGURES.................................................................................................................... 36 TABLE 5: POPULATION DENSITY BY REGION, 1984 – 2010 ......................................................................................... 37 TABLE 6: POTENTIAL REDD+ PROJECT ACTIVITIES, THEIR ASSOCIATED ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND HEALTH CONCERNS AND PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES ................................................................................................................ 44 TABLE 7: SUMMARY OF NEGATIVE LIST OF POTENTIAL SUBPROJECTS BASED ON THE FINDINGS OF THE SESA ......................... 52 TABLE 8: SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCREENING PROCESS AND RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................... 60 TABLE 9: SUMMARY OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL DUE DILIGENCE CAPACITY AND TRAINING PROGRAMMES..................... 68 TABLE 10: ESTIMATED BUDGET TO IMPLEMENT ESMF .............................................................................................. 70 TABLE 11: ESMF AND RPF MONITORING INDICATORS AND RESPONSIBILITIES ................................................................ 71 TABLE 12: MONITORING INDICATORS AND VERIFICATION MEANS ................................................................................. 72 TABLE 13: GRIEVANCE REDRESS PROCESS .................................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. List of Annexes Annex 1: Stakekolder Consultations Annex 2: Policy and Legislative Framework Annex 3: Screening Checklist for Environmental and Social Issues Annex 4: Enviornmentally Sensitive/ Critical Areas Annex 5: Undertakings requiring Registration and Environmental Permit (EPA LI 1652 (1999)) Annex 6: Sample copy of EPA Registration Form, EA1 Annex 7: Terms of Reference for recruitment of ESIA Consultants Annex 8: Terms of Reference for the REDD+ Safeguards Subworking Group ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page vi Forestry Commission EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Due to Ghana’s high economic dependence on natural resources, the country now has one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa. According to the recent Reference Level (2017), Ghana’s deforestation rate is estimated at 3.6 per annum since 2001. Unlike other REDD+ countries facing frontier deforestation, Ghana’s deforestation pathway is one of incremental degradation leading to deforestation. The REDD+ Readiness Phase (R-PP) identified the principal drivers of deforestation and forest degradation, in order of relevance, as including: (i) uncontrolled agricultural expansion at the expense of forests; (ii) over-harvesting and illegal harvesting of wood; (iii) population and development pressure; and (iv) mining and mineral exploitation. Ghana prepared a National REDD+ Strategy as part of its R-PP. The vision of the Strategy is to significantly reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by tackling the drivers of deforestation, while at the same time addressing threats that undermine ecosystem services and environmental integrity so as to maximize the co-benefits of the forests and serve as a pillar of action for the national climate change agenda and a leading pathway towards sustainable, low emissions development. Ghana’s strategy is to produce emission reductions by focusing on the implementation of large scale programs that largely follow ecological boundaries and are defined by major commodities and drivers of deforestation and degradation. These programmatic activities would be further supported by a set of over-arching actions and policies which are encompassed within the national REDD+ framework. The Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program (GCFRP) is one of the first Emission Reductions (ER) Program to be centered upon the development of a sustainable commodity supply chain that hinges upon the non-carbon benefits that will be channeled to farmers as a result of significant private sector investments into the landscape and the supply chain. The goal of the GCFRP is to significantly reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by promoting climate- smart cocoa production, landscape level land-use planning, strategic policy reforms, integrated coordination and monitoring, law enforcement as well as risk reduction efforts within priority Hotspot Intervention Area (HIA) landscapes. Under a prospective contract with the Carbon Fund to cover the first 7 years of implementation (2019-2024, with final disbursement in 2025), Ghana estimates that it could generate significant reductions in deforestation and forest degradation against its reference level and produce approximately 10 million tCO2e emission reductions to be transacted under the Emission Reduction Payment Agreement (ERPA). This Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is prepared to contribute to sustainable implementation of the REDD+ strategies including Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program (GCFRP) by providing guidelines to mitigate all anticipated adverse impacts during the planning and implementation of the various sub projects under the strategic interventions. The proposed REDD+ strategy options for addressing the identified drivers, of deforestation according to the R-PP comprise the following: A. Improve the quality of multi-stakeholder dialogue and decision –making B. Clarify natural resource rights ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page vii Forestry Commission C. Improve forest law enforcement, governance and trade D. Address unsustainable timber harvesting by supporting sustainable supply of timber to meet export and domestic / regional timber demand E. Address problem of local market supply F. Mitigate effects of agricultural expansion (particularly cocoa in the HFZ) G. Strengthen local decentralized management of natural resources H. Improve sustainability of fuel wood use I. Improve quality of fire-affected forests and rangelands J. Address local market demand K. Improve returns to small-scale enterprise L. Improve regulation of mining activities to reduce forest degradation Rehabilitation of degraded forest reserves M. Implement actions to address acts of God (wind and natural fire events, floods, pests and diseases) The key project activities which have been identified to likely impact on the environment and their mitigation measures are provided below. • ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page viii Proposed REDD+ Sub-component Environment, Social and Health Impact Issues/ Proposed Mitigation Action/ Measures strategy options Concerns A: Improve the A: Strengthened Biodiversity Biodiversity quality of multi- National Forest ✓ Mono specific exotic tree plantings may ✓ Design planting to include both exotic and indigenous plants in the stakeholder Policy Forum and alter natural vegetation; right proportions and positions; dialogue and improved Forest ✓ Plantation tree seedlings may invade ✓ Avoid environmentally sensitive sites and unnecessary exposure decision –making Information adjacent forest or access to sensitive habitat; Consult EPA in the selection and use Dissemination ✓ Biodiversity conservation (changes in flora of such sites; and fauna) ✓ Consider biodiversity plots within tree plantations and also along ✓ Uniform age as clear felling may prevent waterways and streams within the plantations; succession processes ✓ Clearance of plantation plots will be sufficiently phased to reduce the impacts of vegetation removal on terrestrial flora and fauna. Water Resources Water Resources ✓ Alterations in local natural water cycles/ ✓ Promote buffer zones along the local streams to ensure their hydrology integrity and protection of other aquatic life forms. The buffer ✓ Water pollution from agrochemicals reserves will serve as natural filters for surface runoff from the plantation areas. The reserves will also play a major role in Soils protecting the banks of the waterways from channel erosion. In ✓ Changes in soil nutrient cycles (fertility and addition, the reserves will create aesthetic scenes along the carbon storage capacity) watercourse. ✓ Increased soil erosion due to repeated Soils disturbance ✓ The application of inorganic fertilizer will be restricted to the ✓ Poor plantation management leading to period just after transplanting. The fertilizers will be applied physical impacts to soil structure and around each tree in shallow rings. This is to ensure that the surface layers fertilizer is available to the young transplanted trees. ✓ Soil contamination from agrochemical ✓ No broadcasting of fertilizers will be undertaken. usage ✓ Bio char will be introduced in selected plots ✓ Sensitive sites with high erosion risk will be identified. Such areas Air quality shall not be cultivated and will include hill-tops and very steep ✓ deterioration from burning of biomass from slopes having gradient of 25% or more. Vegetation of such areas clearing shall be maintained to help control erosion as well as ensuring soil ✓ reverse gains from carbon sequestration – stability. adding carbon into atmosphere ✓ Enrichment planting will be done in patches of degraded areas ✓ dust emissions from milling operations ESMP for the Ghana FIP_ October 2013 Forestry Commission Proposed REDD+ Sub-component Environment, Social and Health Impact Issues/ Proposed Mitigation Action/ Measures strategy options Concerns along these slopes Pesticides ✓ The application of inorganic fertilizer will be restricted to the ✓ improper application of pesticide amounts period just after transplanting. ✓ application in rainy season resulting in ✓ The fertilizers will be applied around each tree in shallow rings to ineffective targeting and increased runoff ensure that the fertilizer is available to the young transplanted and uptake by soils and water bodies trees. ✓ use of highly toxic chemicals to plants, ✓ No broadcasting of fertilizers will be undertaken. animals and humans Air quality ✓ improper use, contamination by high ✓ Burning of biomass will be avoided as much as possible. exposure, no precautionary measures ✓ Fire will be used only in situations where this is effective and least leading to health impacts environmental damaging. ✓ Most biomass generated will be available as fire wood and also as Land tenure and ownership pegs. ✓ lack of adequate documentation ✓ Extractor fans should be available in mills to manage dust ✓ clear understanding of land use and Pesticides occupancy ✓ The use of pesticides on plantations will be minimal. ✓ Conflicts in land claims ✓ The main control methods for pests and diseases will involve the ✓ increased values in land prices leading to use of resistant hybrids, trapping/scaring of animals, protecting economic displacement of poor land young plants with collar wire and destroying nestling/breeding tenants areas of pests. ✓ Transparent rules for benefit sharing of ✓ A constant phyto-sanitary observation will be maintained to help carbon payments between land owner and prevent the outbreak and spread of any potential disease/pest farmer tenants into the whole plantation. ✓ Rules and agreements in place for ✓ Uncontrolled mass spraying of fungicides will be avoided. traditional chiefs revenue sharing with ✓ The use of herbicides will not be encouraged on plantations. locals and other stakeholders ✓ Control of weeds will be done manually. ✓ Land acquisition and compensation issues ✓ Labour-intensive approach using simple farm tools like hoes and ✓ Lack of valuation rates for timber species cutlasses will be employed. ✓ Discrimination, lack of grievance ✓ Organic farming practices will help eliminate the use of inorganic mechanisms for all land users and tenants fertilizers and herbicides that are major contributors to soil and surface water quality deterioration Maintaining Livelihoods Land tenure and ownership ✓ Enhance food security through improved ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page x Forestry Commission Proposed REDD+ Sub-component Environment, Social and Health Impact Issues/ Proposed Mitigation Action/ Measures strategy options Concerns agriculture production on farmed lands to ✓ The project will liaise with the Land Administration Project (LAP) reduce forest pressures initiatives to assist farmers to map their plots and the information ✓ Potential expansion of negative activities by documented for future reference; admitted settlements and farms that result ✓ Proper arrangements to be made on land tenure systems to be in biodiversity loss, ecosystem changes, adopted; depletion of natural resources ✓ Research and stakeholder consultations to identify best practices ✓ Increasing demand for forest lands for and guide implementation in partnership with traditional farming/ settlements by fringe authorities. The benefit sharing agreement (BSA) for off reserve communities because productive lands not plantations and carbon stocks will have to be approved by available; government after studies are done and stakeholders validate the ✓ Adequate, documented and transparent findings. compensation for admitted farmers in ✓ Due recognition given to communities who have successfully order to vacate unauthorised sections of managed sacred groves to date in the form of suitable forest compensation which must be discussed and agreed with ✓ Long gestation periods for tree species/ communities; native tree species ✓ Management plans to be prepared for all sites to also reflect community expectations Farmer Rights ✓ District Assembly byelaws to be used to support the conservation ✓ Farmers have little say in the harvesting of of dedicated forests and to sanction encroachment matured shade trees Maintaining Livelihoods ✓ Little or no compensation for farmers for ✓ Admitted farms and settlements have expanded beyond allowed destroyed cocoa trees during harvesting of limits and will have to return to permitted areas only. They may shade trees; therefore have to be compensated for any investments/ ✓ Higher income from improved yields; developments outside of the permitted areas; ✓ No financial benefit to farmers for planting ✓ Ensure appropriate compensations are paid to PAPs and nurturing shade trees; ✓ Employment and other opportunities be given to local ✓ Difficulties in registering shade trees communities as much as possible. ✓ Unreliable supply of seedlings Farmer rights ✓ Long gestation period of native species. ✓ FSD to reconsider current policy and procedures for the allocation and harvesting of trees on farms; Forest Management ✓ Farmers to participate in discussions to allocate and harvest ✓ Fire prevention and control matured shade trees on their farms and possible benefits/ ✓ Plantation security ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page xi Forestry Commission Proposed REDD+ Sub-component Environment, Social and Health Impact Issues/ Proposed Mitigation Action/ Measures strategy options Concerns ✓ Community inclusion in management compensation arrangements for affected cocoa trees; decisions ✓ FSD to streamline procedures for registering shade trees to make ✓ Community participation in surveillance it more- friendly to farmers. and enforcement Forest Management ✓ Protection of rights to use forest resources ✓ Educate and train community fire-fighting volunteers on fire ✓ Maintenance of forests, especially in the hazards, prevention and use of equipment and implement regular transition/ savanna zones- threat from drills group hunters and alien herdsmen ✓ Create fire rides around plantation ✓ Alternative uses for forest waste – charcoal ✓ Ensure regular patrols to identify and remove fire threats early and biogas ✓ Apply appropriate sanctions on offenders including fines and jail sentences Security and Safety ✓ The plantation development will be phased in order to generate ✓ Safety and security of community biomass which could be manageable at a given informants/ whistle blowers ✓ time. ✓ Safety and security of FSD field staff ✓ Salvaging of useable biomass can significantly reduce the volumes ✓ Delayed court processes and low fines of waste that has to be disposed of. which do not create proper structures to ✓ Felled trees and cleared under- brushes will be chipped and punish/deter violations formed into windrows and allowed to decompose and/or used as ✓ Low motivation of FSD field staff – not pegs for planting. proper incentive structure ✓ A waste skip for the collection of unused and damaged polythene ✓ Unavailability and poor use of personal bags for seedlings will be placed at the nursery site. The contents protective equipment and limited/ no of the waste skip will be emptied at the waste dump site. enforcement process Safety and security ✓ ✓ FSD to devise policies and procedures to protect field staff ✓ FSD forestry prosecutors to be adequately trained to efficiently Occupational health and Safety handle court cases for swift determination. ✓ Lack of awareness creation programs on health and safety including chemical Forest management handling. ✓ Enforcement of policies and law regarding mining in forest ✓ No Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) reserves eg: Mineral and mining Act 2006 Act 703, Forest Plan Protection Act 1974 NRCD 243 ✓ Unavailability and poor use of personal ✓ Conducting EIAs ✓ Build capacity of mining companies and communities of the ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page xii Forestry Commission Proposed REDD+ Sub-component Environment, Social and Health Impact Issues/ Proposed Mitigation Action/ Measures strategy options Concerns protective equipment and limited/ no importance of land reclamation and types of tree species enforcement process Cultural Heritage Occupational health and safety ✓ Limited access to shrines ✓ The project will design and implement awareness creation ✓ Preservation of local cultural identity and programs to educate persons on protecting workers’ heal th and heritage safety including paying attention to chemical handling. The Project ✓ Compensation issues will require preparation and implementation of an Environmental, ✓ Community pride and support Health and Safety (EHS) plan which will outline procedures for Community relinquishing/ sharing heritage for avoiding health and safety incidents and for emergency medical greater good treatment. ✓ Workers will be required to wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) as appropriate. ✓ Workers will be sufficiently trained in the safe methods pertaining to their area of work to avoid injuries. The use of PPEs to be encouraged and with incentives ✓ The project will encourage the use of personal protective equipment/apparels such as Wellington boots/safety boots, gloves, overalls and raincoats for field workers. ✓ The project will conduct safety training for pesticide handlers and all agricultural workers. The training programme will include handling of agro-chemicals, use of PPE and what to do in the case of pesticide exposure. Cultural Heritage ✓ Any cultural site including sacred groves on proposed plantations will, with the agreement of the community be well demarcated and the area not cleared for development. ✓ Necessary cultural rites agreed with community and performed prior to access to groves Natural events in Ghana are mostly flood and wildfire and these result in risks such as loss of lives, livelihoods amongst others. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page xiii Forestry Commission Proposed REDD+ Sub-component Environment, Social and Health Impact Issues/ Proposed Mitigation Action/ Measures strategy options Concerns Mitigation measures Awareness creation and sensitization on uncontrolled bush burning ✓ Effective monitoring ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page xiv The Ghana REDD+ Mechanism will comprise of several subprojects, and all of which are expected to fall within Category B or C sub-projects. As indicated above under the main strategies of the REDD+ and activities that will result in emission reduction will focus on strengthening institutions and polices for sustainable forest and cocoa management, rehabilitation of degraded forests with native species and introducing and expanding climate smart cocoa production. No sub-project that would qualify as category A will be implemented under the Ghana Cocoa REDD+ Program. Sub-projects will be screened to: (i) determine whether projects are likely to have potential negative environmental and social impacts; (ii) identify potential environmental and social impacts (iii) identify appropriate mitigation measures for activities with adverse impacts; (iv) incorporate mitigation measures into the project design; and (v) monitor environmental and social impacts and concerns during implementation. An Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) is included to provide guidance to the MLNR and the Forestry Commission (FC) on procedures to be followed and standards to be met in implementing the projects which should agree with national and World Bank safeguard provisions. Roles and responsibilities of the FC and other collaborating agencies are clearly defined as well as monitoring protocols to be followed to ensure that the required provisions are adhered to budgetary allocations are provided to support the implementation of the environmental and social management plan. The main responsibility for implementing the ESMF rests with the FC (at national, regional and district levels) in collaboration with other partners such as Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR), COCOBOD, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Water Resources Commission, Lands Commission, District Assemblies, local communities and other institutions to be identified as relevant. The main responsible ministry is the MLNR with the Forestry Commission as the lead implementing agency. At the National level, a Safeguards Focal Person (SFP) has been designated and is the main contact person with overall responsibility for action and reporting on Safeguards with supervision from the Director for the Climate Change Department and with support of the technical sub-working group on safeguards. Subsequently, Safeguards Focal Persons (SFPs) have also been successfully trained on World Bank, National and international safeguards requirements and they are at the Forestry Commissions regional and district offices. The SFPs are responsible for the effective monitoring and reporting of safeguards compliance in their various regions and districts. The program design is based on strong private public partnerships, therefore the SFPs would ensure that each program participating entity would follow the ESMF. The FSD regional managers will oversee the implementation of all actions to mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts within their respective operational regions and supervise their district managers to ensure sound management practices at the community level. These roles and responsibilities for the implementation of the Framework ESMP, will be inserted in the E&S safeguards management section in the Project Operational Manual (POM. Along with the lead FC, COCOBOD, EPA, District or Municipal or Metropolitan Assemblies, licensed buying companies, private agents and extension agents and service providers will have specific roles in the implementation of ESMF. The specific roles include the following: (i) ESMP for the Ghana FIP_ October 2013 Forestry Commission identification and/or siting of the sub-project; (ii) screening, categorization and identification of the required instrument; (iii) approval of the classification and the selected instrument; (iv) preparation of the safeguard instruments and documents in accordance with the national legislation/procedure; (v) compliance/performance monitoring; (vi) sensitization stakeholders’ capacity building in safeguards; (vii) reporting and disclosure; and (viii) independent evaluation of performance (Audit). The Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (FGRM) is designed to receive, evaluate and address project-related grievances from affected communities or stakeholders at the community, HIA, region or programme level. Potential conflict sources could be resource use and access, land tree and tree tenure, benefit sharing, gender participation inclusiveness and other related grievances. The national, PMU and district FGRM focal persons will be responsible for FGRM processes. The Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (FGRM) will be operationalized in four steps including the composition of the Arbitration Panel and timelines (period) to resolving grievances are described in the report. Monitoring plans have been developed for implementation at different levels, namely at the: REDD+ and national Policy level; Environmental and social safeguards framework level; and project specific ESMP level. The Plan is accompanied by verifiable indicators as well as responsibilities for the various monitoring issues. As part of stakeholder engagement, there was extensive stakeholder consultation in the preparation of the ESMF. Key stakeholders included government ministries, state agencies/organisations/ and departments, projects offices, non-governmental organization and local communities in the program area. Critical information provided by the SESA team also enriched this assessment. The consultations also served to gather information on institutional mandates and permitting requirements to inform the development of sub-projects. A budget of 1.4 million was allocated for the implementation of the ESMF. The budget will be used for staffing, training of staff of institutions involved in the implementation of ESMF, preparation of guidance notes and tools, and monitoring and evaluation of ESMF implantation. The preparation of the ESMF was informed by SESA prepared for the Ghana REDD+ Strategy and ESMF prepared for the Ghana Forest Investment program. As required by the World Bank policies and Ghana ESIA procedures on disclosure, the FC and EPA will make copies of the ESMF available in selected public places as required by law for information and comments. Public notice in the media will serve that purpose and notification will be made public through newspaper advertisements. The FC will assist to select display venues upon consultation with the EPA including the FC website. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page xvi 1.0 INTRODUCTION Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+) is a proposed global mechanism to mitigate climate change, while mobilizing financial resources for socio- economic development in forest countries. The Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF), facilitated by the World Bank, brings together donors and forest country participants with the aim of supporting the forest countries in the preparation and subsequent implementation of their REDD+ Strategies. Ghana is a key FCPF participant country. Due to Ghana’s high economic dependence on natural resources, the country now has one of the highest deforestation rates in Africa. According to the recent Reference Level, Ghana’s deforestation rate is estimated at 3.6 per annum since 2001. , Unlike other REDD+ countries facing frontier deforestation, Ghana’s deforestation pathway is one of incremental degradation leading to deforestation and the REDD+ Readiness Phase (R-PP) identifies the principal drivers of deforestation and degradation, in order of relevance, as including: (i) uncontrolled agricultural expansion at the expense of forests; (ii) over-harvesting and illegal harvesting of wood; (iii) population and development pressure; and (iv) mining and mineral exploitation. Ghana prepared a National REDD+ Strategy as part of its R-PP. The vision of the Strategy is to significantly reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by tackling the drivers of deforestation, while at the same time addressing threats that undermine ecosystem services and environmental integrity so as to maximize the co-benefits of the forests and serve as a pillar of action for the national climate change agenda and a leading pathway towards sustainable, low emissions development. To realize REDD+, Ghana’s strategy is to produce emission reductions by focusing on the implementation of large scale programs that largely follow ecological boundaries and are defined by major commodities and drivers of deforestation and degradation. These programmatic activities would be further supported by a set of over-arching actions and policies which are encompassed within the national REDD+ framework. This Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) is prepared to contribute to sustainable implementation of the REDD+ strategies by providing guidelines to mitigate all anticipated adverse impacts during the planning and implementation of the various sub projects under the strategic interventions. 1.1 Objectives of the ESMF The objectives of the ESMF are to: • Establish clear procedures and methodologies for the environmental and social assessment, review, approval and implementation of interventions identified by the REDD+ strategy; • Specify appropriate roles and responsibilities, and outline the necessary reporting procedures, for managing and monitoring environmental and social concerns related to project interventions; • Determine the training, capacity building and technical assistance needed to successfully implement the provisions of the ESMF; and ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 17 Forestry Commission • Provide practical information on resources for implementing the ESMF. 1.2 Approach to the ESMF Study This ESMF study has benefitted from the following reports: • Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) for the African Development Bank (AfDB) component of the Forest Investment Program (FIP); • Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the World Bank financed FIP; and • The final Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) report for the REDD+ mechanism. 1.2.1 Baseline Information The following baseline data were collected and analyzed: • key components of proposed REDD+ interventions, • relevant existing environmental and social policies, laws and regulations related to the forestry sector in Ghana, • existing main environmental and social conditions, • key environmental and social issues associated with the proposed intervention, • key stakeholders in relation to the identified interventions, and • requirements for the detailed analysis of potential effects: o technical studies required; o public participation and stakeholder involvement; and o available information resources, including other environmental and social assessment studies available as reference. 1.2.2 Stakeholder Consultations Key stakeholders were defined as those to be directly affected by the proposed interventions, i.e. those that may be expected to either benefit or lose from the proposed alternative/project, particularly among the poor and the marginalized. Those directly involved included persons and institutions with technical expertise and public interest in the REDD+ mechanism as well as with linkages to the poor and marginalized. Consultation was made in six (6) out of the ten (10) regions of Ghana and these consultations spanned across the different ecological zones (High forest, Transition and Savannah) of the country. The Regional and District Forest Services Division (FSD) Managers recommended the selected communities due to the deforestation and forest degradation in the area and such areas may have REDD+ implementation potential. The consulted regions comprise Western, Central, Brong Ahafo, Ashanti, Northern, Upper East. The rest participated in the SESA regional workshops and where their views were solicited on the key issues. Details of stakeholders consulted, and dates of consultations are provided in Annex 1. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 18 Forestry Commission The ultimate beneficiaries of this project may be the fringe communities who manage land and forests for their livelihoods and will have access to new skills, opportunities and markets. They were therefore mostly the target for consultation. The Ministries, Departments and Agencies responsible for natural resources and environmental management will also benefit from improved policies, capacity development programmes and outreach and communication programmes and it was important to solicit their views. Other stakeholders including the private sector and civil society, will also benefit through the institutional and policy reform, and improved resource management practices in the key regions and sectors of focus. 1.2.3 Analysis of data and content of report The ESMF consists of following contents: • Introduction • Description of the Project and Related Activities • Institutional Framework • Ghana Baseline Description • REDD+ Activities, Potential Impacts and Issues, and Screening Provisions • Guidelines for Mitigation and Enhancement Measures • Environmental and Social Management Plan • Institutional Capacity for ESMF Implementation • Monitoring and Evaluation • Consultations, ESMF Disclosure and Grievance Mechanism • Conclusion • References/ Bibliography 2.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED REDD+ STRATEGY INTERVENTIONS Addressing deforestation and forest degradation presents several challenges in Ghana, though success in REDD+ policy making would offer significant benefits for the society not only in carbon emissions reductions but also in relation to biodiversity conservation, forest industry, agriculture and livelihoods. Below is a list of the proposed REDD+ strategy options/intervention for addressing the identified drivers of deforestation and forest degradation. • Improve the quality of multi-stakeholder dialogue and decision –making • Clarify natural resource rights • Improve forest law enforcement, governance and trade • Address unsustainable timber harvesting by supporting sustainable supply of timber to meet export and domestic / regional timber demand • Address problem of local market supply • Mitigate effects of agricultural expansion (particularly cocoa in the HFZ) • Strengthen local decentralised management of natural resources • Improve sustainability of fuel wood use • Improve quality of fire-affected forests and rangelands • Address local market demand ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 19 Forestry Commission • Improve returns to small-scale enterprise • Improve regulation of mining activities to reduce forest degradation Rehabilitation of degraded forest reserves • Implement actions to address acts of God (wind and natural fire events, floods, pests and diseases) 2.1 Overview of the Ghana Cocoa-Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP) The GCFRP is a key pillar of the National REDD+ Strategy. It is the first programme to be developed and implemented, and it will serve to test many of Ghana’s REDD+ systems, processes, and policies, including Ghana’s MRV system, the FGRM, the ESMF, and reforms to tree tenure and benefit sharing. As such, the lessons and experiences from implementing and monitoring the GCFRP will directly inform the development and roll-out of the next programmes, including an Emission Reductions Programme for the Shea Landscape of the Northern Savanna Woodland which is under preparation. The GCFRP is one of the first Emission Reductions (ER) Program to be centered upon the development of a sustainable commodity supply chain that hinges upon the non-carbon benefits that will be channeled to farmers as a result of significant private sector investments into the landscape and the supply chain. The goal of the GCFRP is to significantly reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation by promoting climate-smart cocoa production, landscape level land-use planning, strategic policy reforms, integrated coordination and monitoring, law enforcement as well as risk reduction efforts within priority Hotspot Intervention Area (HIA) landscapes. As a 20-year programme, the GCFRP estimates that it could produce a total of 294,395,567 million tCO2e emission reductions (following the removal of 102,535 million tCO2e placed in risk and uncertainty buffers), representing a 44% overall reduction against the reference level. Under a prospective contract with the Carbon Fund to cover the first 7 years of implementation (2019-2024, with final disbursement in 2025), Ghana estimates that it could generate significant reductions in deforestation and forest degradation against its reference level and produce approximately 10 million tCO2e emission reductions to be transacted under the ERPA. The programme area covers 5.92 million ha, is located in the southern third of the country, and forms part of the West Africa Guinean Forest biodiversity hotspot1. The programme area overlaps with 92 administrative districts and 5 administrative regions, including the Eastern Region, Central Region, Ashanti Region, Western Region and the Brong-Ahafo Region. The administrative districts have been grouped into Hotspot Intervention Areas (HIA) with their respective communities forming sub-HIAs. Each of the HIAs will be governed by a duly constituted governance structure. The GCFRP will be implemented in six (6) HIAs (Figure 1) 1 GoG, 2002. National Biodiversity Strategy for Ghana, Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation (MESTI), The Republic of Ghana. https://www.cbd.int/doc/world/gh/gh-nbsap-01-en.pdf ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 20 Forestry Commission Figure 1: Map of the implementation area of the Ghana Cocoa Forest REDD+ Programme (GCFRP) ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 21 Forestry Commission 2.2 Implementing and collaborating institutions The main responsible ministry is the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) with the Forestry Commission as the lead implementing agency. The Forestry Commission will work with partners with skills in communication, community engagement, and landscape management practices especially those already engaged with Community Resources Management Areas (CREMA) development. Others are stakeholders in the cocoa landscape supply chain and will include COCOBOD, licensed buying companies, private agents and extension agents and service providers (Touton, Solidaridad, Mondelez, NCRC, IUCN etc.), research institutions (FORIG and CRIG). The project will also support the GoG in regular communication and coordination among REDD+ financed interventions and related activities, to promote synergies among other forestry programmes such as the FIP projects (WB, AfDB, IFC, DGM) as well as information and knowledge sharing among other REDD+ institutions and countries. 3.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK The national policy and legal provisions related to the REDD+ interventions are presented in the Annex 2 of this report. 3.1 Institutional Framework The institutions with the REDD+ strategy are described below. Environmental Protection Agency As the law stipulates, the EPA is statutorily mandated to ensure that the implementation of all undertakings do not harm the environment. Currently, the Agency has no district offices but the ten (10) regional offices are largely accessible and sufficiently staffed and equipped to perform its functions satisfactorily. Forestry Commission The Forestry Commission of Ghana is responsible for the regulation of utilization of forest and wildlife resources, the conservation and management of those resources and the coordination of policies related to them. The Commission embodies the various public bodies and agencies that were individually implementing the functions of protection, management, the regulation of forest and wildlife resources. These agencies currently form the divisions of the Commission: • Forest Services Division • Wildlife Division • Timber Industry Development Division • Wood Industries Training Centre • Resource Management Support Centre ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 22 Forestry Commission It is the aim of the Commission to be a corporate body of excellence in the sustainable development management and utilization of Ghana's forest and wildlife resources meeting both national and global standards for forest and wildlife resource conservation and development. District/Municipal/Metropolitan Assemblies The current local government structure or the district assembly system is established by two main Acts, namely Act 963 and Act 480. Both Act 963 and Act 480 designate the District/Municipal/Metropolitan Assembly as the planning authority, charged with the overall development of the district. Both Acts provide that local people (communities) must participate in the formulation of the District Development Plan. A key feature of this Assembly System is the involvement of communities or zones or whole villages who elect their representatives (Assemblymen) to the Assembly. The structure of the Assembly comprises Unit Committees which are usually formed at the community levels, and the Urban/Town/Area Councils. The Regional Coordinating Councils (RCCs) are active participants in the REP II and therefore the DAs through the Assemblypersons will as and when required, liaise between subproject owners and the administrative authorities for permitting and other statutory issues. Ghana Cocoa Board Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) is the national institution responsible for the regulation and management of the cocoa sector and its functions center on the production, research, extension, internal and external marketing and quality control of cocoa. The Pre-harvest Sector functions deal with fundamental issues on actual cocoa production at the farm gate level and are performed by the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG), the Seed Production Unit (SPU) and the Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease Control Unit (CSSVDCU). The Post-harvest Sector functions are undertaken by the Quality Control Division (QCD) and the Cocoa Marketing Company (CMC) Limited. COCOBOD is an important institution as most of Ghana’s cocoa is grown in the High forest ecological zone and cocoa production in forest areas is a key driver of deforestation. 3.2 World Bank Safeguard Policies The proposed REDD+ interventions are anticipated to have positive social and environmental impacts. Some of the interventions may result in changes in land use which impact livelihoods. The specific locations of activities and intervention are still being identified. A Social and Environmental Strategic Assessment (SESA) was prepared under FCPF which identified other possible social and environmental risks. Also, a Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) was developed under the FCPF. The relevant World Bank Safeguard Policies to REDD+ are summarized Table 1. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 23 Forestry Commission Table 1: World Bank Safeguards Policies relevant to REDD+ Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) Environmental Assessment Yes The Program is designed to make payments to the Ghana OP/BP 4.01 Cocoa Forest REDD+ initiatives for measured, reported and verified Emission Reductions (ERs) related to reduced deforestation, forest degradation and the enhancement of forest carbon stocks. As such, the program will not directly finance the activities generating ERs. However, the program ensures that payment is made for activities that comply with the World Bank Safeguards Policies and international best practices on safeguards. OP/BP 4.01 and other relevant safeguard polices were triggered with this in mind. The ER Program is classified as Category B as the activities are targeted to bring sustainable forest management through reversing forest degradation and deforestation, through policy interventions and investments to afforest and rehabilitate degraded forests, with low and localized environmental impacts. An Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the National REDD+ Strategy prepared under the REDD+ Readiness phase will be used to address environmental and social risks associated with activities that will generate ER. The ESMF would be used to develop site specific Environmental Management Plans (EMP) as needed. The ESMF will include standard methods and procedures, along with appropriate institutional arrangements for screening and reviewing program activities and monitoring the implementation of mitigation measures to prevent adverse and cumulative impacts. The effective use of the ESMF would be regularly reviewed and audited. When the specific location of sub-projects are identified, ESIA/ ESMP will be prepared, consulted on and disclosed. Natural Habitats OP/BP Yes Some of the forest and woodlands to be targeted will 4.04 contain critical ecosystems; the project will enhance the quality of the management of these critical ecosystems and reduce risks associated with activities targeted to bring ERs. No investments leading up to the ERs will include activities that involve significant conversion or degradation of natural habitat. The needed activities will be designed to reduce pressures on natural habitats and improve their conservation. The ESMF will provide guidance on avoiding or mitigating ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 24 Forestry Commission Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) impacts on natural habitats. Forests OP/BP 4.36 Yes The REDD+ activities leading to generation of ERs are expected to have significant positive impacts on targeted forests by reducing deforestation and forest degradation while contributing to improve the livelihoods of forest- dependent communities. Generally, potential impact of the Program activities on natural forests will be addressed through the ESMF. Specifically, the ESMF will provide detail procedures to screen program activities for potential adverse environmental and social impacts and to take measures to avoid, minimize and mitigate such impacts. Pest Management OP 4.09 Yes Pesticide use may increase in association with activities that will generate emission reductions such as promotion climate smart cocoa production. The REDD+ ESMF provides mitigation measures to address potential impacts of pesticides on the environment and public health. The program will adopt and use the PMP developed for FIP with the specific objective to promote the use of biological and environmental control methods for pest management and reduce the use of synthetic chemical pesticides to ensure that health and environmental hazards associated with pesticides are minimized. The PMP will ensure integration of appropriate pest management techniques into agro-forestry technologies, and cocoa landscapes in the area, monitor pesticide use and pest issues among participating farmers and local communities, and promote implementation of an Integrated Crop and Pest Management (IPM) including the promotion and adoption of climate smart cocoa. Physical Cultural Yes Screening of sites for activities leading to ERs will be Resources OP/BP 4.11 provided for under the ESMF to avoid adversely affecting physical cultural resources, such as sacred groves. The Process Framework prepared for FIP will be used for the program since the project may cause restrictions in access to natural resources in legally designated parks and protected areas. The PF establishes a process by which members of potentially affected communities are engaged and participate in addressing measures necessary to achieve resettlement policy objectives. Indigenous Peoples OP/BP No There are no Indigenous People in the project area. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 25 Forestry Commission Safeguard Policies Triggered? Explanation (Optional) 4.10 Involuntary Resettlement Yes No physical displacement of project affected persons is OP/BP 4.12 expected under the ER program. However, some activities leading up to generation of the ERs may lead to the acquisition of land, loss of assets and/or means of livelihoods. Since the specific locations of the investments are yet to be determined, REDD+ Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) will be used to address potential resettlement and compensation issues. The Process Framework prepared for FIP will also be used to address issues related to access restrictions in to natural resources. Safety of Dams OP/BP 4.37 No The activities leading up to ERs do not involve dams. Projects on International No None of the related investments will be located on Waterways OP/BP 7.50 international waterways so this policy is not triggered. Projects in Disputed Areas No None of the related investments will be located in disputed OP/BP 7.60 areas so this policy is not triggered. 3.3 Key Conventions/Protocols Ratified by Ghana relevant to REDDD+ A summary of information on key Conventions, Protocols and Treaties, which are relevant to REDD+ and ratified by Ghana, are provided in in Table 2. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 26 Table 2: Summary of Information on the International Conventions, Protocols and Treaties Relevant to REDD+ CONVENTION Date of Signatories Location Date of entry Date of Ghana Focal Point in Ghana Location opened into force Ratification United Nations Framework 04-06-1992 New York 05-05-1995 06-09-1995 Ministry of Environment Science, Convention on Climate Change Technology and Innovation (MESTI) Convention on Biological Diversity 05-06-1992 Rio de Janeiro 29-12-1993 29-08-1994 MESTI/EPA Accra Convention on International Trade 30-04-1973 Washington, 01-07-1975 14-11-1975 in Endangered Species of Wild D.C. Wildlife Division (FC) Accra Fauna and Flora - CITES, Convention on the Conservation of 23-06-1979 Bonn 1983 1988 Migratory Species of Wild Animals The International Treaty on Plant 3-11-2001 Madrid 2004 2002 Plant Genetic Resource Bunso/Accra Genetic Resources for Food and Research Institute Agriculture (PGRRI of CSIR) Convention on Wetlands - The 02-02-1971 Ramsar 21-12-1975 22-06-1988 Wildlife Division (FC) Accra Ramsar Convention World Heritage Convention - WHC. 23-11-1972 Paris 17-12-1975 04-07-1975 Ghana National Accra Commission for UNESCO International Plant Protection 16-12-1951 Rome 03-04-1952 22-02-1991 MoFA-Plant Protection Pokuase- Convention Regulatory Services Accra Directorate (PPRSD) African convention on the 31-10-2003 Maputo 20-07-2007 13-06-2007 Ministry of Lands and Accra conservation of nature and natural Natural Resources resources (Revised) United Nations Convention to 14-10-1994 Paris 26-12-1996 14-10-1994 combat Desertification in those ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 27 Forestry Commission CONVENTION Date of Signatories Location Date of entry Date of Ghana Focal Point in Ghana Location opened into force Ratification countries experiencing serious drought and/or Desertification, Particularly in Africa Stockholm Convention on 24-05-2001 Stockholm 17-05-2004 30-05-2003 Persistent Organic Pollutants Vienna Convention for the 22-05-1985 Vienna 22-09-1988 24-07-1989 Protection of the ozone layer EPA Accra Kyoto Protocol to the United 16-03-1998 Kyoto 16-02-2005 30-05-2003 Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety to 15-05-2000 Cartagena 11-09-2003 30-05-2003 National Biosafety Accra the Convention on Biological Authority Diversity Abidjan Convention for Co- 23-03-1981 Abidjan 08-05-1984 20-07-1989 EPA Accra operation in the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal environment on the West and Central African Region and protocol ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 28 4.0 GHANA BASELINE DESCRIPTION The Republic of Ghana is situated on the West Coast of Africa between latitude 4 30’ and 11 N and longitude 1 10’ E and 3 15’ W with a land size of 238,539km2. It has a total border of 2,093km, including 548km with Burkina Faso to the north, 688km with Côte d’Ivoire to the west, and 877km with Togo to the east. It has a coastline on the Gulf of Guinea, part of the Atlantic Ocean, measuring 539km. The country is divided into 10 administrative regions and 216 districts. The country is characterised by fairly low relief with few areas of moderate elevation in the north and east. The land is generally 600 meters above sea level. Physiographic regions include the coastal plains, the forest dissected plateau, and high hill tops which are important ecological subsystems in a generally undulating terrain. At the southern and northern margins of the Volta Basin, there are two prominent areas of highland – the Kwahu Plateau, and the Gambaga Escarpment. On the eastern margins of the Volta Basin is a relatively narrow zone of high mountains running in a south-west to north-east direction with the Akwapim, Buem, Togo Ranges registering the highest point (Mt. Afadjato) in the country. Average rainfall over the country is about 1,260 mm/ year, but ranges from 890 mm/year in the coastal zone near Accra to 2,030 mm/year in the southwestern rainforests. The rainfall is bi- modal in the southwestern forest zone, giving a major and a minor growing season; elsewhere, a uni-modal distribution gives a single growing season from May to October. There are two broad ecological zones - a high forest zone (HFZ) covering much of the southern third of the country, and a savannah zone covering two thirds of the considerably drier northern Ghana. Ghana is drained by three (3) main river systems comprising the Volta, South western and Coastal River Systems. The Volta in Ghana occupies nearly two thirds (70%) of the land area of Ghana, the south western 22% and the minor coastal 8%. Global water resources are estimated at 53.2 km³ per year, consisting of 30.3 km³/year of internally produced water resource, and 22.9 km³/year of runoff from other countries. 4.1 Environmentally sensitive and protected areas The environmentally sensitive and protected areas in the country are described in the following table (Table 3). Ghana has 3,725 species of plants, 729 birds. The Ghana EPA has also classified ‘no go’ areas for development projects which are given in the annex of this report. Table 3: Description of Protected Areas in Ghana Typology Area Comments ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 29 Forestry Commission Typology Area Comments Off-Reserve 201,000 km² Off-reserve areas are lands which are currently (or were) forests but where the policy areas presumption is that these lands would be converted to other use – in particular, agriculture. This includes 5,000 km² of unreserved forests, 60,000 km² of bush fallow, 71,000 km² of bush fallow, 36,000 km² of unimproved pasture, and 29,000 km² of tree and annual crop land Forest 26,000 km² Areas which have been designated as forest reserves where no farming is allowed (except Reserves for in “admitted” farms, that were usually present at the time of reservation of the forest). Dedicated 4 km² Dedicated forests are designed to enable communities to manage their own forest Forests ‘reserves’ based on approved management plans. These are in the form of patches of forests, sacred groves and secondary forests in off-reserve areas. A dedicated forest management scheme was initiated in 1994, under a pilot scheme, two communities were assisted to declare Dedicated Forests (215 ha & 190 ha), in Fosu district to determine the feasibility of communities. The results proved so positive, and draft legislation and a programme to promote dedicated forests were formulated in 1997, but no further action was taken. Sacred Groves Unknown There are numerous sacred groves throughout Ghana. These are managed wholly by communities, but they have no legal status and are extremely small in most instances Protected 10,500 km² Generally, a large and relatively undisturbed area of outstanding natural value containing Areas representative samples of major natural regions, features or scenery and containing one or (National several entire ecosystems and not materially altered by man (or reflecting longstanding Parks) cultural land management practices). The areas should be accessible to the public, have high recreational, educational, inspirational and cultural potential of clear benefit to the local people, the region and the nation. Resource 1,664 km² Areas of variable size in which habitats are managed to guarantee conditions essential to Reserves the well-being of selected species for the sustained production of wildlife products (meat, (Game timber, pasture, fruits, honey and other Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) for cultural Production practices, tourism and trophy hunting. These areas may be managed by a central authority, Reserve) or through agreement, by other levels of government, special trusts or local community institutions as appropriate under the overall supervision of GWD. Wildlife 66km² Wildlife sanctuaries can be created on state land or local land. There is a revenue sharing Sanctuaries mechanism at Agumatsa Wildlife Sanctuary in place. (Com-munity 57%, FC 23% and Hohoe Municipal Assembly 20%) CREMA- 30km² The Community Resources Management Area is a legally recognized unit of management Community that is capable of managing the wildlife resources within the defined area. Devolution of Resource Management authority to the CREMA to the Executive Committee is conditional and confers the right to Area restrict access to the common property and extra-farm resources. This provides the incentives for sustainable management of wildlife resources. So far only 1 CREMA (Amok- wasuazo) has received the authority to manage its resources. Globally 2,302 km² Legally established globally significant biodiversity areas identified within the existing forest Significant reserve system, forming a potential network of thirty forest reserves which are proposed Biodiversity Areas- GSBAs for either full (11 reserves) or partial (19 re-serves) protection to provide global security for floristic diversity, these include GSBAs and Southern Dry Forests the Provenance Protection Areas. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 30 Forestry Commission Typology Area Comments Strict Nature 385 km² Only 1 Strict Nature reserve, Kogyae, has been created. Originally created from a Forest Reserve (SNR) Reserve it was taken over by the WD in 1971 and established as an IUCN Category I strict nature reserve. However, the WD has been unable to evict a number of farms and settlements that have occurred within the reserve. Ramsar Sites 1,784 km² 6 Ramsar sites are listed as wetland sites of international importance. Under the Convention there is a general obligation for the Contracting Parties to include wetland conservation considerations in their national land-use planning. They have undertaken to formulate and implement this planning so as to promote, as far as possible, “the wise use of wetlands in their territory” As identified by the REDD+ process, the drivers of deforestation and forest degradation according to their relevance are listed below:The principal drivers of deforestation and forest degradation are: • uncontrolled agricultural expansion at the expense of forests; • over-harvesting and illegal harvesting of wood; • population and development pressure; and • mining and mineral exploitation. Ghana’s deforestation rate is about 3.6 per year, representing a loss of . 315,145 ha/year since 2001. Recent assessments indicate that rates may have been accelerating in the southern Brong- Ahafo and northern portion of the Western Region. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 31 Forestry Commission Figure 2: Drainage map of Ghana ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 32 Forestry Commission Figure 3: Map of protected areas in Ghana ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 33 Forestry Commission Figure 4: Vegetation/Ecological map of Ghana ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 34 Forestry Commission 4.2 Analysis of carbon stock distribution Ghana’s terrestrial carbon stocks are estimated to total 7.46 GtCO2e, comprising 6.22 GtCO2e, in above- and below-ground biomass and about 1.24 GtCO2e in soil carbon to 1 m depth (Katoomba Group et al. 2011a). Reflecting rainfall and vegetation zones, biomass and soil carbon are distributed unevenly over the country. Areas of high biomass carbon density contain 6% of Ghana’s biomass carbon but cover only 2% of the country’s land area. High carbon density areas are associated with intact natural forest in the moist forest zone and contain over 730 tCO2e/ha in above and below-ground biomass, and soil carbon (Katoomba Group et al. 2011a). Although the total area is small, mangroves also contain substantial carbon stocks per unit area. Land-use and land-use change has added significant heterogeneity and variation in carbon stocks. Broadly carbon stocks decline from southwest to northeast and moving from intact forest to increasingly open farming landscapes. The national biomass map shows that the highest biomass is in the HFZ, with carbon stocks (above and below-ground biomass, and soil carbon) ranging from 180 to more than 700 tCO2e/ha. In the entire savannah and the transitional zone, i.e. the northern two-thirds of the country carbon stocks are on the average below 140 tCO2e/ha. Data on soil carbon stocks is limited. Conservative estimates based on IPCC default values estimate Ghana’s soil carbon stocks to be about 260 tCO2e/ha (RoG 2010b). Soil carbon stocks in the high forest zone and savannah zone would range from 110 – 340 tCO2e/ha and from 100 – 125 tCO2e/ha respectively. In the cultivated areas within the high forest zone soil carbon stocks range from about 100 – 260 tCO2e/ha, while the respective estimates in the savannah zone would be 70 – 160 tCO2e/ha (Abu-Bredu et al. 2010, Katoomba Group et al. 2011b). 4.3 Carbon emissions According to Ghana’s second national communication to the UNFCCC, Ghana’s total emission in 2006 was about 24 MtCO2e, amounting to around 1.1 tCO2e per capita. Ghana’s emissions were still low by global standard (0.05%) and ranked 108 in the world. However, the rapidly growing oil and gas sector (already third in export earnings in 2011) is changing Ghana’s overall emissions profile. Consequently, Ghana’s position in the world ranking for overall emissions is expected to change dramatically in next few years. Emission data for the period 1990 – 1996 indicates that the country was a net sink due largely to high levels of carbon sequestration in the Land Use, Land Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) sector (66%) in 1990. However, Ghana’s Second National Communication to UNFCCC estimated a 96% decrease of the net greenhouse gas removals within the LULUCF sector from around from -26.1 MtCO2e in 1990 to -1.04 MtCO2e in 2000, and 5.6 MtCO2e in 2006. Since 2001 the sub- sector has become a net emitter, contributing 25%, of total emissions in 2006. Deforestation and conversion of forests and grasslands was the major reason for this change accounting for 20% share of total LULUCF emissions in 1990 to 50% in 2006. This together with changes in forest and woody biomass accounted for 95% of the LULUCF emissions in 2006. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 35 Forestry Commission Ghana’s low carbon growth plan estimates that 65% of baseline emissions come from land use changes, whilst a further 10% comes from the burning of biomass. Combined, these are estimated to produce 42.3 MtCO2e emissions. Nevertheless, the importance of baseline emissions from land use changes will have to be reviewed as Ghana’s low carbon growth plan has not adequately incorporated the emissions from the rapidly growing oil and gas sector in the overall emissions. 4.4 Socio-economic 4.4.1 Population and Population Density The 2010 population census by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) for the regions is given in the Table 4. The population density by region is provided in Table 5. Table 4: 2010 Population Figures Source: GHANA STATISTICAL SERVICE Population by Region and Sex Both Sexes Male Female Region Share Male Female ALL REGIONS 24,658,823 12,024,845 12,633,978 100.0 100.0 100.0 48.8 51.2 WESTERN 2,376,021 1,187,774 1,188,247 9.6 9.9 9.4 50.0 50.0 CENTRAL 2,201,863 1,050,112 1,151,751 8.9 8.7 9.1 47.7 52.3 GREATER 4,010,054 1,938,225 2,071,829 16.3 16.1 16.4 48.3 51.7 ACCRA VOLTA 2,118,252 1,019,398 1,098,854 8.6 8.5 8.7 48.1 51.9 EASTERN 2,633,154 1,290,539 1,342,615 10.7 10.7 10.6 49.0 51.0 ASHANTI 4,780,380 2,316,052 2,464,328 19.4 19.3 19.5 48.4 51.6 BRONG 2,310,983 1,145,271 1,165,712 9.4 9.5 9.2 49.6 50.4 AHAFO NORTHERN 2,479,461 1,229,887 1,249,574 10.1 10.2 9.9 49.6 50.4 UPPER EAST 1,046,545 506,405 540,140 4.2 4.2 4.3 48.4 51.6 UPPER WEST 702,110 341,182 360,928 2.8 2.8 2.9 48.6 51.4 Ghana’s population exceeded 24 million in 2010, an increase of 28% from 2000. The average annual growth rate is about 2.4% and population is projected to reach 31 million by 2025. Over the past ten years, population density increased from 79 to 102 persons per km². Urban population is about 40%, growing by 4.4%, and expected to reach almost 65% by 2020. Population increase and also urbanization increase will exert demand on natural resources by expansion of agricultural areas and increasing demand for construction wood and for charcoal, especially in urban settings. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 36 Forestry Commission Table 5: Population density by region, 1984 – 2010 REGION AREA (SQ KM) 2010 2000 1984 GHANA 238,533 103 79 52 WESTERN 23,921 99 80 48 CENTRAL 9,826 224 162 116 GREATER ACCRA 3,245 1,236 895 441 VOLTA 20,570 103 80 59 EASTERN 19,323 136 109 87 ASHANTI 24,389 196 148 86 BRONG AHAFO 39,557 58 46 31 NORTHERN 70,384 35 26 17 UPPER EAST 8,842 118 104 87 UPPER WEST 18,476 38 31 24 Source: Ghana Statistical Service 4.4.2 Land Ownership and Tenure System Land ownership Land ownership and tenure in Ghana is governed by a system of common law and customary land law, from which have emerged the following categories of landholdings: • Customary owned; • State owned; and • Customary owned but State managed land (also known as vested land). Customary Ownership Customary ownership occurs where the right to use or to dispose of use-rights over land is governed by the customary laws of the land-owning community, based purely on recognition by the community of the legitimacy of the holding. Rules governing the acquisition and transmission of these rights, which vary from community to community depending on social structures and customary practices, are normally not documented but are generally understood by community members. The Allodial title, equivalent to common law freehold rights, forms the basis of all land rights in Ghana. Allodial rights are vested either in a stool, a clan, a family, an earth priest or a private individual person. Lesser interests, such as tenancies, licenses and pledges, emanate from the Allodial title. Customary lands are managed by a custodian (a chief or a head of clan or family) together with a council of principal elders appointed in accordance with the customary law of the land-owning community. They are accountable to the members of the land-owning community for their stewardship. All grants of land rights by the custodian require the concurrence of at least two of the principal elders for the grant to be valid. State Land State land includes tracts specifically acquired by government under an appropriate enactment using the state powers of eminent domain. Currently the principal acquiring legislation is the ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 37 Forestry Commission State Lands Act of 1962, Act 125, for public purposes or in the public interest. Under such ownership, Allodial rights become vested in government who can then dispose of the land by way of leases, certificate of allocations, and licenses to relevant beneficiary state institutions as well as private individuals and organizations. The boundaries of these land parcels are cadastral surveyed and are scattered throughout the country. Vested Land Vested land is owned by a chief but managed by the State on behalf of the land-owning stool or skin. Under such ownership legal rights to sell, lease, manage, or collect rent is taken away from the customary landowners by application of specific laws on that land and vested in the State. Landowners retain equitable interest in the land (i.e., the right to enjoy the benefits from the land). This category of land is managed in the same way as State land. Unlike State land however, the boundaries are not cadastral surveyed, and they are usually larger, covering wide areas. Land tenure rights and issues The customary owners (stools, clans, families, and Tindamba) who hold the allodial title, own about 78% of the total land area in Ghana. Of the remaining 22% the state is the principal owner of about 20%, while 2% is held in dual ownership (i.e. the legal estate in the Government and the beneficiary/equitable interest in the community). Customary owners hold land in custody for communities and various arrangements on land use for community members prevail. The situation has been further complicated by internal migration related primarily to expanding cocoa and, in many areas, more than 50% of the population are from other parts of Ghana engaged through various arrangements, (lease, share-cropping etc.) in cocoa and other farming activities. Even though the state has elaborated institutional and legal structures for the management of all these types of land, the management of this resource is characterized by incoherent, conflicting and sometimes outdated legislations. The separation of land from the resources on land, such as naturally growing trees, is complicating tenure and benefit sharing as well as reducing incentives for maintaining trees on off-reserve lands. Insufficient consultation and engagement of stakeholders in land management has contributed to increased encroachment of acquired lands (including forest reserves), unapproved and haphazard development schemes, uncertainties about titles to land and land litigation. The complexity is illustrated by the number of land litigation cases before the courts, estimated at about 60,000 in 2002. The effect of this is continuous conflicts, overburdening of the judicial processes, over centralization of authority in urban capitals and rent seeking behaviour. Common land tenure arrangements in cocoa growing areas Land for cocoa cultivation can be obtained from individuals, families or stool through crop or land sharing arrangement. The common practices are (i) where the land or crop/produce is shared into two equal parts between tenant farmer and landowner, referred to as locally as ‘Abunu’, and where the land or crop/produce is shared into three equal parts with the farmer taking 2/3 and landowner taking 1/3, referred to locally as ‘Abusa’. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 38 Forestry Commission The Abunu system dominates in the cocoa growing areas. The Abunu system is of two kinds, (i) where the cultivated farmland is divided into two equal parts between the tenant farmer and the landowner. In such a case, the tenant farmer has some form of ownership to land. The land usually reverses to the owner for re-negotiation when the cash crop/tree crop is cleared or removed due to disaster or disease or when the life span of crop is over; (ii) where only the crop/produce is divided into two equal parts between landowner and tenant farmer. With this second system, the tenant farmer has no form of ownership to land at all. 4.4.3 Brief Country Economic Profile Gross National Income per capita was around US$ 1,283 in 2010 and government policies aim to increase this to US$3,000 by 2020 (RoG 2010a, World Bank 2011a). Cocoa, timber processing, mining and oil are the main economic activities in Ghana. The agriculture sector, which includes forestry, is the largest contributor (about 40% in 2000 - 2004) to GDP, while forestry alone contributes an estimated 4% (World Bank 2005). Over 70% of the population depends on natural resources for their basic food, water, and energy requirements. The mining industry, primarily gold, provided the largest share (38%) of the export value in 2011. Cocoa contributed 22% of the export earnings but as the world’s second largest producer (21%), after Ivory Coast (38%), the role of the cocoa is significant in the Ghanaian economy. The timber industry export has provided around 10% of the foreign exchange between 1990 and 2000 but there has been a considerable decline since 2005 from 8.1% to only an estimated 1.3% in 2011. Ghana made significant progress in addressing poverty between 1992 and 2006. Poverty decreased from affecting 51.7% of the population in 1992 to 28.5% in 2006. Increase in wealth was most pronounced in the southern part of the country. Poverty has become concentrated in the three northern regions with 25% of the population but half of the poor (World Bank 2010). Ghana has made good progress towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). Targets on income, poverty reduction, ending hunger, completion of primary education, gender equality and access to clean water are well on track to be met by 2015. Other MDGs, such as sanitation, child and maternal mortality require more effort. The MDG target on environmental sustainability continues to be a challenge, especially the loss of forest area and increasing CO2 emissions, primarily from land use change and loss of carbon stocks. The recent discovery of oil, though providing potential for economic growth, increasing wealth, and for financing development, may also increase pressure on forests and natural resources through increasing economic activity, urbanization, building and demand for energy. It may also exacerbate a number of already existing challenges related to natural resources and environmental governance, volatility, agricultural competitiveness and geographical disparities. 4.4.4 Forestry and agricultural (cocoa) sectors The formal forestry and wildlife sector employs about 120.000 Ghanaians, with employment predominantly in log processing industry. The timber industry is the fourth largest foreign ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 39 Forestry Commission exchange earner after minerals, cocoa and oil exports. Primary wood and processed products account for 89% and 11% of timber exports, respectively. The informal forestry sector, mainly chain saw milling (CSM), is almost equal in size of formal sector in terms of employment and production. CSM, though illegal since 1998, provides the bulk of the supply (84%) for the domestic market, with estimated volume of around 0.5 million m3 and market value of around 280 million GHC. It is also the main source of (illegal) overland export lumber to neighbouring countries with an estimated volume of around 260,000 m3. It provides employment for around 130,000 people and livelihood for 650,000 people, and is the source of considerable revenue, to the mostly urban financers of the operations (Marfo, 2010). The disconnect between a growing domestic demand and sustainable wood harvest creates huge pressure on forests, particularly in off reserve areas. In addition to timber, forests provide the main source of domestic energy in the form of fuelwood and charcoal. The average annual per capita wood energy consumption estimate is 1.3 m3. This would give a total estimated wood removal of more than 30 million m3 for fuelwood and charcoal, or about 85% of the total wood removal in Ghana. Non-timber forest products (NTFPs) are also very important, especially for women, but much of their value is not formally recorded and remains inadequately represented in policy analysis. Agricultural crops, both subsistence (e.g. maize, cassava, millet), and cash crops, (e.g. as cocoa, cashew, oil palm and coffee) make up 64% of the natural capital of Ghana. Agricultural land use accounts for more than 50% of all land use, and though decreasing, still provides employment for an estimated 60% of the population, particularly women (53% of whom are employed in agriculture). It is primarily small holder farming though it is important to note that certain crops such as cocoa have been intensively commercialized already for at least a century. The cocoa sector in Ghana provides the primary livelihood to an estimated 800,000 farm household. Cocoa farming is one of the dominant land use activity in Ghana with an estimated cultivation area of over 1.6 million ha (World Bank 2012a). Cocoa farm sizes are relatively small with over 84% of the cocoa farms and 44% of the area falling in the size range of below 4 ha (Rice & Greenberg 2000). Ghana is the second largest producer of cocoa in the world. In 2011, Ghana earned over US$2.87 billion from cocoa export. The importance of the sector is reflected by the fact that the sector, including the Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), operate directly under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MoFEP) rather that under the Ministry of Agriculture (MoFA). Overall production continues to grow rapidly, 15% per year 2001 – 2005, and accounted for 28% of the overall growth of the agricultural GDP. In an effort to clearly understand cocoa’s role in driving degradation and deforestation, and the potential to reduce emissions associated with land use change driven by cocoa farming, a multi- stakeholder working group consisting of government, private sector and civil society came together in 2011 to conduct a more detailed analysis of the cocoa sector and its role as a principal driver of deforestation in the high forest zone. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 40 Forestry Commission The results of this analysis determined that despite major gains in national production (cocoa production had increased from a base of 300,000 tons in the late 1980s to an all-time high of 1 million tons in 2011/2012, extensive (or expansive) cultivation of cocoa in Ghana is still the most widely practiced and ubiquitous land use across the program area. What this means on the ground is that in order to maintain or increase yields (and income) farmers establish new farm, at the expense of forests, instead of investing in improved management of existing farms or replanting/rehabilitation of old farms. In addition, there has also been a rapid transition from shaded cocoa cultivation to progressively low/no shade cocoa cultivation, driven mainly by short-term profits, increasing competition for land, and a rising demand for domestic timber in combination with an absence of information about recommended practices and tree tenure/benefit sharing arrangements that given farmers no economic incentives to maintain trees on-farm. Overall, the gap between farmers’ average yields (approximately 400 kg/ha) and their potential yield (>800 kg/ha) remains unacceptably large, and the pressure on forests reserves from smallholder cocoa farmers’ expansion and loss of shaded cocoa forests from reductions in shade continues. The private sector and civil society are investing substantial resources into cocoa projects and programs. The most common institutional arrangement has been the use of public-private partnership (PPP) models. The introduction of social and environmental standards through certification, and efforts to improve access to education and other social amenities has also been the focus of these projects and social corporate responsibility initiatives. Despite the number of projects and programs in operation, there is no evidence that there has been a positive sector level impact on yields, nor a reduction in deforestation and degradation at the landscape scale. As a result, the gap between farmers’ yields and their potential yield remains unacceptably large and the pressure on forests reserves from smallholder cocoa farmers seeking to profit from the “forest rent” continues. Ghana’s Cocoa Forest REDD+ Program aims to enable and facilitate a transition to a climate-smart cocoa production system, while concurrently reducing emissions in the landscape. It is estimated that 25% of the cocoa tree stock exceed their 30-year maximum production life. A tree planting and rehabilitation program was launched in 2010 to replace old and infected trees. Focus in the first phase is on the Eastern, Brong-Ahafo, Central and Volta regions. Insecure land tenure and insufficient access to affordable credit are some of the major constraints in the cocoa sector. Tree crops such as Oil Palm, Rubber Trees, Cashew etc. are envisaged to play an important role in agricultural development in Ghana (GoG 2011c). Especially the plans for and establishment of palm oil plantations has huge economic potential but are also the cause of major controversies in relation to clearing forests in West Africa (e.g. Liberia, Sierra Leone). The palm oil sector (300 – 350,000 ha) is largely small holder driven but may also become an area for large-scale ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 41 Forestry Commission investment and development in Ghana with current economic drivers persist, which potentially could impact on the HFZ. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 42 Forestry Commission 5.0 REDD+ ACTIVITIES POTENTIAL IMPACT ISSUES AND CONCERNS AND SCREENING 5.1 List of key REDD+ project activities/ interventions The specific sub project activities and interventions arising from the proposed strategy options/ interventions, their potential environmental and social impacts, and proposed mitigation measures are listed in Table 6 below. It is worth mentioning that these activities are consistent with both the African Development Bank (AfDB) and World Bank financed FIP sub projects. No sub-project that would qualify as category A will be implemented under the Ghana Cocoa REDD+ Program. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 43 Table 6: Potential REDD+ program activities, their associated environmental, social and health concerns and proposed mitigation measures Proposed Sub-component Environment, Social Proposed Mitigation Action/ REDD+ and Health Impact Measures strategy Issues/ Concerns options A: Improve A: Strengthened Biodiversity Biodiversity the quality of National Forest ✓ Mono specific ✓ Design planting to include both multi- Policy Forum and exotic tree exotic and indigenous plants in stakeholder improved Forest plantings may the right proportions and dialogue and Information alter natural positions; decision – Dissemination vegetation; ✓ Avoid environmentally sensitive making ✓ Plantation tree sites and unnecessary exposure B. Clarify B. Carbon rights seedlings may or access to sensitive habitat; rights regime allocated invade adjacent Consult EPA in the selection and C. Improved C. Implement VPA forest use of such sites; FLEGT and related actions ✓ Biodiversity ✓ Consider biodiversity plots D: Address D: Policy measures conservation within tree plantations and also unsustainable to ensure a (changes in flora along waterways and streams timber sustainable timber and fauna) within the plantations; harvesting by industry, including ✓ Uniform age as ✓ Clearance of plantation plots supporting on-reserve clear felling may will be sufficiently phased to sustainable rehabilitation, prevent reduce the impacts of supply of plantations succession vegetation removal on timber to development and processes terrestrial flora and fauna. meet export off-reserve actions Water Resources and domestic (incl. tree tenure Water Resources ✓ Promote buffer zones along the / regional reform and REDD- ✓ Alterations in local streams to ensure their timber friendly cocoa) local natural integrity and protection of other demand E. Better regulation water cycles/ aquatic life forms. The buffer of small scale hydrology reserves will serve as natural E/J. Address lumbering (SSL), ✓ Water pollution filters for surface runoff from problem of sustainable supply from the plantation areas. The local market of timber to meet agrochemicals reserves will also play a major supply and export and demand domestic / regional role in protecting the banks of Soils the waterways from channel timber demand, ✓ Changes in soil implemented erosion. In addition, the nutrient cycles reserves will create aesthetic J. Timber supply (fertility and scenes along the watercourse. situation carbon storage rationalized Soils capacity) F: Mitigate F1. Support ✓ The application of inorganic ✓ Increased soil effects of Ecosystem-friendly fertilizer will be restricted to the erosion due to agricultural Cocoa Production period just after transplanting. repeated expansion F2. Improve The fertilizers will be applied disturbance (particularly productivity of around each tree in shallow ✓ Poor plantation cocoa in the farmland rings. This is to ensure that the management HFZ) F3. Improve law fertilizer is available to the leading to physical enforcement on FR young transplanted trees. impacts to soil encroachment ✓ No broadcasting of fertilizers structure and F4. Promote will be undertaken. surface layers ecosystem-friendly ✓ Bio char will be introduced in agro-industry ✓ Soil selected plots development contamination ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 44 Forestry Commission Proposed Sub-component Environment, Social Proposed Mitigation Action/ REDD+ and Health Impact Measures strategy Issues/ Concerns options G. Strengthen G1: Support from ✓ Sensitive sites with high erosion local training in forest agrochemical risk will be identified. Such decentralised and resource usage areas shall not be cultivated and management management at will include hill-tops and very of natural district level Air quality steep slopes having gradient of resources administrations ✓ deterioration 25% or more. Vegetation of (already part of from burning of such areas shall be maintained NREG) biomass from to help control erosion as well G2: Support pilot clearing as ensuring soil stability. projects in ✓ reverse gains ✓ Enrichment planting will be decentralised from carbon done in patches of degraded environmental sequestration – areas along these slopes management and adding carbon ✓ The application of inorganic resource planning, into atmosphere fertilizer will be restricted to the through national ✓ dust emissions period just after transplanting. agencies (EPA, from milling ✓ The fertilizers will be applied MLGRD) operations around each tree in shallow H. Improve H1: Implement rings to ensure that the fertilizer sustainability policy measures Pesticides is available to the young of fuel wood and fuel efficiency ✓ improper transplanted trees. use initiatives projects application of ✓ No broadcasting of fertilizers that will reduce pesticide amounts will be undertaken. carbon emissions ✓ application in Air quality arising from rainy season ✓ Burning of biomass will be charcoal and fuel resulting in wood use. avoided as much as possible. ineffective ✓ Fire will be used only in H2: Develop wood- targeting and based fuel supply situations where this is effective increased runoff and least environmental (woodlots, etc.) and uptake by damaging. H3: Develop soils and water ✓ Most biomass generated will be alternatives to bodies available as fire wood and also primary fuels ✓ use of highly toxic as pegs. I. Improve I. Policy and chemicals to ✓ Extractor fans should be quality of practical measures plants, animals available in mills to manage dust fire-affected to address and humans forests and degradation caused Pesticides ✓ improper use, rangelands by fire in the ✓ The use of pesticides on contamination by agricultural and plantations will be minimal. high exposure, no livestock ✓ The main control methods for precautionary production cycles pests and diseases will involve measures leading (e.g. rangeland the use of resistant hybrids, zoning strategies; to health impacts trapping/scaring of animals, alternative grass protecting young plants with control methods, Land tenure and collar wire and destroying incentives for ownership nestling/breeding areas of pests. community fire ✓ lack of adequate ✓ A constant phyto-sanitary management; documentation observation will be maintained payments for ✓ clear to help prevent the outbreak ecosystem services) understanding of and spread of any potential K. Improve K. Eco-friendly land use and disease/pest into the whole returns to approaches to occupancy plantation. small-scale forest land ✓ Conflicts in land ✓ Uncontrolled mass spraying of enterprise) development claims ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 45 Forestry Commission Proposed Sub-component Environment, Social Proposed Mitigation Action/ REDD+ and Health Impact Measures strategy Issues/ Concerns options K. Intensification ✓ increased values fungicides will be avoided. strategy supported in land prices ✓ The use of herbicides will not be leading to encouraged on plantations. economic ✓ Control of weeds will be done L. Improve L: Implem displacement of manually. regulation of entation by mining poor land tenants ✓ Labour-intensive approach using mining companies of EIA ✓ Transparent rules simple farm tools like hoes and activities to requirements for for benefit sharing cutlasses will be employed. reduce forest forest rehabilitation of carbon ✓ Organic farming practices will degradation following the payments help eliminate the use of closure of mining between land inorganic fertilizers and sites enforced owner and farmer herbicides that are major L: Measures to tenants contributors to soil and surface reduce forest ✓ Rules and water quality deterioration degradation as a agreements in Land tenure and ownership result of place for ✓ The project will liaise with the unregulated (sometimes illegal) traditional chiefs Land Administration Project small scale mining revenue sharing (LAP) initiatives to assist farmers implemented with locals and to map their plots and the M. M. Policy other information documented for Implement implementationtion stakeholders future reference; actions to takes account of ✓ Land acquisition ✓ Proper arrangements to be address acts risks from natural and compensation made on land tenure systems to of God (wind events issues be adopted; and natural ✓ Lack of valuation ✓ Research and stakeholder fire events, rates for timber consultations to identify best floods, pests species practices and guide and diseases ✓ Discrimination, implementation in partnership lack of grievance with traditional authorities. The mechanisms for benefit sharing agreement (BSA) all land users and for off reserve plantations and tenants carbon stocks will have to be approved by government after Maintaining studies are done and Livelihoods stakeholders validate the ✓ Enhance food findings. security through ✓ Due recognition given to improved communities who have agriculture successfully managed sacred production on groves to date in the form of farmed lands to suitable compensation which reduce forest must be discussed and agreed pressures with communities; ✓ Potential ✓ Management plans to be expansion of prepared for all sites to also negative activities reflect community expectations by admitted ✓ District Assembly byelaws to be settlements and used to support the farms that result conservation of dedicated in biodiversity forests and to sanction loss, ecosystem encroachment changes, Maintaining Livelihoods depletion of ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 46 Forestry Commission Proposed Sub-component Environment, Social Proposed Mitigation Action/ REDD+ and Health Impact Measures strategy Issues/ Concerns options natural resources ✓ Admitted farms and settlements ✓ Increasing have expanded beyond allowed demand for forest limits and will have to return to lands for farming/ permitted areas only. They may settlements by therefore have to be fringe compensated for any communities investments/ developments because outside of the permitted areas; productive lands ✓ Ensure appropriate not available; compensations are paid to PAPs ✓ Adequate, ✓ Employment and other documented and opportunities be given to local transparent communities as much as compensation for possible. admitted farmers Farmer rights in order to vacate ✓ FSD to reconsider current policy unauthorised and procedures for the sections of forest allocation and harvesting of ✓ Long gestation trees on farms; periods for tree ✓ Farmers to participate in species/ native discussions to allocate and tree species harvest matured shade trees on their farms and possible Farmer Rights benefits/ compensation ✓ Farmers have arrangements for affected cocoa little say in the trees; harvesting of ✓ FSD to streamline procedures matured shade for registering shade trees to trees make it more- friendly to ✓ Little or no farmers. compensation for Forest Management farmers for ✓ Educate and train community destroyed cocoa fire-fighting volunteers on fire trees during hazards, prevention and use of harvesting of equipment and implement shade trees; regular drills ✓ Higher income ✓ Create fire rides around from improved plantation yields; ✓ Ensure regular patrols to ✓ No financial identify and remove fire threats benefit to farmers early for planting and ✓ Apply appropriate sanctions on nurturing shade offenders including fines and jail trees; sentences ✓ Difficulties in ✓ The plantation development will registering shade be phased in order to generate trees biomass which could be ✓ Unreliable supply manageable at a given of seedlings ✓ time. ✓ Long gestation ✓ Salvaging of useable biomass period of native can significantly reduce the species. volumes of waste that has to be ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 47 Forestry Commission Proposed Sub-component Environment, Social Proposed Mitigation Action/ REDD+ and Health Impact Measures strategy Issues/ Concerns options Forest Management disposed of. ✓ Fire prevention ✓ Felled trees and cleared under- and control brushes will be chipped and ✓ Plantation formed into windrows and security allowed to decompose and/or ✓ Community used as pegs for planting. inclusion in ✓ A waste skip for the collection of management unused and damaged polythene decisions bags for seedlings will be placed ✓ Community at the nursery site. The participation in contents of the waste skip will surveillance and be emptied at the waste dump enforcement site. ✓ Protection of Safety and security rights to use ✓ FSD to devise policies and forest resources procedures to protect field staff ✓ Maintenance of ✓ FSD forestry prosecutors to be forests, especially adequately trained to efficiently in the transition/ handle court cases for swift savanna zones- determination. threat from group hunters and alien Forest management herdsmen ✓ Enforcement of policies and law ✓ Alternative uses regarding mining in forest for forest waste – reserves eg: Mineral and mining charcoal and Act 2006 Act 703, Forest biogas Protection Act 1974 NRCD 243 ✓ Conducting EIAs Security and Safety ✓ Build capacity of mining ✓ Safety and companies and communities of security of the importance of land community reclamation and types of tree informants/ species whistle blowers ✓ Safety and security of FSD Occupational health and safety field staff ✓ The project will design and ✓ Delayed court implement awareness creation processes and low programs to educate persons on fines which do not protecting workers’ health and create proper safety including paying attention structures to to chemical handling. The punish/deter Project will require preparation violations and implementation of an ✓ Low motivation of Environmental, Health and FSD field staff – Safety (EHS) plan which will not proper outline procedures for avoiding incentive health and safety incidents and structure for emergency medical ✓ Unavailability and treatment. poor use of ✓ Workers will be required to personal wear suitable Personal protective ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 48 Forestry Commission Proposed Sub-component Environment, Social Proposed Mitigation Action/ REDD+ and Health Impact Measures strategy Issues/ Concerns options equipment and Protective Equipment (PPE) as limited/ no appropriate. enforcement ✓ Workers will be sufficiently process trained in the safe methods ✓ pertaining to their area of work to avoid injuries. The use of PPEs to be encouraged and with Occupational health incentives and Safety ✓ The project will encourage the ✓ Lack of awareness use of personal protective creation equipment/apparels such as programs on Wellington boots/safety boots, health and safety gloves, overalls and raincoats including for field workers. chemical ✓ The project will conduct safety handling. training for pesticide handlers ✓ No and all agricultural workers. The Environmental, training programme will include Health and Safety handling of agro-chemicals, use (EHS) Plan of PPE and what to do in the ✓ Unavailability and case of pesticide exposure. poor use of Cultural Heritage personal ✓ Any cultural site including protective sacred groves on proposed equipment and plantations will, with the limited/ no agreement of the community be enforcement well demarcated and the area process not cleared for development. ✓ Necessary cultural rites agreed Cultural Heritage with community and performed ✓ Limited access to prior to access to groves shrines ✓ Preservation of Natural events in Ghana are mostly local cultural flood and wildfire and these result in identity and risks such as loss of lives, livelihoods heritage amongst others. ✓ Compensation issues Mitigation measures ✓ Community pride Awareness creation and sensitization and support on uncontrolled bush burning Community ✓ Effective monitoring relinquishing/ sharing heritage for greater good ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 49 5.2 Description of potential impact issues This section provides some discussion regarding the potential environmental and social risks and impacts associated with the specific activities listed above. These impacts and risks are then linked to each project type in Table 6. The discussion that follows addresses these concerns from a thematic context, such as biodiversity, soils and social issues and concerns. 5.2.1 Impacts on Biodiversity The establishment of large plantation schemes either in on reserve or in off reserve areas may have both negative as well as positive impacts to the associated environment and ecosystem. These impacts are a result of conversion of diverse mixed species standing forest tree species to monoculture stands or creating plantation growth in existing degraded lands. On the negative side, use of herbicides to eliminate natural vegetative cover which could reduce plantation growth can cause impacts to soil health, associated wildlife and runoff into nearby streams and water bodies. Once established, tree plantations may block the light and as leaf litter and plantation pruning accumulate, cause impacts to surviving plants from increased acidification and dehydration. The conversion of natural habitats to tree plantations may reduce the abundance and diversity of mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects and other forms of life. Aquatic organisms downstream of plantations may be impacted by chemical usage and erosion. Water-bodies may be polluted with organic plantation waste which absorbs oxygen, creating anaerobic conditions not conducive to natural species in the aquatic environment. Together with nutrients from fertilisers this can cause outbreaks of algae and invasive water plants. Increased turbidity from suspended particles affects aquatic fauna. Further harm to biodiversity can result from increased sedimentation in wetlands. On the other hand, most African Acacias are nitrogen-fixing species which actually enrich the soil with organic nitrogen and improve soil fertility. It is therefore expected that the native tree species will be used for recovering some degraded or clear-felled native forests as well as in agroforestry. When planning tree plantations, use of diverse agroforestry systems can provide positive benefits in terms of productive outputs (timber, fruits, leaves, resins etc.) as well as t other beneficial ecosystem services (nutrient recycling, shelter for various symbiotic species and shade etc.). Selection of tree species that will fulfill both functions is therefore, key to the success of the agroforestry component. The selection of native species will also guarantee minimum impact on biodiversity, including wildlife and birds. 5.2.2 Impacts on water resources ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 50 Forestry Commission Plantation trees grow rapidly, taking up nutrients and water from the soil. Through transpiration they may contribute to locally increased air moisture levels. This may in turn result in more precipitation, but not necessarily at the plantation site. As tree plantations age, hydrological conditions can be altered in a number of ways: • Reduced soil moisture in the immediate vicinity (root-zone) • Progressively incremental uptake of ground water via the tap-root • Increased local temperatures due to decomposing grassland plants All of these factors can contribute to increased evapotranspiration and the loss of soil moisture. As trees get older, other factors such as rainfall interception come into play. Plantation trees with greater leaf surface areas can hold rainwater caught by their foliage long enough for it to evaporate before it can reach the soil. The same applies to the litter layer which is usually sterile and takes many years to decompose. When water does reach the litter layer, it can be held in sponge-like fashion and also not reach the soil, thereby reducing aquifer recharge. Under these conditions the surface soil layer can develop a condition known as hydrophobicity, which results from a combination of factors including the emergence of certain soil fungi that can deposit water resistant residues on soil particles. Established plantation trees are able to tap directly into groundwater so that even during dry seasons or droughts they can grow continuously by consuming water that would otherwise be retained in the soil or flow into streams and rivers. This is especially significant during the dry season, as it prevents water from reaching downstream ecosystems and human communities. 5.2.3 Impacts on soil Tree plantations may impact substantially on soil fertility, and carbon storage capacity: • Decomposing leaf litter may reduce soil pH • An acidic environment increases nutrient solubility but increases potential for leaching. • This also destroys soil organisms that cannot tolerate abnormal acidity. • After the plantation canopy closes, grassland dies, and groundcover is lost. • Detritus dries/oxidises or decays/decomposes releasing CO2 and methane. • Altered soil pH creates conditions where alien invasive plants may thrive – often spreading out of plantations. All of the above contribute to loss of soil carbon through biomass decomposition or soil erosion resulting from soil chemical changes as well as sheet erosion and scouring. The worst impacts on soils are caused by mechanical disturbance when plantations are clear-cut. The impacts of clear-cutting and log extraction may be worsened by bad plantation design and road construction methods. Other plantation-related causes of soil erosion are: • Using herbicides to destroy vegetation that ‘competes’ with plantation trees • Burned or chemically established fire belts (especially on steep slopes) • Displacement of community cropping and livestock grazing onto marginal areas ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 51 Forestry Commission • Shading induced vegetation loss in grassland or forest areas next to plantations • Increased silt load in water courses from storm run-off after clear cuts 5.2.4 Other Impacts Where there are limited plantation management abilities there may be the probability of alien invasive trees, once they start producing seed, and spreading into the landscape. Also, there may be shading out of natural vegetation. As plantations grow taller, the shade cast along their edges may extend further and for longer. When this happens, it may cause sun-loving species to die out locally and increase opportunities for invasive plant species to become established. The reduced exposure to direct sunlight may cause affected areas to become cooler, and when it rains, they take longer to dry out. A number of impacts are possible if there are poor plantation practices. These can include • Poor species selection and poor-quality plants • Poor management of plantings with a high failure rate • Inadequate training of plantation workers • Inadequate fire protection measures • Inadequate management and supervision 5.2.5 Social Issues with Plantation Plantings The objective is to support local communities to restore and protect their forest lands in a way that meets their needs. It should be taken into account in this respect that many poor local communities cannot wait for so many years until they benefit from a land rehabilitation project. These community forests need to produce a variety of products and services from the early years on. Meanwhile, commercial tree plantations often deny local communities from having access. In certain situations, women sometimes have to walk for miles to gather fuel wood as they cannot enter the tree plantations which have occupied the lands where they used to get their fuel wood from. It should be taken into account in this respect that many rural households may not have the budget to buy their fuel. There is a clear need to support such communities in their efforts to develop small-scale, biologically diverse agroforestry systems, forest gardens and tree plantations which provide a diversity of goods and services to the community, including fuelwood, medicinal plants, soil fertility, wildlife, and construction materials. These communities also need market access for the sustainable products they produce. Table 7: Summary of Negative List of potential subprojects based on the findings of the SESA Impact category Potential Negative Impact Biodiversity ✓ Mono specific exotic tree plantings may alter natural vegetation; ✓ Plantation tree seedlings may invade adjacent forest (species invasion) ✓ Uniform age as clear felling may prevent succession processes Water Resources ✓ Alterations in local natural water cycles/ hydrology ✓ Water pollution from agrochemicals including runoff Soils ✓ Changes in soil nutrient cycles (fertility and carbon storage capacity) ✓ Increased soil erosion due to repeated disturbance ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 52 Forestry Commission ✓ Poor plantation management could impact soil structure and surface layers ✓ Soil contamination from agrochemical usage. Air quality ✓ Deterioration from burning of biomass from clearing ✓ Dust emissions from milling operations resulting in air pollution. Pesticides ✓ Improper application of pesticide amounts ✓ Issue of increased runoff into water bodies during rainy season ✓ Use of highly toxic chemicals to plants, animals and humans ✓ Health impacts of high exposure of pesticides to humans Land tenure and ✓ Land Conflicts issues ownership ✓ Economic displacement resulting from increased land values ✓ Transparent rules for benefit sharing of carbon payments ✓ Land acquisition and compensation issues ✓ Lack of valuation rates for timber species ✓ Discrimination, lack of grievance mechanisms for all land users and tenants Maintaining ✓ Enhance food security through improved agriculture production Livelihoods ✓ Potential expansion of negative activities by admitted settlements and farms that result in biodiversity loss, ecosystem changes, depletion of natural resources ✓ Increasing demand for forest lands for farming/ settlements by fringe communities because productive lands not available; ✓ Adequate, documented and transparent compensation for admitted farmers to vacate unauthorised sections of forest Farmer Rights ✓ Farmers have little say in the harvesting of matured shade trees ✓ Higher income from improved yields; ✓ No financial benefit to farmers for planting and nurturing shade trees; ✓ Difficulties in registering shade trees ✓ Unreliable supply of seedlings ✓ Long gestation period of native species. Forest ✓ Plantation security, Fire prevention and control Management ✓ Community inclusion in management decisions ✓ Community participation in surveillance and enforcement ✓ Protection of rights to use forest resources ✓ Alternative uses for forest waste – charcoal and biogas Occupational ✓ Lack of awareness creation programs on health and safety including chemical handling. ✓ No Environmental, Health and Safety (EHS) Plan health and Safety ✓ Unavailability and poor use of personal protective equipment and limited/ no enforcement process Cultural Heritage ✓ Limited access to shrines ✓ Preservation of local cultural identity and heritage 5.3 Some issues arising from the SESA study The SESA process identified some of the likely environmental/social challenges or risks that need to be addressed to minimize adverse environmental/social impacts during project implementation. Some of these concerns from the outcome of the scoping study are provided below. Natural Resource Issues  Protection of key river/ water bodies – develop buffer zones around key rivers into forest  Soil and water quality concerns- from increasing agrochemical usage  Soil fertility and farm erosion issues- promote agro forestry ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 53 Forestry Commission  Resource wastage- during exploitation and use of timber  Maintenance of young tree plantations- threats from livestock grazing especially during the dry seasons  Lack of community/group woodlots, especially in the Savannah zones –promote community woodlots  Promote tree crop plantations especially in the Transition and Savannah zones  Encourage group/ individual and community woodlots especially in the Savannah areas  Lack of community forests – promote community/stools forests/plantations  Maintenance of forests, especially in the transition/savannah zones – threat from group hunters and alien herdsmen Economic Issues  Equity issues- benefit sharing in carbon trading  Limited financial resources- hampering effective forest management  Lack of valuation rates for timber species- LVD compensation rates limited to only annual and perennial crops and LVD rates needs periodic review  Limited economic/ livelihood activities- esp. during the dry season in the savannah zones putting pressure on forest resources  Some communities rejecting REDD- Uncertainties associated with economic benefits  Long gestation periods for tree species/ native tree species (farmers not interested)  The economic viability and benefits from carbon trading versus tree trading  Upfront demands for funds to carry out REDD+ activities & donor flexibility  Job creation opportunities and long-term revenues for beneficiaries  Lack of policy on carbon rights and payment for ecosystem/environmental services  High cost of LPG (pressure on other energy sources)  Economically, women are generally dependent on men because the men have the dominant access to and use of the main factor of production, land. Socio-cultural  Acquisition of large tracts of land for afforestation projects (peasant farmers at risk)  Food security  Admitted and illegal farms/ settlements in forest reserves- compatibility with forest conservation principles  Compensation arrangements- increasing shade trees in existing cocoa farms  Lack of royalty payments – from Game/ wildlife reserves/ parks and GSBAs to traditional authorities and landowners  Lack of sustainable alternative livelihood schemes- Persons/ farmers/ communities heavily dependent on forest resources  Women access and right to tenure and ownership of land and natural resources - Challenges due to cultural, traditional norms and customs  Customary land acquisition and conflicts  Communities rejecting REDD+ due to technicalities/complexities/uncertainties/ unmet expectations, previous projects completion issues  Competition and demand for off-reserve lands (peasant farmers at risk)  Women’s multiple roles in the household, in production and reproduction limit their free time to engage effectively in other social and economic ventures/activities ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 54 Forestry Commission Institutional  Weak law enforcement –inability of FC/FSD/government to halt illegal farming in FRs  Conflicting policies -forestry, cocoa and mineral/mining sectors  Tree tenure rights- reform law to enable tenant farmers benefit from naturally occurring trees on their farms during period of occupation  Lack of policy on carbon rights and payment for ecosystem/environmental services  Security of Land tenure and ownership  Inadequate bye laws at district/ community level- Bush fires, group hunting and cutting of wild economic trees such as shea trees  Institutional capacity for monitoring, data storage/management (FC)  Off reserves management challenges- Community/ traditional authority role not clearly defined.  Lack of land use plan for Ghana  Change in government leading to change in policy direction  Frequent adjournment of forest cases in court and low penalties for offenders  Ineffective collaboration among key government institutions-e.g. FC/COCOBOD/MOFA /MC /MMDAs/GNFS etc  Lack of Health and safety regulations in forest/plantation operation  Lack of transparency at the institutional level during project implementation  Misuse of power/conflict of interest by some traditional leaders and government officials in order to benefit from encroachment into FRs The SESA recommended that the implementation of the proposed strategy interventions (options) for the REDD+ Mechanism in Ghana will offer a number of opportunities to local communities, landowners, and farmers which will improve their livelihoods. However, this must be done with greater consideration for sustainability. The opportunities and risks developed for the various strategy options provided a key reference point for the appropriate enhancement and mitigation measures to be considered for the specific strategy intervention to be implemented. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 55 Forestry Commission 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN The Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) provides guidance to the Forestry Commission on procedures to be followed and standards to be met in implementing projects which should be in agreement with national and World Bank safeguard provisions. Roles and responsibilities of the FC/FSD and other collaborating agencies are clearly defined as well as monitoring protocols to be followed to ensure that the required provisions are adhered to. Finally, budgetary estimates are provided to support the implementation of the environmental and social management plan. The ESMP will be included in the project’s Manual of Operations. The ESMP outlines mechanisms for: • Screening of proposed project interventions, identifying potential environmental and social impacts and management of safeguard policies implications; • Arrangements by the FC and other relevant institutions for implementation and their capacity building; • Monitoring ESMP measures implementation; • Community consultations; • The estimated costs related to the ESMP. 6.1 The Environmental and Social Screening Process The purpose of the preliminary screening is to: (i) determine whether projects are likely to have potential negative environmental and social impacts; (ii) decide if EPA Form EA1 needs to be submitted to EPA; (iii) identify appropriate mitigation measures for activities with adverse impacts; (iv) incorporate mitigation measures into the project design; (v) review and approve projects proposals and (vi) monitor environmental and social impacts and concerns during implementation. The early screening process will also consider the provisions of the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) for possible livelihood impacts. Project managers must foremost carry out the preliminary environmental and social screening of proposed projects by using the checklist suggested in Annex 3. If significant impacts are anticipated then the EPA must be consulted and the Ghana Environmental Assessment (EA) procedures duly followed. When there are minimal or no impacts (as determined using the checklist), project managers must consult internally with the FC National or Regional Safeguard Focal Persons for confirmation. Once an agreement is reached, the manager may proceed with the minimum regular reporting requirements which will be discussed and agreed with the FC Safeguard Focal Persons. When there may be doubt concerning project risks and impacts, the local and/or Regional Safeguard Focal Persons should consult the EPA for guidance as provided by the Ghana EA procedures. ESIA Procedure to be followed for Projects ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 56 Forestry Commission The formal environmental approval and permitting processes will be guided by the World Bank safeguard policy OP4.01 which provides guidance on the environmental assessment procedures for WB funded projects. The Ghana EIA procedures (EPA, 1994) have also established a process to screen and evaluate all developments, undertakings, projects and programmes which have the potential to give rise to significant environmental impacts. The two processes are largely similar and the Ghanaian procedures are therefore given in the following sections and will mostly be statutorily followed by all projects to obtain environmental permits. Those projects requiring EPA clearance will only commence when an environmental permit has been procured from the EPA. The Agency has provided the list of projects for which ESIA is mandatory. These have been given in the Annex 6 and are consistent with the World Bank categorization of projects. The following steps will be followed by the FC to ensure environmental and social compliance of Projects. Step 1: Environmental Registration of the Project Every regional forestry office willl designate a Regional Safeguards Focal Person/Officer. The appointed/ designated Officer will be directly responsible for screening all projects and submitting EPA documentation when required. The REDD+ Environmental and social review Form will be completed and when necessary the EA Assessment Registration Forms will also completed. A sample copy for the screening form is given as Annex 4 and the EA1 Form is provided in Annex 7 and the mitigation measures suggested in this ESMF as well as the checklist used in the screening exercise should assist to complete this Form. For projects for which EIA are mandatory, the Officer should register with Form EA2 otherwise Form EA1 should be used. Step 2: Screening This activity in accordance with the EAR 1999 LI1652 is the responsibility of the EPA. The Agency, within 25 days of receiving the Registration Form will take a decision by placing the project at the appropriate level of environmental assessment. The results will be communicated to the implementing agency with reasons, which could be any of the following: • Objection to the project • No objection to the project (equivalent to World Bank Category C Project) • Preliminary Environmental Assessment (PEA) will be required (equivalent to World Bank Category B Project) • Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) required (equivalent to World Bank Category B or A Project). For projects receiving the ‘no objection’ from the EPA (WB Category C project) and therefore have only minor environmental and social risks, the regional/ district forestry office may move to implementation in accordance with pre-approved standards or codes of practices or the pre- approved guidelines for environmental and social management. Step 3: Conduct environmental and social assessment studies ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 57 Forestry Commission For Projects for which the decision is the conduct of a PEA (equivalent WB category B project) or and ESIA (WB Category B), standalone reports will be prepared. The Ghana EPA statutorily requires an EIA for plantation projects in excess of 40ha. The Regional Safeguard Officer in consultation with the district office, will prepare the Terms of Reference for the ESIA, and follow procurement rules for the recruitment of consultants for the ESIA. The ToR may be prepared using issues identified during the screening exercise and also the registration of the project with the EPA, and in possible consultation with the National Safeguards Officer/Coordinator at the REDD+ Secretariat. Also, the impact mitigation measures provided in this ESMF may provide some basis for the design of the ToR. To facilitate the formulation of the ToR, a template has been prepared and provided in the Annex 8 of this report. The ESIA will identify and evaluate potential environmental impacts for the proposed activities, evaluate alternatives, and design mitigation measures. The preparation of the ESIA will be done in consultation with stakeholders, including people who may be affected. Community consultations are critical in preparing a proposal for the activities likely to have impacts on the environment and communities. The community consultations should identify key issues and determine how the concerns of all parties will be addressed in the ESIA. When an ESIA is necessary, the administrative process enacted by the EPA will be followed and executed. Procedures for projects requiring an ESIA First stage: Preparation of Terms of Reference The results of identification, and extent of the ESIA (scoping), the terms of reference will be prepared by the Regional Safeguards Officer. Second stage: Selection of consultant Third stage: Preparation of the ESIA with community consultation The report will follow the following format: • Description of the study area • Description of the subproject • Discussion and evaluation of alternatives • Environment description • Legal and regulatory • Identifying potential impacts of proposed sub-projects • Process of public consultations • Development of mitigation measures and a monitoring plan, including estimates of costs and responsibility for implementation of surveillance and monitoring Step 4: Review and approval of the ESIA for the project; Publication / Dissemination of ESIA The regional FSD will submit the draft ESIA to EPA. The report will be reviewed by a cross- sectoral National Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Technical Review Committee (ESIA/TRC) made up of representatives of relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies as determined by the EPA after preliminary review of the pertinent environmental and social issues associated with the project. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 58 Forestry Commission The review committee is expected to: • Assist the Agency in screening/reviewing all Environmental Assessment Applications and Reports (Environmental Impact Statements, Annual Environmental Reports, Environmental Management Plans and other related reports) • Make recommendations to the Executive Director of the EPA for final decision-making • Provide technical advice on conduct of assessments and related studies on undertakings and the reports submitted on them; • Make recommendations on the adequacy of the assessment and any observed gap; • Advice on the seriousness of such gaps and the risks or otherwise to decisions required to be made recommend whether the undertakings as proposed must be accepted and under what conditions, or not to be accepted and the reasons, as well provide guidance on how any outstanding issue/areas may be satisfactorily addressed. The review committees are mandated to co-opt relevant officials as and when necessary. In certain instances, the support of international ESIA institutions are solicited in review of some major or controversial projects where there is limited national expertise. Copies of ESIA will be placed at vantage points including the EPA Library, relevant District Assembly, relevant District and Regional FSD offices, EPA Regional Offices and the sector Ministry. EPA serves a 21-day public notice in the national and local newspapers about the ESIA publication and its availability for public comments. Step 5: Public Hearing and Environmental Permitting Decision (EPD) Regulation 17 of the LI 1652 specifies three conditions that must trigger the holding of a public hearing on a project by the Agency. These are: • Where notice issued under regulation 16 results in great public reaction to the commencement of the proposed undertaking; • Where the undertaking will involve the dislocation, relocation or resettlement of communities; and • Where the Agency considers that the undertaking could have extensive and far-reaching effects on the environment. Where a public hearing is held, the processing of an application may extend beyond the prescribed timelines required for EPA’s actions and decision-making. Environmental Permitting Decision (EPD) Where the draft ESIA is found acceptable, the FSD will be notified to finalise the reports and submit eight hard copies and an electronic copy. Following submission to EPA, the FSD shall be issued an Environmental Permit within 15 working days and issue gazette notices. Where the undertaking is approved, the FC shall pay processing and permitting fees prior to collection of the permit. The fees are determined based on the Environmental Assessment Fees Regulations, 2002, LI 1703 and Fees and Charges Instrument 2015, LI 2228. The following distinctions are important and are provided: ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 59 Forestry Commission 1. For activities within forest reserves, the interventions will most likely be owned by the FC and all permitting issues will be spearheaded by the FSD; 2. For activities on off reserve areas which may belong to for example, farmers or plantation owners, they will be supervised/ assisted by the FSD to acquire the required permits. Table 8: Summary of Environmental Screening Process and Responsibilities No. Stage Institutional Implementation responsibility responsibility 1. Environmental and Social screening of FC REDD+ Secretariat / FC proposed project interventions to assist in (Safeguard focal persons at the project formulation using checklist regions and districts) Statutory Environmental Registration of FC-FSD/ Private sector Regional and District Safeguard Project Officers/ Plantation owner 2. Determination of appropriate environmental EPA - assessment level/ category 3. Implementation of environmental FC-FSD/ Private sector Regional/ District Safeguard assessment Officers/ Plantation owner 3.1 If ESIA is necessary 3.1a Preparation of terms of reference FC-FSD/ Private sector Regional Safeguard Officer/ Plantation owner 3.1b Validation of ESIA/ESMP TOR (Scoping) EPA REDD+ Secretariat / FC / (National Safeguard focal person) 3.1c Selection of Consultant FC-FSD/ Procurement REDD+ Secretariat/ Procurement Office/ Private sector Office 3.1d Realization of the ESIA, Public Consultation FC-FSD/ Procurement REDD+ National Safeguard Integration of environmental and social Office/ Consultancy Coordinator/ Regional Safeguard management plan issues in the tendering firm/ Private sector Officer / Procurement Officer and project implementation, 4 Review and Approval EPA - 4.1 ESIA Approval (B1) EPA - 4.2 Approval simple measures (B2&c) FSD Regional Environmental and Social Safeguard Officer/ Plantation manager 5. Public Consultation and disclosure FC-FSD/EPA Regional Environmental and Social Safeguard Officer /Plantation manager/Consultant 6. Surveillance and monitoring FC-FSD/EPA REDD+ Secretariat/ Regional and District Safeguard Officers 7 Development of monitoring indicators FC-REDD+ National and Regional Safeguard Secretariat/FSD Officers 6.2 Technical Specifications and Standards 6.2.1 Technical specifications The FC will be responsible for the development and presentation of clear guidelines for the design and provision of technical specifications and standards to assist both the FSD and the private sector to plan for plantation development projects. These will ensure the streamlining of approaches and activities for sound environmental and social implementation of projects. These ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 60 Forestry Commission will include adequate reference to sector schedules and prescribed environmental codes of practice. The private sector will be well aware of applicable technical provisions and fit their projects into these accordingly. 6.2.2 Environmental standards The EPA is responsible for setting environmental standards and has in place both general and sector specific guideline values. The Water Resources Commission also has standards regarding activities which will impact on water resources. These standards and in some cases, guidelines are required for the management of pollutant emissions and protection of resources. In situations where standards which therefore have legal backing are available then these must be followed. Otherwise, national guidelines or the World Bank guidelines could be used. In most cases, these are practically similar. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 61 7.0 INSTITUTIONAL CAPACITY FOR ESMF IMPLEMENTATION 7.1 Institutional roles and responsibility for the ESMF Implementation The ESMF will be executed by the Forestry Commission in collaboration with other partners such as COCOBOD, EPA and MOFA. It is expected that these will feed into an information management system to be set up for the sector. It is anticipated that the FC will also coordinate environmental and social due diligence for the REDD+ projects across all donor lending arrangements (eg. WB, AfDB, IFC). Therefore, the main institutions implementing the REDD+ which will have interest in environmental and social management include: • Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources; • Ministry of Food and Agriculture; • Forestry Commission- REDD+ Secretariat/Climate Change Unit, Forestry Services Division, Resource Management Support Centre; • Cocoa Board; • Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs); • Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); and • World Bank and other donors. Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (MLNR) is the sector Ministry entrusted with the management of Ghana's land, forest, wildlife and mineral resources in the country. The Forest Investment Programme (FIP) Management Unit at the ministry is responsible for the implementation of FIP activities. The Technical Coordinating Committee within the Unit will require environmental and social management support services to fully appreciate the ESMF. Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) has a formal set up within the ministry focusing on environmental and social issues (Lands and Water Management Department). This Department usually collaborates with the EPA to implement environmental and social issues in the ministry’s programmes and projects. Their expertise may therefore be available in assisting to implement the ESMF. Forestry Commission of Ghana is responsible for the regulation of utilization of forest and wildlife resources, the conservation and management of those resources and the coordination of policies related to them. The Commission embodies the various public bodies and agencies that were individually implementing the functions of protection, management, the regulation of forest and wildlife resources. These agencies currently form the divisions of the Commission which includes the Forest Services Division. The Division has regional and district offices throughout the country. Ability to implement the ESMF from these offices may be limited. The Resource Management Support Centre (RMSC) is the technical wing of the Forestry Commission (FC) and is responsible for the Exploration, Development, Facilitation, Institutionalization and Implementation and monitoring of effective and affordable forest management systems in Ghana. The Centre further ensures that these systems are in accordance with the national Forest ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 62 Forestry Commission and Wildlife Policy. The Centre has its operational base in Kumasi. Its mission is therefore to develop integrated forest and wildlife management systems and facilitate and monitor their implementation through active cooperation with stakeholders for the benefit of all segments of society. REDD+ Secretariat/Climate Change Unit: The Climate Change Unit of the FC was established in 2007 with a mandate to manage forestry-sector initiatives related to climate change mitigation, including REDD+. It hosts the National REDD+ Secretariat and serves as the National REDD+ focal point. The REDD+ Secretariat/Climate Change Unit is responsible for the implementation of REDD+ Mechanism. Regulatory Agencies Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is responsible for ensuring compliance with laid down ESIA procedures in Ghana in accordance with the EPA Act 1994 (Act 490) and its amendment and Agency is expected to give environmental approval for Projects. The ESIA is being applied in Ghana to development projects as well as other undertakings as an environmental permitting pre- requisite and a major environmental management tool. The EPA is represented in all the ten (10) regions of the country and will support the project by exercising its permitting and monitoring powers. Though the Agency’s technical capacity may be adequate there is some concern with regard to logistics especially transport and personnel which may therefore limit its effectiveness. The Ghana EA procedures are largely in agreement with the World Bank policies and procedures and the former is now well entrenched in the country to assure satisfactory environmental and social performance of the REDD+. Water Resources Commission (WRC): The WRC is responsible for granting licenses for any water use activity and the procedures as laid down in the WRC Act 1998 (Act 526) will be followed. All project activities requiring such license will receive assistance from the WRC and the Commission will therefore provide adequate guidance to ensure that the proper procedures are used. Lands Commission: The Land Valuation Division (LVD) is the statutory body ensuring that land required for projects are properly acquired and also transparent procedures are followed, and fair and adequate compensation is paid. Though private firms may be invited to participate in the process, in case of disputes, the LVD would assist to ensure prompt settlement. 7.1.1 Implementing Plans The Forestry Commission (FC) will serve as the lead government agency. The REDD+ Secretariat at the FC is responsible for REDD+ activities for both on and off reserves and it is also the designated national safeguard focal point for the REDD+. The REDD+ Secretariat will work with the Cocoa Board, the EPA, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), as well as other relevant agencies (i.e. these agencies will be represented in the National Safeguard Sub-Working Group) to ensure smooth implementation and the ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 63 Forestry Commission documentation sharing of the lessons learnt. The organogram for the ESMF institutional arrangement for implementation is provided in Figure 5. The main responsibility for implementing the ESMF and the RPF rests with the Forestry Commission REDD+ Secretariat and will be supported by, as needed, the EPA and the REDD+ national safeguard sub-working group. The FSD regional managers/Regional safeguard focal persons will oversee the implementation of all actions to mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts within their respective operational regions, and also supervise their district managers/district safeguard focal persons to ensure sound management practices at the community level. 7.2 Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building A functioning coordination and implementation group has already been envisaged by the FC to address environmental and social due diligence for REDD+ activities and other forest related programmes (FCPF, carbon Fund, UNFCCC). 7.2.1 Forestry Commission REDD+ National Safeguard Focal Person (NSFP) The FC REDD+ NSFP is responsible for: • Coordination of environmental and social safeguards across all programmes • Leadership across the national regional and district levels for the implementation of safeguards • Providing guidance and project level info and tools on safeguards for all stakeholders • Managing the environmental and social safeguard experts (consultants) • Responsible for coordinating all safeguard activities with donors, implementing agencies and other potential investors • Oversee all environmental and social safeguard training and capacity building 7.2.2 Regional Safeguard Focal Persons (RSFP) The Regional Safeguard Focal Persons (RSFP) will • Work with the REDD+ NSFP to ensure that all environmental and social safeguards issues are incorporated into Bid and specifications documents for all sub project types. • Ensure that safeguards issues are included as part of the training at District level and contractors invited to participate. • Draft safeguards report based on collated documents and reports from district activities as part of usual regional reporting on the project. • Be the first point of contact for the district in case of any challenging issues on project- related safeguards - land, environmental, safety and health and draw the REDD+ NSFP’s attention in case of lack of resolution • Collaborate with relevant authorities (chiefs and elders) and other community members and facilitate the implementation of subprojects and implementation of any other safeguards related activity. • Perform any other related activities that may be assigned by the REDD+ NSFP to whom s/he will report. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 64 Forestry Commission 7.2.3 District Safeguard Focal Persons (DSFP) The district safeguard focal persons will • Collaborate with relevant district authorities (Traditional authorities, district assemblies etc), other stakeholders or actors in the district including CSOs as well as the Forestry Commission (FC) frontline staff in the district to ensure safeguard issues are taken care of under REDD+ activities in the forests, plantations, cocoa farms, and local communities. • Recommend to the NFSP through the RSFP training of identifiable FC frontline staff and other state/private actors in the district in World Bank safeguards policies among others. • Ensure that local safeguard teams in the districts/local communities understand their roles and carry out their activities as per their ToRs. • Compile and prepare safeguard reports or information in a format prescribed by the NSFP and submit to the RSFP for review and feedback. • Liaise and collaborate with the District Feedback and Grievance Reporting to ensure that complaints and disputes/conflicts relating to safeguard issues are identified and addressed or forwarded to the RSFP as appropriate. 7.2.4 REDD+ Safeguard Sub-Working Group (SSWG) The REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group is a multi-stakeholder technical and advisory forum created to provide guidance and supervision for the effective implementation of REDD+ Safeguards in Ghana including the adoption of a Country Approach to Safeguards (CAS) and establishment of Safeguards Information System (SIS). The specific role of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group is to facilitate, promote and supervise the development and effective implementation of REDD+ safeguards instruments through the design of the CAS and SIS in a transparent and participatory manner. The ToR and membership of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub- Working Group is provided in Annex 8. 7.2.5 Environmental and social consultants (Optional) The Consultants who will be conversant with the WB safeguard policies and their instruments and application as well as other REDD+ safeguard principles, will be hired periodically as and when required to support the implementation of the environmental and social safeguards including the preparation of manuals and checklists. The consultants will be conversant with the World Bank safeguards policies, the instruments and their application. Particular attention will be on the safeguards policies triggered by the project. The consultants’ level of understanding should be adequate to facilitate training and other capacity related activities on safeguards. The template for the preparation of ToRs to recruit consultants is provided in Annex 8. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 65 Forestry Commission REDD+ Safeguard REDD+ Secretariat/ National National EPA, COCOBOD, Sub-Working Group Safeguard Focal Person MoFA, WRC Regional FSD & WD/ Regional Regional EPA/ LVD Safeguard Focal Persons District FSD &WD/ District District Assemblies Safeguard Focal Persons Farmers, local communities, plantation growers, land owners, participating individuals/groups Figure 5: Organogram for ESMF Implementation ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 66 Forestry Commission 7.3 Institutional Strengthening and Capacity Building The competence of the FC to carry out their respective design, planning, approval, permitting, monitoring and implementation roles will, to a large extent, determine the success and sustainability or otherwise of the Programme. Table 9 describes the environmental and social due diligence on the capacity of project institutions and recommended actions to improve capacity. Identification of Capacity Needs The first step in pursuing capacity building will be to identify the capacity needs of the various stakeholders. Capacity building should be viewed as more than training. It is human resource development and includes the process of equipping individuals with the understanding, skills and access to information, knowledge and training that enables them to perform effectively. It also involves organizational development, the elaboration of relevant management structures, processes and procedures, not only within organizations but also the management of relationships between the different organizations and sectors (public, private and community). The capacity building will include training workshops and production of guidance reports and tools. The following training programmes are recommended: Training programme 1: Content: World Bank Safeguard policies of OP 4.12 and OP 4.01 and Ghana EPA Environmental Assessment Regulations, updated SESA, updated ESMF/ RPF Participants: REDD+ Secretariat; Safeguards Sub-Working Group; MLNR; FC/ FSD; COCOBOD; MMDAs; Private sector (Plantation managers). Training programme 2 Content: Screening Checklist, ToR for regional and district safeguard officers and Completion of EA Registration Forms Participants: REDD+ Secretariat, Regional and District FSD/ Plantation managers (private sector) Training programme 3 Content: Preparation of Terms of Reference for ESIA Participants: REDD+ Secretariat/ Regional Safeguard Officers Training programme 4 Content: Environmental and Social provisions in Plantation development manual (ESMP). Participants: District/ Regional Forestry Officers; Plantation managers (private sector) ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 67 Table 9: Summary of environmental and social due diligence capacity and training programmes No Institution Environmental and Brief Description of situation Recommendatio social due diligence capability 1.0 Sector ministry and agency 1.1 MLNR Limited Project management unit will require Designated indiv assistance to provide proper reporting to participate in t 1.2 Forestry Limited Limited experience with environmental and • Designated e Commission/REDD+ social safeguards (Usually will collaborate focal point at Secretariat with EPA on projects) • Some Regiona safeguard offi • Safeguard trai • Development • Development 1.3 COCOBOD Limited Limited experience with environmental and Basic training social safeguards (Will collaborate with FC diligence for fore on REDD+ projects in the cocoa landscape) the cocoa landsc 1.4 MOFA Established Environmental Unit established at Ministry Environmental u and also some competence at the Regional FC level. No capacity at districts 1.5 MESTI Established Parent ministry of the EPA. Improve coordina 2.0 Relevant regulatory agencies 2.1 Environmental Protection Functional at head Capacity at the national and regional level Improve coordin Agency (EPA) office and regional process level. 2.2 Water Resources Functional MOU with EPA on areas of mutual interest/ Enhanced collabo Commission (WRC) overlap 3.0 Local Government Service 3.1 Regional Coordinating Limited Planning Officers trained by EPA on SEA Basic training in Councils activities checklist 3.2 Metropolitan, Municipal and Limited Role performed by Planning officers. Basic training District Assemblies Coordination, implementation and diligence for fore (MMDAs) oversight at district projects. They have been trained by the EPA to assess district plans for environmental sustainability and social acceptability ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 68 The main recipients for training will be the REDD+ Secretariat, FSD regional and district managers, COCOBOD as well as fringe communities and farmers’ groups. Their present capabilities to successfully prepare and implement environmental and social mitigation actions are limited. The training will be organized in collaboration with the regional EPAs and will be in the form of seminars and workshops. The training will include the dissemination of the ESMF and RPF reports, Ghana EPA procedures and the World Bank policies on environment and social assessment. The FSD will explore the possibility of having community environmental and social safeguard facilitators and training them. The FSD regional offices will then be expected to organise training workshops for selected plantation managers/ farmers. It is proposed to collaborate with the MOFA and COCOBOD extension officers for this exercise. The Environmental Unit of the MOFA based in Accra has some competence but none at the regional or district levels. The training and awareness creation will include annual events and the primary targets will be the FSD district managers. It is proposed to have 2- day training programmes within a year at a central location and the content of the training will include a review of key environmental and social management activities and further discussions on the ESMF. It is expected that participants would at the end of the training be in a position to deal more effectively with difficult environmental and social challenges that they may come across. The workshops with the plantation farmers may also be annual and will be coordinated by the FSD district managers and supervised by the regional managers. Production of guidelines and tools The ESMF provides guidelines to mitigate adverse environmental and social impacts arising out project implementation. Training manuals and checklists are required to assist safeguard focal points to carry out their functions. Such checklist and manuals will include those designed for environmental and social screening of projects, see Annex 4. Consultants may be hired to produce additional manuals and checklists as and when required by the project. 7.4 Budgetary provisions The awareness creation, capacity improvement and training workshops as well as some logistic support expenses for key stakeholders involved in the implementation of proposed interventions is estimated at US$1,400,000 over the 4- year project life as explained in the Table 10. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 69 Forestry Commission Table 10: Estimated budget to implement ESMF No Activity Description Annual cost, US$ Total Cost, US$ 1. Staffing 1. FC REDD+ Safeguards Focal Persons 280,000 (National, Regional and district); 2. Environmental and Social Safeguard 20,000 Experts 30,000 local 3. Safeguards Information Systems Specialist 30,000 intl (Local and International) 70,000 2. Training Training workshop/ seminars on Programmes 20,000 80,000 2a. Awareness creation 1,3 and 4 and Capacity building for FC (REDD+ Secretariat), FSD regional project staff 2b. Capacity building for Training workshop/ seminars on Programmes 5,000 per region 200,000 district FSDs (safeguard 1, 2 and 4 50,000 officers) 2c. Capacity building for Regional training workshops on Prog 1,4 7,000 per region 280,000 FSD, MMDAs and RCC (per diems, travel, workshop venue, 70,000 materials, meals) 2d. Awareness creation Community meetings and training 3,750 per region 150,000 and capacity building for 37,500 selected members of community and TAs 3. Guidance and tools Guidance Documents, Checklists, Forms, 15,000 60,000 TORs, Technical Planning Tips 4. Communications Radio, TV discussions, Newspaper adverts on 15,000 60,000 issues relating to PPP/ ESMF/ RPF 5. Transport, per diem, Transport for staff to travel to regions and 3,750 local per registration fees districts and HQ; region (participation in training) Site visits, attending training, Per diem for 37,500 150,000 official travel; Specific meeting and workshop registration 15,000 intl 60,000 fees (local and international) 6. Monitoring and Safeguards component for M&E is addressing 20,000 80,000 Evaluation E&S due diligence and verification 7. TOTAL 1,400,000 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 70 Forestry Commission 8.0 MONITORING AND EVALUATION Monitoring plans will be developed to track safeguard provisions at both the Environmental and social safeguards framework level and sub-project activity level. The proposed plans are presented in the Table 11. The table confirms the verifiable indicators as well as responsibilities for the various monitoring actions. The monitoring issues at the ESMF level include the dissemination of both ESMF and RPF documents as well as capacity building and training activities. At the sub- project activity level, this will encompass instituting monitoring actions to, for example, confirm the Screening of projects, Preparation of the ESIA reports, Acquisition of environmental Permits etc. Table 11: ESMF and RPF monitoring indicators and responsibilities No Monitoring Monitoring Issue Verifiable indicators Responsibility level 1. ESMF level Adequate dissemination of Record of consultations and FC, Consultants ESMF and RPF to stakeholders meetings Workshop reports Capacity building and training Training reports FC/ FSD/ MMDAs, programmes Private sector, Consultants 2. Sub- project Screening of sub project Checklist completed FC safeguards activity level persons at national, region, district Completion of EA1 form Completed EA1 Form FSD regional and submitted to the EPA district safeguards Adequate mitigation ESMPs prepared, see Table 12 REDD+ national, measures provided to manage regional and district adverse impacts safeguards Project satisfies statutory EPA Permit for project REDD+ National and provisions EPA Act 1994 (Act regional safeguards/ 490) LI 1652 EPA Post project monitoring and Monitoring reports, annual REDD+ national and evaluation environmental reports regional safeguards/ EPA ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 71 Forestry Commission Table 12: Monitoring indicators and verification means Potential Indicator Verification Impact Issues/ concerns Biodiversity Key indicators ✓ Exotic and indigenous trees in tree plantations Field inspections ✓ No sensitive sites affected ✓ Presence of plots Site reports Other ✓ Plots cleared in phases Special audits by Water Key indicators project Resources ✓ Presence of buffer zones ✓ Local water quality satisfactory Third party audits Soils Key indicators ✓ Plantation development records Annual monitoring ✓ Satisfactory soil quality by E&S Focal Point ✓ Identified and documented erosion risk areas Others ✓ Presence of vegetation in such areas ✓ Planting trees along slopes Air quality Key indicators ✓ Record of biomass used for pegs and firewood ✓ Extractor fans in Mills Pesticides Key indicators ✓ Availability of Pest control devices as mentioned ✓ Phyto- sanitary equipment at site ✓ Pest management plan for project Others ✓ No broadcasting of fertilizers ✓ Manual Control of weeds by labour-intensive approaches. ✓ Use of Organic farming practices Land tenure Key indicators and ✓ Proper documentation available ownership ✓ Disputes registered ✓ Grievances resolved and recorded Maintaining Key indicators Livelihoods ✓ Alternatives provided ✓ Support and incentives available ✓ Proper and acceptable results documented Farmer Rights Key indicators ✓ Local customary land rights respected ✓ Grievances documented and resolved Forest Key indicators Management ✓ Fire-fighting equipment ✓ Fire belts ✓ Programme for patrols drawn ✓ Other ✓ Forestry policy Security and ✓ Communication and media campaign at local communities and Safety stakeholders Occupational Key indicators Health and ✓ Availability and use of PPEs Safety ✓ Number of training sessions held Cultural Key indicator Heritage ✓ Cultural rites agreed and documented ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 72 Forestry Commission Potential Indicator Verification Impact Issues/ concerns ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 73 9.0 CONSULTATIONS, ESMF DISCLOSURE AND GRIEVANCE MECHANISM 9.1 Stakeholder consultations The ESMF preparation included stakeholder consultations. Key project stakeholders were identified for consultations and these included Government Ministries, State Agencies/ Organisations/ and Departments, Project offices, Non-governmental organization and local communities in Brong-Ahafo and Western Regions. Meetings were held with key officials and opinion leaders to gauge level of awareness and involvement with the project, concerns of project implementation, and to obtain relevant documents or baseline information. The consultations also served to gather information on the mandates and permitting requirements to inform the development of the Projects. The list of stakeholders contacted and issues discussed are summarized in Annex 1. 9.2 ESMF Disclosure The World Bank policies require that environmental reports for projects are made available to project affected groups, local NGOs, and the public at large. Public disclosure of ESIA documents or environmental reports is also a requirement of the Ghana ESIA procedures. The FC and EPA will make copies of the ESMF available in selected public places as required by law for information and comments. Public notice in the media will serve that purpose. The notification will be done through newspaper advertisements and provide: • a brief description of the Project; • a list of venues where the ESMF report is on display and available for viewing; • duration of the display period; and • contact information for comments. The FC will assist to select display venues upon consultation with the EPA including the FC website. 9.3 Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism The Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (FGRM) is designed to receive, evaluate and address project-related grievances from affected communities or stakeholders at the community, HIA, region or programme level. Potential conflict sources could be resource use and access, land tree and tree tenure, benefit sharing, gender participation inclusiveness and other related grievances. The national, PMU and district FGRM focal persons will be responsible for FGRM processes. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 74 Forestry Commission The Feedback and Grievance Redress Mechanism (FGRM) will be operationalized in four steps. Parties seeking to have any REDD+ dispute resolved will file their complaint at the district FGRM office within the ER programme area where it will be received and processed before it is communicated to the National FGRM coordinator. 1. If the parties are unable or unwilling to resolve their dispute through negotiation, fact- finding or inquiry by a mediator, chosen with the consent of both parties would be assigned to assist the Parties to reach a settlement. 2. Where the mediation is successful, the terms of the settlement shall be recorded in writing, signed or thumb printed by the mediator and the parties to the dispute and lodged at the FGRM registry. The terms of the settlement will be binding on all parties. 3. If the mediation is unsuccessful, the Parties will be required to submit their dispute for compulsory arbitration, by a panel of five (5) arbitrators, selected from a national roster of experts. 4. The awards of the arbitration panel will be binding on the Parties and can only be appealed to the Court of Appeal after a hearing at the high courtAll questions of law would be referred to the High Court. The five (5) member Arbitration Panel will be made up of a qualified arbitrator, a lawyer, a forestry/natural resources expert and a governance expert. At least one of them should be a woman. The proposed timelines for the FGRM process is forty-five (45) working days (Table 18). Table 13: FGRM steps and time-frame Step in Process Number of Days Grievance update and record acknowledgement 5 working days Process, research and fact finding 15 working days Response 5 working days Implement agreed response 20 working days Total process timeline 45 working days ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 75 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 76 10.0 CONCLUSION The REDD+ ESMF has been prepared to be consistent with the ESMF for the FIP and other forestry programmes. The project if well implemented, will offer significant benefits for the society not only in the area of carbon emissions reductions but also in relation to biodiversity conservation, forest industry, agriculture and livelihoods. Together with the FIP, the program will support needed reforms in forest policy and improve. institutional practices, procedures and capacities; strengthen community-based natural resource management institutions with improved practices and incentives for managing landscapes sustainably; enhance Reforms and practices and reinforce these through improved communication methods and materials, including platforms for information sharing; and reduce tons of CO2 emissions from reduced deforestation and forest degradation (relative to reference emission level developed separately). The mitigation measures advocated will address adverse impacts, and also the implementation plan and training programmes suggested are sufficient to ensure the success of the project. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 77 Forestry Commission 11.0 REFERENCES/ BIBLIOGRAPHY Adu-Bredu, S., M. K. Abekoe, E. Tachie-Obeng & P. Tschakert. 2010. Carbon stock under four land-use systems in three varied ecological zones in Ghana. In: Bombelli, A. & R. Valentini (Eds.), Africa and Carbon Cycle. World Soil Resources Reports No. 104: 105 – 113. FAO, Rome. Asare, Rebecca Ashley. 2010. Implications of the Legal and Policy Framework for Tree and Forest Carbon in Ghana: REDD Opportunities Scoping Exercise. Forest Trends: Washington, DC. Davies, J. & C. Awudi. 2001. Review of reform of fiscal policies affecting forest management in African ACP countries. Ghana Green economy, Scoping Study-Draft, UNEP. Ghana FIP Final, October 2012. Ghana Forest Report –draft, towards Ecowas Convergence Plan, prepared by Prof. K. Tufour, March 2012. Government of Ethiopia (2007) Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF)- Local Infrastructure Grant, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development/ World Bank, March 2007 Government of Ghana (2013) Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)- Engaging Local Communities in REDD+/ Enhancement of Carbon Stocks Project, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources/ African Development Bank, August 2013 Hansen C.P., J.F. Lund & T. Treue. 2009. Neither fast nor easy: the prospect of Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Degradation (REDD) in Ghana. International Forestry Review Vol.11 (4). Katoomba Group West Africa Incubator, Nature Conservation Research Centre, Oxford University & Ghana Forestry Commission. 2011a. Biomass Map of Ghana 2008 – 2009. (Available at: http://forest-trends.org/publication_details.php?publicationID=2837.) Katoomba Incubator for Ecosystem Services, Nature Conservation Research Center, Oxford University, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, & Ghana Forestry Commission. 2011b. The Ghana Carbon Map: Potentials, Opportunities and Implications. Unpublished Working Paper. Marfo, E. 2010. Chainsaw Milling in Ghana - context, drivers and impacts. Tropenbos International, Wageningen.63 pp. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 78 Forestry Commission Marfo, E., E. Danso and S.K. Nketiah. 2013. Analysis of linkages and opportunities for synergies between FLEGT, REDD and national forest programme in Ghana. Wageningen, the Netherlands: Tropenbos International Ghana. Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (2012). Ghana forestry investment program (FIP) Plan – draft report, April 2012 Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources (2012). Climate Investment Funds, Ghana Investment Plan for the Forest Investment Program (FIP) October 2012. Rice, R.A. & Greenberg, R. 2000. Cocoa cultivation and the conservation of biological diversity. Ambio 3 (29): 167 – 173. Road Map, Mainstreaming Gender considerations into REDD+ processes in Ghana, IUCN/WEDO/PDA, November 2011. Report on REDD+ and CDM Sensitization Workshop for Forestry Commission frontline Staff in the Greater Accra, Volta, Eastern, Brong Ahafo and the three Northern Regions – FC report. Report of the Committee of Enquiry into the Grievances of Farmers being ejected from certain Forest Reserves in the Western Region, November 1974 Republic of Ghana. 2010. Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) 2010 – 2013. Medium-Term National Development Policy Framework. National Development Planning Commission, Government of Ghana, Accra. Republic of Ghana. 2011c. Tree crops policy (final draft). MoFA, Government of Ghana. Revised Ghana R-PP, Final December 2010. Strengthening off-reserve timber resource management in Ghana, Tropenbos international – Ghana Workshop Proceedings 7, TBI-Ghana 2009. Technical Training and Roundtable Discussion on REDD+ and Implementation Modalities for Traditional Chiefs, Demonstration Project Proponents and Senior Personnel of Forestry Commission, NCRC, August 2012, John Mason and Rebecca Asare, with input from Martin Yelibora and Winston Asante. Voluntary Partnership Agreement between the EUROPEAN COMMUNITY and the REPUBLIC OF GHANA on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade in Timber Products into the Community World Bank. 2012a. Cocoa sector policy brief. PREM Africa Region. World Bank, Washington DC. World Bank. 2011b. Supply chain risk assessment. Cocoa in Ghana. World Bank, Washington DC. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 79 Forestry Commission World Bank. 2005. Ghana natural resources management and growth sustainability. World Bank, Washington D.C. WRC 2010. National Baseline Studies and Institutional analyses towards the development of the national IWRM Plan. Prepared by SAL Consult Ltd for WRC. World Bank (2014) FIP- Enhancing Carbon Stocks in Natural Forests and Agroforest Landscapes (P148183), Project Concept Note, Government of Ghana, February 2014 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 80 Forestry Commission ANNEXES Annex 1: Stakekolder Consultations Annex 2: Policy and Legislative Framework Annex 3: Screening Checklist for Environmental and Social Issues Annex 4: Enviornmentally Sensitive/ Critical Areas Annex 5: Undertakings requiring Registration and Environmental Permit (EPA LI 1652 (1999)) Annex 6: Sample copy of EPA Registration Form, EA1 Annex 7: Terms of Reference for recruitment of ESIA Consultants Annex 8: Terms of Reference for the REDD+ Safeguards Subworking Group ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 81 Forestry Commission Annex 1: Stakeholder Consultation Stakeholder institutions and communities have been consulted in the various regions: WESTERN REGION Contact person Position Contact number Date Forestry Service Division (FSD), Takoradi Mrs Lydia Opoku Regional Manager 18-03-2014 Emmanuel Yeboah Assistant Regional Manager 0200373979 Samuel Agyei-Kusi 0270454066 Augustine Gyedu Assistant Regional Manager 0208170822 S. A. Nyantakyi Assistant District Manager 0243102830 Wildlife Division, Takoradi Felix Nani Acting Manager 0206289085 19-03-2014 Wildlife Ankasa Camp, Elubo Ezekiel Bannyemanyea Community Affairs 0207601311/0245852247 19-03-2014 Bismark Ackah Registry 0206770907 Bona Kyiire Assistant Wildlife Officer 0244505192 Papa Kwao Quansah Tourism Officer 0205957949 Enchi, Aowin District Mr. Fosu Lawrence FSD, District Manager 0244581957 20-03-2014 Mr. Okyere Darko OASL, District Officer 0244241034 21-03-2014 Mr. Oduro Boampong Aowin District Assembly-DPO 0244830698 21-03-2014 Mr. Yaw Adu MOFA, District Director 0249105224 21-03-2014 Mr. Felix Appiah District Cocoa Officer 0203733102 21-03-2014 CSSVD/Extension Sefwi Wiawso Municipal Mr. Samuel Obosu SWMA-MPO 0244433031 24-03-2014 Mr. Andrew Ackah OASL-Municipal Officer 0243684078 24-03-2014 Mr. Issah Alhassan CHRAJ-Municipal Officer 0240195541 24-03-2014 Mr. Samuel Amponsah COCOBOD-Regional CSD Head 0244560785 24-03-2014 Mr. George Dery FSD-District Manager 0244684857 Mr. Justice Niyuo FSD Assistant District Manager 0242171767 24-03-2014 Timber Industry Development Division (TIDD), Takoradi Dr. Benjamin Donkor Executive Director 0203893725 26-03-2014 Mr. Yaw Kumi Contracts & Permits Manager 0244503857 Mr. Faakye Collins Timber Grading & Inspection 0208135037 Manager Mr. Peter Zomelo Trade & Industry Development 0244376246 Manager Jomoro District Amokwah CREMA Date: 21-03-2014 1. Paul Kodjo, Chairman, 0208412085 2. Ama Foriwaa, Executive member, 0209874607 3. Barima Moro, Executive member, 0209167883 Nsuano Community Date: 21-03-2014 No. Name Position/Designation Age Occupation 1 John Amponsah CEC Secretary 58 Farmer 2 Nana Mbala Chief of Nsuano Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 82 Forestry Commission 3 Samuel Akowa Chief-Tenant farmers Farmer 4 Francis Amo Youth Leader Farmer 5 Lolonyo Farmer 6 Kofi Kusase Farmer 7 Agyemang Nketia Elder/Opinion Leader Farmer 8 Ewoku Ndele Linguist Farmer 9 Nuro James 37 Farmer 10 Collins Coffie 22 Farmer 11 Sampson Kombate 32 Farmer 12 Issa Alhassan 41 Business man 13 Kwabena Peter 34 Farmer 14 Yaw Abanga 31 Farmer 15 Appiah Josh 34 Farmer 16 Ohene George 33 Farmer 17 Zufura Seidu 43 Farmer 18 Musah Anbela 48 Farmer 19 Opanin Samuel Obuobi 60 Farmer 20 Kwame Manu 38 Farmer 21 Nana Yaw Ahohohene 59 Farmer 22 Robert Gyimah 46 Farmer 23 Augustine Tawiah 34 Farmer Women 1 Beatrice Afrifa 28 Trader 2 Patricia Amedi 22 Trader 3 Grace Anamba 42 Farmer 4 Charlotte Amponsah 33 Business woman 5 Irene Amedi 26 Business woman 6 Diana Nyuenmawor 25 Farmer 7 Ama Musah 42 Farmer 8 Christina Ehimaa 35 Farmer 9 Vida Nyarko 45 Farmer 10 Faustina Anaaba 24 Farmer 11 Margaret Fouaa 32 Farmer 12 Akua Abulaih 24 Farmer 13 Faustina Ohenewaa 39 Farmer 14 Rashalutu Alhassan 45 Farmer 15 Hawa Groma 65 Farmer 16 Faustina Afia Nyamekye CEC Treasurer 53 Farmer/Business woman 17 Sophia Ackah 51 Farmer/Business woman Sefwi Wiawso District Akurafo Community Date: 22-03-2014 No. Name Position/Designation Age Occupation 1 Atta Kofi 48 Suhuma Timber Co 2 Nana Yaw Fosu Nkosohene 40 Farmer 3 Yaw Gyabeng 60 Farmer 4 Christiana Owusu 54 SPU-Cocobod 5 Hannah Mesumekyere 70 Farmer 6 Ama Konadu 67 Farmer 7 Joseph Boakye 45 Storekeeper 8 David Nsowah 85 Farmer 9 Osumanu Mohammed 35 Farmer 10 Lardi Adu 60 Farmer 11 Seidu Patron 49 Farmer 12 Opong Frimpong 35 SPU-Cocobod ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 83 Forestry Commission 13 Isaac Sampa Assemblyman 35 SPU-Cocobod 14 Joseph Sarkodie 40 Farmer 15 Osuman K. Oppong 73 Farmer 16 Thomas Sampa 25 Farmer 17 Kofi Abudu 48 Farmer 18 Kwame Sumaila 35 SPU-Cocobod 19 Yaa Mary 31 Farmer 20 Felicia Nsowah 36 Farmer 21 Adama Asante 82 Farmer 22 E. A. Sampah 72 Farmer 23 Mary Armah 70 Farmer 24 Nicholas Armah 68 Farmer 25 Samuel K. Baah 60 Farmer 26 Gidi Kwesi 29 Farmer 27 Amina Attah 106 Farmer 28 Kwame Owusu 45 CSSCD 29 L. B. Kuranteng 64 Farmer 30 Emmanuel Abusale 45 Farmer 31 Sapato Ocloo 51 Agriculturalist 32 Asuntaaba Atingah 35 Farmer 33 Inusah Mohammed 54 Agriculturalist 34 Edward Mensah 16 Pupil 35 Sampa Daniel 18 Mechanic 36 Emmanuel Tuona 20 Mechanic 37 Abdela Mohammed 18 Pupil 38 Kofi Gyamfi 31 Farmer 39 Ebenezer Coffie 26 Farmer Kunuma community Date: 24-03-2014 No. Name Position/Designation Age Occupation Phone contact 1 Bona Isaac 39 Teacher 0242541653 2 Kyere Dacosta 26 Farmer 0248994346 3 Opoku Antwi 27 Farmer 0549260706 4 Freeman Dollar 54 Farmer 0246519040 5 Nana Boamah Reagent 70 Farmer 6 Abu Sulam Assemblyman 46 Farmer 0240849350 7 Osei George Unit Committee 40 Farmer 0241988330 member 8 Boamah Stephen 30 Farmer 0242072936 9 Mammud Moro 38 Farmer 0240170484 10 Kwasi Badu 64 Farmer 11 John Azubi 53 Farmer 0543648473 12 Philip Gyabeng 42 Farmer 0243753771 13 Kwasi Ninkyin 35 Farmer 0246559443 14 Appiah Isaac 41 Farmer 0540560701 15 Charles Yaw 37 Farmer 16 Michael Nkuah 60 Farmer 0247113896 17 Jacob Ackaah 46 Farmer 0548789780 18 Ibrahim Alhassan 39 Farmer 0242549346 19 Naomi Appiah 30 Farmer 0249091093 20 Agatha Kwesi 67 Farmer 21 Ama Antobam 67 Farmer 22 George Opoku 47 Driver Mensah 23 Amoah Johnson (K.O) 47 Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 84 Forestry Commission 24 Adu Frimpong 50 Farmer 25 Opanyin Kwame 89 Farmer owusu 26 John Boadu 59 Farmer 27 Paul Yeboah 47 Farmer 28 Kwadwo Nyarko 56 Farmer 29 Anthony Osei 27 Farmer 30 Joseph Alhassan 32 Farmer 31 Elder Asiedu 64 Farmer 0249233768 32 Kwabena Kra 42 Farmer 0541784659 33 Kwadwo Fodwo 70 Farmer 34 Vincent Kwarteng 29 Farmer 0246831047 35 Gyabeng Daniel 31 Farmer 36 Attah Kofi 45 Farmer 37 Thomas Baidu 57 Farmer 38 Teacher Attah 55 Teacher/Farmer 39 Kwabena Prah 39 Farmer 40 Teacher Amoah 54 Teacher/Farmer 0248694596 41 Kofi Oduro 31 Farmer 0248907968 42 Kwabena Abokye 39 Farmer 0209285024 43 Asumang Adu 26 Farmer 0240877735 Benedict 44 Sulley Mbugre 42 Farmer 0245128446 45 Asante Richmond 29 Farmer 0244562794 46 Musah Gjaro 70 Farmer 47 Rebecca Kyei 35 Farmer 0274386626 48 Cecilia Mensah 42 Farmer 49 Charity Afful 25 Farmer 50 Grace Brun 45 Farmer 51 Agnes Asoh 45 Farmer 52 Alimatu Gjaro 27 Farmer 53 Akosua Boatema 45 Farmer 54 Mercy Oduro 26 Farmer 55 Akosua Vivian 30 Farmer 56 Adwoa Broni 55 Farmer 57 Gloria Fosuah 36 Farmer 58 Cynthia Yeboah 29 Farmer 59 Theresa Nsiah 40 Farmer 60 Vivian Owusu 43 Farmer 61 Abena Gyaako 32 Farmer 62 Margaret Opoku 52 Farmer 63 Nana Ama 33 Farmer 64 Akyaa Nyame 45 Farmer 65 Zinabu Lareba 40 Farmer 66 Abena Badu 29 Farmer 67 Georgina Mensah 30 Farmer 68 Charlotte Asante 22 Farmer 0540827119 69 Yaa Tano 25 Farmer 0548757849 70 Serwaah Mokuah 38 Farmer 71 Faustina Opoku 37 Farmer 0242262780 72 Mary Nkrumah 55 Farmer 73 Grace Mensah 30 Farmer 74 Dede Faustina 30 Farmer 75 Ama Nyame 70 Farmer 76 Mary Agyeman 26 Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 85 Forestry Commission CENTRAL REGION Contact person Position Contact number Date Assin Fosu District Mr. Kyei Samuel FSD-District Manager 0248991337 25-03-2014 Mr. Nifaa Boyir Chrisantus FSD-Assistant District Manager 0208988256 25-03-2014 Rose Adjei Okyere FSD-Technical Officer/Ranger 25-03-2014 Mr. Jonathan McCarthy MOFA-Extension Officer 0242211477 25-03-2014 Mr. Samuel Bawah MOFA Crops Officer 0244946406 25-03-2014 Mr. Samuel Kwakye Project Coordinator-Oasis Foundation 0264057217 25-03-2014 International Mr. Yaw Ansah Chairperson-Artisanal Sawn Mill 0247101421 25-03-2014 Association Mallam Yahaya Member/Truck Driver-Artisanal Sawn 0540583786 25-03-2014 Mill Association S. K. Boafo Member- Artisanal Sawn Mill 25-03-2014 Association Cape Coast Mr. Asiedu Okrah FSD-District Manager Mr. Daniel Adjei FSD-Asst district manager Ms Eunice Ompon Peprah FSD-District Range supervisor 0272847785 Ms Christie Ofoe Tsatsu FSD-District Ranger supervisor 0244590475 Mr. Solomon Bagasel FSD-District Customer service 0208291000 Mr. Alex Oduro Barnie FSD-Regional Manager ASHANTI REGION Contact person Position Contact number Date FSD, RMSC, TIDD Kumasi Isaac Noble Eshun Assistant FSD Regional Manager 0243556188 09-04-2014 Alexander Boamah Asare Manager, Collaborative Forest 0208149194 10-04-2014 Management, CRMD-RMSC 11-04-2014 Isaac Buckman TIDD, Contract & Permit Officer 0242312630 10-04-2014 Antony Amamoo TIDD, Regional Manager 0208142192 11-04-2014 FORIG, Kumasi Dr. Emmanuel Marfo Senior Research Scientist- 0244627274/ 09-04-2014 Policy & Governance 0264627274 Tropenbos International (TBI)-NGO Bernice Agyekwena Communication Officer 0276478083 09-04-2014 K. S. Nketia Project Director 0208150148 10-04-2014 OASL, Kumasi Nana Nsuase Poku Agyeman Regional Stool Lands Officer/ 0244461057 09-04-2014 III Otumfuo’s Akyeamehene/ Chief Linguist Land Commission, Kumasi Afia Abrefa Senior Lands Officer-PVLMD 03220-26402 09-04-2014 Benjamin Nti Lands Officer- PVLMD A. Karikari Divisional Head-Land 02033221111 10-04-2014 Registration Division, Ashanti Reg Institute of Renewable Natural Resources - KNUST Dr. Emmanuel Acheampong Senior Lecturer 10-04-2014 Form Ghana Marius Krijt Operations Manager 0544441441 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 86 Forestry Commission Contact person Position Contact number Date Mariam Awuni HR & Development Manager 0266374047 BRONG AHAFO REGION Contact person Position Contact number Date Goaso Joseph Bempah FSD District Manager 0244804624 12-04-2014 Edward Nyamaah Forester/ Range Supervisor 0243462897 12-04-2014 Kintampo Edward Opoku Antwi FSD District Manager 0244043657 14-04-2014 Samuel Abisgo DPO-Kintampo South D. A. 0208288577 14-04-2014 Sunyani Mariam Awuni Form Ghana - HR & Development 0266374047 15-04-2014 Manager Isaac Kwaku Abebrese Dean-School of Natural Resources- 0200863738/ 15-04-2014 University of Energy & Natural 0277825094 Resources Dr (Mrs) Mercy A. A. Lecturer (NRM governance, policy and 0242186155 15-04-2014 Derkyi conflict management-Dept. of Forest Science, University of Energy & Natural Resources Clement Amo Omari FSD Assistant Regional Manager 0244549463 15-04-2014 Geoffrey Osafo-Osei OASL-Regional Stool Lands Officer 0243536375 16-04-2014 Daniel Acheampong OASL-Assistant Regional Officer 0246375788 16-04-2014 Nat Opoku Tandoh OASL- Accountant 0209153153 16-04-2014 I.K.A Baffor Anane Department of Community 0208162334 16-04-2014 Development -Regional Director Boadikrom settlement, Ayum Forest Reserve, Goaso Forest District 12-04-2014 No. Name Position/Designation Occupation 1 Abdulai Alhassan - Farmer 2 Kobina Mensah - Farmer 3 Kwame Matthew - Farmer 4 Sika Sanvia - Farmer 5 Daniel Boadi Odikro/ 0205253201 Farmer Akwaboa No. 2 Community, Ayum Forest Reserve, Goaso Forest District 12-04-2014 No. Name Position/Designation Age Occupation 1 Yaw Amoah 58 Marketing clerk 2 Abu Samual 29 Farmer 3 Kwasi Basare 61 Farmer 4 Adams Fuseini 21 Student 5 Akwasi Addai 35 Farmer 6 Nii Ogye 50 Farmer 7 Isaac Tetteh 10 Student 8 Kwame Amagro 40 Farmer 9 Dogo Busanga 85 Farmer 10 Nana Beng 75 Farmer 11 Yakubu Adams Chief’s spokesman 40 Farmer 12 Emmanuel Tetteh 60 Farmer 13 Osei Tutu Kontre Opinion Leader 54 Farmer (0203737205) 14 Nana Akwasi Badu Chief Farmer 15 Akwasi Agoda 38 Farmer 16 Mohammed Lamini 34 Farmer 17 S. B. Emini 57 Teacher ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 87 Forestry Commission 18 Osei Prince 24 Student 19 Boateng 20 Student 20 Ali Mohammed 23 Student 21 Kwame Owusu 14 Student 1 Charlotte Atawiah 22 Farmer 2 Alberta Adampaka 20 Farmer 3 Mary Forkua 24 Farmer 4 Adams Ramatu 20 Farmer/hairdresser 5 Mary Serwah 32 Farmer 6 Ruth Lamisi 37 Farmer/hairdresser 7 Afia Wusuwah 35 Farmer/hairdresser 8 Grace Mansah 52 Farmer/Trader 9 Akua Cecilia 38 Farmer 10 Comfort Asieduwaa 22 Farmer 11 Naomi Odartey 40 Farmer 12 Yaa Comfort 31 Farmer 13 Gladys Brago 32 Farmer 14 Maame Mali 50 Farmer 15 Rita Kondadu Queen mother 44 Trader 16 Esther Amadu 23 Farmer 17 Abena Leyoma 30 Farmer 18 Janet Yaye 35 Farmer/Trader Bosomoa Forest reserve, Kintampo Forest District Nante Community – 14-04-2014 No. Name Position/Designation Age Occupation 1 Kofi Asante - 40 Farmer 2 Kwaku Taapen 28 Farmer 3 Pena Daniel 45 Farmer 4 Idrisu Salemana 25 Farmer 5 Adamu Ibrahim 45 Farmer 6 Abukari Sudisu 25 Farmer 7 Yakubu Atteh 21 Farmer 8 Issaka Adam 20 Driver’s mate 9 Alhaji Sofo Alhassan Imam/CFC chairperson 57 Farmer 10 Atta Kofi Roman Catechist 50 Farmer 11 Kofi Yamawule 30 Farmer 12 Abubakari Bibioboto 28 Driver 13 Yakubu Isahaku 35 Farmer 14 Abubakari Abdul 28 Farmer Rahamadu 15 Abdul Razak Yaya 20 Student 16 K. Asuman 31 Storekeeper/trader 17 Osei Prince 18 Mason Apprentice 18 Rashid Adoku 19 Carpentry apprentice 19 Kwabena Badu 46 Farmer 20 Ibrahim Nuhu 36 Machine operator 21 Gyan Kwame 32 Carpenter 22 Kwaku Gyamfi 25 Driver 23 Kojo Asante 29 Farmer 24 Kojo Damoah 31 Carpenter 25 Tassil Kwabena 27 Bar owner 26 Adu Amponsah Youth leader 38 Farmer 27 Yaw Apaw 52 Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 88 Forestry Commission 28 Hon Cpl Gyiwaa 53 Farmer 1 Helena Anane 46 Trader/business woman 2 Naomi Pokua 45 Farmer 3 Akosua Kesewa 41 Farmer 4 Mary Jato 28 Dressmaker 5 Ramatu Mohammed 39 Waakye seller 6 Salamatu Zawe 30 Dressmaker 7 Akua Agness 22 Trader 8 Saah Florence 22 Farmer 9 Georgina Akolowa 40 Yam seller 10 Zamabu Seidu 45 Trader 11 Margaret Adobea 48 Farmer 12 Comfort Dusie 34 Farmer 13 Asin Forsa 40 Farmer 14 Asanjia Doko 40 Farmer 15 Akua Kandusi 38 Farmer 16 Rahinatu Issaku 30 Farmer 17 Tada Benedicta 22 Student 18 Tukusama Rose 20 Dressmaker 19 Akose Churepo 33 Farmer 20 Komeol Akose 28 Farmer 21 Yaa Appiah 40 Farmer 22 Gyasi Emelia 40 Yam seller 23 Afia Angelina 30 Farmer 24 Afia Gyamea 48 Farmer/Trader/Queen Mother 25 Rafatu Muhammed 38 Trader Krabonso Dagombaline – Kintampos Forest District 14-04-2014 Forest reserve - Bosome No. Name Age Occupation 1 Potuo Bilaba 65 Farmer 2 Latif Alhassan 18 Farmer 3 Azizu Alhassan 20 Farmer 4 Yaw Sangi 20 Farmer 5 Mohammed 35 Farmer 6 Abduli 35 Farmer 7 Hadi Adama 20 Farmer 8 Yaw Bawuu 30 Farmer 9 Kari Wagi 23 Farmer 10 Dassaan Isaac 20 Farmer 11 Yaawuloza Mohammed 20 Farmer 12 Felimon Nubolanaa 20 Farmer 13 Kwabena Dassaan 30 Farmer 14 Bawuloma Nubosie 40 Farmer 15 Alahassan Iddrissu 25 Farmer 16 Ibrahim Iddrissu 30 Farmer 17 Zakari Osman 31 Farmer 18 Soribo Alfred 70 Farmer 19 Fusena Iddrissu 80 Farmer 20 Abdulai Tanko 40 Driver 21 Wuudo Ada 55 Farmer 22 Abduliman Ibrahim 56 Farmer 23 Isaah Tayii 20 Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 89 Forestry Commission 24 Yakubu Idrissu 32 Farmer 25 Abdulai Razak 28 Farmer 26 Amentus Karpiyie 65 Farmer 27 Siedu Ibrahim 39 Farmer 28 Latif Alhassan 42 Farmer 29 Jato Dassaan 45 Farmer 30 Alidu Karih 32 Farmer 31 Nbuli Dassaan 40 Farmer 32 Imoro Mohammed 32 Teacher 33 Isahaku Amadu 25 Farmer 34 Tayii Isaaku 33 Farmer 35 Yamusa Awudu 53 Teacher 36 Bawa Jannaa 75 Farmer 1 Tikayi Bawa 60 Farmer 2 Lukaya Amidu 40 Farmer 3 Afukyetu Abdulai 40 Farmer 4 Naapo Yeyereku 35 Farmer 5 Alociyo Cynthia 41 Farmer 6 Polina Kando 34 Farmer 7 Faalinbon Akosua 42 Farmer 8 Moolesia Mathew 38 Farmer 9 Kambrenya Selina 39 Farmer 10 Ayesetu Yakubu 44 Farmer 11 Tanpo Daana 38 Farmer 12 Akosua Deri 46 Farmer 13 Afua Abdulai 38 Farmer 14 Latif Ibrahim 39 Farmer 15 Alishetu Mohammed 40 Farmer/NPP Women organiser 16 Ama Ankomah 22 Farmer 17 Janet Dorzea 23 Farmer 18 Sakinatu Alidu 30 Farmer 19 Abiba Mohammed 32 Farmer 20 Asana Mohammed 36 Farmer 21 Felicia Akua 45 Farmer 22 Faati Martha 42 Farmer 23 Afua Gyinapo 48 Farmer 24 Adwoa footi 35 Farmer 25 Akosua Juliet 36 Farmer 26 Grace Tan 37 Farmer 27 Akosua Nyobea 42 Farmer 28 Akua Dordaa 44 Farmer 29 Rahina Alhassan 39 Farmer 30 Mariama Tuahilu 50 Farmer 31 Ama Wajuli 60 Farmer 32 Philomena Soo 42 farmer/NDC women organiser NORTHERN REGION Zakaryili community 01-05-2014 No. Name Age/ description Occupation 1 Alhassan Adu Elderly Farmer 2 Sherasu Alhassan Youth Farmer 3 Mohammed Abdul –Latif Youth Farmer 4 Alhassan Iddrisu Youth Farmer 5 Yakubu Iddrisu Youth Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 90 Forestry Commission 6 Alhassan Mohammed Youth Farmer 7 Fuseini Rashid Youth Farmer 8 Fuseini Abdulai Youth Farmer 9 Yakubu Wambei Elderly Farmer 10 Baba Alhassan Elderly Farmer 11 Abdul Rahiman Elderly Farmer 12 Yakubu Bawa Elderly Farmer 13 Alhassan Iddrisu Elderly Farmer 14 Sualisu Yusif Youth Farmer 15 Iddrisu Amin Youth Farmer 16 Iddrisu Abdulai Youth Farmer 1 Abiba Alhassan Elderly Farmer 2 Amina Fuseini Youth Farmer 3 Amina Yakubu Elderly Farmer 4 Fatimata Baba Elderly Farmer 5 Abiba Mohammed Elderly Farmer 6 Adisa Abdul-Rahman Youth Farmer 7 Abibatu Yusif Youth Farmer 8 Zulaiha Yakubu Youth Farmer 9 Sumayatu Yakubu Youth Farmer 10 Arishitu Alhassan Youth Farmer 11 Sanatu Alhassan Youth Farmer 12 Fatimata Latifu Youth Farmer 13 Mohammed Sahada Youth Farmer 14 Ayi Yakubu Youth Farmer 15 Rabi Sherazu Youth Farmer 16 Senatu Iddrisu Youth Farmer 17 Fuseina Yakubu Youth Farmer 18 Arahimatu Iddrisu Youth Farmer 19 Filila Alhassan Youth Farmer 20 Samatu Mohammed Elderly Farmer 21 Arishitu Baba Youth Farmer 22 Mariama Yakubu Youth Farmer 23 Abiba Sherazu Elderly Farmer 24 Abibata Alhassan Youth Elderly: >45 years Youth: >18 and <45 years Moya community 01-05-2014 No. Name Age Occupation 1 Abukari Danna (Chief) 75 Farmer 2 Issahaku Azuma 50 Farmer 3 Abukari Mohammed 40 Farmer 4 Yakubu Abukari 30 Farmer 5 Baba Fuseini 40 Farmer 6 Karim Nina 40 Farmer 7 Sulemanna Azindo 38 Farmer 8 Zakariya Fuseini 35 Farmer 9 Alhassan Abubakari 50 Farmer 10 Ibrahim Mamudu 40 Farmer 11 Alhassan Yusif 42 Farmer 12 Alhassan Azindo 20 Farmer 13 Iddrisu Azima 40 Farmer 14 Abubakari Mansuru 20 Farmer 15 Abdulai Fuseini 30 Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 91 Forestry Commission 16 Shaibu Nina 43 Farmer 17 Sualisu Nina 45 Farmer 18 Amadu Majid 35 Farmer 19 Zakari Abukari 40 Farmer 20 Alhassan Bawa 45 Farmer 21 Abubakari Shaibu 70 Farmer 1 Sanatu Azuma 50 Farmer 2 Alimatu Zakariya 40 Farmer 3 Awabu Mahamatu 35 Farmer 4 Mariama Baba 29 Farmer 5 Zinabu Alhassan 30 Farmer 6 Mariama Alhassan 60 Farmer 7 Sakina Zakari 23 Farmer 8 Filila Alhassan 35 Farmer 9 Rahimatu Ibrahim 35 Farmer 10 Sulaya Iddrisu 28 Farmer 11 Azara Damba 60 Farmer 12 Mamunatu Abdul-Nasiri 18 Farmer 13 Mariam Majeed 32 Farmer 14 Sikina Shaibu 50 Farmer 15 Fati Alhassan 52 Farmer 16 Awabu Sulemana 18 Farmer 17 Abana Rashid 23 Farmer 18 Sanatu Azima 53 Farmer 19 Nima Alhassan 18 Farmer 20 Ashitu Abubakari 50 Farmer 21 Anatu Karim 38 Farmer 22 Fatima Sulemana 28 Farmer 23 Martha Bawa 60 Farmer 24 Fatimata Adam 40 Trader/Farmer 25 Adamu Moro 34 Trader 26 Fatimatu Osman 20 Farmer 27 Fati Fuseini 30 Farmer 28 Awabu Yussif 35 Farmer 29 Adamu Issah 60 Farmer 30 Hawa Fuseini 60 Farmer 31 Sanatu Yahaya 62 Farmer 32 Asana Abdulai 25 Farmer 33 Fushina Abukari 38 Trader 34 Larbi Issahaku 29 Trader Kenikeni Forest Reserve and Mole National Park Grupe Community 02-05-2014 No. Name Age Occupation 1 Dari Naatida 30 Farmer 2 Kwaku Bayowo 30 Farmer 3 Awule Donkoyiri 52 Farmer 4 Dare Tan 28 Farmer 5 Simon Bugla 53 Farmer 6 Lamin Abdulai 20 Farmer 7 Kipo Simole 23 Farmer 8 Disuri Berviley 31 Farmer 9 Attah Zinkoni 50 Farmer 10 Pentu Aliasu 20 Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 92 Forestry Commission 11 Kular Yirikubayele 45 Farmer 12 Kipo Musah 23 Student/Farmer 13 Denyi Beyinar 30 Farmer 14 Kwame Beyinor 25 Farmer 15 Tinwah Dasaah 35 Farmer 16 Gbiale Gbentuota 30 Farmer 17 Yanyele Yawkrah 55 Farmer 18 Kpibari Vinn 45 Farmer 19 Dramani Salisu 21 Student 20 Dramani Saaka 50 Farmer 21 Sunwale Kpankpori 45 Farmer 22 Adams Gbolosu 27 Farmer Women 1 Jemi Aness 20 Farmer 2 Hawa Seidu 45 Farmer 3 Kpandzana Duntze 45 Farmer 4 Magazia Zinatuna 50 Farmer 5 Bamba Barah 20 Farmer 6 Wiagu Diana 45 Farmer 7 Alberta Tinnah 40 Farmer 8 Attah Fiah 29 Farmer 9 Yaa Jang 32 Farmer 10 Beyiwor 45 Farmer 11 Akua Dari 30 Farmer 12 Kwame Tanpogo 35 Farmer 13 Kulpor Anawa 35 Farmer 14 Attah Kipo 45 Farmer 15 Zinatornor Bawizia 50 Farmer 16 Kipo Abutu 40 Farmer 17 Yao Akosua 30 Farmer 18 Abiba Seidu 28 Farmer 19 Kulpor Ados 30 Farmer 20 Tampor Porlina 30 Farmer 21 Asata Mumuni 30 Farmer 22 Afisah Dari 35 Farmer 23 Adwoa Zore 45 Farmer 24 Fati Dramani 40 Farmer 25 Vorsana Dramani 25 Farmer Kenikeni Forest Reserve and Mole National Park Nasoyiri Community 02-05-2014 No. Name Age Occupation 1 Nasoyiri Wura - Farmer 2 Sey Nalotey - Farmer 3 Sansan Bidintey 50 Farmer 4 Bisen Kontome 35 Farmer 5 Ollo Sonyitey 43 Farmer 6 Nyolina Taba 30 Farmer 7 Bitoyiri 22 Farmer 8 Andrew Selli 23 Farmer 9 Dokobo Ditey 25 Farmer 10 Jacob Bale 35 Farmer 11 Bashiru Fornule 40 Farmer 12 Fotey Lifatey 45 Farmer 13 Soletey Sansa 50 Farmer ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 93 Forestry Commission 14 Dale Kpoku 30 Farmer 15 Bitoyiri 56 Farmer 16 Sekentey 60 Farmer 17 Adam Natorma 46 Farmer 18 Tensare Selle 58 Farmer 19 Banala Kani 48 Student 20 Botwo Sontey 47 Farmer 21 Kyilentey Chichutey 56 Farmer 22 Dare Bola 54 Farmer 23 Maalyir 23 Farmer 24 Glikoli Gariba 54 Farmer 25 Yasotey 45 Farmer Women 1 Bugula 43 Farmer 2 Nowenuma 35 Farmer 3 Sawala 58 Farmer 4 Juliana Akosua 20 Farmer 5 Gbollo 35 Farmer 6 Parreh 33 Farmer 7 Zanabu 34 Farmer 8 Phillipa Amoh 21 Farmer 9 Joana Turema 19 Farmer 10 Yaa Brafi 42 Trader 11 Sahaana 51 Farmer 12 Nayorli Limah 32 Farmer 13 Mabel Dawo 23 Farmer 14 Yaatel Dawo 30 Farmer 15 Yiri Binana 48 Farmer 16 Yaa Nebina 45 Farmer 17 Grace Temale 35 Farmer 18 Rita Ayulo 41 Farmer 19 Victoria Alamina 42 Farmer 20 Bena Yare 40 Farmer 21 Wamuni 33 Farmer 22 Dusama 35 Farmer 23 Sudiri 40 Farmer 24 Rophina 30 Farmer 25 Sentey Chabb 31 Farmer 26 Hanna Mopu 42 Farmer 27 Yiley 37 Farmer 28 Adams Gyikye 35 Farmer 29 Adams Nafisa 32 Farmer 30 Janet Solomey 40 Farmer 31 Manno Dare 55 Farmer 32 Nkaayene Sankuma 35 Farmer 33 Adwoa Tireh 35 Farmer 34 Sofaa Yiri 22 Farmer 35 Comfort Tire 30 Farmer 36 Maa Adwoa 37 Farmer 37 Afua Mumuni 27 Farmer 38 Yaa Angelina 22 Farmer Contact person Position Contact number Date FSD, Tamale, Bole Ebenezer Djabletey Regional FSD Manager 0244639643 30-04-2014 / 01-05- ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 94 Forestry Commission Contact person Position Contact number Date 2014 Emmanuel Okrah Tamale District FSD Manager 0243716352 30-04-2014 Nii Kwei Tamale Assist. Dist. Manager 0200122333 30-04-2014 / 01-05- 2014 Paul Hinneh Bole Assist Dist. FSD Manager 0244934324 02-05-2014 Joseph Akuoko Bole-TO/Range Supervisor 0242108943 02-05-2014 Saviour Attu Bole – TO/Range supervisor 0243141630 02-05-2014 Lands Commission, Tamale Samuel Anini Head- LVD 0244618902 05-05-2014 Osei Owusu Head- PVLMD 0244633902 06-05-2014 Yaw Aboagye Regional Lands Officer/ Head- 0244798808 06-05-2014 Survey & Mapping Tree Aid Ghana – NGO Andrew Dokurugu Country Director 0208882226 05-05-2014 andrew.dokurugu@treeaid. org.uk OASL, Tamale Franklin Oppong Obiri Regional Stool Lands Officer 0207339887/ 0244496668 05-05-2014 EPA, Tamale Musa Adam Jafaru Programme Officer 0244445831/ 0501301601 05-05-2014 Jimah Louly Programme Officer 0543315665/ 0501301600 05-05-2014 Abu Iddrisu Regional Director 05-05-2014 GNFS, Tamale Douglas Koyiri Regional Fire Commander 0208284332 05-05-2014 Department of Community Development Williams Alagma Regional Director 0244845045/0206277359 06-05-2014 alagwillie@yahoo.com MOFA, Tamale William Boakye Regional Director 0244216918 06-05-2014 Acheampong RCC, Tamale Alhassan Issehaku RCD 0208236483 06-05-2014 Care International-NGO Francis Avura Local Governance & Advocacy 0208137503 07-05-2014 Officer Nuhu Suleimana Livelihood and Disaster Risk 0248406305 07-05-2014 Reduction Officer Association of Church-Based Development NGOs (Acdep) Pealore Zachary ECCRING Project Manager 0206151928/ 07-05-2014 razackpealore@acdep.org Michael Pervarah Project Manager 0244777442 07-05-2014 UPPER EAST REGION Contact person Position Contact number Date FSD - Bolga, Navrongo James K. Ware Regional FSD Manager 0207142090 07-05-2014 Robert Deri Bolga District FSD Manager 0208158736 07-05-2014 Kobina Baiden Bolga Assist. Dist. Manager 0208316214 07-05-2014 Awuah Oteng Navrongo Dist. FSD Manager 0243373059 07-05-2014 Agbontor Raymond Navrongo ADM 0209161881 07-05-2014 Wildlife Division John Naada Majam Regional Wildlife Div. 0244167419 08-05-2014 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 95 Forestry Commission Contact person Position Contact number Date Manager Lands Commission, Bolga Alhassan B. Zakariah Head- LVD 0209123550 08-05-2014 Eric Mwim Head- PVLMD 0202857941 08-05-2014 Seidu Zakari Abu Ag. Regional Lands Officer/ 0209656296 08-05-2014 Head-Survey & Mapping Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands (OASL), Bolga Larri John Kwame Regional Stool Lands Officer 0246361631 08-05-2014 EPA, Bolga Hamidu Abdulai Assist. Programme Officer 0268861474 08-05-2014 Agbenyeka Godfred 0249990930 08-05-2014 Benedict Agamah 0242342376 08-05-2014 Freda Amizia 0203217602 08-05-2014 GNFS, Bolga Albert A. Ayamga Regional Fire Commander 0208240499/0242569152 08-05-2014 Albert Adongo Ayamga Rural Fire Department- 0208384171/0245914619 08-05-2014 Officer FORIG, Bolga Stephen Akpalu Research Scientist 0207392105 09-05-2014 Gloria Adeyiga Research Scientist 0207327391 09-05-2014 MOFA, Bolga Zimri Alhassan Assist. Regional Ext. Officer 0240399482 09-05-2014 Ben Issah Reg. Extension Officer 0244838789 09-05-2014 WRC- Volta Basin, Bolga Aaron Aduna Volta Basin Officer 0242074137/0208234442 09-05-2014 aaronaduna@yahoo.com aaronaduna@gmail.com NADMO, Bolga Paul Wooma Deputy Chief Disaster Control 0206381927 09-05-2014 Officer RCC, Bolga Paul K. Abdul Korah RCD/Chief Director 0244632151 09-05-2014 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 96 Annex 2: Policy and Legislative Framework National Policy Framework No. Policy Description 1. Forest policy The 1994 Forest and Wildlife Policy (FWP), revised in 2011, and the 1996 Forestry Development Master Plan (FDMP) serve as guiding policies for the sector. The stated overall aim of the FWP was: “Conservation and sustainable development of the nation’s fo rest and wildlife resources for the maintenance of environmental quality and perpetual flow of benefits to all segments of society.” The policy represented a shi ft towards the principles of sustainability. This is most evident in the objectives for management of the off-reserve forest areas. In order to further strengthen the objectives of the FWP and the FDMP, the Government enacted the Timber Resources Management Act, 1997 (Act 547), the Timber Resources Management (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 617), and the Timber Resources Management Regulations, 1997 (LI 1649). These pieces of legislation focused on efficient resource allocation and prevention of illegal logging and chainsaw lumbering. However, the Timber Resources Management Act made it illegal for farmers and other users of off reserve lands to harvest any naturally growing trees for commercial or domestic purposes, even if it is growing on their land. It also prohibited logging without prior authorisation from concerned groups or individuals. However, regardless of the efforts Ghana still struggles with illegal logging and good governance of the forest sector (RoG 2011a). There appears to be no significant reductions in illegal logging. The problems are most obvious in the CSM sector and the domestic timber supply. Though parliamentary oversight of forest agencies is relatively good, information management and use of best practise in law enforcement remains weak. 2, Environmental Ghana’s Environmental Policy resulted from a series of Government actions initiated in March 1988 to put environmental issues on the Policy priority agenda. Subsequent to this, an Environmental Action Plan (EAP) was drawn up which identified specific actions to be carried out to protect the environment and ensure better management of natural resources. The plan addresses itself to sustainable development issues as defined by the World Commission on Environment and Development in 1987 and provides a broad framework for the integration of environmental issues into development strategies and actions. The National Environmental Policy (NEP) was adopted in 1991 to provide the framework for the implementation of the National Environmental Action Plan (NEAP). The ultimate aim of the policy is to ensure sound management of the environment and the avoidance of exploitation of resources in ways that may result in irreparable damage to the environment. The policy makes provision for: ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 97 Forestry Commission • Maintenance of ecosystem and ecological processes essential for the functioning of the biosphere; • Sound management of natural resources and the environment; • Protection of humans, animals and plants and their habitat; • Guidance for healthy environmental practices in the national development effort; • Integration of environmental considerations in sectoral, structural and socio-economic planning at all levels; • Seek common solutions to environmental problems in West Africa, Africa and the world at large. The Project will be guided by these policy considerations to ensure that the interventions do not adversely impact on the environment or cause harm to persons. 3. Agricultural Agricultural expansion is one of the major underlying causes of deforestation in Ghana. The first Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy Policy (FASDEP) was developed in 2002 as a framework for the implementation of strategies to modernise the agricultural sector in order to increase food and cash crop production. The strategies in the policy were based on the Accelerated Agricultural Growth and Development Strategy, which was designed to forge linkages in the value chain. The revised policy of 2006 (FASDEP II) encourages the formation of inter-ministerial teams to ensure environmental sustainability in agricultural production systems. These could be common platforms to consider also in the implementation of FIP. 4. Land Policy The revised National Land Policy (NLP) in 2002, and the implementation of the World Bank supported Land Administration Project (LAP), has promoted the judicious use of land and natural resources in the pilot areas. However, the achievements have so far been local and there is need to upscale the achievements. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 98 Forestry Commission Legislative Framework Legislation Description Forestry Forestry Commission Act, 1999 Act An Act to re-establish the Forestry Commission in order to bring under the Commission the main public bodies and 571 agencies implementing the functions of protection, development, management and regulation of forests and wildlife resources and to provide for related matters. Timber Resource Management An ACT to provide for the grant of timber rights in a manner that secures the sustainable management and utilization Act, 1997 - Act 547: of the timber resources of Ghana and to provide for related purposes. Timber Resources Management An ACT to amend the Timber Resources Management Act 1997 (Act 547) to exclude from its application land with Act 617 (Amendment) Act, 2002: private forest plantation; to provide for the maximum duration, and maximum limit of area, of timber rights; to provide for incentives and benefits applicable to investors in forestry and wildlife and to provide for matters related to these. -Forest & Plantation Development - Act, 2000 Act 583 -L.I. 1649 - Timber Resources - Management Regulations, 1998 -L.I. 1721 Timber Resources - Management (Amendment) -The Forest Protection - (Amendment) Act, 2002 Act 624 The Trees & Timber (Amendment) Act, 1994 Environmental EPA Act 1994 (Act 490) Provides for the establishment of an Environmental Protection Agency with functions among others, to ‘advise the minister on the formulation of policies on all aspects of the environment and in particular make recommendations for the protection of the environment’. The other parts of the Act include Enforcement and Control which gives powers to the Agency to request for an ESIA; Part three establishes an Environment Fund and finally Part four describes the administration and general provisions of the Act. Part 1 of the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 LI 1652 on Environmental Permit describes undertakings requiring registration and issuance of environmental permit, as: 1. (1) No person shall commence any of the undertakings specified in Schedule 1 to these Regulations or any undertaking to which a matter in the Schedule relates, unless prior to the commencement, the undertaking has been registered by the Agency and an environmental permit has been issued by the Agency in respect of the undertaking. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 99 Forestry Commission 2. No person shall commence activities in respect of any undertaking which in the opinion of the Agency has or is likely to have adverse effect on the environment or public health unless, prior to the commencement, the undertaking has been registered by the Agency in respect of the undertaking.’ The list of undertakings requiring environmental assessment is provided in the Annex 6 together with the list of environmentally sensitive areas, Annex 5 in which developments are to a large extent, prohibited. The procedures establish an ESIA process to among others, provide enough relevant information to enable the EPA to set an appropriate level of assessment of any proposed undertaking, investment or programme for the necessary review and to facilitate the decision making process for the ESIA approval. The procedures comprise activities such as project Registration, Screening, Scoping, EIS preparation, and Public hearing. The administrative procedures requires a total processing time of 90 days. The procedures are statutorily recognised under the EPA Act 1994 (Act 490). The Environmental Assessment (Amendment) Regulations, 2002 (LI 1703) is an amendment to LI 1652 and provides for the substitution of regulations relating to ‘fees and charges for environmental permits and certificates’. It is anticipated that the Programme will abide by these legislative provisions and procedures as and when applicable, and that all proposed interventions will be mindful of the requirements of the EPA Act 1994 (Act 490). Land The Lands Commission Act 2008, The Lands Commission Act 2008 establishes the Lands Commission to integrate the operations of public service land Act 767 institutions in order to secure effective and efficient land administration to provide for related matters. The State Lands Act 1962, Act 125 The State Lands Act 1962, Act 125 vests in the President of the Republic the authority to acquire land for the public interest via an executive instrument. Survey Act 1962, Act 127 The Survey Act 1962, Act 127 relates to geological, soil and land survey. Part II of the Act deals with demarcation and survey of lands. Under the law, the sector minister may appoint official surveyors and the Chief Survey Officer (Director of Surveys) may license private surveyors. It is the official surveyor or licensed surveyor that shall certify plans for attachments to instruments of conveyance, leases, assignment, charge or transfer. Under the law it is an offence to damage, destroy or alter any boundary mark. The Act 127 gave legal backing to the Director of Surveys to carryout cadastral and other surveys through official surveyors who work directly under him at the Survey Division of the Lands Commission. It also gave authority to the Director of Surveys to recommend from time to time experienced surveyors to the Minister responsible for Lands to be licensed to undertake surveys. The Lands (Statutory Wayleaves) The Lands (Statutory Wayleaves) Act 1963, Act 186 details the process involved in occupation of land for the purpose Act, 1963 of the construction, installation and maintenance of works of public utility, and for the creation of right-of-ways for ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 100 Forestry Commission such works Further to this Act, the Statutory Wayleave Regulations, 1964, provide procedural details and address grievance mechanisms. The Land Title Registration Act The challenges arising from registration of instruments under the Land Registry Act 1962, Act 122 led to the 1986, PNDCL 152 promulgation of the Land Title Registration Act 1986, PNDCL 152 which would be an improvement on the registration of deeds. The Law provides for among others, accurate parcel or cadastral maps which would reduce fraud, multiple registrations and reduce litigation. Office of the Administrator of Stool The Act establishes the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands as enshrined in Article 267 (2) of the 1992 Lands Act 1994, Act 481 Constitution and it is responsible for establishment of stool land account for each stool, collection of rents and the disbursement of such revenues. Water Resources Water Resources Commission Act The Water Resources Commission (WRC) Act 1996 (Act 522) establishes and mandates the WRC as the sole agent 1996, Act 522 responsible for the regulation, management and utilisation of water resources and for the co-ordination of any policy in relation to them. The Commission does this through the granting of water rights to potential water users. Water Use Regulations 2001, LI The Water Use Regulations 2001 (LI 1692) enjoins all persons to obtain Water Use Permits from the Water Resources 1692 Commission for commercial water use. The Commission is also mandated to request for evidence that an environmental impact assessment or an environmental management plan has been approved by the EPA before issuance of the Water Use Permit. Others Ghana Investment Promotion The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act 1994 (Act 478) requires that every investor wishing to invest in the Centre Act 1994, Act 478 country must in its appraisal of proposed investment projects or enterprises, “…have regard to any effect the enterprise is likely to have on the environment and measures proposed for the prevention and control of any harmful effects to the environment...”. The Local Government Act 1993, The Local Government Act 1993 (Act 462) empowers the Assemblies to establish Waste Management Departments to Act 462 be responsible for the development and management of waste disposal sites within their areas of jurisdiction. Factories, Offices and Shops Act The Factories, Offices and Shops Act of 1970 (Act 328) requires all proponents to register every factory with the Chief 1970, Act 328 Inspector of Factories Inspectorate Division. The New Labour Act 2003, Act 651 Section 118(1) of the New Labour Act 2003 (Act 651) stipulates that it is the duty of an employer to ensure that every worker employed works under satisfactory, safe and healthy conditions. The Fire Precaution (Premises) The Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations 2003 (LI 1724) requires all premises intended for use as workplaces to have Regulations 2003, LI 1724 Fire Certificates. The Constitution of the Republic of The Constitution of the Republic of Ghana 1992 makes provisions that protect the right to private property and sets Ghana 1992 principles under which citizens may be deprived of their property in the interest of the public. The State Lands Act 1962, Act 125 The State Lands Act 1962 (Act 125) has vested authority in the President of the Republic of Ghana to acquire land for the public interest via an executive instrument. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 101 Forestry Commission Annex 3: Screening checklist for Environmental and Social Issues 1. Project Information: Name and Contact Details: Project Name Location: (region/district/village) If other, explain: FSD District Focal Point Date of Name of reviewer: screening: Subproject Details: Attach location map (longitude – latitude coordinates (GPS reading) if available): Type of activity: What will be done, who will do it, what are the objectives and outcomes Estimated Cost: Proposed Date of Commencement of Work: Expected Completion of Work Technical Drawing/Specifications Yes/No – refer to Application Portfolio Reviewed: 2. Physical Data: Comments Subproject Site area in ha Extension of or changes to existing land use Any existing property to transfer to subproject Any plans for construction, movement of earth, changes in land cover 3. Preliminary Environmental Information: Yes/No Comments Refer to Resettlement Policy Framework ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 102 Forestry Commission Is there adjacent/nearby critical natural habitat? Is there activities On Forest Reserve? Is there activity adjacent to Forest Reserve? What is the land currently being used for? (e.g. List the key resources. agriculture, gardening, etc) Will the proposed activities have any impact on any ecosystem services, biodiversity issues or natural habitats? Will there be restrictions or loss of access to using natural resources in any traditional areas including ✓ medicinal plants or those of economic value for livelihoods? Will there be water resource impacts? Will there be soil impacts? Will the subproject require use of pesticides? If Yes, refer to Pest Management Plan Are there any new or changing forest management ✓ planning or activities? Any cultural heritage/sacred sites in project area? ✓ 4. Preliminary Social and Land Information: Yes/No Refer to Comments Resettlement Policy Framework Has there been litigation or complaints of any environmental nature directed against the proponent ✓ or subproject? Will the subproject require the acquisition of land? What is the status of the land holding (customary, lease, community lands, etc)? ✓ Is there evidence of land tenure status of farmers and/or occupants (affidavit, other documentation)? ✓ Are there outstanding land disputes? ✓ Has there been proper consultation with stakeholders? ✓ ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 103 Forestry Commission Is there a grievance process identified for PAPs and is ✓ this easily accessible to these groups/individuals? Will there be any changes to livelihoods? ✓ What are the main issues associated with farmer ✓ benefits and community benefits? Will any restoration or compensation be required with “admitted” farmers? ✓ 5. Impact identification and classification: When considering the location of a subproject, rate the sensitivity of the proposed site in the following table according to the given criteria. Higher ratings do not necessarily mean that a site is unsuitable. They indicate a real risk of causing undesirable adverse environmental and social effects, and that more substantial environmental and/or social planning may be required to adequately avoid, mitigate or manage potential effects. The following table should be used as a reference. Issues Site Sensitivity Rating Low Medium High (L,M,H) Natural habitats No natural habitats present No critical natural Critical natural habitats If High Refer of any kind habitats; other natural present; within to Annex 3 habitats occur declared protected and Contact areas Regional EPA Water quality and Water flows exceed any Medium intensity of Intensive water use; water resource existing demand; low water use; multiple water multiple water users; availability and intensity of water use; users; water quality potential for conflicts is use potential water use issues are important high; water quality conflicts expected to be issues are important low; no potential water quality issues Natural hazards Flat terrain; no potential Medium slopes; some Mountainous terrain; vulnerability, stability/ erosion problems; erosion potential; steep slopes; unstable floods, soil no known flood risks medium risks from floods soils; high erosion stability/ erosion potential; flood risks Land and Farming No conflicts, disagreements Process of land Land conflicts If Medium or Tenure around use of land, tenant regularization and rights historically unresolved, High Refer to farmer rights and location to natural resources admitted farmers being Resettlement of admitted farms and being worked out with evicted, tenant farmers Policy farmers transparent clear communication and loosing rights and no Framework grievance process in transparency or place grievance redress available 6. E & S assessment comments based on site visit: Summary Observations Determination of environmental category based on findings of the screening: A ____B ____C ____ ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 104 Forestry Commission Requires an EIA Requires preparation of additional E&S information Does not require further environmental or social due diligence Prepared by: Date: ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 105 Forestry Commission Potential Environmental and Social Issues That Require Referral to EPA or Using EA1 Form Benchmark and Issues Impact description Yes No Remark 1. Statutory provisions Is the proposed plantation area less than 40ha? If yes, proceed with EA1 Form 2. Statutory provisions Are there any ecologically sensitive/ critical areas If yes, contact (see Natural Habitat within the proposed project area (refer to Annex regional EPA Issues in Checklist) 3) 3. Protected areas and Will project activities potentially impact natural If yes, proceed with wildlife habitats or critical wildlife species EA1 form 4. Biodiversity loss Will land use change or vegetation clearance lead If yes, proceed with to loss of exceptional flora/ fauna EA1 form 5. Water pollution 1. Is there a local stream close to the project site? If 4 is yes, proceed 2. Does it flow all year round? with EA1 form 3. How long does it take to walk to this stream 4. Do you think any project activity will affect this stream 6. Soil erosion Are there steep slopes in the project area? If yes, proceed with Can you easily walk on the slopes without falling EA1 form ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 106 Forestry Commission Annex 4: Environmentally Sensitive/ Critical Areas NB: Projects sited in these areas could have significant effects on the environment and the EPA could require a more stringent environmental assessment All areas declared by law as national parks, watershed reserves, forest reserves, wildlife reserves and sanctuaries including sacred groves Areas with potential tourist value Areas which constitute the habitat of any endangered or threatened species of indigenous wildlife (flora and fauna) Areas of unique historic, religious, cultural, archeological, scientific or educational interest Areas which provide space, food, and materials for people practicing a traditional style of life Areas prone to disaster (geological hazards, floods, rainstorms, earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity etc) Areas prone to bushfires Areas classified as prime agricultural areas Recharge areas of aquifers Water bodies characterized by one or any combination of the following conditions: Tapped for domestic purposes Within controlled/ protected areas Which support wildlife and fishery activities Mangrove areas characterized by one or any combination of the following conditions: With primary pristine and dense growth Adjoining mouth of major river system Near or adjacent to traditional fishing grounds Which acts as natural buffers against shore erosion, strong winds and storm floods Estuaries and lagoons Other coastal areas of ecological, fisheries or tourism importance or which are subject to dynamic change Wetlands Rivers Areas of high population density ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 107 Forestry Commission Annex 5: Undertaking requiring Registration and Environmental Permit (EPA LI 1652 (1999) SECTOR Sub sector Description AGRICULTURE Community Pastures Involving the clearing of land greater than 40 ha Involving the clearing of land located in an environmentally sensitive area Fruit and other vegetable Management areas: farms Involving the clearing of land greater than 40 ha Involving the clearing of land located in an environmentally sensitive area FISHING AND Fishing a. fish or shell fish farming in salt water, brackish TRAPPING water or fresh water, where the proposal includes the construction of shore-based facilities other than wharves; b. permanent traps or weir fisheries, salt water. Services incidental to fishing Fish or shellfish breeding and propagating services, or fish or shellfish hatchery services, where the proposal includes the construction of shore based facilities other than wharves. LOGGING AND Logging Management of forested land for the primary FORESTRY purpose of harvesting timber in a contract area. Forestry services a. application of pesticides; b. introduction of exotic species of animals, plants or microbial agents. MINING Metal mines - Non metal mines CRUDE OIL AND Crude oil or petroleum NATURAL GAS production facilities Natural gas production facilities QUARRIES AND Stone quarries Where the total area is greater than 10ha, OR SAND PITS Where any portion is to be located within an environmentally portioned area Sand and gravel pit a. where the total area is greater than 10 hectares, or b. where any portion is to be located within an environmentally sensitive area. FOOD Meat and poultry products a. abattoirs; b. meat, fat or oil processing facilities c. poultry processing facilities. Fish products - Flours, prepared cereal foods - and feeds Feed mills BEVERAGES Distillery products - Brewery products Wines RUBBER a. tyres and tubes; - PRODUCTS ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 108 Forestry Commission SECTOR Sub sector Description b. rubber hoses and beltings; c. other rubber products PLASTIC a. tyres and tubes; - PRODUCTS b. rubber hoses and beltings; c. other rubber products LEATHER AND Man made fibres and - ALLIED PRODUCTS filament yarns Spun yarns and woven cloths Broad knitted fabrics TEXTILE PRODUCTS Natural fibres processing and - felt products Carpets, mats and rugs Canvas and related products Other textile products WOOD Sawmill, planning mill and - shingle mill products industries Veneers and plywoods Other wood products Wood preservation facilities which use hazardous chemicals or similar chemical processes Particle board or wafer board production PAPER AND ALLIED Pulp and paper - PRODUCTS Asphalt roofing Other converted paper products PRIMARY METALS - FABRICATED - METAL PRODUCTS TRANSPORTATION - EQUIPMENT REFINED Agricultural chemicals - PETROLEUM Plastics and synthetic resins PRODUCTS Paints and varnishes Soaps and cleaning compounds Other chemical products OTHER Scientific and professional Photographic films and plates manufacturing MANUFACTURING equipment Floor tiles, linoleum and coated fabrics manufacturing Other manufacturing products CONSTRUCTION Industrial construction (other a) Construction of pipelines for the transmission of than buildings) oil, natural gas and other related products from the ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 109 Forestry Commission SECTOR Sub sector Description source to the point of distribution, where: Any portion of the pipeline is to be located at a distance greater than 500m from an existing right of way; or Any portion of the pipeline is to be located in an environmentally sensitive area b) diesel electric power generating plants having capacity greater than 1 megawatt a gas turbine electric power generating plants having capacity greater than 1 megawatt c)nuclear electric power generating plants HIGHWAYS AND Roads - HEAVY CONSTRUCTION Waterworks and sewage Construction of trunk pipelines for transmission of system water from the source to the point of distribution Construction of trunk sewer pipelines Construction of trunk sewer pipeline outfalls Hydroelectric power plants Construction of dams and associated reservoirs and related structures Inter or intra basin water transfers Construction of hydroelectric power developments UTILITIES Establishment of waste disposal sites Establishment of facilities for the collection or disposal of hazardous waste materials WHOLESALE Petroleum products Wholesale establishment of petroleum products TRADE storage facilities Waste materials, wholesale Establishment of facilities for the purpose of assembling, breaking up, sorting or wholesale trading of scrap, junk or waste material of any type SERVICES Economic services Resource conservation and management administration programmes involving introduction of exotic species of animals or plants for any purpose; Resource conservation and management programmes involving introduction of native species of animals or plants into areas where those species do not occur at the time of the proposed introduction Designation of land for cottage development or other recreational development ACCOMMODATION Establishment of recreation - SERVICES and vacation camps AMUSEMENT AND Commercial spectator sport Establishment of horse racetrack operations RECREATIONAL Establishment of racetrack operations for motorized SERVICES vehicle sports and recreation clubs and services Establishment of facilities, including trails ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 110 Forestry Commission SECTOR Sub sector Description Establishment of outdoor firearm ranges Establishment of marina operations Establishment of facilities, including trails for mortised recreational vehicles Other amusement and recreational services ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 111 Forestry Commission Annex 6: Sample Copy of EPA Registration Form, EA1 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY, GHANA ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT REGISTRATION FORM (To be completed in Duplicate) FEE: 50,000 Serial No. FORM EA1 PROPONENT: Address for correspondence: Contact person: Position: Phone No.: Fax No.: Email: ASSESSMENT NO: FILE NO: Environmental Protection Agency P.O. Box M 326 Accra, Ghana Tel: 664697/8, 664223, 662465 Fax: 662690 Email: support@epagghana.org Web-site: www.epa.gov.gh *This form shall be submitted to the relevant EPA Regional Office. It is important that you read carefully the guide for completing the form before starting. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 112 Forestry Commission • PROPOSED UNDERTAKEN/DEVELOPMENT Title of proposal (General Classification of undertaking) Description of Proposal (nature of undertaking, unit processes [flow diagram], raw materials, list of chemicals (source, types and quantities), storage facilities, wastes/ by-products (solid, liquid and gaseous) Scope of Proposal (size of labour force, equipment and machinery, installed/production capacity, product type, area covered by facility/proposal, market) • PROPOSED SITE Location (attach a site plan/map) Plot/House No. Street/Area Name Town District/Region Major Landmarks (if any) Current zoning Distance to nearest residential and/or other facilities Adjacent land uses (existing & proposed) Site description (immediate activities should be described) ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 113 Forestry Commission 3. INFRASTRUCTURE AND UTILITIES Structures (buildings and other facilities proposed or existing on site) Access to water (source, quantity) Access to power (type, source & quantity) Drainage provision in the project area Nearness to water body Access to project site: Other major utilities proposed or existing on site (e.g. sewerage, etc) 4. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS Potential environmental effects of proposed undertaking (Both constructional and operational phases) ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 114 Forestry Commission 5. OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES Potential significant risks and hazards associated with the proposal (including occupational health and safety). State briefly relevant environmental studies already done and attach copies as appropriate. 6. CONSULTATIONS Views of immediate adjourning neighbours and relevant stakeholders (provide evidence of consultation) 7. MANAGEMENT OF IMPACTS AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ATTACHMENTS Tick appropriate boxes below indicating that the following required documents have been attached: Authentic site plan (signed by a licensed surveyor and certified by Survey Dept.) Block plan of the site Photographs of the site Fire report from the Ghana National Fire Service Zoning letter from Town & Country Planning Department DECLARATION: I, ………………………………………………………..…, hereby declare that the information provided on this form is true to the best of my knowledge and shall provide any additional information that shall come to my notice in the course of processing this application. I also declare that information provided is true. Signature Date * Use additional sheets where spaces provided in 3, 4 and 5 are inadequate. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 115 Forestry Commission Annex 7: Terms of Reference for the recruitment of ESIA consultants The ESIA Consultant will support the overall project environmental and social due diligence with: • development of background information related to E&S application requirements • development of checklists and manuals for implementation of safeguards • public dissemination of all E&S requirements at appropriate forums • assist the FC E&S FP in ensuring that sub projects are screened and reviewed using the E&S Screening Form • discussions with the head office, regional and district FPs concerning the E&S requirements • technical advice, on an as needed basis to FPs on provisions in the ESMF and any other E&S issues • monitoring subproject progress as it relates to adherence with the ESMF requirements and associated guidelines, • resolving implementation bottlenecks, and ensuring overall that E&S subproject implementation proceeds smoothly; • collecting and managing E&S information relevant to the subproject and accounts (i.e. environmental monitoring and audit reports); and • developing the annual E&S report A Consultant will be retained on a full or part time basis pending determination by the FC on the work requirements per year. In addition, the Consultant will provide technical advice on environmental management and mitigation during the life of the FIP, and to enhance E&S provisions to: • develop series of Technical Planning Guidelines (including manuals and checklists) specific to the FIP and the types of subprojects that build upon the checklists and E&S and other Guidelines provided with this ESMF. • liaise with the appropriate FPs to share knowledge and explain the objectives and ESMF requirements for approved subprojects in their Districts • raise awareness among stakeholders on E&S issues related to the FIP, and • lead the delivery of capacity-building programmes for relevant stakeholders. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 116 Forestry Commission Annex 8: Terms of Reference for Ghana REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group TERMS OF REFERENCE 1.0 BACKGROUND Ghana has been implementing REDD+ Readiness Activities since 2011 with financial support from the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) of the World Bank and other local and international partners. The Climate Change Unit of the Forestry Commission serves as the National REDD+ Secretariat (herein referred to as NRS) and has responsibility for the coordination of Ghana’s REDD+ Readiness process. Ghana has made good progress on activities under the four (4) FCPF’s REDD+ Readiness thematic components, i.e.: • Readiness Organisation and Consultation • REDD+ Strategy Preparation • Establishment of a Reference Emission Level/ Reference Level • Setting up of Monitoring System for Forests and Safeguards The first phase of Ghana’s REDD+ Readiness was successfully completed in November, 2014 and Ghana has received Additional Funding from the FCPF for the continuation of its REDD+ Readiness Activities to enable the country to develop the frameworks, systems and structures necessary for engagement in an international REDD+ mechanism. Additionally, Ghana has also been selected into the pipeline of the FCPF Carbon Fund following approval of an Emissions Reduction Programme Idea Note (ER-PIN) by the Carbon Fund in Brussels in early April, 2014. In line with Ghana's National REDD+ Strategy, the ER program targets the cocoa and forests mosaic landscape within the High Forest Zone, with a vision to reduce carbon emissions driven by expansive cocoa farming, mining and other agricultural drivers, whilst enhancing farmers’ productivity and fostering a multi-stakeholder, public-private sector, collaborative effort across the program area. 1.1 UNFCCC REDD+ safeguard requirements After several years of negotiations and discussions at the international level, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate (UNFCCC) Conference of the Parties (COP) adopted the ‘Warsaw Framework for REDD+’ at its 19th meeting in December 2013.2 This officially anchored REDD+ to the UNFCCC regime. The Warsaw Framework builds on previous COP decisions and clarifies and consolidates the requirements and methodological guidance countries must meet in order to access results based finance.3 According to the Warsaw Framework, developing country Parties aiming to receive results-based finance for REDD+ must fulfil the following REDD+ safeguard related requirements: Requirement 1: Implement REDD+ activities in a manner consistent with the Cancun safeguards 2 UNFCCC Decisions 9/CP.19; 10/CP.19; 11/CP.19; 12/CP.19; 13/CP.19; 14CP.19 and 15/CP.19 3 UNFCCC Decision 2/CP.17 paragraph 63 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 117 Forestry Commission REDD+ activities, regardless of their type of funding source, are to be implemented in such a way that the Cancun Safeguards are addressed and respected (see Box 1).4 This implies that the Cancun safeguards constitute the default, not minimum, safeguards to be applied. Countries are expected to take steps to define how the Cancun safeguards will be implemented, and to ensure compliance with the safeguards throughout the implementation of REDD+ activities. Requirement 2: Establish a system to provide information on how the Cancun safeguards are being addressed and respected The governments of countries implementing REDD+ activities are required to establish a system to provide information on how the seven Cancun safeguards are being addressed and respected in all of the phases of implementation of REDD+ activities.5 This is commonly referred to as the Safeguard Information System (subsequently referred to as the SIS). According to the UNFCCC guidelines, the SIS should:6 Be consistent with guidance in decision 1/CP.16, appendix I, paragraph 17; Provide transparent and consistent information that is accessible by all relevant stakeholders and updated on a regular basis; Be transparent and flexible to allow for improvements over time; Provide information on how all of the safeguards are being addressed and respected; Be country-driven and implemented at the national level; Build upon existing systems, as appropriate. Requirement 3: Provide a summary of information on how the Cancun Safeguards are being addressed and respected In order to receive results-based payments, countries must present their most recent summary of information demonstrating how the safeguards have been addressed and respected.8 The UNFCCC also establishes that the summary of information should be provided periodically, and be included in national communications or other communication channels identified by the COP. An additional and voluntary format for providing information to the UNFCCC is through the UNFCCC REDD+ web platform.9 4 Decision 1/CP.16 paragraph 69, Decision 2/CP.17, Paragraph 63 5 UNFCCC Decision 1/CP.16 Paragraph 71(d). 6 UNFCCC Decision 12/CP.17 Paragraph 2 7 Which states that REDD+ activities should: (a) Contribute to the achievement of the objective set out in Article 2 of the Convention; (b) Contribute to the fulfilment of the commitments set out in Article 4, paragraph 3, of the Convention; (c) Be country-driven and be considered options available to Parties; (d) Be consistent with the objective of environmental integrity and take into account the multiple functions of forests and other ecosystems; (e) Be undertaken in accordance with national development priorities, objectives and circumstances and capabilities and should respect sovereignty; (f) Be consistent with Parties’ national sustainable development needs and goals; (g) Be implemented in the context of sustainable development and reducing poverty, while responding to climate change; (h) Be consistent with the adaptation needs of the country; (i) Be supported by adequate and predictable financial and technology support, including support for capacity-building; (j) Be results-based; (k) Promote sustainable management of forests; 8 Decision 9/CP, Paragraph 4, UNFCCC Decision 2/CP.17, op cit, Paragraph 63 and 64. 9 Decision 12/CP.19, Paragraph 2 and 3 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 118 Forestry Commission Box 1: The Cancun safeguards10 When undertaking the activities referred to in paragraph 70 of this decision, the following safeguards should be promoted and supported: (a) That actions complement or are consistent with the objectives of national forest programmes and relevant international conventions and agreements; (b) Transparent and effective national forest governance structures, taking into account national legislation and sovereignty; (c) Respect for the knowledge and rights of indigenous peoples and members of local communities, by taking into account relevant international obligations, national circumstances and laws, and noting that the United Nations General Assembly has adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; (d) The full and effective participation of relevant stakeholders, in particular indigenous peoples and local communities, in the actions referred to in paragraphs 70 and 72 of this decision; (e) That actions are consistent with the conservation of natural forests and biological diversity, ensuring that the actions referred to in paragraph 70 of this decision are not used for the conversion of natural forests, but are instead used to incentivize the protection and conservation of natural forests and their ecosystem services, and to enhance other social and environmental benefits;11 (f) Actions to address the risks of reversals; (g) Actions to reduce displacement of emissions 1.2 Forest Carbon Partnership Facility REDD+ safeguard requirements In addition to the UNFCCC REDD+ safeguards requirements, the Government of Ghana has committed to meet the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) safeguards requirements. Countries receiving FCPF funding for readiness preparation through the World Bank are required to ensure compliance with the FCPF Readiness Fund’s common approach to environmental and social safeguards for multiple delivery partners (Common Approach).12 This also applies to countries seeking to obtain results based funding from the FCPF Carbon Fund.13 The REDD+ safeguard requirements of the FCPF Readiness Grant that Ghana is a beneficiary to, has two dimensions, substantive, and procedural. Substantive Requirements According to the Common Approach, participating countries are expected to achieve “substantial equivalence” to the “material elements” of the World Bank’s environmental and social safeguard 10 UNFCCC Decision 1/CP.16 Appendix 1 paragraph 2 11 Taking into account the need for sustainable livelihoods of indigenous peoples and local communities and their interdependence on forests in most countries, reflected in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, as well as International Mother Earth Day. 12 UN REDD FCPF (2012) R‐PP Template Annexes Version 6, for Country Use p. 44 13 FCPF (2013) Carbon Fund Methodological Framework. Final. P. 17 ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 119 Forestry Commission policies and procedures applicable to the FCPF Readiness Fund.14 In addition, according to the World Bank, its own safeguards policies, procedures and practices are “consistent” with the Cancun safeguards for REDD+,15 which means that a country approach developed to address and respect the Cancun safeguards could be understood substantively at least, to be “consistent” with the FCPF safeguard requirements. Procedurally however, a number of additional processes need to be taken in order to fully meet the FCPF safeguard requirements. Procedural Requirements There are two procedural requirements: • Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA), and • Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) Strategic Environmental and Social Assessment (SESA) The SESA stems from environmental assessment (EA) requirements of the World Bank.16 It is intended to be an inclusive process whereby the REDD+ country, with the participation of all potentially affected stakeholders, seeks to “identify likely impacts and risks, as well as opportunities,” among different strategic REDD+ options. During the SESA process these impacts, risks and opportunities are assessed and weighed by the various stakeholders. Activities that form part of the SESA include (see diagram in Annex):17 Identifying and prioritising the drivers of deforestation and the key social and environmental issues associated with the drivers. This assessment also includes looking at how issues such as land and tree tenure, benefit-sharing and access to resources are dealt with in Ghana. A preliminary examination of the likely social and environmental impacts of the REDD+ strategy options identified in the R-PP is also necessary. Analysing the legal, policy and institutional “aspects” of REDD+ readiness Assessing existing capacities and gaps to address the environmental and social issues identified Establishing outreach, communication and consultative mechanisms with relevant stakeholders throughout the process The SESA should conclude with the production of an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) as a means for managing environmental and social risks as REDD+ countries develop their REDD+ national strategies. Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) 14 FCPF (2011) Readiness Fund Common Approach to Environmental and Social Safeguards for Multiple Delivery Partners. https://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/sites/forestcarbonpartnership.org/files/Documents/PDF/Nov2011/FCPF%20Readiness%20Fund %20Common%20Approach%20_Final_%2010-Aug-2011_Revised.pdf 15 FCPF Carbon Fund (2013) World Bank Safeguard Policies and the UNFCCC REDD+ Safeguards. FMT Note CF-2013-3 https://www.forestcarbonpartnership.org/sites/fcp/files/2013/june2013/FMT%20Note%20CF-2013- 3_FCPF%20WB%20Safeguard%20Policies%20and%20UNFCCC%20REDD%2B%20Safeguards_FINAL.pdf 16 See OP 4.01 – Environmental Assessment, para. 7; and Annex A, para. 10. 17 Ibid ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 120 Forestry Commission All REDD+ countries must produce an ESMF as a direct output of the SESA process.18 The ESMF lays out principles, rules, guidelines and procedures for assessing issues and impacts associated with planned REDD+ activities that may occur in the future but are not presently known or are uncertain.19 It largely provides a framework for REDD+ countries to address environmental and social issues in their REDD+ Strategy as it is implemented. In fulfilling the above requirement, Ghana has completed both the SESA and the development of ESMF as part of its REDD+ R-Package. 1.3 Institutional framework for REDD+ in Ghana The institutional framework designed for implementing REDD+ evolved through an extensive stakeholder consultation during the readiness plan phase. The hierarchical architecture from the executive level of government through statutory agencies to local level multi-stakeholder consultation platform allows for vertical and horizontal coordination to implement REDD+ actions. The institutional arrangement is complex demanding intra and inter-sectorial coordination and extensive consultation with civil society and technical subject experts. The Climate Change Unit of the Forestry Commission remains a fulcrum around which most of these actions can take place and hence its capacity to manage a complex programme like REDD+ must be kept in balance.20 DIAGRAM 1 – Overview of governance structure for REDD+ in Ghana 18 R-PP Template, Component 2d, p. 44. 19 Common Approach, p. 47, para. 23. 20 P.31 Ghana REDD+ Strategy ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 121 Forestry Commission Source: Ghana National REDD+ Strategy 1.4 Overview of the REDD+ Readiness Progress in Ghana Ghana joined the international REDD+ Readiness Programme through the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility (FCPF) in 2008, and its Readiness Preparation Proposal (R-PP) was approved in 2010. The R- PP outlined the process by which the Government of Ghana was to develop its National REDD+ Strategy and the supporting mechanisms and processes for participating in and implementing REDD+. During this period, Ghana also became a recipient of the Forest Investment Programme (FIP), of the Climate Investment Fund (CIF) of the World Bank, which is currently supporting the government to implement projects that are synchronized with Ghana’s REDD+ programme. Ghana has submitted its Readiness Package, which outlines the completion of the preparation phase and indicates a move towards full implementation. Ghana began with the formation of the NRWG and technical sub-working groups focusing on thematic areas such as Monitoring, Reporting and Verification (MRV), SESA, etc. Consultancies were also commissioned during the first phase of REDD+ Readiness and various studies and assessment were conducted such as SESA, opportunities for Alternative Dispute Resolution for REDD+ Schemes, existing options for Benefit Sharing mechanism for REDD+, etc. The next stage with regards to REDD+ Safeguards is to develop CAS and SIS. 2. REDD+ SAFEGUARDS SUB-WORKING GROUP In light of the commitment made by the government of Ghana to develop a process of a CAS, it has become necessary to establish a Safeguards Sub-working Group with a clear scope of work and ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 122 Forestry Commission membership to support both the design and implementation of the CAS and the safeguards information system (SIS). 3. OBJECTIVE The objective of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group is to assist Ghana’s efforts to respond to the multiple international safeguard requirements through the adoption of a CAS The specific role of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group is to facilitate, promote and supervise the development and effective implementation of REDD+ safeguards instruments through the design of the CAS and SIS in Ghana in a transparent and participatory manner. The REDD+ Safeguards sub- Working Group shall provide feedback to the National REDD+ Working Group (NRWG)21 , ensuring the inclusiveness of the various CAS processes in Ghana. These Terms of Reference (ToRs) shall guide the work of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group. 4. CHAIR The REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group will be chaired either by a representative of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on the sub-working group, or members shall exercise the prerogative to elect a capable member to Chair as needed. The Chair will provide leadership for the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group and ensures the execution of the mandates of SWG as outlined in this TOR. 5. COMPOSITION Membership of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group includes representatives from Government agencies, civil society organizations, and the private sector. A full list of current members is shown in Appendix I. The list is not exhaustive. Other participants will be invited/co- opted as necessary. 6. ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES The REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group is a multi-stakeholder technical and advisory forum created to provide guidance and supervision for the effective implementation of REDD+ Safeguards in Ghana including the adoption of a CAS and establishment of Safeguards Information System (SIS). This will be done through the provision of regular feedback, throughout the process of development of the CAS. The roles and responsibilities of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group are as follows: Contribute to setting the goals and scope of the CAS 21 NRWG is a cross-sectorial body made up of representatives from various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), Traditional Authority, Private Sector, CSOs, etc. The group is chaired by the Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 123 Forestry Commission Ensure full and effective implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) developed under the SESA Review and contribute to the design and implementation of a CAS, including the set-up of a Safeguard Information Systems (SIS) Provide overall technical and traditional knowledge and direction on REDD+ safeguards Provide a platform for different stakeholders to provide views and inputs throughout the CAS and SIS design process. Facilitate a multi-stakeholder process to determine how the National REDD+ Strategy informs the CAS scope and goals Liaise with other initiatives and programs such as the Forest Investment Programme (FIP) and Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) to synergise safeguards requirements. Submit technical documents to the NRWG for approval so as to move the development of the CAS and the SIS forward, as needed Specifically, members of the REDD+ safeguards sub-working group will have the following responsibilities: Provide adequate technical inputs and feedback to the work of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group Liaise and consult with relevant stakeholders and individuals whose inputs are significant to the work of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group 3. Participate in meetings and workshops to provide feedback and inputs on relevant progress and documents. 4. Assist in the compilation of adequate data to support the work of Ghana in the design of a CAS and SIS. 5. Assist in the technical preparation and review of consultancy reports and outputs, and multi- stakeholder validation processes relevant to the overall CAS and SIS development process 6. Be available and participate in all training programmes aimed at strengthening the capacity of the safeguards sub-working group 7. Where applicable, train other stakeholders to make sure knowledge and information is disseminated across various areas The above roles and responsibilities of the SWG will be subject to periodic review based on emerging needs. The review process shall be facilitated by the National REDD+ Secretariat. 7. SUPPORT TO THE SUB-WORKING GROUP The work of the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group will be facilitated as follows: 1. Having access to advanced technical information generated from the Forestry Commission and/or individuals/organisations consulting on Safeguards. 2. Relevant data sharing among members of REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group 3. Having access to technical and scientific experts within Ghana and overseas. 4. Receiving training, technical advice and support where required from the REDD+ National Working Group ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 124 Forestry Commission 5. Participating in meetings, conferences, workshops, etc., as required by National REDD+ Secretariat work plan and REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group calendar. 8. ATTENDANCE Members will attend and participate in meetings on a continuous basis to ensure effective work within the REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group. In case members are not able to attend a meeting, they will nominate an alternative representative to attend on their behalf and inform the- Chair prior to the meeting. 9. REPORTING The Chair shall report to the Co-Chairs of the NRWG through the Head of National REDD+ Secretariat/Climate Change Unit of the Forestry Commission. 10. MEETINGS The SWG shall meet at least once every quarter. Other meetings may be organised based on issues relevant to the object of the SWG. In all cases, at least one week notice shall be given to members. The notification of member to attend meetings shall include the agenda and other relevant documents. ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 125 Forestry Commission APPENDIX I – Membership in REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group Membership to REDD+ Safeguards Sub-Working Group will include representatives from the Government agencies listed below: 1. Ms. Christine Asare - EPA 2. Mr. David Guba Kpelle - Forestry Commission 3. Mr. Emmanuel Afreh - Mineral Commission – Member 4. Mr. K.S. Nketiah - TBI - Member 5. 5.Mr.Daryl Bosu - ARocha Ghana 6. Mrs. Saadia B. Owusu-Amofah - IUCN 7. Mrs. Edith Abroquah - Forestry Commission (FC) 8. Mr. Kwame Mensah - KASA Ghana 9. Mr. Alex Asare - RMSC- FC 10. MLNR 11. (Academia) 12. National House of Chiefs 13. National REDD+ Secretariat (NRS) ESMF for the REDD+ Initiatives in Ghana, Final Report_ August 2018 Page 126