MINISTRY OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE...SAL Consult Ltd GCAP - MoFA Final ESIS. ESIA of the...

MINISTRY OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

GHANA COMMERCIAL AGRICULTURE

PROJECT (GCAP)

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT

ASSESSMENT (ESIA) OF THE REHABILITATION

AND MODERNISATION OF THE KPONG LEFT

BANK IRRIGATION PROJECT (KLBIP)

FINAL REPORT

Prepared by:

SAL Consult Limited, P O Box GP20200, Accra

January, 2018

SAL Consult Ltd GCAP - MoFA

Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page i January 2018.

ESIA PROJECT TEAM

No. Name Position Qualification Responsibility/ Contribution to Report

1. Seth A. Larmie Chief Consultant,

Team Leader

MSc (Applied Science), VUB Brussels

-Quality Assurance

2. Emmanuel K. Acquah

Principal Consultant, Environmental Assessment Expert

MSc (Environmental Policy and Management), University of Hull, UK

BSc & PgD (Mining Engineering), UMaT, Tarkwa

-Review of project designs and relevant policies and regulations

-Impact analysis

-Consultations

-Drafting of Scoping Report

3. Nana Yaw Otu-Ansah

Senior Consultant

Environmental Scientist

MPhil (Environmental Science) University of Ghana, Legon

BSc (Hons) Chemistry, KNUST-Kumasi

-Consultations

-Environmental media monitoring for the detailed ESIA Study

4. Dr. James Adomako

Associate Consultant, Terrestrial Ecologist

Ph.D. (Ecology), University of Ghana, Legon

-Flora/Fauna Terms of Reference for the Scoping Report

Detailed ESIA Study

Terrestrial Flora and Fauna Study

5. Prof. Francis K. E. Nunoo

Associate Consultant, Aquatic Biologist

Ph.D. (Fisheries Science), University of Ghana

-Terms of Reference for the aquatic life study

Detailed ESIA Study

Aquatic life study of the Volta River at the project area

6. Mrs Olivia Ahlijah

Associate Consultant

Social Scientist

MPhil (Social Anthropology) University of Oslo

B. A (Hons) (Social Anthropology), University of Oslo.

Detailed ESIA Study

-Consultations with farmers

-Socio-economic and cultural surveys

7. Stephen Doso

Jnr Consultant, Environmental Scientist

MSc (Sustainable

Environmental

Management), University of

Greenwich, UK

-Stakeholder Consultations

-Socioeconomic and environmental baseline studies

-Drafting of ESIS

8. Ewuresi B.

Asmah

Assistant Consultant,

Environmental Scientist

MSc (Environmental

Monitoring and

Management). University of

Nottingham, UK.

-Surface and groundwater

sampling

-Stakeholder Consultations

Address: P.O. Box GP20200, Accra-Ghana/ Plot No. 80 Osekere Street (formerly 2nd Osu-Badu

Street), off Osu-Badu Avenue, West Airport, Accra

Telephone: +233 302 772 379/ +233 302 782611 Email: [email protected] /[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:/[email protected]


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page ii January 2018.

TABLE OF CONTENT

ESIA PROJECT TEAM ............................................................................................................................................... I

TABLE OF CONTENT .............................................................................................................................................. II

LIST OF FIGURES .................................................................................................................................................... V

LIST OF TABLES ..................................................................................................................................................... V

LIST OF PLATES..................................................................................................................................................... VI

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ...................................................................................................................... VII

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................................... VIII

1.0 INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................................ 1

1.1 PROJECT BACKGROUND ..................................................................................................................................... 1 1.2 PURPOSE/AIM OF THE ESIA STUDY ..................................................................................................................... 3 1.3 SCOPE OF WORK FOR THE ESIA STUDY ................................................................................................................. 3 1.4 APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY FOR THE ESIA STUDY ........................................................................................... 4

1.4.1 Desktop Study and Literature Reviews.................................................................................................... 4 1.4.2 Participation in project technical meetings to appreciate ongoing design issues and concerns ............ 5 1.4.3 Field visits and site inspections ............................................................................................................... 5 1.4.4 Stakeholder Identification and Consultations ......................................................................................... 5 1.4.5 Data collation, Analysis and Reporting ................................................................................................... 6

2.0 RELEVANT POLICIES, LAWS AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK ............................................................... 8

2.1 KEY POLICIES, LAWS AND INSTITUTIONS ................................................................................................................ 8 2.2 RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY GUIDELINES ............................................................................................... 22 2.3 RELEVANT LEGAL APPROVALS - PERMIT/LICENCES/CERTIFICATES ............................................................................ 22 2.4 RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL SAFEGUARD POLICIES- WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES ............................................... 23

3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT ................................................................................................................ 26

3.1 PROJECT LOCATION ........................................................................................................................................ 26 3.2 PROJECT BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................... 26 3.3 EXISTING STATE OF THE KLBIP ......................................................................................................................... 28

3.3.1 MIDA Funded Gravity Irrigation System – Torgome Irrigation Scheme ................................................ 28 3.3.2 The Kpong Piped Irrigation Water Supply (KPIWS) ............................................................................... 29

3.4 THE NEW SCHEME FACILITIES AND ACTIVITIES UNDER THE GCAP INTERVENTION ....................................................... 30 3.4.1 Project Design ....................................................................................................................................... 31 3.4.2 Modernization of Irrigation Scheme ..................................................................................................... 31 3.4.3 Instrumentation for Modernization of Irrigation Scheme ..................................................................... 32 3.4.4 Rehabilitation and Improvement of Existing Scheme ........................................................................... 32 3.4.5 Extension of Irrigation Scheme ............................................................................................................. 33 3.4.6 Operation of the Irrigation Scheme ...................................................................................................... 35 3.4.7 Drainage Infrastructure ........................................................................................................................ 36 3.4.8 Land Development Works ..................................................................................................................... 36 3.4.9 Road Infrastructure ............................................................................................................................... 36 3.4.10 Ancillary Infrastructure and Miscellaneous Works ........................................................................... 37 3.4.11 Estimates of Construction Material and Sourcing ............................................................................ 37 3.4.12 Management of Excess Construction Material and Unused Excavated Soils ................................... 40 3.4.13 Construction Camp and Yard ............................................................................................................ 41 3.4.14 Incorporation of Project Affected Communities ............................................................................... 41 3.4.15 Water Requirements ........................................................................................................................ 45 3.4.16 Land Development and Crop Cultivation .......................................................................................... 45


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page iii January 2018.

3.5 SCHEME MANAGEMENT AND BENEFICIARIES ....................................................................................................... 50 3.5.1 Scheme Management and Organizational Structure ........................................................................... 50 3.5.2 Project Beneficiaries .............................................................................................................................. 53

3.6 PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION SCHEDULE ............................................................................................................... 53 3.7 ALTERNATIVE CONSIDERATIONS ........................................................................................................................ 53

4.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT ...................................................................................... 60

4.1 PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT ................................................................................................................................. 60 4.1.1 Location of district and relevant sections of the Volta River................................................................. 60 4.1.2 Climatic Conditions ............................................................................................................................... 62 4.1.3 Climate Change and Agriculture in the Volta Basin .............................................................................. 64 4.1.4 Topography and Relief .......................................................................................................................... 65 4.1.5 Soils ....................................................................................................................................................... 65 4.1.6 Water Resources and Drainage ............................................................................................................ 67 4.1.7 Air quality and Noise Level .................................................................................................................... 70 4.1.8 Seismic Activity ..................................................................................................................................... 71

4.2 BIOLOGICAL ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................................................. 72 4.2.1 Terrestrial Flora..................................................................................................................................... 72 4.2.2 Terrestrial Fauna and Wildlife .............................................................................................................. 75 4.2.3 Aquatic Ecological Studies .................................................................................................................... 76

4.3 SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND CULTURAL ENVIRONMENT ............................................................................................... 79 4.3.1 Demographic Characteristics ................................................................................................................ 79 4.3.2 Education and Literacy .......................................................................................................................... 79 4.3.3 Employment and Economy ................................................................................................................... 80 4.3.4 Agriculture ............................................................................................................................................ 81 4.3.5 Water Supply and Sanitation ................................................................................................................ 82 4.3.6 Health ................................................................................................................................................... 82 4.3.7 Culture, Tourism and Religion ............................................................................................................... 83 4.3.8 Land Tenure and Access to Land ........................................................................................................... 83 4.3.9 Taboos and Culturally Sensitive Areas .................................................................................................. 84

5.0 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT ................................................................. 85

5.1 OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................................... 85 5.2 IDENTIFICATION OF STAKEHOLDERS .................................................................................................................... 85 5.3 OUTCOME AND EVIDENCE OF CONSULTATIONS .................................................................................................... 87

5.3.1 Overview of the Design Consultants’ Consultations ............................................................................. 87 5.3.2 Overview of SAL Consult Consultations ................................................................................................. 89 5.3.3 Further Consultations with Nakpoe Community after Revised EIS ....................................................... 94

5.4 KEY CONCERNS FROM STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS .......................................................................................... 95 5.4.1 Job opportunities for local communities ............................................................................................... 95 5.4.2 Plot allocation ....................................................................................................................................... 95 5.4.3 Safety concerns ..................................................................................................................................... 96 5.4.4 Buffer zone around communities .......................................................................................................... 96 5.4.5 Rehabilitation of roads ......................................................................................................................... 96 5.4.6 Preservation of Cultural Sites ................................................................................................................ 96

5.5 SCOPING NOTICE PUBLICATION AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT .................................................................................... 96

6.0 IMPACTS IDENTIFICATION AND SIGNIFICANCE ........................................................................................ 97

6.1 PROJECT AREA OF INFLUENCE ........................................................................................................................... 97 6.1.1 Geographical Area of Influence ............................................................................................................ 97 6.1.2 Environmental Media of Influence ........................................................................................................ 97 6.1.3 Socio-economic Influence of the Project ............................................................................................... 97 6.1.4 Community Influence and Vulnerable Groups ...................................................................................... 97


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page iv January 2018.

6.1.5 Institutional Influence ........................................................................................................................... 99 6.2 PROJECT ACTIVITIES OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL CONCERN ............................................................................ 99

6.2.1 Preparatory Phase Activities ................................................................................................................. 99 6.2.2 Constructional Phase Activities ........................................................................................................... 100 6.2.3 Agricultural Development and Operations Phase Activities ............................................................... 101

6.3 IMPACT SIGNIFICANCE DETERMINATION ........................................................................................................... 101 6.4 EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL POSITIVE IMPACTS .................................................................................................. 102 6.5 EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH PREPARATORY PHASE ACTIVITIES ............................ 105 6.6 EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE CONSTRUCTIONAL PHASE IMPACTS ............................................................... 106 6.7 EVALUATION OF AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS PHASE IMPACTS .................................................. 111

7.0 MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES ...................................................................................... 119

7.1 TYPE OF MITIGATION MEASURES .................................................................................................................... 119 7.1.1 Preventive Measures ........................................................................................................................... 119 7.1.2 Control Measures ................................................................................................................................ 119 7.1.3 Compensatory Measures .................................................................................................................... 119

7.2 SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS ................................................................................... 120 7.3 MITIGATION MEASURES FOR SIGNIFICANT POTENTIAL ADVERSE IMPACTS ............................................................... 120

8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PLAN ............................................................................. 135

9.0 PROVISIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN .................................................... 145

9.1 PROGRAMME TO MEET REQUIREMENTS ............................................................................................................ 145 9.1.1 Adoption of Environmental, Health and Safety Policies and Operational Procedures ........................ 145 9.1.2 Environmental, Health, Safety and Security (EHSS) Management Structuring ................................... 145 9.1.3 Environment, Health, Safety and Security Committee ........................................................................ 148 9.1.4 Farmers/Workers Information and Training ....................................................................................... 148 9.1.5 Environmental and Social Monitoring Programmes ........................................................................... 149 9.1.6 Audits and Reviews ............................................................................................................................. 149

9.2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION .................................................................................................................................. 149 9.3 GRIEVANCE REDRESS MECHANISM .................................................................................................................. 149 9.4 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT BUDGET ....................................................................................... 151

10.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES .................................................................................................. 152

10.1 FIRE EMERGENCY ......................................................................................................................................... 152 10.2 MEDICAL OR ACCIDENT ................................................................................................................................. 153 10.3 AGROCHEMICAL SPILL ................................................................................................................................... 153 10.4 OIL SPILL .................................................................................................................................................... 154 10.5 FLOODING .................................................................................................................................................. 154

11.0 DECOMMISSIONG ................................................................................................................................. 156

11.1 DECOMMISSIONING PLAN .............................................................................................................................. 156 11.2 POTENTIAL DECOMMISSIONING ACTIVITIES ....................................................................................................... 156

11.2.1 Stakeholder Consultation ............................................................................................................... 156 11.2.2 Evacuation of Farmers and Workers .............................................................................................. 156 11.2.3 Removal of Moveable Property ...................................................................................................... 156 11.2.4 Transfer of ownership of Non-moveable Property ......................................................................... 156 11.2.5 Waste Management ....................................................................................................................... 157 11.2.6 Site Restoration/Rehabilitation ...................................................................................................... 157

12.0 CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................... 158

13.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...................................................................................................................................... 159

ANNEXES ........................................................................................................................................................... 161


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page v January 2018.

ANNEX 1A EPA RESPONSE TO THE PROJECT REGISTRATION ............................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 1B EPA RESPONSE TO SCOPING ........................................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 1C EPA AND GCAP/WORLD BANK COMMENTS ON THE DRAFT AND REVISED ESIA AND RESPONSES ERROR! BOOKMARK

NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 2 COPY OF THE SCOPING NOTICE PUBLICATION ..................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 3 WATER QUALITY RESULTS BY WAPCOS ........................................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 4 EVIDENCE OF STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS BY WAPCOS .................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 5 EVIDENCE OF STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS BY SAL CONSULT LIMITED ................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 6 EXTRACTS OF EPA’S REVISED REGISTER OF APPROVED AND BANNED AGROCHEMICALS (DECEMBER, 2015) ........ ERROR!

BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 7 WHO RECOMMENDED CLASSIFICATION OF PESTICIDES BY HAZARD CLASSES – CLASS 1A, CLASS 1B AND CLASS II. ERROR!

BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 8 ANNEXES A AND B OF STOCKHOLM CONVENTION................................................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 9 MAJOR PARAMETERS FOR SURFACE WATER QUALITY MONITORING........................ ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 10 AIR AND NOISE LEVEL FROM A TYPICAL RICE MILL ........................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 11 RELEVANT ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY GUIDELINES ......................................... ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED. ANNEX 12: METHODOLOGY FOR AQUATIC BIOLOGICAL STUDIES .............................................. ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.

LIST OF FIGURES

FIGURE 1-1: LOCATION MAP OF THE SELECTED FOUR PUBLIC IRRIGATION SCHEMES FOR REHABILITATION ............................................ 2 FIGURE 3-1: MAP SHOWING THE PROPOSED LAYOUT KPONG LEFT BANK IRRIGATION PROJECT AREA AND PROPOSED IRRIGATION BLOCKS

........................................................................................................................................................................... 27 FIGURE 3-2: LOCATION OF POTENTIAL SOURCES OF MATERIALS................................................................................................. 38 FIGURE 3-3: LOCATION OF NAKPOE COMMUNITY SHOWING THE BUFFER AREA AROUND THE COMMUNITY AND NEARBY IRRIGATION BLOCKS

........................................................................................................................................................................... 43 FIGURE 3-4: LOCATION OF THE NEW GBLORNU D/A PRIMARY SCHOOL BUILDING AND NEAREST IRRIGATION BLOCKS .......................... 44 FIGURE 3-5: ORGANIZATIONAL CHART OF PROPOSED SCHEME MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (SOURCE: WAPCOS 2017) .......................... 52 FIGURE 4-1: NORTH TONGU DISTRICT MAP SHOWING KEY PROJECT TOWN AND BORDERING DISTRICTS AND VOLTA RIVER) .................. 61 FIGURE 4-2: AVERAGE MONTHLY RAINFALL DATA AT THE AKUSE SYNOPTIC STATION ..................................................................... 62 FIGURE 4-3: DISTRIBUTION OF WIND SPEED AND DIRECTION AT THE AKUSE SYNOPTIC STATION (2006 -2015) ................................. 63 FIGURE 4-4: VARIATION IN MEAN MONTHLY TEMPERATURE AT THE AKUSE SYNOPTIC STATION ....................................................... 64 FIGURE 4-5: VARIATION IN MEAN MONTHLY RELATIVE HUMIDITY .............................................................................................. 64 FIGURE 4-6: SEISMIC ZONING MAP OF SOUTHERN GHANA ....................................................................................................... 71 FIGURE 6-1: LOCATION OF COMMUNITIES WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA (ADAPTED FROM THE PROPOSED LAYOUT MAP FOR SCHEME,

WAPCOS LIMITED) ................................................................................................................................................ 98 FIGURE 9-1: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR EHSS MANAGEMENT OF KLBIP ...................................................................... 146

LIST OF TABLES

TABLE 1-1: SELECTED IRRIGATION SCHEMES FOR REHABILITATION UNDER GCAP........................................................................... 1 TABLE 2-1: SUMMARY OF KEY POLICIES, LAWS AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK .......................................................................... 9 TABLE 2-2: KEY REGULATORY APPROVALS ............................................................................................................................ 22 TABLE 2-3: SUMMARY OF WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES AND ITS RELATION TO THE PROPOSED PROJECT ................................. 24 TABLE 3-1: EXISTING IRRIGATION AND DRAINAGE INFRASTRUCTURE AT KLBIP-TORGOME IRRIGATION SYSTEM ................................. 28 TABLE 3-2: EXISTING INFRASTRUCTURE AT KPIWS ................................................................................................................ 30 TABLE 3-3: SUMMARY OF KLBIP CANAL SYSTEM DESIGN ....................................................................................................... 34 TABLE 3-4: ROAD NETWORK DETAILS ................................................................................................................................. 37 TABLE 3-5: EXISTING AND PROPOSED BORROW AREAS (FOR BORROWING MATERIALS FOR KLBIP EARTHWORKS) .............................. 39 TABLE 3-6: STONE QUARRIES (FOR IMPORTING STONES AND BOULDERS) .................................................................................... 39 TABLE 3-7: CONSTRUCTION MATERIAL ESTIMATES ................................................................................................................ 39


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page vi January 2018.

TABLE 3-8: USED AND OPEN BORROW PITS (FOR BACKFILLING WITH EXCESS/UNSUITABLE MATERIAL FOR KLBIP WORKS) ..................... 40 TABLE 3-9: WATER BALANCE OF KLBIP ............................................................................................................................... 45 TABLE 3-10: CROP-SOIL SUITABILITY EVALUATION RESULTS .................................................................................................... 46 TABLE 3-11: PROPOSED CROPPING PATTERN ....................................................................................................................... 46 TABLE 3-12: PROPOSED CROP CALENDAR ............................................................................................................................ 47 TABLE 3-13: PROPOSED LAND USE PLAN .............................................................................................................................. 48 TABLE 3-14: PROPOSED CROP ROTATION SYSTEM ................................................................................................................. 49 TABLE 3-15: ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE PROJECT OPTIONS ...................................................................................................... 55 TABLE 3-16: ANALYSIS OF SUB- ALTERNATIVES ..................................................................................................................... 58 TABLE 4-1: AREAL EXTENT OF SOIL SERIES IN THE PROJECT AREA (SOURCE: WAPCOS, 2016B) .................................................... 65 TABLE 4-2: RESULTS OF WATER QUALITY ANALYSIS ................................................................................................................ 69 TABLE 4-3: RESULTS OF AIR QUALITY MONITORING CONDUCTED AT GR MAWUKO FARMS LTD’S PROJECT SITE IN MARCH, 2016. ........ 70 TABLE 4-4: RESULTS OF NOISE LEVEL MONITORING CONDUCTED AT GR MAWUKO FARMS LTD’S PROJECT SITE IN MARCH 2016 ........... 70 TABLE 4-5: DETAILS OF FLORA AT THE KLBIP SITE .................................................................................................................. 74 TABLE 4-6: COMMON FAUNA AT THE PROJECT SITE ............................................................................................................... 75 TABLE 4-7: COMPOSITION OF THE CATCH AND ASSOCIATED FISH SIZES ....................................................................................... 78 TABLE 4-8: POPULATION DISTRIBUTION IN THE PROJECT AREA .................................................................................................. 79 TABLE 4-9: SCHOOLS (PRIMARY & JHS) IN THE PROJECT AREA ................................................................................................ 80 TABLE 4-10: PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OCCUPATIONS IN THE PROJECT AREA ............................................................................ 81 TABLE 4-11: TABOOS AND CULTURALLY SENSITIVE AREAS WITHIN THE PROJECT AREA .................................................................. 84 TABLE 5-1: SUMMARY OF CONSULTATION OUTCOMES BY THE DESIGN CONSULTANTS IN 2016 ....................................................... 87 TABLE 5-2: SUMMARY OF CONCERNS/ISSUES RAISED BY STAKEHOLDERS FROM SAL CONSULT ENGAGEMENT ............................... 90 TABLE 5-3: RELEVANT SECTIONS OF CONSULTATIONS ON THE ANYAKO FARM PROJECT, WHICH IS WITHIN THE KLBIP AREA .................. 91 TABLE 6-1: EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL POSITIVE IMPACTS. ................................................................................................... 102 TABLE 6-2: EVALUATION OF ADVERSE PREPARATORY PHASE IMPACTS....................................................................................... 105 TABLE 6-3: EVALUATION OF POTENTIAL ADVERSE CONSTRUCTIONAL PHASE IMPACTS .................................................................. 106 TABLE 6-4: EVALUATION OF ADVERSE AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS PHASE IMPACTS. ........................................ 112 TABLE 7-1: MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES FOR THE IDENTIFIED SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ............................................. 121 TABLE 8-1: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PLAN .............................................................................................. 136 TABLE 9-1: KEY FUNCTIONS OF THE EHSSO, EHSRS, EHSOS AND SECURITY COORDINATOR ....................................................... 147

LIST OF PLATES

PLATE 4-1: ECOLOGIST CONDUCTING FLORA AND FAUNA SURVEY AT THE KLBIP SITE .................................................................... 72 PLATE 4-2: TYPICAL GRASSLAND VEGETATION AT THE KLBIP SITE .............................................................................................. 73 PLATE 4-3: TYPICAL VEGETATION ALONG STREAMS AT THE PROJECT SITE ..................................................................................... 73 PLATE 4-4: OPEN WATER OF ALABO RIVER AND ITS BANKS FRINGED WITH AQUATIC VEGETATION .................................................... 76 PLATE 4-5: WATER HYACINTH EICHHORNIA SP IN THE WATER FOLLOWED LANDWARDS BY TYPHA DOMINENGENSIS AND OTHER AQUATIC

VEGETATION AT THE BANKS OF THE RIVER. .................................................................................................................... 76 PLATE 4-6: SET OF HOOK AND LINE FISHING GEAR READY FOR FISHING .................................................................................. 77 PLATE 4-7: DIVERSE FISH SPECIES CAUGHT DURING EXPERIMENTAL FISHING ................................................................................ 77 PLATE 4-8: CATCH OF A FISHERMAN, DOMINATED BY MUGIL SP., AFTER 12 HOURS OF FISHING EFFORT ........................................... 78 PLATE 5-1: FURTHER CONSULTATIONS WITH THE NAKPOE COMMUNITY ..................................................................................... 94 PLATE 5-2: EXISTING WATER TREATMENT PLANT AT NAKPOE ................................................................................................... 95


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page vii January 2018.

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

CSIR Council for Scientific and Industrial Research

DA District Assembly

DEMC District Environmental Management Committee

DWQG Drinking Water Quality Guidelines

EA Environmental Assessment

EAR Environmental Assessment Regulation

EHSR Environmental, Health and Safety Representative

EHSO Environmental, Health and Safety Officer

EHSSO Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Officer

EPA Environmental Protection Agency

ESIA Environmental and Social Impact Assessment

ESMP Environmental and Social Management Plan

FAO Food and Agriculture Organization

FASDEP Food and Agriculture Sector Development Plan

GCAP Ghana Commercial Agricultural Project

GIDA Ghana Irrigation Development Authority

GNFS Ghana National Fire Service

GRWQG Ghana Raw Water Quality Guidelines

ISC Irrigation Service Charges

KLBIP Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project

LAC Land Allocation Committee

LI Legislative Instrument

METASIP Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan

MMDA Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assembly

MOFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture

OP Operational Procedures

PESMP Preliminary Environmental and Social Management Plan

PHC Population and Housing Census

PNDC Provisional National Defence Council

PPE Personal Protective Equipment

PSE Product and Service Enterprise

SGB Stakeholder Governing Board

SME Scheme Management Entity

TCPD Town and Country Planning Department

WB World Bank

WHO World Health Organization

WRC Water Resources Commission

WRI Water Research Institute

WUA Water User Association


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page viii January 2018.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Project Background

As part of the ‘Investments in physical rehabilitation and modernization of existing public irrigation and

drainage infrastructure’ component of the project, the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) in

consultation with Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) has selected four (4) public irrigation

schemes for rehabilitation and modernization.

GCAP has commissioned WAPCOS Limited (India) in association with Agrartec Services Limited (Ghana) to

provide consultancy services to review and update the feasibility studies, and provide designs for the

rehabilitation and modernisation of the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project (KLBIP) infrastructure as well

as supervise the completion of the KLBIP. The existing infrastructure in the area developed under the

gravity system is about 500 ha, and the proposed extension of the irrigation facilities is to cover additional

1500 ha area.

Existing State of KLBIP

The KLBIP has two components: (i) the Main Works of the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project (Torgome

Irrigation Scheme) and the Additional Works of the Kpong Piped Irrigation Water Supply (KPIWS). The

Torgome Irrigation Scheme is about 500 ha out of a potential 2000 ha of the main KLBIP that was funded

under the MCA by MIDA. It is a gravity fed irrigation system and consists of a supply canal (3.5 km) lined

with geo-cells filled with concrete which branches into two main canals namely Main Canal-1 (3.368 km)

and Main Canal-2 (4.431 km) also lined with geo-cells and filled with concrete. Secondary (9.725km) and

tertiary (14.426km) canals are unlined earth canals. The earthen canals are silted up, eroded and

overgrown with weeds. The Command Area of the scheme is not developed at all and is not being used

for farming. The drains of the scheme are silted up, vegetated and in poor condition. The existing road

network has very poor shape and section, and sections become impassable for vehicles during the rainy

season.

The New Scheme Facilities and Activities under the GCAP Intervention

The current GCAP/GIDA works on the scheme aim to rehabilitate, modernize and expand the project by

additional 1500 ha, thereby bringing the total irrigable area to the scheme’s potential 2000 ha. The main

components of the project are:

Rehabilitation and improvement of existing canal networks;

Construction of new canal networks in extension area. Main Canals 1 and 2 extended by 11.04km and

5.26km respectively;

Procurement and installation of instrumentation for automated canal operation and control;

Procurement and installation of instrumentation for automated water measurement and billing;

Construction of a new drainage system for the project area including flood protection works;

On-farm development works including clearing, land levelling and grading of fields;

Construction and Improvement of access roads (185km) within the project area (as laterite roads);

Construction of ancillary infrastructure such as drying floors, warehouses and packing sheds.

There are existing borrow pits and gravel pits located close to the project area from which material may

be sourced for construction works. These pits were created during the construction of the existing canals.

New borrow areas have also been identified for borrowing of material. In addition, stone quarries from

which additional materials may be sourced, particularly stones and boulders, have been identified. These

quarries are located near the Akuse-Somanya and Tema-Akosombo road junction, and along the Tema-

Akosombo highway at Shai Hills. Excess material from construction works and unused excavated material,


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page ix January 2018.

which is estimated to be 262,588m3, may be used for backfilling of existing borrow pits. These borrow

pits are currently filled with water and weeds, and their capacities have been estimated to be enough to

accommodate all excess and unused excavated soil.

Project Implementation Schedule

The construction phase is expected to last for 18 months and will be followed by one-year long defect

liability period. The proposed organisation and management system will be implemented with the help

of project stakeholders, during the initial half (first 6 months) of the defect liability period. Agricultural

development of the project area is expected to commence in Year 3, immediately after completion of

construction works. It is expected that as plots within the scheme are allotted to interested and capable

farmers, the scheme command will be brought under cultivation progressively within a period of about

two years. The presently cultivated area of 500ha will gradually increase to 2000ha as follows: 500ha in

Year 3, 1000ha in Year 4, 1500ha in Year 5 and 2000ha in Year 6.

Alternative Consideration

The alternatives considered/analysed for the proposed project are as follows:

Large scale farming;

Smallholder farming with support from investor;

Combination of large scale and smallholder farming;

Rain-fed irrigation farming;

Pumped or gravity irrigation farming; and

No action.

A combination of large scale and smallholder farming systems will be utilised to bring enhanced benefits

to the neighbouring communities. The provision of support services and transfer of knowledge to

smallholder farmers will increase their agricultural productivity, increase their income levels and improve

their livelihoods. Combination of rain-fed and irrigation will be utilised to ensure all year round cultivation

and reduce production cost associated with full dependence on irrigation.

Stakeholder Consultations

Stakeholder consultations were carried out with key stakeholders to obtain their comments and concerns

on the proposed project with respect to the potential environmental and socio-economic issues and

impacts that have been addressed in the study. The stakeholders consulted comprise:

Project Proponents and Scheme Management Entities

Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) Office;

Irrigation Design and Supervision Consultants for the KLBIP, WAPCOS Ltd/Agrartec Services Ltd;

Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA); and

Scheme Management Entity for Torgorme Irrigation Project (Post Agric Limited).

Regulatory Agencies

Environmental Protection Agency;

Water Resources Commission;

Lands Commission;

Ghana National Fire Service; and

Factories Inspectorate Department.


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page x January 2018.

Other Government institutions

Department of Agriculture, District Office; and

Town and Country Planning Department, District Office.

Local Government /Political Authorities

North Tongu District Assembly, Battor-Dugame; and

Assembly Member- Torgorme

Local communities close to the project site

Torgorme;

Azagonorkope;

Sokope/Nyiflakpo;

Nakpoe;

Alabonu; and

Gblornu/Ziakpoe.

Neighbouring Private Organisations

Vegpro Ghana Ltd; and

Anyako Farms.

Traditional Authorities and Neighbouring Communities

Chiefs and Elders of Torgorme Traditional Council; and

Traditional leaders of the neighbouring local communities.

Farmer Based Organizations

Torgorme Area Cooperative Farmers Union (TACFU);

Afenya Group;

Miator Group;

Dzibgordi Group;

Nenyo Group; and

Veviedodo Group.

A scoping notice has also been published in the Daily Graphic to inform the general public about the

proposed project as required under the procedure for the conduct of ESIA in accordance with Regulations

15 (1) of LI 1652.

Key concerns from Stakeholder Consultations

The key concerns raised by the communities during the consultation include the following:

Safety concerns

Safety concerns were raised on sections of the canals which in the initial project designs were located

close to the communities. The designs have been revised to move those canals further away from the

communities. This was agreed at monthly technical meetings with representatives of the

communities.

Buffer zone around communities

Community members raised concerns on the proximity of the plots to their communities which could

affect future development and appealed for a buffer area between the communities and the plots.


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xi January 2018.

The project designs have been revised and the irrigation block boundary set at a distance of 25 meters

(i.e within the prescribed National Riparian Buffer Policy of 10 to 60 meters) from the community

boundary as agreed at the monthly technical meetings with the representatives of the project

affected communities.

Preservation of cultural sites

Concerns were raised with regards to the potential infringement of the proposed project on cultural

resources such as cemeteries, sacred groves and shrines in the Sokope, Nyiflakpo, Nakpoe, Alabonu

and Gblornu communities. All cultural sites within Sokope, Nyiflakpo, Alabonu and Gblornu are within

community boundaries and not affected by the project. The sacred grove, woodlot and cemetery for

the Nakpoe community which are located outside the community boundary and buffer area have

been conserved.

Potential Environmental and Social Impact Identification and Evaluation

The potential positive and adverse environmental and social impacts of the proposed rehabilitation and

modernisation of the KLBIP are discussed below:

Potential Positive Impacts

Employment generation: The proposed project will result in the engagement of skilled and unskilled labour for both the planning and implementation periods.

At the feasibility stage, the project has professionals for a range of services including baseline studies and environmental assessments. It is estimated that not less than 22 key staff will be deployed by the contractor on full time basis for the construction period of 18 months. Additionally, more than 600 temporary staff including truck drivers and their assistants as well as labourers mainly from the project fringe communities will be engaged. The operational phase of the project will provide employment for the scheme management staff, smallholder farmers who will be allocated lands for farming at the project site and workers who will be engaged by the medium and large scale enterprises such as Anyako Farms Limited and Vegpro.

The project will therefore have a major positive impact on the socioeconomic conditions of the local communities in the project area (Torgome, Alabornu, Azagonorkope, Nyiflakpoe, Nakpoe, Sokope, and Gblornu/Ziakpoe) and the North Tongu District as a whole through the creation of permanent and temporary direct jobs as well as indirect jobs.

Improved crop productivity of farmers: The provision of services for participating farmers such as land

preparation, fertilizers, improved seeds, etc. will boost crop productivity on farms. Irrigation services will

enable farmers to plant all year round and avoid losses during periods of low rain fall and drought.

Capacity building for farmers and transfer of knowledge will help them better manage their farms and

boost productivity. The proposed project is therefore expected to have a major positive impact on the

crop productivity of the participating farmers.

Enhanced income and livelihoods of farmers: Job creation during the construction phase and subsequent

engagement of residents of fringe communities and others as farmers on the scheme will contribute to

increasing their income levels and improve their livelihood situation. Also, the anticipated increment in

crop productivity and production when the rehabilitated and modernized irrigation scheme is fully

operational will also contribute to increasing income and improving the livelihood of beneficiaries.

Increased food production and food security in the district and the country at large: Currently,

approximately 500ha of land developed under the KLBIP is seldom used for production because of the


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xii January 2018.

dilapidated state of the existing irrigation network. The proposed rehabilitation and modernization works

will rehabilitate the existing irrigation network, improve land development of the 500ha and bring

additional 1500ha into production. The improved methods of crop production, irrigation and use of high

quality and improved seed varieties will increase food production in the project area and the country as

a whole. It is also expected that the improved access roads, transport and storage facilities will

significantly reduce post-harvest losses of farmers on the project. The impact will be major and of regional

extent. Improvement in the revenue base of key institutions and regulatory bodies: Revenue will accrue to

traditional authorities and regulatory institutions through the payment of royalties and regulatory fees

and levies.

Improvement in local and national economy: The jobs that will be created by the scheme, together with

improved road access and increase in crop production, productivity, income and improvement in

livelihood among beneficiary farmers will substantially contribute to improving the local and national

economy. As production increases on the scheme, it is expected that new businesses along the value

addition chains will emerge which can substantially contribute to a vibrant local economy. On the national

front, the expected increment in rice production and productivity can contribute to reducing the nation’s

rice importation bill.

Increased climate change adaptation: The proposed project will enable farmers adapt to the effects of

climate change as it is a more resilient option compared to rain-fed agriculture due to the availability of

water all year round for farming.

Potential Adverse Impacts

Preparatory Phase:

The only major potential impact at the project preparatory phase is the likelihood of conflict arising from

land allotment and land use right. Lands hitherto lying idle will now trigger interest from different

stakeholders which could potentially delay the project if not well managed. Livestock owners exist in

almost all the fringe communities and they will be concerned about the potential loss of grazing fields

while women deriving alternative livelihood from the pottery industry may be concerned about potential

loss of raw materials (i.e. clay and fuel wood) currently obtained from the site.

Constructional Phase:

Loss of vegetation and impacts on flora and fauna: Canal extension and development of the additional

1,500 ha will involve clearing of vegetation and potential disturbance and/or loss of fauna at the project

site. Vegetation to be lost are common in the project area and do not involve species of conservation

value. Disturbed fauna can migrate to nearby bushes and the forest reserve.

Soil impacts and sediment transport: Excavation, vegetation clearance, levelling and other land

preparation works and opening of access roads will expose and loosen the soil making it susceptible to

erosion and subsequent loss of top soil. There is also the potential for compaction of soil from the use of

heavy machinery as well as contamination of soil from fuels, oils and waste. Transported soil sediments

by air and water may end up in nearby waterbodies (Volta River, Nyifla and Gblor streams and Nyifla

Lake).


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xiii January 2018.

Air quality deterioration: Loosen and exposed soils from land preparation works and movement of

vehicles/trucks (including haulage trucks) to and from the project site on untarred road surfaces may

result in the increase of airborne particulates affecting the air quality. No permanent air emission sources

will be created by the project implementation.

Vibration and noise nuisance: The likely sources of noise during the constructional phase will be through

the movement and operation of machines, trucks and equipment. The movement of haulage trucks from

quarry sites through Doryumu and Asutuare junctions, Okwenya and Akuse may increase noise levels

intermittently in those communities. Noise levels from the movement of vehicles over access roads,

measured at a distance of 10 m, typically range between 77dBA and 83 dBA (BS 5228-1:2009). This is

expected to further reduce by 6dBA at distance of about 20m. Project communities such as Azagonokope,

Sokope, Nakpoe and Gblornu may also experience temporary increase in noise and vibration levels from

construction activities.

Generation and disposal of solid waste: Vegetative material and desilted and excavated soils which are

unsuitable for reuse for canal and road works will form the bulk of waste generated. Servicing and

maintenance of machinery and equipment and installation works may generate waste such as scrap

metal, empty lubricant containers, rubber seals, etc. Also, packaging materials, wrappers, used polythene

bags, food wastes, used water sachets and bottles, etc. will be generated from use by construction

workers.

Occupational health & safety: Occupational health and safety issues associated with the proposed

project construction include workers exposure to noise, dust and vibrations. There is a high risk of

accidents and injury from the use of machinery and equipment, materials management at the

construction yards, including accidents from poorly managed workspace and fire from fuel storage

facilities.

Public safety: The movement of haulage trucks to and from the quarry sites to the project site will pose

safety risks to the several townships along N2 (including Doryumu junction, Asutuare junction, Okwenya,

Akuse, Kpong and Atimpoku) where speed limit of 50 km/h is enforced. The project communities may

also be at risk from the movement of trucks/vehicles and other machinery, as well as from borrow pits

and unsecured excavations such as the canals, laterals and drains, if adequate measures are not put in

place to restrict movement to these areas. This is particularly critical for children in the project

communities and those along the haulage road. This impact is temporary, lasting during the

constructional phase.

Road impacts & traffic issues: The road from the quarry sites at Shai Hills to Juapong (N2) is an asphalt

road and in good condition to contain the movement of the haulage trucks. However sections of the

access road leading to the project site, is in a bad state and may be worsened by the frequent movement

of haulage trucks transporting stones and boulders to the project site. The section of the N2 highway from

the quarry sites at Shai Hills to Atimpoku is a low traffic volume road with average daily traffic of 3,968

and 4,540 (JICA, 2013) at Astsuare junction and Atimpoku respectively.

It is expected that 70,952 m3 of material will be sourced (imported) from gravel pits or stone quarries

around Shai Hills. This translates to 3,548 truckloads or less than 20 trucks per day (inbound and

outbound) using 20 m3 capacity trucks for the 18-month construction phase (assuming 250 working days

in a year). The increased traffic though significant is not expected to hinder road traffic on the road. The

road to the project site has low traffic volume, which is typical of rural setting and can accommodate the

movement of haulage trucks to the project site. It must however be noted that all materials for filling will


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xiv January 2018.

be obtained in-situ and from nearby borrow pits while stone aggregates for concrete works will however

be transported from the quarry sites at Shai Hills.

Influx of workers and migrants: Construction activities may result in the movement of workers to the

project area and people from other communities in search of job opportunities. The migrants may not

conform to the societal norms and cultural practices and may upset the social structure of these

communities.

The influx of people during the construction period may promote irresponsible sexual behaviour. This

could possibly lead to HIV/AIDS and other STD infections. Irresponsible sexual behaviour could also result

in teenage pregnancies and unwanted pregnancies. The impact may be permanent or irreversible in

nature.

Obstruction of access ways to communities: The road network along the existing canals serve as access

roads to some of the communities in the project area, such as Klamadaboe, Nakpoe, Sokope, Gblornu,

Deikope and Kassa. Construction works at the project may render portions of the roads and existing foot

paths inaccessible, temporarily closed or unmotorable during the constructional phase. This may create

inconvenience and increase travel time to and from the affected communities.

Disruption of livelihoods: Crop farming is the main source of livelihood in the project area. Some members

of communities around the project area (Klamadaboe, Nakpoe, Sokope, Gblornu and Azagonorkope)

currently farm at the project site, mainly under rain-fed. Their livelihoods could be impacted if they are

unable to farm on the land and/or do not have alternative lands for farming during the project

construction phase. The impact may be temporary, lasting during the constructional phase, but could

have negative impacts on livelihoods.

Sanitation issues and public health: Poorly managed construction site camps and indiscriminate disposal

of waste will create unsightly conditions. Open defecation may be promoted if adequate toilet facilities

are not provided at camps and the project site during construction. Improperly covered trenches may

result in stagnant water and breed mosquitoes. Faecal matter from open defecation by construction

workers, and transported soil sediments by air and water may end up in nearby waterbodies (Volta River,

Nyifla and Gblor streams and Nyifla Lake), and affect the water quality. The water bodies serve as water

sources for livestock and some project communities (Sokope, Napkoe, Gblornu, Kassa).

Disturbance of culturally sensitive sites: Culturally sensitive sites such as sacred groves, shrines and

cemeteries in the project area (including communities) have been identified through field visits and

consultations with community leaders. These include the a cemetery at Sokope as well as a sacred groove

and cemetery at Nakpoe. These sensitive sites must necessarily be protected and conserved to ensure

peaceful coexistence of the project and the community. These identified sacred places have been

incorporated in the design of the project and will be protected.

Operational Phase

Soil quality degradation: Soil quality degradation may result from continuous and misuse of

agrochemicals such as herbicides and fertilizers which may pollute the soil resulting in the death of useful

soil fauna. For instance, continuous application of ammonium-based inorganic fertilizers may result in soil

acidification. Land preparation, tilling and other physical works may also result in the death of soil fauna

and may loosen and expose soils to water and wind erosion. Soil compaction in areas of the land under

continuous use of heavy machinery may affect soil aeration and plant growth while continuous tilling of

the soil may result in hard pan formation and adversely affect the soil structure.


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xv January 2018.

Pollution of water source: Erosion from farmlands may result in the transport of soil sediments and

agrochemical residue into surface water sources (Volta River – downstream of Kpong Dam), Nyifla and

Gblor streams, Alabo River and Nyifla Lake). There is also the possibility of pollution of surface water

sources through the transport of agrochemicals in runoff water and irrigation return water/wastewater.

These may lead to eutrophication of the Nyifla Lake, and also possibly the Gblor, Nyifla and Alabo River.

Communities such as Nakpoe, Deikope, Nyiflapkoe, Nyiflakope and Agyimakope which depend on the

Nyifla lake/stream for water (Refer to Section 4.3.5) will be at risk of any effects on the Nyifla lake/stream.

Communities such as Gblornu, Kasa, Daledokope and Alabonu will also be at risk of any effects on the

Gblor, Nyifla streams as well as the Alabo River. These communities fetch water from the Volta River

downstream of the confluence of the Gblor stream with the Volta River. Fish catch from the Alabo River

could also be at risk of contamination from the farm runoff containing pollutants.

Impacts on grazing land and conflict with cattle herders: Livestock are reared in most of the communities

in the project area. For some of the communities such as Deikope, Nakpoe and Sokope where grazing

animals (goats, sheep, cattle) are reared, the project area is used for grazing of their livestock. Cattle

herders (including Fulani herdsmen) also graze their cattle through the project area. The development of

the 2000ha land into farms will require them to find alternative grazing area for members of the nearby

communities involved in livestock rearing. Conflicts may also arise where livestock from nearby

communities, or grazing cattle (by Fulani herdsmen) move into the project site and feed on crops or

destroy property.

Impacts on secondary livelihoods: Charcoal burning and pottery are important secondary livelihoods for

the communities in the project area (refer to Section 4.3.3). Charcoal burning is done by all the project

communities whiles pottery is done in Napkoe and Sokope. The secondary livelihoods are done to support

incomes from crop farming (primary livelihood), which is currently unsustainable.

The project site serves as an important source of raw materials (fuel wood and clay) for pottery (Napkoe

and Sokope) and charcoal burning (all communities) which are the secondary livelihood activities. Access

to these resources may be limited during the project implementation and have negative effects on the

incomes of community members engaged in charcoal burning and pottery, especially where alternative

sources of raw materials are not available, and crop farming remains unsustainable.

Impacts on Communities within the scheme area: The Napkoe community is engulfed by the scheme

command area, whiles Gblornu, Ziakpoe, Kasa and Abaykope are sandwiched between the scheme

command area and the Volta River. A 25m buffer area between the boundary of the communities and

the scheme command area has been incorporated in the project design following discussions and

agreements reached on the matter during monthly project technical meetings, which involves

representatives from the project communities. Although the entire land area is designated for irrigation

cropping, unplanned expansion of the Nakpoe community may have to be at the expense of land reserved

as safe buffer zone between the community and the irrigation blocks and eventually the land allocated

for farming within the scheme. Gblornu, Ziakpoe, Kasa and Abaykope are located at about 60 meters from

the irrigation blocks but, as with Nakpoe community, unplanned development could also result in

encroachment of lands allocated for the scheme or within the buffer zone of the Volta River. This could

potentially lead to conflicts with the project owners or encroachment to the project site, as well as

destruction of riparian vegetation. The project design also involves 0.5 meter deep open drains associated

with the nearby irrigation blocks. These could also pose risks of falling and injury to the community

members.


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xvi January 2018.

Waste generation and disposal: Periodic vegetation removal, occasional de-silted materials from

canals/drains, farm produce waste, used agro-chemical containers, used fertilizer bags etc. are the main

waste to be generated on the farms during the operational phase. Servicing and maintenance of

machinery and equipment may also generate waste such as scrap metal, empty lubricant containers,

lubricants, rubber seals, etc. Domestic/office wastes such as used polythene bags, food wastes, food

wrappers, used water sachets and bottles, office wastes and human wastes will be generated etc. The

impact is local but long-term and will last through the agricultural development and operations phase.

Occupational health & safety: Machine operators will be exposed to noise, dust and vibrations especially

without the use of appropriate PPEs. There is a risk of accidents and injury from the use of machinery and

equipment if safety procedures are not adhered to.

There is a high risk of exposure to agrochemicals through storage, handling, application and disposal of

agrochemicals. The use of appropriate PPEs and adherence to safety and operational procedures will

reduce this impact.

Sanitation issues and public health: Indiscriminate disposal of farm generated waste will create unsightly

conditions and pose serious health risk to the public (especially for used agrochemical containers). Poor

sanitation conditions may pollute nearby water sources (Volta River – downstream of Kpong Dam), Nyifla

and Gblor streams and Nyifla Lake). Bushy areas and stagnant water in improperly covered trenches and

empty containers may breed mosquitoes. There could be an upsurge in water borne diseases such as

malaria and bilharzia due to flooding, waterlogging, and slow flow of water in canals /drains /ponds

/reservoirs which tend to breed mosquitoes and bilharzia vectors. Failure to provide appropriate toilet

facilities at vantage points may encourage open defecation. Impact may occur throughout the duration

of the project if appropriate measures are not put in place.

Fire risks: Farms are highly susceptible to bush fires which could result in death, burns and loss of property

(crops on farm and structures) and investment of the farmers and also adjacent farmers. The fires could

emanate from within the farm (smoking, cooking, uncontrolled burning, etc.) or from outside the farm.

Fires at processing and storage facilities may also emanate from faulty machines, electrical faults,

smoking, etc. and could result in death, burns, damage to machinery, loss of property (including stored

produce) and investment. The losses may be huge if adequate measures are not put in place to prevent

fires or control fires at an early stage.

Pest/rodent infestation and contamination of stored grains: Stored grains are susceptible to attacks

from insects and rodents if the necessary management practices and storage conditions for the produce

are not followed. Improper post-harvest management practices on the farm may introduce insects such

as weevils in the grains prior to storage. Insects and rodents may feed on stored grains, resulting in losses

in quantity and quality of produce and consequently investment losses which could be high.

In addition to feeding on stored grains, rodents may also contaminate stored grains through their

droppings, urine, hairs and may spread human diseases. This could have health implications for the public.

The impact on health could be high and of regional extent.

Post-harvest losses: Post-harvest losses may arise from pest/rodent and disease infestation and improper

storage conditions which reduce the shelf life of produce. Improper storage conditions such as poor

ventilation, poor housekeeping and leakages in the roof may lead to mould development, disease

infestation and increase risk of pest/rodent infestation. Improper drying of grains to reach the

recommended moisture content for storage (13-14%) will reduce the shelf life and make it susceptible to

disease infestation. Mould development, disease infestation and pest/rodent infestation may result in

loss of quantity and quality of produce, reduced germination rate for seed grains, reduced nutritional


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xvii January 2018.

value, loss in market value and investment losses. Any infested produce will be permanently impacted

and the investment losses to farmers could be major.

Sustainability of the irrigation scheme: Failure of the irrigation system and drought resulting in low

volumes of water in the Volta River can impact on the sustainability of the project. Unavailability of ready

market and low prices may affect revenue generation. Pest and disease infestation may also adversely

affect crop productivity. Failure of the storage facilities may also reduce the shelf life of crops and result

in high post-harvest losses.

Emergency situations may arise from various activities within and outside of the farm. For example,

vehicular accidents, bush fires, power failures, etc. may have disastrous consequences if no emergency

response plans are put in place. The losses could be higher and result in joblessness of the farmers if

appropriate measures are not put in place.

Lack of human resource, technical know-how and logistics to implement environmental and social

safeguards could also significantly hamper the successful implementation of the proposed project. The

losses could be higher if appropriate measures are not put in place.

Impact Mitigation and Management Measures

The proposed mitigation measures for the significant adverse impacts (rated as moderate or major)

identified from the analysis and evaluation of the potential impacts from the proposed project are stated

in the table below.


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xviii January 2018.

Identified Significant Adverse Impacts and Mitigation Measures

POTENTIAL IMPACT RECEPTOR(S) PROPOSED MITIGATION MEASURES RESPONSIBILITY BUDGET (GH₵)

Preparatory Phase Impacts

Conflict over land

allotment and land

use rights

Local

communities and

farmers, Cattle

headsmen

The Land Allocation Committee (LAC) will engage and agree with the local communities and traditional authorities on

the criteria and guidelines for land allotment, selection of farmers and land use.

The LAC will reserve portions of lands close to communities for the establishment of fodder banks and woodlots.

The LAC together with the community leaders will also engage livestock owners in the local communities and cattle

herders to agree on alternative arrangements to provide grazing areas for them.

GCAP will ensure all grievances/concerns by local communities, traditional authorities, livestock owners and cattle

herders are discussed and resolved prior to construction works and land allocation. Fora for addressing grievances and

concerns will include monthly project technical meetings which will be held at Torgorme.

Land Allocation

Committee

(LAC)/ GCAP

-

Sub-Total 1 (Preparatory Phase): -

Constructional Phase Impacts

Loss of vegetation and

impacts on flora and

fauna

Flora, fauna, soil The Contractor for the canal construction works will limit vegetation clearance to areas demarcated for the canal

extension works. Vegetation clearance for the rehabilitation works will be limited to weeds in the existing canals and

drains.

The Contractor for the construction works will carry out vegetation clearance in sections and will be limited to portions

of the land to be developed at a particular time. The entire 2000ha land will not be cleared at a time and this will allow

for any fauna to migrate to adjoining bushes.

Total felling will not be done during vegetation clearance. Stands of trees will be left at the boundaries of the farm to

serve as windbreaks.

Agroforestry practices such as windbreaks, boundary planting of trees, riparian buffers, fodder banks and woodlots will

be incorporated into the project.

Any trees removed at the project site will be replanted in 3 folds.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of Bill of

Quantities

(BoQ) for

contractor

Soil impacts and

sediment transport

Soil, water bodies,

air The clearing of vegetation in sections by the contractor(s) will ensure only areas of the land to be developed at a

particular time are exposed to agents of erosion. This will also ensure the cleared areas of the land are not left bare over

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xix January 2018.


long periods as development at the cleared areas will be carried out immediately. This will minimize erosion and

sediment transport from the project site.

The contractor will leave a buffer area of 25 metres width along the banks of the Nyifla, Gblor streams as well as Alabo

and Volta river, which is within the range (10 to 60 meters) prescribed in the National Buffer Zone Policy. The contractor

will also leave a buffer area of 30 metres width around the perimeter of the Nyifla Lake as prescribed by the National

Buffer Zone Policy for wetlands. The buffer zones will screen any soil sediments transported through run off water during

the construction and land preparation activities from getting into the water bodies.

The contractor(s) will immediately collect any excess excavated soils to minimise the potential for erosion into water

bodies and such excess or unusable materials will be used to fill existing borrow pits.

The contractor(s) will seek to reduce the quantity of heaped sand by delivery of quantities required for construction

over a specified period and ensure that any heaped sand for construction works will be covered with tarpaulin to prevent

wind and water transport of soil particles.

The contractor will ensure appropriate spill control measures are provided at the vehicle maintenance area and fuels

storage areas to reduce the potential impact from spills. These will include provision of bunds to contain spills,

installation and servicing of fuel dispensers.

Generation and

disposal of solid waste

Land, water

bodies

Tree and shrub stems; stock pile of tree stumps, roots, twigs and leaves; and unused excavated soil material will form

the bulk of the land preparation waste. The contractor(s) will allow the neighbouring communities to collect the tree

and shrub stems for use as poles, fuelwood and fencing material. As much as possible, the twigs and leaves will be spread

and ploughed into soil or allowed to decompose.

The contractor(s) will adopt efficient construction methods and re-use of construction material to minimize the waste

to be generated from the construction works. Excavated soil material will be re-used in backfilling and levelling as much

as possible. Excavated material and other construction waste such as wood chippings which cannot be re-used at the

site will be collected and disposed at the nearest North Tongu District approved landfill site which is located at Juapong,

about 18km from the project site.

The contractor(s) will immediately collect any excess soil material and unused excavated soils for backfilling of borrow

pits.

The contractor(s) will provide bins on site for collection and disposal of plastic waste and polythene materials such as

lubricant containers, drinking water sachets and carrier bags which will be regularly emptied at the approved dump site

at Juapong.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xx January 2018.


Occupational Health

and Safety Issues

Workers GCAP will engage experienced contractor(s) with requisite licenses and well-trained workers for the construction works.

The selected contractor(s) will have a Health & Safety Policy to guide the construction activities.

The contractor(s) will provide and enforce the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety

boots, rain coats, hand gloves, earplugs and nose masks. Sanctions will be implemented where this is not followed.

The contractor(s) will ensure that bulldozers, excavators, tractors and other machinery hired for land development and

construction works are in good condition and are well serviced, and the operators are experienced and well trained.

Good conditioned and well maintained equipment will reduce frequent breakdowns, noise nuisance and smoke

emissions which could affect the operators’ and other workers’ health and safety.

The engineering consultant will review the layout of the materials storage yard to ensure adequate working space is

provided for entry and exit of the yard by vehicles as well as loading and offloading materials to reduce the risk of

accidents. The Consultant will also ensure that the compatibility of materials and activities sited adjacent to one

another. For instance activities such as welding which provide ignition sources will not be located near fuel storage

areas.

The contractor will ensure only quantities required for a specified period are stored to reduce excess materials (beyond

the capacity of the yard) and ensure adequate spacing at the construction yard.

The selected contractor(s) will have adequate training in first aid, and provide first aid kits on site to treat minor ailments.

However, major cases will be referred to the nearest hospital or health post (Torgorme Health Centre or Akuse

Government Hospital).

The contractor(s) will allow only trained personnel and those with prerequisite skills to operate machinery.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Public safety communities

along haulage

road, project

communities

The contractor(s) will guard all excavations and trenches including borrow areas, canals and drains with caution tapes.

The contractor(s) will use warning signs at vantage points to indicate ongoing construction works.

The contractor(s) will enforce proper security at the project site during construction works to limit entry of unauthorised

persons to the project site.

The contractor will ensure that all haulage trucks comply with the approved speed limit of 50km/hr within the

communities along the haulage road.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxi January 2018.


The contractor will adjust haul times to ensure trucks do not move the communities during mornings when school

children may be crossing the road to school and during closing time.

Road impacts and

traffic issues

Communities

along haulage

road, project

communities,

public

Repair and maintain damaged sections of the road from Okwenya to the project site throughout the construction period.

The contractor will erect temporary road signs at junctions from the quarry sites and to the project site.

The contractor will ensure that all haulage trucks hired/contracted are in good condition to prevent breakdowns on

roads.

Do not park at unauthorised places to reduce the risk of accidents.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Influx of workers and

migrants

Community

members

The contractor(s), together with opinion leaders such as the Assembly member, will sensitise migrant workers on

societal norms, taboos and other cultural practices.

GCAP, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as the North Tongu District Health Directorate and the Torgorme

Health Centre, will organise awareness creation and educational programmes for all workers and the general public on

the behavioural changes required to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Obstruction of access

ways to communities

Community

members

The contractor(s) will provide safe alternative access routes for access ways that are obstructed/destroyed during

construction works.

The contractor(s) will erect sign posts at vantage points to guide community members through safe alternative access

ways during construction works.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Disruption of

livelihoods

Community

members, farmers

Community members already cultivating portions of the project site will be allowed to continue temporarily farming at

areas of the land which will not be affected by construction of the canal system. For those whose farming areas will be

affected by the construction of the canals, they will be allowed to temporarily farm at other areas which will not be

affected till the end of the construction works. Land allocations will then be made for all affected farmers after the

construction works to integrate them into the project.

The contractor(s) will provide safe temporary access routes for community members to access their farms during the

construction period.

The affected community members (farmers) will be allowed to collect felled tree stems and branches which can be used

as poles, fuelwood and fencing material or sold to generate income.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxii January 2018.


Sanitation issues and

public health impacts

Land, water

bodies, workers,

public

Contractor(s) will provide adequate waste bins at the project site for use to minimise indiscriminate disposal of plastic

and polythene material, cans and food waste by the workers. These bins will be frequently transported and emptied at

approved dump sites. This will prevent the littering of the project site with cans and bottles which could collect water

and breed mosquitoes.

Contractor(s) will regularly remove and dispose construction waste such as metal scrap, wood chippings, rubber seals,

nails, etc. for disposal at North Tongu District approved dumpsites.

Contractor(s) will appropriately and immediately cover trenches and/or excavations after they have served their

purpose to prevent accidents and collection of stagnant water which could serve as a breeding ground for disease borne

vectors e.g. mosquitoes.

The contractor(s) will provide temporary toilet facilities at the construction sites for use by the construction workers.

The workers will be educated against open defecation or “free range” defecation.

Contractor(s) will provide potable water for workers at all time.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Disturbance of

culturally sensitive

sites

Project

communities

Culturally sensitive sites such as sacred groves, shrines and cemeteries in the project area (including communities) shall

be preserved and incorporated in the project design.

The contractor shall ensure the construction workers are educated about the significance of these sites and instructed

to accord the necessary respect to these areas when working close to them.

The Contractor will ensure the communities elders are consulted prior to entry into the communities and vegetation

clearing in the lakes to ensure the necessary rites are performed.

In consultation with the Nakpoe community and the project proponents Block MC2-TC7-L2 which contains the Nakpoe

sacred grove and sub-block 1 of Block MC2-TC9-L1 (Nakpoe cemetery) will not be developed.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Sub-Total 2 (Constructional Phase): -

Agricultural Development and Operations Phase Impacts

Soil quality

degradation

Soil, fauna,

surface and

groundwater

A detailed soil study was conducted by the Design Consultant (WAPCOS) during the design stage of the project which

determined the chemical conditions of the soil at the project site. This will guide farmers to know the deficient soil

nutrients and the right types and quantities of fertilizers to apply.

Scheme

Management

-


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxiii January 2018.


The farmers will adopt integrated weed and pest management practices for weed and pest control such as use of

certified and disease tolerant seed varieties, use of early maturing seed varieties, proper land preparation, early planting,

following recommended planting space between rows and plants, timely/early weeding, suitable water management

practices and the use of agrochemicals where necessary. This will minimize the rate of agrochemical use.

The Scheme Management Entity (SME) will sensitize farmers to purchase only EPA approved agrochemicals from

licensed agrochemical shops for use at the recommended application rates. The SME will purchase EPA’s current register

of approved and banned agrochemicals and make it available to the farmers to consult prior to the selection and

purchase of agrochemicals for use. Extracts of the current register are provided in Annex 6.

The SME will ensure that any Product and Service Enterprise (PSE) it may engage to supply agrochemicals for farmers

will only supply EPA approved agrochemicals. The PSE will also educate the farmers on the proper handling and

recommended application rates of the agrochemicals.

The SME will sensitize farmers to, preferentially, use selective pesticides with low environmental impact quotient (EIQ)

where appropriate, rather than broad-spectrum products, to minimize impacts on non-target species.

The farmers will incorporate cover crops at erosion prone areas to minimise erosion.

With the exception of the major land preparation to be carried out at the onset of the farm, the farmers will adopt

minimum/reduced tillage for the subsequent planting seasons where possible. This will minimise soil impact on soil

fauna. Ploughing and harrowing will only be done where necessary, example due to proliferation of weeds.

Under minimum/reduced tillage, the stocks and leaves of harvested crops will be left on the field as much as possible to

serve as mulch to conserve soil moisture and also decompose improve soil biological condition.

The farmers will explore the use of organic manure and where practically possible used on the farm to minimise the use

of inorganic manure and improve soil biological conditions.

Entity (SME)/

farmers

Pollution of water

sources

Surface and

underground

water, aquatic life

GIDA and GCAP, as part of the project design, will rehabilitate the water treatment facility at Nakpoe and extend it to

the neighbouring communities which depend on the Nyifla Lake/stream (Sokope, Deikope, Nyiflapkoe, Nyiflakope and

Agyimakope) as an alternative source of potable water. GIDA and GCAP will consider utilizing solar power for the

treatment facility due to lack of electricity connection at Nakpoe.

GCAP/ SME/

Farmers

As part of BoQ

for contract on

water provision


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxiv January 2018.


GIDA and GCAP will also consider the provision of alternative source of potable water for the communities in the project

area which depend on the Volta River (Gblornu, Kasa, Daledokope and Alabonu). The options may include connection

of water from the water treatment facility at Nakpoe or construction of a similar water treatment facility.

The SME will ensure the use of agrochemicals including inorganic fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides is reduced as

much as possible. Integrated weed and pest management to be adopted by the farmers will minimise the use of

weedicides and pesticides.

The farmers will use erosion control measures such as ploughing along the contour of the land, growing of cover crops,

use of mulch and minimum tillage to minimize erosion and sediment transport from the project site.

The SME will sensitize farmers to use pesticide application technologies and practices designed to minimize off-site

movement or runoff, such as low-drift nozzles, using the largest droplet size and lowest pressure that are suitable for

the product.

The farmers will ensure any unused dilute pesticide that cannot be applied to the crop—along with rinse water, and out

of-date or no-longer approved pesticides—would be disposed of as a hazardous waste, as per FAO guidelines.

The SME will provide separate labelled bins on site to collect all agrochemical containers after they have been punctured

and triple washed. The collected containers will be taken back to the seller for appropriate disposal/recycling.

The SME will regularly farmers on agrochemical handling, usage, storage and management of empty agrochemical

containers.

Impacts on grazing

land and conflict with

cattle herders

Livestock owners/

herders/ farmers

The GIDA and GCAP, in collaboration with the Torgorme Traditional Council will identify alternative grazing areas for

livestock owners.

Rice straw from harvested rice fields will be made available to livestock owners and cattle owners to use as feed.

The Design Consultant (WAPCOS) will incorporate cattle drinking points into the design of canals at the periphery of the

scheme command area to provide drinking water for cattle without crossing into the command area.

The Design Consultant will incorporate bridges into the project design which will allow human and vehicular crossing to

the scheme command area, but prevent cattle from crossing.

The SME, GIDA and GCAP will assist communities to establish fodder banks in their communities to provide the fodder

needs for livestock owners in the communities.

GCAP/GIDA/

SME/ WAPCOS

3,000 annually


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxv January 2018.


Impacts on secondary

livelihoods

Community

members

GCAP/GIDA will engage the community leaders and members to identify and register affected charcoal producers and

pot makers in the communities. This will be done prior to construction works.

The Land Allocation Committee (LAC) will integrate the affected persons into the scheme through land allocation for

farming to sustain their livelihoods. Affected persons who also wish to be employed to work on anchor farms will be

given such employment opportunities to sustain their livelihoods.

GIDA/ GCAP/

LAC

-

Impacts on

communities within

the scheme

Community

members

The project will comply with the final project design by respecting the new boundary of the project site, which has been

further shifted from the project fringe communities to allow for future expansion.

The project will create the 25m buffer zone as proposed in the final project design. This will be conserved and enhanced

through enrichment planting to provide productive functions (example: fodder, fuelwood, fruits, etc.) and regulation

functions (example: windbreak functions, screening of agrochemicals in run off, screening of airborne dust, etc.) for the

project fringe communities.

The LAC will ensure that farmers in the communities will be allocated irrigation blocks closest to their respective

communities to provide a source of livelihood and ensure that the farmers do not develop within the safe buffer zones

as well as riparian buffers for the Volta River and Nyifla Lake. The farmers will also be much more inclined to adopting

responsible social and environmental measures directed at protecting their communities.

GIDA, GCAP and the SME will ensure that Irrigation Sub-blocks 9, 10 and 11 are not allocated for development by the

LAC to ensure the safety of students in the new Gblornu D/A Primary.

GCAP and the SME to ensure that the drains serving irrigation blocks adjacent to communities are covered at strategic

locations (either by use of piped culverts or covered drains) to prevent falls and accidents.

In order to ensure peaceful coexistence and reduce the incidence of conflicts, GCAP together with Ghana Irrigation

Development Authority (GIDA) and the North Tongu District Assembly, will continue to extensively consult the project

fringe communities throughout the project implementation to ensure their free, prior informed consent for the

proposed development as well as agree on the terms of their occupancy, including procedures to be followed for

expansion and compatible land use activities.

GCAP/ GIDA/

LAC/ SME

-


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxvi January 2018.


Waste generation and

disposal

Land, water

bodies, public

The farmers will leave crop residue from harvested vegetables, legumes and maize on the fields to serve as mulch and

allowed to decompose on the farm to improve the organic matter content of the soil.

Rice straw has various uses (thatch, composting, mulching, bedding material for livestock, animal fodder, fuel for brick

kilns and power generation, packaging material, etc.). Some amount of straw may be left on rice fields to be tilled into

the soil and recycle nutrients stored in them. Excesses will be gathered, collected and temporarily heaped by the fields

and made available to the public for collection and use. Livestock owners and cattle herders will especially be

encouraged to collect the rice straw for use as feed.

Where rice milling is incorporated into the project, rice husks will be generated as waste. Rice husk has various uses

(such as bedding material for livestock, planting material and soil aeration in crop farming, biomass for fuel in power

plants or fuel in burning furnaces, etc.) and will be made available to any prospective user.

The options to be explored by the SME for the management of any excesses of rice husk will include burying and

compositing, and in the long-term, acquiring a burning furnace which can utilize rice husk as fuel to generate heat for

drying of the rice.

The SME will educate the farmers on the various uses of rice straw and rice husk to encourage them to find alternative

uses for the rice straw which could also lead to generation of additional income.

GCAP and GIDA are also collaborating with the farmers to identify potential organizations and individuals to collect the

rice straw for use.

The SME will ensure farmers provide bins on the farm for temporary storage of plastic and polythene materials such as

drinking water sachets used by farmers and workers on the farms for collection and proper disposal by registered waste

management company at the approved dump site at Juapong.

The farmers will collect all packages of pesticides and herbicides from the field after use and properly store them until

they are returned to the supplier for appropriate disposal.

The SME will provide separate labelled bins on site for collection of agrochemical containers, foil seals, lids and fertilizer

sacks for return to the suppliers for recycling/proper disposal, as per FAO guidelines. Empty agrochemical

bottles/containers will be triple-washed and punctured prior to being stored in the separate labelled bins for returning

to the suppliers. This will ensure they cannot be reused.

Scheme

Management

Entity

10,000 annually


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxvii January 2018.


The SME will ensure bins containing used agrochemical containers are stored safely and are securely under cover prior

to their safe disposal; they will not be used for other purposes.

Fire risks Farmers/workers,

public, property

Burning will not be utilised as a farm management practice for the project. GCAP prohibits burning as a farm

management practice and will ensure the SME and farmers comply with this directive.

The farmers will construct fire belts on all borders of the farm to prevent any bush fires from entering the farm.

GIDA and GCAP will ensure the contractor(s) uses high quality electrical wiring materials for the construction of offices,

warehouses and all other building facilities.

Firefighting and detection equipment such as smoke detectors, alarms and fire extinguishers will be installed in buildings

and offices. Fire extinguishers will also be provided for use at the farm.

The SME will ensure fire extinguishers are regularly serviced.

The SME will establish Emergency Assembly Points at all building premises and the farm.

Emergency contact numbers will be displayed at vantage points in building premises and on farms.

All equipment and machinery will be regularly serviced and maintained by the SME.

The SME will educate all farmers and workers on potential causes at the fire including smoking, cooking, burning, etc.

All farmers and workers will be trained on fire prevention and control by the SME. This will be done in collaboration with

the GNFS of the North Tongu District.

Selected farmers and workers will be trained by the SME in collaboration with the GNFS as fire volunteers to manage

minor fires.

Scheme

Management

Entity/ GCAP

15,000 annually

Occupational health

and safety

Farmers, workers The SME will ensure that any pesticides used are manufactured, formulated, packaged, labelled, handled, stored,

disposed of, and applied according to the FAO’s International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management1.

The farmers will ensure that pesticides that fall under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Recommended

Classification of Pesticides by Hazard Classes 1a (extremely hazardous) and 1b (highly hazardous) (Refer to Annex 7), or

Annexes A and B of the Stockholm Convention (Refer to Annex 8) are not purchased, stored or used.

All pesticides listed in WHO Hazard Class II (moderately hazardous) (See Annex 7), will be avoided unless appropriate

controls established with respect to the manufacture, procurement, or distribution and/or use of these chemicals are in

GCAP/ GIDA/

SME/ Farmers

20,000 annually


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxviii January 2018.


place. These chemicals would not be accessible to personnel without proper training, equipment, and facilities in which

to handle, store, apply, and dispose of these products properly.

The SME will ensure all staff and farmers are trained on appropriate use and handling of agrochemicals.

The SME will provide selected staff and farmers with first aid training, including on accidents associated with

agrochemical use, to administer first aid health care in the event of any accidents.

The SME will enforce the use of appropriate PPEs such as gloves, nose masks, coveralls, goggles, safety boots, etc. by all

farmers and workers especially during the handling of agrochemicals such as during spraying of weedicides or

application of fertilizers.

Fire detection, warning and fighting equipment such as smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire extinguishers to be

provided by the SME at all building premises and also fire extinguishers at the farm (as indicated above) will help in the

early detection and control of fires.

Safety procedures, particularly with the operation of machines and the handling and use of agrochemicals will be

enforced by the SME and sanctions applied when they are not adhered to.

Contractors will install warning signs (eg. Speed limits) and also use cautioning tapes and fencing at the project site.


public health

Land, air, water,

workers, farmers,

public

The SME will enforce the use of separate labelled bins for the collection and disposal of used agrochemical containers

(after they are triple-washed and punctured) and sacks to prevent indiscriminate disposal.

The SME will train all farmers and workers on the harmful effects of reuse of agrochemical containers.

Any unused dilute pesticide that cannot be applied to the crop—along with rinse water, and out of-date or no-longer

approved pesticides—would be disposed of as a hazardous waste by the SME as per FAO guidelines.

The SME will ensure the use of bins for collection of plastic containers and polythene bags at the warehouse and farms

to prevent indiscriminate disposal which could also collect water and lead to breeding of mosquitoes.

The SME will ensure areas around building premises are neatly kept and not allowed to get bushy to breed mosquitoes.

Open defecation will be discouraged at the farms through education of the farmers and workers. The farmers, who will

be from the neighbouring project communities, will be compelled to use toilet facilities in their homes or toilets provided

at workshops/warehouses/office premises.

SME/ Farmers -


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxix January 2018.


Pest/rodent

infestation and

contamination of

produce

Stored produce,

farmers, public The SME will adopt an integrated insect and rodent management system to control insects and rodent infestation. This

will include:

o Good housekeeping practices such as regular cleaning inside warehouses/storage rooms and proper packing of

produce for ease of inspection;

o Keeping the surroundings of warehouses/storage rooms clean and free from weeds;

o Preventing insects and rodents from entering warehouses/storage rooms by regularly inspecting all doors, walls,

windows and roof for any openings and repairing them;

o Use of biological control, such as cats, to keep mice and other rodents from the warehouses/storage rooms;

o Use of rodent traps; and

o Chemical control/fumigation through the use of EPA approved agrochemicals to control pests and rodents.

Scheme

Management

Entity

6,000 annually

Post-harvest losses Farm produce,

Farmers The farmers will ensure harvested cereals are properly dried to about 13-14% moisture content to make them suitable

for storage.

The farmers will ensure on-farm processing activities, such as dehusking, shelling and drying, are properly done to reduce

mechanical damage to grains which increases their susceptibility to disease infestation.

Warehouse designs will include proper ventilation and the SME will regularly inspect the roofs to ensure there are no

openings for leakages. This is to prevent damp conditions and rain water from getting into warehouses/storage rooms.

Warehouse managers will ensure bags of produce are stacked on pallets off the ground and away from walls to prevent

any damp (moisture) from the floor and walls from reaching the produce.

The SME will ensure warehouses/storage rooms and their surrounding environments are always kept clean and free

from weeds.

Bags of grains will be properly arranged on pallets and the pallets will be arranged in rows with adequate spacing in

between to ensure ease of cleaning warehouses and inspection of produce for rodents and insects.

Warehouse managers will ensure new produce from farms are not mixed with old produce in warehouses/storage

rooms by storing new produce at a different sections.

Warehouse managers will adopt “first in first out” practices to ensure that old produce are always sold first.

Warehouse managers will ensure that any infested produce will be immediately removed and destroyed to prevent

infestation of other produce.

SME/

Warehouse

managers/

farmers

-


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxx January 2018.


Chemical treatment/fumigation, by using only EPA approved agrochemicals, will be used by the warehouse managers

to control pest/rodents and diseases where necessary.

Sustainability of the

farming venture

Land, water,

workers, public

GCAP and GIDA will select an experienced SME with qualified staff and expertise to oversee the operations of the

irrigation scheme.

Farmers will sell their farm produce at realistic market prices to generate sufficient revenue.

The SME will ensure the Irrigation Service Charge (ISC) is realistic and is regularly paid to ensure maintenance of facilities

and the sustainability of the project.

The SME will ensure efficient use of irrigation water to conserve water resources and the farmers will efficiently use

resources such as fuel and agrochemicals to minimize economic losses.

The SME will ensure regular maintenance of irrigation facilities, warehouses/storage rooms and all other equipment to

prolong their life span and prevent regular breakdowns.

Training will be regularly provided by the SME for staff and farmers on improved agronomic practices.

The SME will ensure farmers only use improved and certified seed varieties to enhance productivity.

The North Tongu District Department of Agriculture and GIDA will be regularly consulted by the SME for technical and

agronomic advice.

GCAP/ GIDA/

SME/ Farmers

-

Sub-Total 3 (Agricultural Development and Operations Phase): 54,000 annually

GRAND TOTAL (Sub-Total 1 + Sub-Total 2 + Sub-Total 3): 54,000


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxxi January 2018.

Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan

Monitoring programmes have been developed for all significant adverse environmental and social

impacts identified. In addition to the significant adverse impacts, monitoring plans have been developed

for the following:

Air quality

Noise;

Public complaints/grievances; and

Environmental compliance.

Provisional Environmental and Social Management Plan

The programmes proposed to meet the mitigation measures and monitoring programmes will include the

following:

Programme to meet requirements;

o Adoption of Environmental, Health and Safety Policies and Operational Procedures;

o Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Management Structuring;

o Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Committee;

o Farmers/Workers’ information and training;

o Environmental and social monitoring programmes; and

o Audits and Reviews.

Public participation;

Grievance Redress Mechanism; and

Environmental and social management budgeting.

The environmental and social monitoring and management plans described above require detailed cost

analysis after project development to determine the budget needed for implementation. Initial cost

estimates provided indicates that over Two Hundred and Six Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢206,000.00)

may be needed annually for the programme.

Emergency Response Procedures

Response measures have been proposed for the following emergencies which may arise during project

implementation:

i. Fire;

ii. Medical or Accident;

iii. Agrochemical Spill;

iv. Oil Spill; and

v. Flooding.

Decommissioning

Decommissioning of the proposed project is an unlikely option. The crops to be cultivated – cereals (rice

and maize), grain legumes (cowpea and soya beans) and vegetables (pepper, okra, cabbage, watermelon

and butternut squash) – are annual crops and complete their life cycle, from germination to production


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page xxxii January 2018.

of seed, within one year. They can be cultivated for as long as the necessary factors of soil nutrient, water

availability, market availability, etc. exist.

In the event of decommissioning the project, the activities to be undertaken will include:

Stakeholder Consultation;

Evacuation of farmers and workers;

Removal of moveable property;

Transfer of ownership of non-moveable property;

Waste management; and

Site restoration/rehabilitation.

Conclusion

GCAP is committed to ensuring sustainable environmental management and safeguarding the health and

safety of the farmers and all other workers as well as the general public in the implementation of the

proposed Rehabilitation and Modernization of the KLBIP. GCAP is also aware of the provisions in the

Environmental Protection Agency Act 1994, Act 490 and Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999, LI

1652. In keeping with these laws, this ESIS has identified and assessed key environmental and social

impacts and concerns that may arise from the implementation of the proposed project.

Mitigation measures have been provided to address these impacts and any residual impacts arising after

application of the full mitigation measures will be minor or negligible. A monitoring programme to help

detect changes arising from the predicted adverse impacts has also been prepared and presented in the

report together with a Provisional Environmental and Social Management Plan (PESMP). The

recommendations laid out in the PESMP for the project should also ensure that a high level of

environmental protection is maintained.

The proposed Rehabilitation and Modernization of the KLBIP by GCAP has the potential to provide

numerous benefits to the communities in the project area and the national economy. These include

employment opportunities for farmers and workers who will be engaged, enhanced incomes and

livelihoods, increased food production and food security and improvement in revenue generation of

regulatory institutions and the national economy.


Final ESIS. ESIA of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of the KLBIP. Page 1 January 2018.

1.0 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Project Background

As part of the ‘Investments in physical rehabilitation and modernization of existing public irrigation and

drainage infrastructure’ component of the project, the Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) in

consultation with Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) has selected four (4) public irrigation

schemes for rehabilitation and modernization. Details of the selected irrigation schemes are presented in

Table 1-1 and Figure 1-1 shows the location of the selected four irrigation.

Table 1-1: Selected Irrigation Schemes for Rehabilitation under GCAP

S/N Name of Irrigation Scheme Location Region Expected irrigable

area

1 Kpong Irrigation Scheme (KIS) Asutsuare &

Akuse

Gt. Accra/

Eastern

3000 ha

2 Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project

(KLBIP)

Torgorme Volta 2000 ha

3 Tono Irrigation Scheme Tono Upper East 2490 ha

4 Vea Irrigation Scheme Vea Upper East 850 ha

GCAP was established in 2012 under the auspices of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) with

support from the World Bank – International Development Association (IDA) and USAID. GCAP aims to

develop agriculture in Ghana in line with the country’s efforts at poverty reduction and ensuring food

security by promoting inclusive commercial farming along selected commodity value chains. The Project

Development Objective (PDO) is to improve agricultural productivity and production of both smallholder

and nucleus farms in selected project intervention areas with increased access to reliable water, land,

finance, and agricultural input and output markets.

GCAP has commissioned WAPCOS Limited (India) in association with Agrartec Services Limited (Ghana) to

provide consultancy services to review and update the feasibility studies, and provide designs for the

rehabilitation and modernisation of the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project (KLBIP) infrastructure as well

as supervise the completion of the KLBIP. The existing infrastructure in the area developed under the

gravity system is about 500 ha, and the proposed extension of the irrigation facilities is to cover additional

1500 ha area.

The KLBIP aims at developing the necessary infrastructure for the enhancement of livelihood

opportunities in communities within its sphere of influence, and to support the attainment of food

security in Ghana. It will also increase the production and productivity of high-value cash and staple food

crops and enhance the competitiveness of Ghana’s agricultural products in both regional and

international markets.

The rehabilitation, modernisation, and expansion, which is intended to bring 2,000 ha of land under

gravity-fed irrigation, has environmental and social implications at the local, district, regional and national

level. SAL Consult Limited, an environmental & water consulting firm based in Accra, Ghana has been

contracted by GCAP to carry out the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA).



Figure 1-1: Location Map of the selected four public irrigation schemes for rehabilitation



In line with environmental permitting requirements as provided under the Environmental Assessment

Regulations of 1999, Legislative Instrument (LI) 1652, GCAP registered the proposed Project with the

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA in a response letter dated April 14, 2016, and referenced

CA: 560/01/02 (see Annex 1a for copy of EPA letter) classified the proposed project as one which requires

an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) to be carried out to help understand the likely

implications of the proposal in order to inform the environmental permitting decision-making prior to

project implementation.

The EPA advised in the said letter that a scoping exercise be carried out in order to generate the relevant

terms of reference to guide a satisfactory ESIA study and the Agency also advised that a Scoping Notice

must be published to facilitate stakeholder involvement.

A Scoping Report was duly submitted to the EPA, and the Agency in their response letter dated October

27, 2016 and referenced CA: 560/01/04 advised that the EIA should be carried out. The EPA’s response

letter to the Scoping Report is attached as Annex 1b. A Draft ESIA report was submitted to EPA and the

client, and onward to the World Bank for review. This was followed by the submission of a Revised ESIA

report to GCAP and the World Bank incorporating comments received on the Draft ESIA report. Further

comments were received from the World Bank and GCAP on the Revised ESIA report which have been

incorporated in this Final Environmental and Social Impact Statement (ESIS). The Final ESIS also

incorporates comments from EPA on the Draft ESIA report submitted to the Agency. The EPA’s response

letter to the Draft ESIA report and references to sections where the comments are addressed are provided

in Annex 1c.

The Scoping Notice, which aims at inviting public comments on the proposed project has been published

on page 54 of the August 25, 2016 edition of the Daily Graphic, a national newspaper. A copy of the notice

is provided in Annex 2.

1.2 Purpose/Aim of the ESIA Study

The purpose of the ESIA study is to address possible direct and indirect significant adverse environmental

and social impacts of the proposed project for acceptability and sustainability. The ESIA study is also to

aid in decision making on whether to proceed with the project or not given the potential environmental

cost. The ESIA is based on the updated Feasibility Study and Design by WAPCOS Limited (India) in

association with Agrartec Services Limited (Ghana). The Consultants were contracted by GCAP to review

and update the feasibility studies, and provide designs for the rehabilitation and modernisation of the

Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project (KLBIP) infrastructure.

The study also aims at satisfying both legal and institutional obligations specified under Environmental

Protection Agency Act 1994 (Act 490) and Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999 (LI 1652).

1.3 Scope of work for the ESIA Study

The scope of work for the ESIA study is to among other things achieve the following:

provide technical description of the proposed project and identify all activities of

environmental/social concern;

establish the existing environmental and socio-economic baseline conditions of the project area of

influence;



predict and examine all the significant environmental and social impacts on the surrounding

communities and the general environment during implementation of the proposed project and advise

on appropriate mitigation and abatement measures against potential adverse impacts;

provide a monitoring programme for predicted impacts in a Provisional Environmental and Social

Management Plan (PESMP) framework;

document the socio-economic and cultural advantages and disadvantages associated with the

proposed project for stakeholders and interested groups to make an informed decision on the level

of environmental compromise; and

Carry out public consultations and include the outcome in the ESIA report with agreed mitigation

measures in the Project design.

1.4 Approach and Methodology for the ESIA Study

The approach and methodology for the ESIA study involved the following:

Desktop study and literature reviews;

Participation in project technical meetings to appreciate ongoing design issues and concerns;

Reconnaissance visit and site inspections;

Public/stakeholder consultations and involvement;

Data collation, analysis and reporting;

Identification and assessment of environmental and social impacts;

Mitigation measures; and

Monitoring and management plan.

1.4.1 Desktop Study and Literature Reviews

Extensive desktop study and literature reviews were carried out as part of the ESIA. The approach was

essentially based on review of available project related documents/literature, relevant laws and other

strategic planning documents at the national and sector levels and also at the international level with

reference to project financing.

Policies and legal framework documents reviewed covered:

Relevant sector policy/plan documents and regulations as provided under Section 2.1;

Environmental Protection Agency Act, 1994 (Act 490);

Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652);

Ghana ESIA Procedures;

World Bank Safeguard Policies; and

World Bank/IFC EHS Guidelines.

Project related documents obtained from GCAP and reviewed included:

GCAP Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF);

GCAP Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF);

Report on Land Diagnostic Study of the Accra Plains;

Project Appraisal Document of GCAP;

The Project’s Restructuring Paper of GCAP;

Project Implementation Manual for GCAP;

Pest Management Plan (PMP) for GCAP – Draft Final Report;

Environmental Scoping Report prepared by WAPCOS on KLBIP;



KLBIP Feasibility Report; and

KLBIP Detailed Design Report.

Other relevant documents/literature reviewed included:

1:50,000 topographical maps of the project area;

Environmental and Social Impact Statement (ESIS) for Anyako Farms Ltd (a selected GCAP grantee

within the KLBIP catchment), September 2016;

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the AgDevCo Babator Irrigated Farm Hub Project in the

Bole District of the Northern Region, May 2015; and

Medium Term Development Plans of the North Tongu District.

1.4.2 Participation in project technical meetings to appreciate ongoing design issues and concerns

A member of the SAL Consult team for the assignment participated in the monthly progress technical

meetings for April to October 2016 in which the design consultant made presentations on the progress of

work to stakeholders including the client, traditional authorities and local farmers. Ongoing design

studies, issues and challenges were discussed and concerns of participating farmers also captured.

1.4.3 Field visits and site inspections

Field visits and inspections of the project site were carried out by the environmental consultant with field

assistance from WAPCOS, the design consultant, between June and October, 2016. The field inspections

enabled the consultant to appreciate the project area of influence, the nature of biophysical environment

to be affected (especially current land and water uses), the relevant baseline data to be obtained, and the

socio-economic characteristics of the environment to be potentially impacted by the project including the

neighbouring rural communities, current infrastructural status as well as existing irrigation schemes in the

project area.

1.4.4 Stakeholder Identification and Consultations

The project proponents have been engaged to understand the project scope, design and implementation

and to obtain relevant project documents. The Design Consultants (WAPCOS) and SAL Consult Limited

have held various levels of consultations with relevant stakeholders at the district and national levels,

including traditional authorities, local communities, district assembly, MoFA, Volta River Authority (VRA),

Farmer Based groups and commercial irrigation companies in the project area. Details of the stakeholder

consultations are provided under Chapter 5. The stakeholders consulted are as follows:

Project Proponents and Scheme Management Entities

Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Ghana Commercial Agricultural Project (GCAP) Office;

Irrigation Design and Supervision Consultants for the KLBIP, WAPCOS Ltd/Agrartec Services Ltd;

Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA); and

Scheme Management Entity for Torgorme Irrigation Project (Post Agric Limited).

Regulatory Agencies

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA);

Water Resources Commission (WRC);

Lands Commission (LC);

Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS); and

Factories Inspectorate Department (FID).



Other Government institutions

Department of Agriculture, District Office; and

Town and Country Planning Department, District Office.

Local Government /Political Authorities

North Tongu District Assembly, Battor-Dugame; and

Assembly Member- Torgorme.

Neighbouring Private Organisations


Anyako Farms.

Traditional Authorities and Neighbouring Communities

Chiefs and Elders of Torgorme Traditional Council; and

Local communities – Togorme, Azagonorkope, Sokope, Nyiflakpo, Nakpoe, Alablornu, Kassa,

Daledokope, Deikope and Gblornu

Farmer Based Organizations


Afenya Group;

Miator Group;

Dzibgordi Group;

Nenyo Group; and

Veviedodo Group.

A scoping notice has also been published in the Daily Graphic to inform the general public about the

proposed project as required under the procedure for the conduct of ESIA in accordance with Regulations

15 (1) of LI 1652. A copy of the published scoping notice has been attached as Annex 2.

1.4.5 Data collation, Analysis and Reporting

The relevant data and information obtained from the desktop study/literature reviews, stakeholder

consultations and field visits were collated, analysed where necessary and have been presented in this

Final ESIS. The Final ESIS presentation is in line with the EPA format and the major headings of the report

are:

i. Non-Technical Executive summary

ii. Introduction

iii. Policy, Legislative and Administrative Requirements

iv. Description of proposal and alternatives

v. Description of existing environment/baseline

vi. Stakeholder consultation

vii. Impacts identification and significance

viii. Mitigation and enhancement measures

ix. Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan

x. Provisional Environmental and Social Management Plan

xi. Emergency Response Procedures

xii. Decommissioning



xiii. Conclusion

xiv. Bibliography



2.0 RELEVANT POLICIES, LAWS AND INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

2.1 Key Policies, Laws and Institutions

The Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP) of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA) is

committed to adhering to the requirements of all applicable policies and laws associated with the design,

rehabilitation, development and modernization of the KLBIP. The relevant Ghanaian environmental and

other statutory laws, policies, and regulations to guide GCAP and the irrigation scheme managers from

the conceptualization through implementation are summarised in the table below.



Table 2-1: Summary of key Policies, Laws and Institutional framework

Policy/Legal/Institutional

Framework

Key Requirements/Objective

Applicability/Relevance to Undertaking/Project

Policy Framework

Ghana Shared Growth and

Development Agenda, 2010

It provides for the Vision for the Agricultural, Environment and Natural Resource Sectors in Chapter

four. The main focus of the agricultural sector is to accelerate the modernization of agriculture and

ensure its linkage with industry through the application of science, technology and innovation.

The modernized agriculture sector is expected to underpin the transformation of the economy

through job creation, increased export earnings, food security, and supply of raw materials for

value addition and rural development as well as significant reduction in the incidence of poverty.

The proposed project will use irrigation systems to

enhance crop productivity and contribute to

improving food security in the country. It will also

create jobs for the people of neighbouring

communities, improve livelihoods of participating

farmers and enhance the rural economy.

National Environmental

Policy, 2013

The ultimate aim of the Policy is to improve the surroundings, living conditions and the quality of

life of the entire citizenry, both present and future. It seeks to promote sustainable development

through ensuring a balance between economic development and natural resource conservation.

The policy thus makes a high quality environment a key element supporting the country’s economic

and social development.

The proposed project will promote sustainable

development by including economic, social and

environmental considerations in the rehabilitation

and modernization of the KLBIP.

National Land Policy, 1999

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

The use of any land in Ghana for sustainable development, the protection of water bodies and

the environment and any other socioeconomic activity will be determined through national land

use planning guidelines based on sustainable principles in the long term national interest.

Land categories outside Ghana's permanent forest and wildlife estates are available for such uses

as agriculture, timber, mining and other extractive industries, and human settlement within the

context of a national land use plan.

All land and water resources development activities must conform to the environmental laws in

the country and where Environmental Impact Assessment report is required this must be

provided. Environmental protection within the 'polluter pays' principle will be enforced.

The project site is not a protected area, forest or

wildlife estate and has been zoned for agricultural

purposes.

The Project is sited on a Government acquired land.

The implementation of the project will conform to

the environmental laws of the country which

includes, registration with EPA, Environmental and

Social Impact Assessment and obtaining an

environmental permit prior to commencement.

National Environmental

Action Plan 1994

The National Environmental Action Plan was initiated to define a set of policy actions, related

investments and institutional strengthening activities that would make Ghana’s development

strategy more environmentally sustainable. The Plan formulated a national environmental policy

as the framework for implementing the Action Plan.

The Policy aims at ensuring a sound management of resources and the environment, and to avoid

any exploitation of these resources in a manner that might cause irreparable damage to the

environment. Specifically, it provides for maintenance of ecosystems and ecological processes

The design and implementation of the proposed

project will take into consideration measures to

promote the sustainable use of natural resources

and ensure environmental management.




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essential for the functioning of the biosphere, sound management of natural resources and the

environment, and protection of humans, animals and plants and their habitats.

National Water Policy, 2007 The objective of Section 2.2.3 Focus Area 3 –Water for Food Security is to ensure availability of

water in sufficient quantity and quality for cultivation of food crops, watering of livestock and

sustainable freshwater fisheries to achieve sustainable food security for the country. The relevant

policy measures and/or actions to be undertaken include:

(i) encouraging efficient use of fertilizers to reduce pollution of water bodies and ensure

conservation of water; and

(ii) promoting and encouraging water use efficiency techniques in agriculture and reducing

transmission losses of water in irrigation systems.

The proposed project will ensure efficient use of

water and employ concrete lined canals to ensure

water use efficiency and reduce transmission losses.

This ESIA study has also recommended appropriate

mitigation measures to avoid water pollution.

Forest and Wildlife Policy,

2012

The objectives of the policy are to manage and enhance the ecological integrity of Ghana’s forest,

savannah, wetlands and other ecosystems; to promote the rehabilitation and restoration of

degraded landscapes through plantations development and community forestry; to promote the

development of viable forest and wildlife based industries and livelihoods; and to promote training,

research and technology development that supports sustainable forest management.

The Forestry Commission will have access to the

ESIA report and will study the flora and fauna

survey. The Commission will ensure that any

identified sacred thicket or forest revered by the

local communities are protected as community

dedicated forest.

National Employment Policy,

2012

The National Employment Policy indicates that poverty is still high at about 28.5 percent and that

there is a strong correlation between the employment situation and poverty. The policy states that

the key source of demand for labour emanates from the productive sectors of the economy,

namely, agriculture, industry and service. One of the key strategies of the employment policy is to

promote farm and non-farm rural employment through modernization of agriculture, improving

the productivity of farmers and contract farming arrangements, promoting effective linkages

between farm and non-farm activities among others.

The irrigation project will provide employment

opportunities for the people of Torgorme and

neighbouring communities (e.g. Alabonu, Nakpoe,

Sokope, Gblornu, and Azagunorkope) and enhance

the productivity of farmers through the use of all

year round irrigation system for their farming and

the provision of inputs such as improved seeds,

fertilizers, etc.

National Gender Policy, 2015

The National Gender Policy aims at mainstreaming gender equality concerns into the national

development processes by improving the social, legal, civic, political, economic and socio-cultural

conditions of the people of Ghana. It also seeks to empower the vulnerable groups particularly

women, children, and people with special needs such as persons with disabilities and the

marginalized.

The project will not discriminate against women

and the vulnerable in the local communities. The

criteria for selecting beneficiary farmers will

consider gender and disability




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National Climate Change

Policy, 2013

The Policy is built on seven (7no.) systematic pillars and the objective of the Policy is to mitigate

and ensure an effective adaptation in key sectors of the economy, such as agriculture and food

security, natural resources management, energy, industry and infrastructure among others.

Under the Agriculture and Food Security area, the key objectives are:

Develop climate-resilient agriculture and food systems for all agro-ecological zones; and

Develop human resource capacity for climate-resilient.

The key actions to achieve these objectives which are related to the proposed project include:

Develop climate-resilient cropping and livestock systems as well as crop varieties and livestock

breeds tolerant to flooding, drought and salinity;

Promote appropriate technologies for small-scale irrigation, water re-use and water harvesting;

and

Improve post-harvest capacity, e.g., storage and processing facilities and infrastructure.

The climate-resilient technology to be adopted for

the proposed project include the use of improved

seed varieties and irrigation facilities.

The irrigation facility will ensure that the project

does not rely solely on rain-fed farming.

National Irrigation Policy,

2010

The objective of irrigation policy is to expand and improve the efficiency of irrigation to support

agricultural development and growth. It will be pursued with principles of sustainability in

operation and maintenance, and use of natural resources, equitable access by women to benefits

of irrigation, and the rights to participate in irrigation management. The targets of the Ghana

Irrigation Policy are to attain national food security, increase livelihood options, intensify and

diversify production of agricultural commodities.

The proposed project will include irrigation, utilizing

canals and drains as a means of ensuring adequate

water supply. The beneficiary farmers will including

women, will have access to the all year water supply

to their farms to increase their productivity and

enhance their livelihoods.

Riparian Buffer Zone Policy,

2014

The Water Resources Commission (WRC) has developed a national policy document on Riparian

Buffer Zone Protection for managing freshwater bodies in the country. It aims at providing

comprehensive measures and actions that would guide the creation of vegetative buffers for the

preservation and functioning of the nation’s water bodies and vital ecosystems. The following are

provided in the riparian buffer zone policy document:

Recommended Design Standards for Riparian Buffer Zones

The recommended buffer widths are:

Municipal reservoir shoreline protective buffer: 60 to 90 meters (e.g. Weija Dam and Lake

Bosomtwe);

Major perennial rivers/streams: 10 to 60 meters (e.g. Volta, Tano, and Offin);

GCAP/GIDA will ensure that the required buffer

around the Volta River and other seasonal streams

on the project land is maintained.




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Minor perennial streams: 10 to 20 meters;

Important seasonal streams: 10 to 15 meters;

Streams within forest reserves: 10 to 50 meters; and

Wetlands: 30‐meters around the perimeter as defined from the high water elevation.

Food and Agriculture Sector

Development Policy

(FASDEP).

The revised FASDEP of 2006 (FASDEP II) emphasizes the sustainable utilization of all resources and

commercialization of activities in the sector with market-driven growth in mind and with emphasis

on environmental sustainability.

The Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan (METASIP) developed to implement FASDEP

II over the medium term 2011-2015 includes the following programmes:

Food security and emergency preparedness;

Improved growth in incomes;

Increased competitiveness and enhanced integration into domestic and international markets;

Sustainable management of land and environment; and

Science and technology applied in food and agriculture development

The modernisation of the project takes into

consideration sustainable scheme management

options and market for farm produce. The project

will ensure increase in productivity, improved

incomes and food security and increase

competitiveness on the market. At the same time,

the project will ensure sustainable utilization of

resources and sustainable land and environmental

management including through the use of more

efficient irrigation systems.

National Legal Framework

The Constitution of the

Republic of Ghana, 1992

The Constitution includes some provisions to protect the right of individuals to private property,

and also sets principles under which citizens may be deprived of their property in the public interest

(described in Articles 18 and 20). Article 18 provides that “Every person has the right to own

property either alone or in association with others.”

MoFA GCAP, being a government entity will ensure

that the project complies with relevant

constitutional provisions. The project land was

acquired through an executive instrument in 1975

and compensation paid to respective land owners.

Damage to any existing crops will receive

appropriate compensation payment in line with the

constitution.

The State Lands Act 1963, Act

125

The Act 125 vests the authority to acquire land for the public interest in the President of the

Republic. It also gives responsibility for registering a claim on the affected person or group of

persons, and provides details of the procedure to do this. The State Lands Act, 1962 provides some

details to be taken into consideration when calculating compensation such as definitions for (1)

cost of disturbance, (2) market value, (3) replacement value, and so on.

The 2000 ha land proposed for the project is part of

the land acquired by an executive instrument in

1975, which is a state land.




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Environmental Protection

Agency (EPA) Act 1994, Act

490

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1994 (Act 490) gives mandate to the Agency to

ensure compliance of all investments and undertakings with laid down Environmental Assessment

(EA) procedures in the planning and execution of development projects, including compliance in

respect of existing ones. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 490 Section 12 of 1994

confers enforcement and control powers on the EPA to compel existing companies to submit

environmental or pollution management plans on their operations as a management tool for

effective pollution control. The EPA is the responsible for issuing environmental permits for

operations such as this project subject to EPA review.

The part two of the EPA Act (Pesticides Control and Management) requires that any person who

wishes to use pesticides must register and obtain a license from the Agency.

The implementation of proposed farming project

will be in compliance with the Environmental

Assessment (EA) procedures for approval of the

EPA. An EPA permit will be obtained and the

permitted conditions complied with during project

implementation.

The proposed project will involve the use of

pesticides and the scheme manager to be selected

will ensure that the necessary EPA requirements are

met prior to purchase and use of pesticides at the

site.

Environmental Assessment

Regulations 1999, LI 1652

The Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999 (LI 1652) enjoins any proponent or person to

register an undertaking with the Agency and obtain an Environmental Permit prior to

commencement of the project. This regulation allows the EPA to place proposed undertakings at

the appropriate level of environmental assessment. The LI 1652 seeks to ensure that development

is undertaken in a sustainable environment.

The project is complying with LI 1652 through the

following:

i. The project has been registered with the EPA;

ii. An ESIS has been done for the project;

iii. EPA will issue a permit for the project upon

acceptance of the ESIS;

iv. The Scheme Manager will submit Annual Reports

to the EPA;

v. GCAP will pay statutory fees for the EPA permit;

vi. GCAP will visibly display their EPA permit at their

office/warehouse premises.

The Fees and Charges

(Amendment Instrument),

2015 (LI 2228)

The Fees and Charges (Amendment) Instrument 2015 (L.I. 2228) provides comprehensive rates,

fees and charges collectable by Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs), such as the

Environmental Protection Agency, for goods and services delivered to the public.

GCAP, in obtaining an environmental permit from

the EPA, will pay all necessary fees and charges as

prescribed by LI 2228




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Local Governance Act 2016,

Act 936

This Act replaces the Local Government Act 462. It establishes and regulates the local government

system and gives authority to the RCC and the District Assembly to exercise political and

administrative power in the Regions and District, provide guidance, give direction to, and supervise

all other administrative authorities in the regions and district respectively. The Assembly is

mandated to initiate programmes for the development of basic infrastructure and provide

municipal works and services as well as be responsible for the development, improvement and

management of human settlements and the environment in the district.

GCAP will work closely with the North Tongu District

Assembly in the development of the proposed

project

Ghana National Fire Service

Act 1997 (Act 537)

The Act re-establishes the National Fire Service to provide for the management of undesired fires

and to make provision for related matters. The objective of the Service is to prevent and manage

undesired fire. For the purpose of achieving its objective; the Service is to organise public fire

education programmes to create and sustain awareness of the hazards of fire, heighten the role of

the individual in the prevention of fire and provide technical advice for building plans in respect of

machinery and structural layouts to facilitate escape from fire, rescue operations and fire

management. The GNFS has a rural fire department responsible for the control and management

of bushfires.

This act requires GCAP/Scheme Manager to register

warehouses/workshops/office premises with the

GNFS who will provide services in the management

of all fire outbreaks. The GNFS is mandated to

create awareness and sensitization programmes on

fire prevention and control. The GNFS has been

consulted on the project and their concerns have

been captured. They have given their assurance to

assist to ensure that the project succeeds.

The Fire Precaution

(Premises) Regulations 2003,

LI 1724

The Fire Precaution (Premises) Regulations 2003 (LI 1724) requires all premises intended for use as

workplaces to have Fire Certificates and confers enforcement powers on the Ghana National Fire

Service (GNFS) to demand a fire certificate for premises that are put to use as a place of work.

The Regulation requires GCAP/Scheme Manager to

obtain a Fire certificate for the operation of

warehouses/offices/shops associated with the

project

Factories, Offices and Shops

Act 1970, Act 328

The Factories, Offices and Shops Act of 1970 (Act 328), as amended by the Factories Offices and

Shops (Amendment) Law 1983 PNDCL 66, the Factories Offices and Shops (Amendment) Law 1991

PNDCL 275 s.1 (a), and the Ghana National Fire Service Act, 1997 (Act 537) requires all proponents

to register every factory/workplace with the Chief Inspector of Factories Inspectorate Division. The

Act requires all factories, offices and shops to among others, notify the Chief Inspector of accidents,

dangerous occurrences and industrial diseases, post in a prominent position in every factory the

prescribed abstract of the act and other notices and documentations, as well as outlines the

regulations to safeguard the health and safety of workers.

During the operational stage, GIDA/Scheme

Manager will register warehouses/offices/shops

associated with the project with the Factories

Inspectorate Department, post the abstract of the

act at a prominent place at the premises and notify

the Chief Inspector of any accidents, dangerous

occurrences and industrial diseases.

The Labour Act 2003, Act 651 Section 118(1) of the 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 proponent will ensure that the welfare of

workers and the safety and health of its workers are




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Act 651 contains a number of specific provisions relating to an employer’s duty of care to its

workers. These include providing and maintaining “at the workplace, plant and system of work that

are safe and without risk to health” and taking “steps to prevent contamination of the workplaces

by, and protect the workers from, toxic gases, noxious substances, vapours, dust, fumes, mists and

other substances or materials likely to cause risk to safety or health”.

A worker is required to report situations that he believes may pose “an imminent and serious

danger to his or her life, safety or health”.

protected through the provision of a safe working

environment and use of appropriate personal

protective gears. No underage persons or children

will be employed on the project.

Workmen’s Compensation

Law 1987

It is to provide for the payment of compensation to workmen for personal injuries caused by

accidents arising out and in the course of their employment. The tenets of the law places a large

share of the burden of supporting workers injured at the workplace on the shoulders of the

employers.

The proposed project has health and accident risks.

The Law enjoins GCAP/Scheme Manager as an

employer to ensure and be responsible for the

safety of its workers and reward compensation to

its workers for injuries arising in the course of work

in accordance with this Law.

Control of Bush Fires Law of

1983 (PNDCL 46)

It seeks to control the setting of bush fires by criminalizing the intentional, reckless, or negligent

causing of such fires and holding the offender liable for all consequences of the fire.

Bush fire is a risk to the proposed project and GCAP

and GIDA will be guided by these Laws to take lawful

action against any such offender. Control and Prevention of

Bushfire law, PNDCL 229

Section 2 defines “starting of a bushfire”. A person starts a bushfire if an action of that person

results in the uncontrolled burning of a farm, forest or grassland. The Chief Conservator of Forests

or the Chief Game and Wildlife Officer may authorize starting of fires by authorized officers in

Conservation Areas under section 4.

Lands Commission Act 2008,

Act 767

The Lands Commission Act 2008 re-establishes the Lands Commission to integrate the operations

of public service land institutions in order to secure effective and efficient land administration to

provide for related matters. The objectives of the Commission are to:

Promote the judicious use of land by the society and ensure that land use is in accordance with

sustainable management principles and the maintenance of a sound eco-system; and

Ensure that land development is effected in conformity with the nation’s development goals.

The proposed development is in line with the

objectives of the Commission for sustainable

development of land and conforms with the

development goals for the Accra Plains.

Office of the Administrator of

Stool Lands Act 1994, Act 481

The OASL Act 1994, Act 481 establishes the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands as enshrined

in Article 267 (2) of the 1992 Constitution and it is responsible for establishment of stool land

account for each stool, collection of rents and the disbursement of such revenues. The

Administrator is charged with the management of stool lands and in accordance with the provisions

The OASL will ensure that all ground rent from the

project land due traditional authorities are paid

according to the law.




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in the 1992 Constitution, 10% of the gross revenue goes to the Administrator of Stool Lands for

administrative expenses whilst the remainder is disbursed as follows:

25% to the stool through the traditional authority for the maintenance of the stool;

20% to the traditional authority;

55% to the District Assembly, within the area of authority of which the stool lands are situated.

Ghana Investment

Promotion Centre Act 1994,

Act 478

The Ghana Investment Promotion Centre Act 1994 (Act 478) requires that every investor wishing

to invest in the 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...”.

GCAP acknowledges that the proposed project has

environmental impacts and measures are being

taken to address the impacts including the

preparation of this ESIA.

Irrigation Development

Authority Act, 1977, SMCD

85

The Supreme Military Council Decree (SMCD) 85 of 1977 established the Ghana Irrigation

Development Authority (GIDA) to explore all water resources for livelihood options in agriculture

at appropriate scales for all communities and provides its functions which include formulating,

developing and implementing irrigation and drainage plans for all year round agriculture

production in Ghana.

GIDA will own the project on behalf of the State and

provide regulations to guide proper functioning and

management of all public irrigation facilities.

Water Resources

Commission (WRC) Act 1996,

Act 522

The Water Resources Commission Act, 1996 (Act 522) establishes and mandates the Water

Resources Commission (WRC) as the sole agency responsible for the regulation and management

of the utilisation of water resources and for the co-ordination of any policy in relation to them.

Section 13 prohibits the use of water (divert, dam, store, abstract or use water resources or

construct or maintain any works for the use of water resources) without authority. Section 16

empowers the Commission to grant Water Rights (water use permits) to prospective users. The

Act states under Section 24 that any person who pollutes or fouls a water resource beyond the level

that the EPA may prescribe, commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine or a term of

imprisonment or both.

The proposed project will involve irrigation,

depending on GIDA irrigation facilities which will be

rehabilitated and modernized during the project

construction phase. GIDA has obtained water use

rights from WRC.

Water Use Regulations 2001,

LI 1692

The Water Use Regulations 2001, LI 1692 prohibits the use of water resources without authority

from the Water Resources Commission. The Act provides under section 16 for any person to apply

to the Commission in writing for the grant of water right. The Regulations also prescribe the raw

water charges and processing fees to be paid by prospective water users with respect to the water

use permits. The Commission is also mandated to request for evidence that an environmental

GIDA has water use permit from WRC, and pay all

due charges and fees as prescribed by the Act.




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impact assessment or an environmental management plan has been approved by the EPA before

issuance of the Water Use Permit.

Plants and Fertilizer Act 2010

(Act 803)

The Act provides for the efficient conduct of plant protection to prevent the introduction and

spread of pests and diseases, to regulate imports and exports of plants and planting materials; the

regulation and monitoring of the exports, imports and commercial transaction in seeds and related

matters; and control and regulation of fertilizer trade.

The Plant Protection Regulatory Services Division

(PPRSD) of MoFA will ensure that all seeds/plant

materials are safe and also put in monitoring

mechanism to prevent the spread of pests and

diseases from the project site to other parts of the

country.

Town and Country Planning

Ordinance, 1945, CAP 84

The Town and Country Planning Act 1945, CAP 84 seeks to ensure the orderly and progressive

development of land, town and other areas whether urban or rural for conserving and developing

resources and to preserve and improve amenities thereof, and for related matters. It is the

principal legislation in force regulating the general planning and development of human

settlements.

The proposed area is a rural with agricultural as the

main occupation. The project area has been

designated for farming by the Town and Country

Planning Department (TCPD) of the North Tongu

District Assembly. The development is thus in

accord with the objectives of the district assembly.

National Building Regulation

1995, LI 1630

The National Building Regulations, LI 1630 provides guidance and standard to any person who

intends to erect any building; or make any structural alteration to any building; or executes any

works or installs any fittings in connection with any building. The process of obtaining a

development permit makes it contingent on the issuance of an environmental permit by the EPA.

All buildings to be constructed under the project will

be guided by this Act and a development/building

permit will be obtained from the North Tongu

District Assembly.

The Children’s Act 1998, Act

560

The Act spells out the rights of the child, quasi-judicial/judicial child adjudication, parentage

/custody/access/maintenance, fosterage/ adoption and employment of children issues. The Act

defines a child as a person below the age of 18 years. The minimum age for admission of a child to

employment is fifteen years and the minimum age for the engagement of a person in hazardous

work is eighteen years. No person shall engage a child in exploitative labour and labour is

exploitative of a child if it deprives the child of its health, education or development.

The development of the irrigation project will be

guided by this Act in the employment of labour for

the proposed project and will ensure all labour

engaged by the Contractors are not below the

minimum age.

Ghana Meteorological

Agency 2004, Act 687

This Act establishes the Ghana Meteorological Agency, which replaces the Meteorological Services

Department. The Agency is to provide meteorological information, advice, and warnings for the

benefit of agriculture, civil and military aviation among others to mitigate the effects of natural

disasters such as floods, storms and droughts on socio-economic development and projects. The

Agency is to provide accurate date on climatic data which are relevant for establishing climate

change trends.

GCAP and the design consultants will work closely

with the Ghana Meteorological Agency especially in

seeking meteorological information and advice for

project design and operation.




Framework



Alternative Dispute

Resolution Act 2010 (Act

798)

The purpose of the Act is to “……provide for the settlement of disputes by arbitration, mediation

and customary arbitration, to establish an Alternative Dispute Resolution Centre and to provide for

related matters." The Act further defines Alternative Dispute Resolution “as the collective

description of methods of resolving disputes otherwise than through the normal trial process”

(Section 135). The ADR Act covers both domestic and international arbitration in Ghana and the

enforcement of both domestic and foreign arbitral awards within the jurisdiction.

GCAP and the selected scheme manager will ensure

that the alternative dispute resolution option is

used to address disputes and conflicts instead of the

more expensive and time consuming legal court

system under this project.

Institutional Framework

Environmental Protection

Agency

The EPA is the body responsible for regulating the environment and ensuring the implementation

of government policies on the environment. The functions of the Agency include:

ensuring compliance with any laid down environmental impact assessment procedures in the

planning and execution of development projects, including compliance in the respect of existing

projects;

promoting effective planning in the management of the environment;

imposing and collecting environmental protection levies in accordance with the Environmental

Protection Agency Act 1994, Act 490 or regulations made under the Act; and

acting in liaison and co-operation with government agencies, District Assemblies and other

bodies and institutions to control pollution and generally protect the environment.

GCAP/GIDA will follow and abide by EPA

requirements and permit conditions in the

implementation of the project.

Water Resources

Commission (WRC)

WRC was established by an Act of Parliament (Act 522 of 1996) with the mandate to regulate and

manage Ghana's Water Resources and co-ordinate government policies in relation to them. The

Act stipulates that ownership and control of all water resources are vested in the President on

behalf of the people, and clearly defines the WRC as the overall body responsible for water

resources management in Ghana. The functions of the WRC as established under Act 522 among

other things are to:

Formulate and enforce policies in water resources conservation, development and management

in the country;

Coordinate the activities of the various agencies (public and private) in the development and

conservation of water resources;

Enforce, in collaboration with relevant agencies, measures to control water pollution; and

GCAP/GIDA will follow and abide by WRC

requirements and water use permit conditions.




Framework



Be responsible for appraising water resources development project proposals, both public and

private, before implementation.

Ghana Irrigation

Development Authority

(GIDA)

GIDA is a semi-autonomous agency of MOFA which was established by the Supreme Military

Council Decree 85 (SMCD) of 1977 to explore all water resources for livelihood options in

agriculture at appropriate scales for all communities. Its functions include formulating, developing

and implementing irrigation and drainage plans for all year round agriculture production, livestock

and fish culture in Ghana. Currently, its services and activities comprise:

Developing design standards for irrigation infrastructure;

Designing irrigation infrastructure and related facilities e.g. dams, ponds, and tube-wells,

conveyance structures;

Carrying out land-use planning in areas earmarked for irrigation development;

Providing public irrigation facilities;

Providing technical services for the development of irrigation facilities;

Providing technical and managerial services for effective use of irrigation facilities; and

Developing and disseminating adaptive irrigation technology.

GIDA will review and approve the irrigation designs

and provide technical advice on the designs and

ensure that adequate regulations exist for the

proper management of the scheme

Ministry of Food and

Agriculture (MOFA)

MOFA promotes sustainable agriculture and agribusiness through research and technology

development, effective extension and other support services to farmers, processors, and traders

for improved human livelihood. The Food and Agriculture Sector Development Policy (FASDEP II)

and the Medium Term Agricultural Sector Investment Plan (METASIP) seeks to guide development

and interventions in the agriculture sector. The revised policy (FASDEP II) emphasizes the

sustainable utilization of all resources and commercialization of activities in the sector with market-

driven growth in mind. Enhancement of productivity of the commodity value chain, through the

application of science and technology, with emphasis on environmental sustainability. The policy

also ensures consistency with national development objectives as specified in the Growth and

Poverty Reduction Strategy II (GPRS II).

MOFA is a major stakeholder of the project.

The Regional and District Departments of

Agriculture have the mandate of offering extension

services and support to ensure sustainability and

the successful implementation of the project

Local Government Authority The Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) and the Metropolitan /Municipal/District Assemblies

(MMDAs) are responsible for the overall development of the region and

metropolis/municipality/district respectively.

The project is located in the North Tongu District

and will be influenced by decisions and plans of the

Volta Regional Coordinating Council and the North

Tongu District Assembly. The Assembly will play key




Framework



Acts 936 and 480, which established the current district assembly structure, designate the

District/Municipal/Metropolitan Assembly as the planning authority, charged with the overall

development of the district.

With regard to environmental management at the district level, the District Environmental

Management Committees (DEMC) has been set up by law (Act 936) to among other things:

promote and provide guidelines for the establishment of community level environmental

committees to put into effect the environmental programmes of the Assembly in the community;

and

Plan and recommend to the DA, strategies and activities for the improvement and protection of

the environment with emphasis on fragile and sensitive areas, river courses etc.

role in the successful implementation and related

activities of the project.

Lands Commission The Lands Commission was established by Article 258 of the 1992 Constitution and the Lands

Commission Act, 2008 (Act 767). The functions of the Lands Commission include amongst others;

advise the Government, local authorities and traditional authorities on the policy framework for

the development of particular areas of the country to ensure that the development of individual

pieces of land is coordinated with the relevant development plan for the area concerned;

ensure that through sound, sustainable land use planning, socio-economic activities are

consistent with sound land use through sustainable land use planning in the long term national

development goals; and

promote community participation and public awareness at all levels in sustainable land

management and development practices to ensure the highest and best use of land.

The proposed site for the project is part of the

Torgorme Irrigation Scheme land which is a public

land and the management of such state acquired

lands is under the jurisdiction of the Public and

Vested Lands Management Division of the Lands

Commission.

Volta River Authority The core business of VRA is to generate electrical energy for industrial, commercial and domestic

use in Ghana. VRA operates the Akosombo and Kpong Hydroelectric Dams.

The project will take water from the Kpong Dam and

VRA and the Scheme Management Entity(SME) will

collaborate to ensure that abstraction of water

from the dam does not endanger water levels

required for electricity generation. GCAP and GIDA

have fully briefed the VRA on the planned

rehabilitation and modernization works on the

KLBIP.




Framework



Traditional Authorities In Ghana, people of common descent owe allegiance to a symbol of collective authority, such as

the ‘stool’ for the Akans of southern Ghana or the ‘skin’ for the northern peoples. Traditional

authorities play a role in the administration of the area. At the village level, family and land disputes

and development issues are also traditionally dealt with by the village chief and elders.

In addition to providing an important leadership role, especially in the more rural areas, chiefs act

as custodians of stool/skin land, can mobilise their people for developmental efforts and arbitrate

in the resolution of local disputes. Although chiefs have no direct political authority, some are

appointed by the Government on District Assemblies.

The Torgorme Traditional Council is a key

stakeholder to the project and GCAP/GIDA/SS will

work closely with the Council.



2.2 Relevant Environmental Quality Guidelines

The guideline provides for permissible levels for ambient air quality, noise levels and effluent quality

guidelines for discharge into natural water bodies. The environmental guidelines issued in 1997 include:

National Ambient Air Quality Guidelines (NAAQG);

National Ambient Noise Level Guidelines (NANLG); and

National Effluent Quality Discharge Guidelines (NEQDG).

Refer to Annex 11 for the NAAQG, NANLG and NEQDG.

2.3 Relevant Legal Approvals - Permit/Licences/Certificates

The relevant approvals required for the implementation of the Project are summarized in Table 2-2.

Table 2-2: Key Regulatory Approvals

Regulatory

body

Permits/licenses

and certificates

Applicable Project Phase Remarks /Status

Environmental

Protection

Agency

Environmental

Permit

Yes Prior to Construction

Phase

After acceptance of final

ESIS by the EPA.

Environmental

Certificate

Yes Within 18 to 24 months

of commencement of

Operations

After preparation of first

ESMP. Renewable every

three years

Water

Resources

Commission

Water Use Permit Yes Agricultural

Development and

Operational Phase

-Renewal of water use

permit every three years

Lands

Commission

Land acquisition Yes Planning, during

acquisition of land

The land was acquired

through an Executive

Instrument (EI) 162 of

1975.

Ghana

National Fire

Service

Fire Permit/

Certificate

Yes Construction of office

buildings/ facilities

Renewable on annual basis

North Tongu

District

Assembly

Development and

building approvals

(for office

buildings/

facilities

Yes Prior to construction of

facilities

-

Factories

Inspectorate

Department

Certificate of

Registration

Yes Construction, and

Agricultural

Development and

Operational phase.

During construction of

office, warehouse/

storage units or

processing facilities

Renewable on annual basis



2.4 Relevant International Safeguard Policies- World Bank Safeguard Policies

The World Bank (WB) has published policies/procedures to guide the safe development of projects it is

funding. Among the ten (10) WB Safeguards Policies, two (2) – OP 4.01 Environmental Assessment and

OP 4.09 Pest Management – are triggered by the proposed project. OP 4.12: Involuntary Resettlement

is not triggered as the project communities are maintained and incorporated into the scheme.

A summary of the World Bank Safeguard policies and how they are related to the project is provided in

Table 2-3.



Table 2-3: Summary of World Bank Safeguard Policies and its relation to the proposed Project

No. World Bank Safeguard

Policy

Summary of core requirements Potential for Trigger

under proposed

project

Remarks or recommendation for proposed

project

1 OP 4.01 Environmental

Assessment

Requires environmental assessment (EA) of projects proposed for

Bank financing to help ensure that they are environmentally sound

and sustainable, and thus to improve decision making. The EA takes

into account the natural environment (air, water, and land); human

health and safety; social aspects (involuntary resettlement,

indigenous peoples, and physical cultural resources); and

transboundary and global environmental aspects. It categorizes

proposed projects into categories A, B, C or FI based on the extent of

adverse impacts anticipated from the project.

Triggered The proposed project falls in Category A, thus

an ESIA is required.

2 OP 4.04: Natural

Habitats

Do not finance projects that degrade or convert critical habitats.

Support projects that affect non- critical habitats only if no

alternatives are available and if acceptable mitigation measures are

in place.

The policy strictly limits the circumstances under which any Bank-

supported project can damage natural habitats (land and water areas

where most of the native plant and animal species are still present).

Not triggered Project locations and design will not affect any

critical habitats.

3 OP 4.09 Pest

Management

Support integrated approaches to pest management, Identify

pesticides that may be financed under the project and develop

appropriate pest management plan to address this.

Triggered GCAP prepared a Pest Management Plan

(PMP) in 2011 to guide its programs, including

this project.

4 OP 4.36: Forest

Aim is to reduce deforestation, enhance the environmental

contribution of forested areas, promote afforestation, reduce

poverty, and encourage economic development.

Support sustainable and conservation oriented forestry. Do not

finance projects that involve significant conversion or degradation of

critical forest areas.

Not triggered Project location and design will not affect any

forest reserves.

5 OP 4.11: Physical

Cultural Resources

Investigate and inventorise cultural resources potentially affected.

Include mitigation measures when there are adverse impacts on

physical cultural resources or avoid if possible

Not triggered The project will not affect any culturally

sensitive sites.



No. World Bank Safeguard

Policy

Summary of core requirements Potential for Trigger

under proposed

project

Remarks or recommendation for proposed

project

6 OP 4.12: Involuntary

Resettlement

Assist displaced persons in their effort to improve or at least restore

their standards of living. Avoid resettlement where feasible or

minimise. Displaced persons should share in project profits.

The policy aims to avoid involuntary resettlement to the extent

feasible, or to minimize and mitigate its adverse social and economic

impacts.

The policy prescribes compensation and other resettlement

measures to achieve its objectives and requires that borrowers

prepare adequate resettlement planning instruments prior to Bank

appraisal of proposed projects.

Not triggered The proposed project will not result in the

resettlement of any community. The Nakpoe,

Akpagokope, Gblornu, Kasa and Ziakpoe

communities located within the scheme have

been maintained and incorporated into the

scheme.

7 OP 4.10: Indigenous

Peoples

Screen to determine presence of indigenous peoples in project area.

Policy triggered whether potential impacts are positive or negative.

Design mitigation measures and benefits that reflect indigenous

peoples’ cultural preferences.

Not triggered No indigenous groups have been identified

8 OP 4.37: Safety of Dams

Requires that experienced and competent professionals design and

supervise construction, and that the borrower adopts and

implements dam safety measures through the project cycle.

The policy distinguishes between small and large dams by defining

small dams as those normally less than 15 meters in height. Large

dams are 15 meters or more in height.

Not triggered The proposed project does not involve the

construction of dams.

The VRA which manages the dam from which

the scheme derives water has robust dam

safety measures in place including regular

inspection of the dam by a team of

independent international consultants. A dam

safety report has recently been prepared by

the VRA.

9 OP 7.50: Projects on

International

Waterways

Ascertain whether riparian agreements are in place, and ensure that

riparian states are informed of and do not object to project

interventions.

Not triggered The proposed project falls within the lower

Volta Basin, which is in Ghana and falls under

the sole jurisdiction of the Ghana Government.

10 OP 7.60: Projects in

Disputed Areas

Ensure that claimants to disputed areas have no objection to

proposed project.

Not triggered The project area is not under any litigation and

is not a known disputed area.



3.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT

3.1 Project Location

The Project area is situated in the North Tongu District of the Volta Region, downstream of the Kpong

Hydroelectric Reservoir, starting from the gravelled Juapong road to the Torgorme feeder road, and

stretching 8 km along two tributaries of the Volta River, the Gblor and Nyifla Rivers. Geographically, the

area is located between latitudes 6° 05.5′ North and 6° 09′ North, and longitudes 0° 07′ East and 0°13′

East. On average, it is situated at an elevation of 15 masl. It is located in the main Volta basin. The map of

the KLBIP and the boundary of the government acquired land is shown in Figure 3-1.

3.2 Project Background

The Kpong Hydroelectric Power Generating Dam (KHPGD) was built on Volta River between 1977 and

1982. It is located about 24 km downstream of Akosombo Dam and located approximately 80 km from

Accra. At the time of construction of the Akosombo Dam, the Government of Ghana contemplated

utilizing the irrigation potential created in the areas situated on both sides of River Volta just downstream

of the Akosombo Dam.

In 1961 irrigation potential surveys of the alluvial plains of the lower Volta River were carried out by the

FAO with funding from the UNDP which led to the identification of several irrigation schemes, one of

which was the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Scheme.

Following the construction of the Kpong Hydroelectric Power Generating Dam (KHPGD) in 1982, the

Government of Ghana reassessed the irrigation potential of the project area through various pre-

feasibility and feasibility studies.

Initially, Acres International, a Canadian consulting firm, carried out pre-feasibility studies on the project

in 1986. Further studies were conducted by Sir Mott MacDonalds of the UK in 1989 and finally a full

feasibility study was carried out by SNC-Lavalin in 2010 to establish a potential gravity fed irrigation area

of 2000 ha. The outcome of this detailed study gave birth to the KLBIP. Out of the potential 2000 ha gravity

fed irrigable area, only 500 ha is currently developed.

Construction works on the gravity and piped scheme were started in January 2011 under the Millennium

Challenge Account (MCA) Ghana Programme administered through the Millennium Development

Authority (MIDA). The timeframe allocated for works on the gravity scheme proved inadequate, as result

of which it could not be completed under the MCA programme.

The existing gravity irrigation scheme on the Kpong left bank covers a command area of approximately

500 hectares. In addition to this, there is a pumping station and water pipeline running parallel to the

main canal. This pipeline supplies bulk water from the canal intake to Vegpro Ghana Ltd., a commercial

farmer who plans to operate 12 center-pivot irrigation systems on 1,070 hectares of land lying outside

the gravity commanded area.



Figure 3-1: Map showing the proposed layout Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project Area and proposed irrigation blocks



3.3 Existing State of the KLBIP

The KLBIP has two components: (i) the Main Works of the Kpong Left Bank (Togorme) Irrigation Project

(KLBIP) and the Additional Works of the Kpong Piped Irrigation Water Supply (KPIWS) which mainly

services the centre pivot irrigation system established by Vegpro Ghana Limited, an anchor farmer that

produces baby corn for export.

3.3.1 MIDA Funded Gravity Irrigation System – Torgome Irrigation Scheme

This is about 500 ha out of a potential 2000 ha of the main KLBIP that was funded under the MCA by

MIDA. It is a gravity fed irrigation system and consists of a Supply Canal (SC) of approximately 3.5 km

originating from the intake and lined with geo-cells filled with concrete. The Supply Canal crosses the

Juapong-Togorme road and goes up till the Bifurcator, where it branches into two Main Canals namely

Main Canal-1 (3.368 km) and Main Canal-2 (4.431 km) lined with geo-cells and filled with concrete. The

total length of secondary canals and tertiary canals is 9.725 and 14.426 km respectively. Table 3-1 shows

the existing irrigation and drainage infrastructure for the KLBIP- Torgome Irrigation Scheme.

Other irrigation structures provided include Cross regulators, Head regulators, Drop structures, Drainage

Culverts, Turnouts, Tail Escape, and Siphons etc. The two Main Canals are fully lined up to their ends. The

secondary, tertiary and quaternary canals are, however, unlined earthen canals. These earthen channels

have gradually silted up and there is heavy growth of vegetation due to lack of maintenance. Secondary

canals originating from Main Canal 2 have silted up due to bank and side erosion. Check structures located

on these secondary canals have been bypassed through gradual scouring and erosion of side slopes. These

structures need to be rehabilitated and proper side slope protection must be provided. Measures to

prevent canal bank erosion are also required to be provided.

The Command Area of the scheme is not developed at all and is not being used for farming. In a few

places, small patches of land are being cultivated with vegetables (such as Brinjal and Okra) and other

crops (such as pepper) using drip irrigation systems. These systems are withdrawing water by temporarily

pumping from the Main Canals. There is a need for detailed planning and development of on-farm

development works to utilise the irrigation infrastructure in place.

The drainage system consists of a main cut off drain (7.406 km), Culvert outfall drains (2.565 km),

secondary drains (15.46 km) and tertiary drains (11.808 km). Besides these, tertiary canal outfall drains

and Gblor and Nyifla Drain (Excavated) have also been provided. Field drainage channels, where visible,

have silted up, vegetated and are in poor condition.

Table 3-1: Existing Irrigation and Drainage Infrastructure at KLBIP-Torgome Irrigation System

Item Description of Structure Units Quantity

1 Supply Canal –lined with geo-cell M 3,535

2 Main canal 1–lined with geo-cell M 3,368

3 Main canal 2–lined with geo-cell M 4,431

4 Secondary canals M 9,725

5 Tertiary canals M 14,426

6 Cross regulator No 1



Item Description of Structure Units Quantity

7 Drop structures No 85

8 Drainage Culvert No 7

9 Turnouts No 174

10 Tail Escape No 23

11 Siphon No 2

12 Division Box No 41

13 Bifurcator No 1

14 Head Gate No 16

15 Check gate No 12

16 Cross Regulator No 1

17 Nyifla Crossings No 2

18 Irish Crossings No 1

19 Nyifla/Alabonu Crossing No

20 Rubble Road No 1

21 Drains (Total) M 47,038

21.1 Cut-off drain M 7,406

21.2 Culvert outfall drains M 2,565

21.3 Secondary drains M 15,460

21.4 Tertiary drains M 11,808

21.5 Tertiary canal outfall drains M 587

21.6 Gblor Drain M 375

21.7 Nyifla Drain (Excavated) M 7,837

3.3.2 The Kpong Piped Irrigation Water Supply (KPIWS)

The KPIWS is a center pivot sprinkler irrigation scheme which is being implemented by Vegpro (Ghana) in

phases. It has installed 5 Center Pivot irrigators on an area of 400 ha of land adjacent to the project

area to cultivate baby corn. Each centre pivot services an area of 64 ha. A 58 m long Supply Canal has been

provided with concrete filled geo-cell membrane lining. A functioning intake–cum–pumping station is

located on the Supply Canal just after the escape. Water is presently being pumped to the Vegpro farms

from this pumping station. There are four pumps (2 working + 2 standby) fitted with electronic controls.

Vegpro farms are currently being supplied with piped water from the pumping station near the main

Intake. No water is presently being pumped from the Main Canal 1 (MC1) by Vegpro. The existing

infrastructure for the KPIWS is shown in Table 3-2.



Table 3-2: Existing Infrastructure at KPIWS

Item Description of Structure Quantity

1 Irrigation Intake Gate 1 no

2 Supply Canal with concrete filled geo-cell membrane lining 58 m

3 Pump Sump on the RHS of the Supply Canal with gate 1 no

4 Pumps Submersible Pumps (106 kW, 225 m3/hr at 107.5 m) 4 no

5 Control panels for the submersible pumps 4 no

Power supply

6 11kV transmission line 340 m

7 365/405 kW Generator Set 1 no

8 11/0.415 kV 600 kVA Transformer 1 no

Pipeline

9 Pipeline Class PN16 (HDPE) 400 mm diam 1.8 km

10 Pipeline Class PN10 (HDPE) 400 mm diam 4.3 km

Accessories

11 400 mm Ø Steel Manifold 1 no

12 200 mm Ø Butterfly Valves 4 no

13 400 mm Ø Butterfly Valves 1 no

14 200 mm Ø Non-return Valves 4 no

15 Air Valves 5 no

16 150 mm Ø Pressure Relief Valves 2 no

17 Wash out Valve Chambers with 400 mm Ø gate valve 2 no

18 Wash out Valve Chambers with 250 mm Ø gate valve 2 no

19 Guard House/ Pump control room 1 no

20 Generator Shed 1 no

3.4 The New Scheme Facilities and Activities under the GCAP Intervention

The current GCAP/GIDA works on the scheme aim to rehabilitate, modernize and expand the project by

additional 1500 ha, thereby bringing the total irrigable area to the scheme’s potential 2000 ha. The main

components of the project are:

Rehabilitation and improvement of existing canal networks;

Construction of new canal networks in extension area;

Procurement and installation of instrumentation for automated canal operation and control;

Procurement and installation of instrumentation for automated water measurement and billing;

Construction of a new drainage system for the project area including flood protection works;

On-farm development works including clearing, land levelling and grading of fields;

Improvement of access roads within the project area;



Construction of ancillary infrastructure such as drying floors, warehouses and packing sheds.

The map existing layout as well as the and proposed project layout, showing the arrangement and relative

location of all project physical component are presented as Annex 3.

3.4.1 Project Design

The proposed scheme design is based on a demand-based distribution concept, as opposed to the existing

supply-based concept, since sufficient water is available throughout the year for the entire 2000ha

command area.

The irrigation system is designed for a canal duty of 1.86 l/s/ha, and consists of the Supply and Main canals

(lined), secondary and tertiary canals (lined) and quaternary canals (unlined). The Supply and Main Canals

shall directly feed secondary, tertiary and quaternary canals depending upon local topography, as

indicated in the project layout. Secondary canals will feed both tertiary and quaternary canals, while

tertiary canals will feed only quaternary canals.

The entire command area has been partitioned into blocks of sizes between 15 and 28 hectares. Each

block shall be further divided into sub-blocks, i.e. individual fields. Each unlined quaternary canal shall

serve a single block, and distribute water to fields in sub-blocks on a rotational basis. The remaining

system shall be operated on a demand basis, wherein demands for every block shall be ascertained ten

days in advance and compiled for each head regulator.

Under the proposed design, the Supply and Main Canals shall be operated using automatic supervisory

control. Releases into these canals and canals off-taking from these canals will be regulated from a Master

Control Center (MCC) using automated gate technology. The rest of the water distribution system shall

be manually operated. Supplies into tertiary and quaternary canals will be regulated using proportional

flow distributors and open flume modules, respectively. These structures will have stop-log gate grooves

for regulating supplies.

3.4.2 Modernization of Irrigation Scheme

A demand-based operation is proposed for a more efficient operation of the irrigation scheme. A demand-

based system allows water to be made available at the right place, in the right quantity and at the right

time.

Considering the relatively small dimensions of the KLBIP canal system, availability of sufficient water

supply and other such factors, Constant Volume Control is proposed for canal operation in the KLBIP. This

method of operation shifts the control from a supply-based system to a demand-based system. It is a

better method of operation and does not require sophisticated control algorithms and expensive

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, rather a control system with good

communication facilities.

Constant volume control is based on maintaining a relatively constant volume of water in each canal pool

at all times. This causes the water surface to pivot about a point near to the center of the pool as the

discharge changes from one steady-state to another. Sometimes this method is called “simultaneous

operation” because the simultaneous gate operating technique must be used to keep the pool volume

constant.

The requirement of simultaneous adjustment of all control structures makes local manual control

practically infeasible. Therefore, supervisory control is the primary control method used for constant



volume operation. Using supervisory control, all control structures can be adjusted simultaneously from

the control center, either via manual commands to the computer or automatically.

In order to accommodate the zero-flow water surface, additional canal bank and lining height is required

at the downstream half of each pool, as compared to a normal conventional canal bank. However, the

increase required is only about half as that required in level bank operation (upstream level control).

The main advantage of the constant volume method of operation is that it provides the ability to quickly

change the flow conditions in the entire canal system, and provides canal operators with a lower response

time to changes in downstream demand.

Since the water distribution to various blocks will be on a rotational basis, all head regulators will not be

operating at any given time. This will help to use water stored in the canal pools for delivery under

demand. The volume of water stored in each reach will be sufficient for mitigating immediate demands.

The SCADA software and control algorithms required for Constant Volume operation will be relatively

easy, and will not complicate the overall dynamics of the canal system. This will also reduce the fine-

tuning time considerably during the installation and commissioning phase.

If required in the future, the system will also be upgradable to Controlled Volume Control (Dynamic

Regulation) by commissioning special studies and effecting changes in SCADA software. The basic

instrumentation and communication systems shall, however, remain the same.

3.4.3 Instrumentation for Modernization of Irrigation Scheme

The following instrumentation setup is proposed for modernization of the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation

Scheme:

Establishment of a Master Control Center with Industrial-Grade Programmable Controller, GSM/GPRS

Modem, Server, LCD display and other paraphernalia for implementation of SCADA-based canal

control.

Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) operated solar-powered gate control and measurement devices at cross-

regulators and head-regulators on the main canals and head-regulators on secondary canals, to

enable real-time automated flow control. This is necessary for proper water management, which

entails supplying water at the proper time, at the required rate and in the appropriate quantity.

Remote Terminal Unit (RTU) operated solar-powered ultrasonic level sensors at all automated control

structures and non-automated quaternary canal offtakes (WUA outlets) for measurement of

instantaneous discharge rates. Measurement of instantaneous discharge and cumulative discharge is

essential for controlling the discharge through the structure and for monitoring the water consumed

by each WUA. The latter function will help in water auditing and optimizing canal operation. It will

also enable in assessing the condition of the canal system for maintenance purposes.

Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler devices at the head of the Supply Canal (i.e. irrigation outlet) and

pumping stations on canals for measurement of instantaneous discharge rates.

3.4.4 Rehabilitation and Improvement of Existing Scheme

Considering the constraints imposed by the supply and main canals in the existing scheme, the height of

existing canal lining be raised significantly to pool water and achieve the required full supply levels in the

Supply Canal, Main Canals and SC-S01.



Crest levels of existing cross-regulators, head-regulators will not change. However, wing walls of these

structures and their gate mechanisms will be raised to accommodate the raising of canal lining and canal

banks corresponding to the recommended level of pooling.

Raising of canal banks and lining is proposed for the Supply Canal, Main Canal 1, Main Canal 2 and

Secondary Canal SC-S01.

The re-design of the canals will enable inclusion of areas under M/s. AquaPrima in the scheme’s gravity

command, as most of these areas are high in elevation compared to full supply levels of existing canals.

Canal pooling, as recommended, will also be compatible with the Constant Volume method of canal

operation and will allow the existing Supply Canal, Main Canals and SC-S01 to be controlled using the

proposed SCADA system.

Existing lined canals are proposed to be rehabilitated by installation of pressure reducing valves along the

canal sides and canal bed. Pressure reducing valves are one-way valves which prevent the build-up of

pore pressure behind the canal lining and thereby obviate cracking and bulging of the lining. Existing

cracks in lining are repairable and do not impair channel functionality. These cracks will be filled with

suitable sealing compounds.

Secondary canals in the existing scheme are proposed to be re-designed as lined channels to improve

irrigation efficiency and to reduce the cost of maintenance. Existing structures along secondary canals,

such as division boxes and drops, will be removed and replaced with new structures wherever required.

To make the micro-irrigation system of the existing scheme consistent with the design concept, existing

tertiary canals and their associated structures will be removed. The new design proposes re-partitioning

of the command area and provision of quaternary canals off-taking from main and secondary canals to

serve newly constituted blocks. Automated head gates are proposed at locations where quaternaries off-

take from the Supply/Main Canals/SC-S01, and open flume modules (with flow measuring devices) are

proposed at other quaternary off-take points.

To command land under AquaPrima, it is proposed to construct tertiary and quaternary canals off-taking

from the Supply Canal and Main Canal 2. Due to pooling of water, no changes in cross-section will be

required to accommodate these proposed canals.

3.4.5 Extension of Irrigation Scheme

The shape of the project command area is elongated and broadly inverted cup-shaped. To command such

type of area, extensions to existing main canals have been aligned to follow contours along both

extremities of the project area. This ensures full coverage and maximization of gross command area. Care

has been taken to exclude existing village communities from the scheme command and maintain a

minimum buffer distance of 25m between all canals and village habitations.

Main Canal (MC) 1 -Ext: The new design proposes to extend MC1 by 11.04 km to serve an additional Gross

Command Area (GCA) of 727ha. Twenty direct quaternary outlets and two secondary canals are proposed

along this extended length of Main Canal 1.

Main Canal (MC) 2-Ext: MC2 is proposed to be extended by 5.26 km to serve an additional GCA of 569ha.

Twelve direct quaternary outlets, one tertiary canal and two secondary canals are proposed along this

extended length of MC2.



Main Canal 2 extension has been aligned to pass around and between the center-pivot sprinkler irrigation

systems installed by Anyako Farms. Two (2) pump sumps will be provided on either side of Main Canal 2

(MC2-EXT) for Anyako’s center-pivot sprinkler irrigation systems.

Extensions of the main canals have been designed on the concept of constant volume operation and

control. As explained earlier, in this concept the volume of each canal pool is maintained constant by

simultaneous operation of cross regulators. Accordingly, the lower half of each main canal reach has been

provided with a level (horizontal) bank. Pressure reducing valves will be provided in the lining of main and

secondary canals in the extension area to release excess pore water pressure.

Table 3-3 summarizes the entire network (existing & extension) up to the tertiary level with Gross

Command Area (GCA), Cultivable Command Area (CCA) and Design Discharge (Q) data for each canal.

Table 3-3: Summary of KLBIP Canal System Design

No. Name of Canal O/T Ch.(m)

Parent Canal

GCA (ha) CCA (ha) Q (m3/s)

No. of Blocks

Supply Canal (SC)

1. SC-S01/S01A 691 SC 91.761 84.879 0.1578 4

2. SC-TC1 1040 SC 115.205 106.565 0.1981 7 New

3. SC-QC1 2389 SC 22.239 20.571 0.0383 1 New

Total (SC) 229.205 212.015 0.3942 12

Main Canal-1 (MC1)

A Main Canal-1-Existing (MC1-EXIST)

1 MC1-EXIST-S01 923 MC1-EXIST 10.429 9.647 0.0179 1




Sub-Total (A) 118.383 109.504 0.2037 6

B Main Canal-1-Extension (MC1-EXT)

1 MC1-EXT MC1-EXT 356.377 329.651 0.6132 20 New

2 MC1-SC1 3895 MC1-EXT 204.855 189.491 0.3524 11 New

(i) MC1-SC1-TC1 3110 MC1-SC1 60.135 55.624 0.1103 3 New

Sub-Total (SC1) 264.990 245.115 0.4627 14

3 MC1-SC2 6116 MC1-EXT 49.636 45.913 0.0854 3 New

(i) MC1-SC2-TC1 116 MC1-SC2 55.955 51.759 0.0962 3 New

Sub-Total (SC2) 105.591 97.672 0.1816 6

Sub-Total (B) 726.958 672.438 1.2575 40

Total (MC1-EXIST + MC1-EXT) 845.341 781.942 1.4612 46

MAIN CANAL-2

A Main Canal-2 Existing (MC2-EXIST)

1 B-TC1 Canal 3535 SC 36.830 34.067 0.0633 2 New

2 B-TC2 Canal 3535 SC 35.998 33.299 0.0619 2 New

3 MC2-EXIST-TC1 1039 MC2-EXIST 96.345 89.120 0.1657 5 New



3.4.6 Operation of the Irrigation Scheme

At the beginning of each cropping season, water requirement schedule will be passed on to the scheme

operator by each Water User Association (WUA). This schedule will provide information on the tentative

dates on which water is required and the discharge rates required by each WUA.

The water requirement schedule will be programmed into the SCADA system for computation of the

water delivery schedule. The water delivery schedule will be computed according to programmed set of

instructions. The Master SCADA will calculate the discharge requirements at each of the head-regulators

and cross-regulators considering all downstream requirements. It will also consider the propagation

delays to avoid shortages and excesses. This will be one of the major tasks of the SCADA system.

Changes in water requirements will be communicated by the WUAs as per standardized reporting

procedures, at least 24 hours in advance. The water requirement schedule will be updated and the water

delivery will be re-scheduled on real-time basis. Water schedule as communicated by the WUAs and other

water users will be programed in such a format that it can be modified any time as per modified

requirements before the commencement of any rotational water delivery cycle. Only authorized

personnel will be allowed to modify this very vital data. In normal operation mode, the system operators

will just have to monitor the operation.

Pre-programmed data will be passed to the field stations as per the water delivery schedule, to commence

operation on real-time basis. These commands will transmitted to individual field stations using GPRS

technology. Acknowledgement from field stations will confirm message delivery.

At the field station level, the discharge data received from the MCC will be used in a local closed-loop

system to operate the local control to maintain and deliver the stipulated discharge. Once the field station

4 MC2-EXIST-QC 1321 MC2-EXIST 51.776 47.892 0.0890 2 New


6 MC2-EXIST-S01A 1986 MC2-EXIST 41.717 38.588 0.0718 2






Sub-Total (A) 552.023 510.748 0.9496 27

B Main Canal-2 Extension (MC2-EXT)

1 MC2-EXT - MC2-EXT 289.825 274.810 0.5524 12 New

2 MC2-EXT-TC1 810 MC2-EXT 32.617 30.170 0.0625 2 New

3 MC2-EXT-SC1 2127 MC2-EXT 128.855 119.191 0.2216 6 New

4 MC2-EXT-SC2 2758 MC2-EXT 117.445 108.637 0.2021 6 New

Sub-Total (B) 568.742 532.808 1.0386 26

Total (MC2-EXIST + MC2-EXT) 1120.765 1043.556 1.9882 53

Total (KLBIP) 2195.311 2037.513 3.8436 111



receives the discharge value, its RTU will calculate the required gate opening considering the upstream

water level, downstream water level and using the pre-calibrated coefficient of discharge. It will then

issue commands to operate the gate to achieve that level. At the steady state condition, the RTU will

compute the discharge every minute considering real-time values. The cumulative discharge will be

updated every minute. Any disturbance in the steady state condition, will change the actual discharge. If

this discharge differs from the stipulated discharge by more than the predefined hysteresis, the RTU will

issue instructions to operate the gate to re-establish and maintain the proper discharge. The proper

hysteresis will be provided in order to avoid shunting of the gate. The above operation will be carried out

by motorized gates at selected head and cross-regulators.

3.4.7 Drainage Infrastructure

Field, tertiary, secondary and primary drains in the existing scheme have silted up and overgrown with

weeds due to lack of maintenance. As a result, most of these drains have lost their cross-sectional shape

and drainage function. Almost all pipe drain culverts have silted up over time as a result of which their

passageway is constricted. The main drains, Nyifla and Gblor, are heavily vegetated in several sections. At

some sections, the water course is undefined.

Functioning components of the drainage system include syphon crossings over the Supply Canal (for

Gblor) and over Main Canal-1 (for Nyifla), and box culverts under the Supply and Main Canals.

The drainage system will be re-designed. The works to be carried out include excavation of field drains,

collector drains and main drains. Outlet pipes will also be installed across the Nyifla dykes. Flood

protection works, involving filling and compaction of dykes on both banks of Nyifla will be carried out.

3.4.8 Land Development Works

The land development works under the project will involve clearing of vegetation, removal of stumps and

land levelling and grading for the about 1,500 ha new additional area. The existing 500 ha will receive

improvement through levelling and grading.

3.4.9 Road Infrastructure

The existing approach road to the project area runs from the Vegpro junction on the Juapong-Togorme

Feeder Road to the Bifurcator at the tail end of the Supply Canal. This road has a very poor shape and

section. Its surface becomes worse during the rainy season making it impassable for two-wheel drive

vehicles. The condition of this road is a major issue for project stakeholders. Since this is the only road

leading into the irrigation scheme, it will be upgraded to a dual-lane all-weather road.

Communities in the project area utilize various pathways for accessing their villages. These include

pathways around Sokope and Nakpoe villages, and a pathway running along Gblornu, Ziakpoe, Kasa, to

Alabonu and beyond up to Freshfields Farms. These pathways are essential for connectivity to the villages.

These will also be upgraded to dual-lane all-weather roads.

In addition to the above, the supply, main, secondary and tertiary canals will have inspection roads

running continuously on their inspection banks. These roads will be open for public use and will provide

connectivity to various irrigation blocks in the scheme.

To enable farmers to access their farms, simple farm roads will be provided within each irrigation block.

Table 3-4 summarizes the types of roads included in the scheme design.



Table 3-4: Road Network Details

S.No. Type of Road Location Length (m) Width (m)

1. Approach Road From Juapong-Togorme Feeder to Bifurcator 2600 7.5

2. Village Roads

(a) From Togorme village to existing Main Canal-2 2600 7.5

(b) From MC2-TC5 tail end passing around Sokope, Nyifla Lake and through Nakpoe up to VRB on MC2-TC9

5000 7.5

(c) From VRB on MC2-TC9 running along Gblornu, Ziakpoe, Kasa up to end of command area near Fresh Fields Farms

7800 7.5

3. Canal Inspection Roads

Along Supply Canal 3535 4.0

Along Main Canals 24109 4.0

Along Secondary and Tertiary Canals 18489 4.0

4. Farm Roads Within irrigation blocks; running along lateral alignments 120592 3.5

Total Length of Roads in the Irrigation Scheme (m) 184,725m -

Total Length of Roads in the Irrigation Scheme (km) 185 km -

3.4.10 Ancillary Infrastructure and Miscellaneous Works

The ancillary infrastructure to be provided will include drying floors, warehouses, sheds, etc. The

miscellaneous works will include construction of well-furnished offices for consultant(s) and contractor(s),

rehabilitation of a materials testing laboratory and provision of electricity, water and sanitation facilities

on site.

3.4.11 Estimates of Construction Material and Sourcing

There are existing borrow pits and gravel pits located close to the project area from which material may

be sourced for construction works. These pits were created during the construction of the existing canals.

New borrow areas have also been identified for borrowing of material. In addition, stone quarries from

which additional materials may be sourced, particularly stones and boulders, have been identified. The

details of these existing/ proposed borrow areas and stone quarries are provided in Table 3-5 and Table

3-6 respectively. Their locations are illustrated in Figure 3-2.

The estimated quantities of material to be generated from construction works, materials required for

filling and road works, and where they will be sourced from are provided in Table 3-7.

It must be noted that the identified quarry areas are operated by commercial quarries who are required

to have environmental permits from the Ghana EPA, as well as a quarry license and quarry operating

permit from the Minerals Commission to operate. The proponent shall not be directly involved in the

operation of the stone quarry but will purchase from the commercial operators.



Figure 3-2: Location of potential sources of materials



Table 3-5: Existing and Proposed Borrow Areas (for borrowing materials for KLBIP earthworks)

S. No.

Latitude (decimal degrees)

Longitude (decimal degrees)

Description Estimated Area (ha)

Estimated Depth (m)

Expected Quantity (m3)

1 6.12079 0.178043 Proposed Borrow Pit location; along alignment of Main Canal 1; nearest village is Fulakope

Greater than 6ha

1.5 to 2m 120,000

2 6.130752 0.17141 Proposed Borrow Pit location; along alignment of Main Canal 1; nearest village is Sokope

Greater than 36ha

1.5 to 2m 720,000

3 6.146288 0.14909 Proposed Borrow Pit location; along alignment of existing Main Canal 2; high elevation land within project area

Approximately 15ha

1.5 to 2m 300,000

4 6.169969 0.163281 Existing Gravel Pit location; material can be borrowed; nearest village is Gbetekpo

Approximately 2ha

0.5m 10,000

5 6.174279 0.128619 Existing Gravel Pit location; material can be borrowed; nearest village is Fodzoku

Approximately 8ha

0.5m 40,000

Table 3-6: Stone quarries (for importing stones and boulders)

S. No.



Description Expected Quantity (m3)

1 6.048492 0.051283 Near Akuse-Somanya and Tema-Akosombo road junction

Quarries' cumulative output expected to be much higher than project requirements

2 6.000265 0.074685 Along Tema-Akosombo highway

3 5.870748 0.042899 Along Tema-Akosombo highway; At Shai Hills

4 5.856745 0.035743 Along Tema-Akosombo highway; At Shai Hills

Table 3-7: Construction Material Estimates

S. No.

Item description Units Scheme rehabilitation

Scheme extension

Ancillary structures

Totals Comments/ remarks

1 Quantity of topsoil expected to be generated by stripping (along canals, drains, structures, etc.)

m3 42,316 158,839 3,434 204,589 Stripped topsoil will be stockpiled and may be reused for backfilling of borrow pits.

2 Quantity of material required for filling (for construction of canals, structures, drains, etc.)

m3 380,661 856,196 20,264 1,257,121 Will be partly sourced from excavated material and balance quantity will be sourced from the nearest borrow pits.

3 Quantity of material expected from excavations (of canals, structures, drains, etc.)

m3 282,667 33,894 3,749 320,310 Most of this material (assume 90%) will be reused for filling. Unsuitable material (assume 10%) can



S. No.

Item description Units Scheme rehabilitation

Scheme extension

Ancillary structures

Totals Comments/ remarks

be reused for backfilling of borrow pits.

4 Quantity of material expected from dredging (of Nyifla Lake and Drain)

25,968 - - 25,968 Dredged material (unsuitable for use as fill) may also be reused for backfilling of borrow pits.

5. Quantity of road base material (aggregate) required for construction of roads

28,522 42,430 - 70,952 Will be sourced from the nearest gravel pits or alternatively from the nearest stone quarries.

A Estimated quantity of material required to be sourced (imported) from borrow pits

m3 126,261 825,691 16,890 968,842 -

B Estimated quantity of material to be excavated that may be reused for backfilling borrow pits

m3 96,551 162,228 3,809 262,588 -

C Estimated quantity of material required to be sourced (imported) from gravel pits or stone quarries

m3 28,522 42,430 - 70,952 -

3.4.12 Management of Excess Construction Material and Unused Excavated Soils

Excess material from construction works and excavated material which will be unsuitable for reuse may

be used for backfilling of existing borrow pits which were created during the construction of the existing

canals. These borrow pits are currently filled with water and weeds, and will be enough for all excess and

unused material. Details are provided in Table 3-8.

Table 3-8: Used and open borrow pits (for backfilling with excess/unsuitable material for KLBIP works)

S. No.




Estimated Depth (m)


1 6.140011 0.156875 Earlier (used) borrow pit; presently filled with water and weeds; may be backfilled with excess material during construction phase

Approximately 6ha

3 to 4m 240,000

2 6.156701 0.149658 Earlier (used) borrow pit; presently filled with water and weeds; may be

Approximately 15ha

2 to 3m 450,000



S. No.




Estimated Depth (m)


backfilled with excess material during construction phase

3.4.13 Construction Camp and Yard

The contractor for the construction works will be required to provide layout and locations for construction

camps and yards. The former office site close to Azagonokope used for the construction of the existing

irrigation facilities is identified as a possible suitable location for the camp. Yards could also be set up by

the borrow areas (refer to table 3-5, 3-6 and 3-8 for locations of borrow areas). The contractor may

however be required to identify additional locations of camps and yards with approval from the

Engineering Consultant.

The camp will include workers accommodation, portable water facilities, kitchen, clinic and sanitation

facilities. The yard will include fuel storage area, cement warehouse, concrete batching plant, parking

area for machinery, general workshop, maintenance workshop, areas for storing chippings and sanitation

facilities.

The contractor will be required to comply with the requirements for operating construction camps such

as those of the Ghana Factories Inspectorate Division and international standards such as the IFC and

European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) Processes and Standards for Workers’

Accommodation, and the International Labour Organisation’s Workers Accommodation

recommendations. These standards provide guidelines on the following:

General living facilities,

National/local standards,

Room/dormitory facilities,

Sanitary and toilet facilities,

Canteen, cooking and laundry facilities,

Standards for nutrition and food safety,

Medical facilities, and

Leisure, social and telecommunication facilities.

The contractor will also be required to provide adequate measures at the yards to ensure health and

safety, and prevent environmental contamination/pollution.

To ensure compliance with the above, all bidders will be required to submit a code of conduct for workers

and management strategy for environmental, health and safety compliance.

3.4.14 Incorporation of Project Affected Communities

The proposed project has provided a buffer area around the communities located within the irrigation

scheme. The project irrigation block boundary has been set at a distance of 25 meters from the

community boundary as agreed at the monthly technical meetings with the representatives of the project

affected communities as shown in Figures 3-3 for Nakpoe community. The sacred grove, woodlot and

cemetery for the Nakpoe community which are located outside the buffer area have also been conserved.



The new building for the Gblornu D/A primary school was originally located in sub-blocks 9, 10 and 11 of

Irrigation block MC2-L7. The three blocks have been redesigned out of the scheme (See Figure 3-4) by

WAPCOS to protect the students from the potential impacts of the agricultural development. The drain

between the school and community is about 0.5 meter deep and shall be covered to prevent falls and

accidents.



Figure 3-3: Location of Nakpoe community showing the buffer area around the community and nearby irrigation blocks



Figure 3-4: Location of the new Gblornu D/A primary School building and nearest irrigation blocks



3.4.15 Water Requirements

The estimated peak water demand for the proposed irrigation scheme commanding an area of 2,000 ha

is presented in Table 3-9. The water balance is based on the irrigation system layout and peak water

requirements communicated by existing commercial farmers.

Table 3-9: Water Balance of KLBIP

Ref. Canal Commands GCA (ha)

CCA (ha)

Discharge (m3/s)

a. Supply Canal (incl. SC-S01, excl. MC1 & MC2) 229.205 212.015 0.394

b. Main Canal 1 (Existing)

b.1 Vegpro – Center Pivot Overhead Sprinklers 1070.00 1070.00 0.710

b.2 MC1 – Gravity Command 118.383 109.504 0.204

c. Main Canal 1 (Extension) 726.958 672.438 1.258

d. Main Canal 2 (Existing) 552.023 510.748 0.950

e. Main Canal 2 (Extension)

e.1 Anyako Farms – Center-Pivot Overhead Sprinklers 113.00 113.00 0.055

e.2 Anyako Farms – Gravity command 387.00 357.98 0.666

e.3 MC2 (Extension) – Other gravity command 68.742 61.828 0.115

f. Total Discharge Requirements at System Head 4.352

g. Water availability from Kpong Reservoir 5.0

h. Balance water available at present 0.648

3.4.16 Land Development and Crop Cultivation

3.4.16.1 Types of Crops and Cropping Pattern

The proposed cropping pattern and land use are based on the climatic, agronomic, economic, availability

of irrigation water, soil and crop suitability evaluation and present farming practices in the project area.

The selected cropping pattern and land use plan are also geared towards helping to solve peculiar national

problems in the agricultural sector. Based on these factors a total of nine crops have been selected for

the project. The selected crops are categorized under three groups:

Cereals - Maize and Rice;

Grain Legumes - Soya bean and Cowpea; and

Vegetables - Pepper, Okra, Cabbage, Watermelon and Butternut squash.

Table 3-10 shows the selection of crops from the crop-soil suitability evaluation. The proposed cropping

pattern is shown in Table 3-11.



Table 3-10: Crop-Soil Suitability Evaluation Results

Soil Series Area (Ha) Crops Selected for Cropping

Akuse 69 Rice

Amo 796 Rice

Tefle 555 Rice

Hake 580 Maize, Soyabean, Cowpea, Okra, Pepper, Cabbage, Watermelon, Butternut Squash.

Total 2,000 1420 ha would be allocated to the cultivation of rice and 580 ha dedicated to other crops.

Table 3-11: Proposed Cropping Pattern

Season Land Area

(ha)

Planted

Area (ha)

Cropping

Intensity

Wet Season (Rice-Maize-Okra)

2000 2000 100%

Dry Season (Rice-Soya-Pepper)

2000 2000 100%

Totals 2000 4000 200%

3.4.16.2 Cropping Calendar and Land Use Plan

Based on the cropping pattern, the following crop calendar and land use plan are proposed in Tables 3-

12 and 3-13 respectively.

Based on the land use plan, a total of 2,840 ha of rice would be grown and this would be followed by the

allocation of 480 ha to maize, 520 ha to Soya Bean, 20 ha to Cowpea, 30 ha to Pepper, 30 ha to Okra, 20

ha to Cabbage, 20 ha to Watermelon and 40 ha to Butternut Squash.

A cumulative area of 4,000 ha would be cropped in the year, a very intensive use of the land, which will

result in the achievement of 200% cropping intensity over the proposed 2,000 ha project area.



Table 3-12: Proposed Crop Calendar

No. Crop

Land Preparation Planting Harvesting Crop Duration

Nursery (Yes/No)

Start Date

End Date Start Date

End Date Start Date

End Date Days (Months)

1 Paddy-I Yes 15 Mar 15 Apr 15 Apr 15 May 15 Aug 15 Sep 150 (5)

2 Paddy-II Yes 15 Sep 15 Oct 15 Oct 15 Nov 15 Feb 15 Mar 150 (5)

3 Maize-I No 01 Apr 30 Apr 01 May 30 May 01 Sep 30 Sep 120 (4)

4 Maize-II No 01 Oct 30 Oct 01 Nov 30 Nov 01 Mar 30 Mar 120 (4)

5 Soyabean-I No 15 Mar 15 Apr 15 Apr 15 May 15 Aug 15 Sep 120 (4)

6 Soyabean-II No 01 Oct 30 Oct 01 Nov 30 Nov 01 Mar 30 Mar 120 (4)

7 Pepper-I Yes 01 Mar 30 Mar 01 Apr 30 Apr 01 Jul 30 Jul 120 (4)

8 Okra-I No 15 Jan 30 Jan 01 Feb 15 Feb 15 May 30 Jun 120 (4)

9 Okra-II No 01 Aug 30 Aug 01 Sep 30 Sep 01 Dec 30 Dec 90 (3)

10 Pepper-II Yes 01 Aug 30 Aug 01 Sep 30 Sep 01 Dec 30 Dec 120 (4)

11 Cabbage-I Yes 01 Sep 30 Sep 01 Oct 30 Oct 01 Dec 30 Dec 90 (3)

12 Watermelon-I No 15 Sep 30 Sep 01 Oct 15 Oct 01 Jan 15 Jan 90 (3)

13 Cowpea-I No 15 Apr 30 Apr 01 May 15 May 01 Aug 15 Aug 90 (3)

14 Butternut Squash-I No 15 Oct 30 Oct 01 Nov 15 Nov 01 Feb 15 Feb 90 (3)



Table 3-13: Proposed land use plan

Cropping Pattern

Land Area (ha)

Planting Area (ha)

Rice Maize Soyabean Cowpea Pepper Okra Cabbage Watermelon Squash Total Cropping Intensity

Wet Season Rice-Maize-Okra

2000

1420 300 220 20 20 20 - - - 2000 100%

Dry Season Rice-Soya-Pepper

1420 180 300 - 10 10 20 20 40 2000 100%

Total 2,840 480 520 20 30 30 20 20 40 4000 200%



3.4.16.3 Land Development Types and Crop Rotation

The recommended cropping and land use patterns require two types of land development in the

project area. Areas to be used to grow rice will be developed into basins, whereas areas for row crops

will be developed for furrow irrigation. In the basins, only rice would be cropped from season to

season. However, a relay crop such as cowpea could be grown under zero tillage in the basins between

two cropping seasons of rice.

The other feature of importance is the recommended crop rotations. Crop rotation is undertaken to

minimize the spread of diseases and pests that result from continuous cultivation of the same crops

every season. It is also used to improve soil fertility. Under crop rotation, crops belonging to the same

taxonomic families do not replace each other. For example, maize and vegetables are interchanged

on fields with legumes since legumes are able to fix nitrogen from the air and thus improve the

nitrogen content of the soil when these crops are incorporated into the soil. Table 3-14 shows the

detailed crop rotation plan, for the first four years, based on the selected crops.

The crops in the proposed crop rotation system can be replaced by crops in their taxonomic group or

by other crops which are agronomically found suitable to be cultivated on the project. The proposed

crop rotation plan is not permanent for the furrow area and could be changed based on the demand

of the market for specific crops. However, it is important that the principle underlying crop rotation is

adhered to and maintained by the scheme farmers and scheme management at all times.

Table 3-14: Proposed Crop Rotation System

Year Field Type Block Crop Remarks

Wet Season Dry Season

1

Furrow

1 2 3 4 5 6

Maize Soyabean Cowpea Pepper Okra Soya bean

Soya bean Maize Pepper and Okra Water melon Cabbage Butternut Squash

40 ha from the Soyabean plot in the wet season will be allocated for cultivation of Butternut squash in the dry season.

Basin All Rice Rice

2

Furrow

1 2 3 4 5 6

Soya bean Maize Pepper Cowpea Okra + Soya Soya bean

Maize Soya bean Water melon Cabbage Butternut Squash Okra and Pepper

20 ha from the Okra field in the wet season and another 20 ha from the Soya field in the wet season will be allocated to Butternut squash in the dry season.

Basin All Rice Rice



Year Field Type Block Crop Remarks

Wet Season Dry Season

3 Furrow 1 2 3 4 5 6

Maize Soya bean Cowpea Pepper Okra + Soya Soya bean

Soya bean Maize Cabbage Water melon Butternut Squash Okra and Pepper

20 ha allocated to Okra in the wet season would be allocated to the Butternut squash in the dry season. 20 ha from the Soya field would also be allocated to the Butternut squash making a total of 40 ha.

Basin All Rice Rice

4 Furrow 1 2 3 4 5 6

Soya bean Maize Pepper Cowpea Okra + Soya Soya bean

Maize Soya bean Water melon Cabbage Butternut Squash Okra and Pepper

The 20 ha used to grow Okra in the wet season would be allocated to Butternut squash in the dry season. 20 ha from the Soya field in the wet season would also be allocated to the butternut squash in the dry season.

Basin All Rice Rice

3.5 Scheme Management and Beneficiaries

3.5.1 Scheme Management and Organizational Structure

The proposed scheme management system is based upon organisation of farmers into Water User

Associations (WUAs). A WUA will consist of 15 or more farmers drawn from one or more adjacent

blocks in the scheme, depending upon field sizes and land allocations. Each WUA will be responsible

for the operation and maintenance of irrigation and drainage infrastructure within its area in the

scheme. To discharge this function, the association will collect Irrigation Service Charges (ISC) from its

members.

WUAs will be further organised into larger bodies known as Federations. Federations will operate and

maintain all main and secondary canals and ensure upkeep of all major drains within the project area.

These functions will be financed by collecting appropriate fees from member WUAs.

Farming enterprises with substantial technical, managerial and financial expertise and capital will be

allotted larger plots in the scheme. It is expected that these enterprises will have sufficient capability

to rapidly develop and successfully manage their own farms using in-house assets, while providing

support to smaller farmers in the scheme in the form of agri-inputs, mechanization and other agri-

services under nucleus-outgrower, producer-offtaker and contract farming business models.

The activities of the WUAs, Federations and Anchor Farmers will be supervised and regulated by a

Scheme Management Entity, whose main function will be to ensure implementation of GIDA policies



on the scheme. The Scheme Management Entity will report to the Scheme’s Stakeholder Governing

Board (SGB), a platform comprising of representatives from MoFA, GIDA, District Assembly, Traditional

Authorities, Federation of WUAs and Anchor Farmers.

The SGB will provide scheme oversight and monitoring, and will be responsible for the formulation

and implementation of strategic plans and operational policies.

Land in the scheme will be allocated to prospective farmers by a separate body called the Land

Allocation Committee (LAC). The LAC will establish the criteria for allocation of land and selection of

farmers. The current LAC membership structure used on GIDA projects shall be maintained.

One of the project’s objectives is to link small-holder farmers to markets. This requires creating

suitable roles for established players in agricultural value chains. In the proposed scheme

management setup, these players have been incorporated as Product and Service Enterprises (PSEs).

PSEs are expected to fill gaps in provision of farm inputs, mechanization, training, advisory, production

and post-harvesting, marketing, and credit services. In addition, these enterprises could also provide

scheme operation and maintenance services to individual WUAs and Federations on a contractual

basis.

The proposed setup aims to direct the planning and organisation of agricultural production and

irrigation management on the scheme through the medium of WUAs. This is vital for sustaining the

proposed investment and achieving long-term project benefits. Actively functioning WUAs will

facilitate the organisation of farmers towards this end goal.

A diagrammatic representation of the proposed scheme management system for the KLBIP is shown

in Figure 3-5.



Figure 3-5: Organizational Chart of proposed Scheme Management System (Source: WAPCOS 2017)



3.5.2 Project Beneficiaries

The various categories of farmers who will benefit from the project are:

Farmers with small-holdings;

Medium-scale farmers; and

Large-scale commercial farmers with agro-processing capabilities.

Results from the earlier feasibility study undertaken by M/s. SNC Lavalin indicate that approximately

1,400 farm families from the catchment communities will participate in the project. It was estimated that

about 6 persons per hectare (i.e., 12,000 persons) will be needed to operate the scheme.

3.6 Project Implementation Schedule

The construction phase is expected to last for 18 months and will be followed by one-year long defect

liability period. The proposed organisation and management system will be implemented with the help

of project stakeholders, during the initial half (first 6 months) of the defect liability period.

Agricultural development of the project area is expected to commence in Year 3, immediately after

completion of construction works. It is expected that as plots within the scheme are allotted to interested

and capable farmers, the scheme command will be brought under cultivation progressively within a

period of about two years. The presently cultivated area of 500ha will gradually increase to 2000ha as

follows: 500ha in Year 3, 1000ha in Year 4, 1500ha in Year 5 and 2000ha in Year 6.

3.7 Alternative Considerations

The KLBIP is an existing irrigation facility which is not currently being used and is meant to be rehabilitated

and modernised for use. Alternative options under the rehabilitation works are limited. The existing

surface irrigation system uses canals to carry water to the irrigation fields and the proposed extensions

will also use canals. However, some options have been analysed under the ongoing detailed feasibility

studies according to their suitability to meet the project objectives.

The alternatives considered/analysed are as follows and are summarised in Table 3-15:

Large scale farming;

Smallholder farming with support from investor;

Combination of large scale and smallholder farming;

Rain-fed irrigation farming;

Pumped or gravity irrigation farming; and

No action.

Some issues/practices under the pumped or gravity irrigation and cropping systems/practices have also

been analysed. These sub-alternatives are as follows and are summarised in Table 3-16.

Pumped or gravity irrigation sub-alternatives

Open canals;

Closed canals;

Lined canals; and

Unlined or earth canals.



Cropping system/practices

Monocropping;

Mixed cropping; and

Crop rotation.



Table 3-15: Analysis of alternative project options

No Alternative

Consideration

Issue Analysis of options Remarks

1. Solely large scale

commercial

agriculture

Agriculture

development

scheme

- All 2000 ha land is developed into commercial farm.

- Easier to manage as investor has full control over entire land.

- Investor can make higher returns from the venture.

- No smallholder farmers involved in the project.

- No provision of support services for smallholder farmers in neighbouring communities.

- Limited employment opportunities for neighbouring communities.

A mixture of large scale

commercial and smallholder

farming systems will be utilised

to bring enhanced benefits to

the neighbouring communities.

The provision of support

services and transfer of

knowledge to the small holder

farmers will increase their

agricultural productivity,

increase their income levels and

improve their livelihoods.

Smallholder

Farming System

with Support

from Investor

- Smallholder farming system in the project area is improved.

- Scheme Manager as an investor provides support services for smallholder farmers

(provision of inputs, land preparation, irrigation, etc.) in the form of loan or at a fee.

- Smallholder farmers can increase their productivity and improve their livelihoods

through the support received.

- Smallholder farmers secure their own lands.

- Community members without lands may not benefit from the scheme.

- Possibility of some smallholder farmers defaulting in payment of loans or fees charged

for service may affect project sustainability.

Combination of

large scale

commercial and

smallholder

farming systems

- Portions of project land is allocated to large farming enterprises.

- Portions of land is allocated to smallholder farmers in neighbouring communities.

- Large farming enterprises have substantial technical, managerial and financial

expertise and working capital.

- Large farming enterprises act as “anchor farmers” and provide support to smallholder

farmers through contract farming/outgrower arrangements.

- Anchor farmer provides training and extension services for smallholder farmers.

- Increased productivity on smallholder farms.

- Produce from smallholder farms maybe purchased by anchor farmer.



No Alternative

Consideration


- Employment opportunities and enhanced livelihood for smallholder farmers and

community members who are employed on anchor farms.

2. Rain-fed

Water Supply - Less costly.

- Avoidance of conflict with other water users by not depending on surface and

groundwater sources.

- No infrastructure required to distribute water to all sections of the farm.

- Existing GIDA irrigation facility will be underutilized.

- Cropping period limited to raining season.

- Higher risk of crop failure due to drought.

- Unpredictability of rainfall pattern.

- Quantity of water received by crops cannot be regulated

- Less productivity during periods of low rainfall.

- Higher vulnerability to climate change.

Combination of rain-fed and

irrigation has been considered

as the preferred option to

ensure all year round

cultivation, reduce production

cost associated with full

dependence on irrigation and to

take advantage of the benefits

of both options and reduce the

negative effects. Some irrigation

facilities by GIDA already exist

on site, which would be

rehabilitated, modernised and

extended for use.

Irrigation

- Existing irrigation facilities by GIDA will be utilized.

- Cropping can be done all year round.

- Quantity of water to crops can be regulated.

- Increased crop productivity due to availability of water.

- Higher cost of irrigation

- Potential conflict with other water users downstream.

- Potential impacts on aquatic ecosystem downstream of abstraction point.

3. No Action - - The land will be left in its current underutilized state.

- The impacts on vegetation and fauna will be avoided.

- Effects from the use of agrochemicals and fertilizers on the soil and water resources

will be limited.

- The aesthetic view of the area will not be changed.

- Investment opportunity made by GIDA under the existing scheme will be lost.

- Existing GIDA irrigation facilities at the site will remain underutilized.

This option is not preferred due

to the negative impacts on food

security, livelihoods and the

general social and economic



No Alternative

Consideration


- Job and economic opportunities for neighbouring communities and the country will be

lost.

- Ghana’s land and water resources will continue to be underutilized.

- The inhabitants of the area will continue to indulge in poor farming practices at the

project area amidst erratic climatic conditions, either drought or floods for cultivating

crops, with very limited sources of income.

- The inhabitants of the project area will continue to derive clay and fuelwood from the

project area for secondary livelihood activities such as pottery and charcoal

production.

- The local economy will continue to be weak.

- The youth in the proposed project area will continue to migrate to the district, regional

and national capitals in search of non-existing jobs, and many may eventually resort to

crime and other socially unacceptable lifestyles.

impacts on the local and

national economy. The existing

GIDA irrigation facilities at the

project site will remain

underutilised. This ESIS has

proposed measures to mitigate

or reduce the negative impacts

on the environment.



Table 3-16: Analysis of Sub- Alternatives

No Sub-Alternative

Consideration Issue Analysis of options

Remarks

1a.

Open canals

Pumped or

gravity

irrigation

facilities

- The open canals are exposed to the atmosphere.

- Open canals are relatively less expensive as compared to closed canals.

- The channel of open canals can easily be accessed and desilted when choked with

obstacles.

- Poses safety threats to nearby communities/persons and animals.

- Nearby communities can easily dump wastes into canals and also access the water for

domestic usage.

The existing canals have most

sections open except where the

canals are crossing

streams/rivers. This will be

maintained and replicated for

the extension works. Safety

measures which may be put in

place include re-designing of

sections close to local

communities (e.g. Sokope) to

move away from the

communities, creation of buffer

zone between the communities

and the canal, and the use of

pillars/ safety barriers.

Closed canals

- The closed canals are covered and the water not exposed to the atmosphere.

- Closed canals are expensive in their construction.

- The channel of closed canals are not easy to access and for desilting when choked with

obstacles.

- Is covered and does not pose any safety threat to nearby communities/persons and

animals.

- Not easy for nearby communities to dump wastes into canals and fetch the water for

domestic usage.

1b.

Lined canals

Nature of

canal - Lined canals have a more secure, stable channel with no soil erosion influence and

does not encourage vegetation growth within the channel.

- Properly constructed lined canals have less maintenance cost due to infrequent

vegetation removal as well as infrequent collapse of side walls;

- Ensures optimal transmission of water to irrigation fields due to less water loss from

seepages

The existing canals are concrete

lined. It is proposed that new

extensions will also be concrete

lined to minimise maintenance

cost.

Unlined or earth

canals

- Earth canals usually have unstable channels with soil erosion influence and encourages

vegetation growth.

- Maintenance cost is usually high due to frequent vegetation removal and collapse or

cave in of side walls.

- Increased water loss from transmission due to seepage.



No Sub-Alternative

Consideration Issue Analysis of options

Remarks

2.

Monocropping

Cropping

System

- Growing one type of crop all year round on the same land.

- Allows large expanses of land to be cropped and harvested at the same time.

- Easier to be mechanized.

- Less types of equipment and machinery required.

- Higher risk of crop failure due to pest and disease infestation or drought.

- Higher risk of investment loss due to crop failure.

- Higher rate of nutrient depletion due to the same nutrient requirement.

Crop rotation has been

considered as the preferred

option to meet market demand,

diversify the sources of income,

maximises land use and return

on investment due to different

maturity periods of crops and

reduced risk of farm failure in

the year. Where feasible,

farmers may be allowed to do

mixed cropping to also maximise

time of return on investment

due to different maturity

periods of crops.

Mixed Cropping

- Growing of two or more crops on different portions of the same land.

- Spreads risk of crop failure.

- Diversifies sources of income.

- Different maturity periods of crops affects planning.

- Different requirements of plants requires different types of equipment, fertilizers and

other farm inputs.

Crop Rotation

- Allows large expanses of land to be cropped with one type of crop at a time.

- Easier to be mechanized.

- Less types of equipment and machinery required.

- Spreads risk of crop/farm failure within the year.

- Diversifies sources of income.

- Maximizes land use and return on investment due to different maturity periods of

crops.



4.0 DESCRIPTION OF THE EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

The proposed project district is the North Tongu District in the Volta Region. The existing physical,

biological, and socio-economic environment of the project area is presented in this chapter.

4.1 Physical Environment

4.1.1 Location of district and relevant sections of the Volta River

The North Tongu District, with its administrative capital at Battor-Dugame, was created as one of the

newly created District Assemblies. It was carved out of the then North Tongu District which was split

into the North and Central Tongu Districts by Legislative Instrument (LI 2081). It forms part of the

twenty-five (25no.) Municipalities and Districts in the Volta Region.

The District shares boundaries with Central Tongu District to the east, to the west with Asuogyaman

District and the Volta River, to the north with Ho-West District and to the south with Ada West District.

The Volta River forms the western boundary of the district which separates it from the Lower Manya

and Shai-Osudoku Districts. A map of the newly created North Tongu District (project district) showing

the project town, bordering districts and the Volta River is shown in Figure 4-1.



(Source: Ghana Statistical Service, 2014

Figure 4-1: North Tongu District Map showing key project town and bordering districts and Volta River)

PROJECT TOWN Volta River



4.1.2 Climatic Conditions

Rainfall

The climate of the North Tongu District is characterized by humid conditions and a bimodal rainfall

pattern. Figure 4-2 show the average monthly rainfall data for the Akuse synoptic station (nearest

synoptic station to the project site) over the period 1961 – 2015. The major rainfall season occurs

between March and June and accounts for about 49.48% of the annual rainfall. The minor rainfall

season starts from September to October and accounts for 22.87% of the annual rainfall. The driest

month is January (1.36%) whiles the wettest month is June (16.61%). The average annual rainfall varies

between 900 mm and 1,100 mm.

Figure 4-2: Average monthly rainfall data at the Akuse Synoptic Station

A further analysis of the rainfall pattern in Figure 4-2 reveals a gradual increase in average monthly

number of rainy days with increasing rainfall depth. There is a strong correlation between the increase

in rainfall and the number of rainy days (Pearson’s correlation coefficient of 0.94).

The bimodal pattern of rainfall influences the cropping pattern in the district, giving rise to two

cropping seasons – the major and minor cropping seasons. Rainfall duration is generally inadequate

even during the major season, which affects crop production in the district.

Sunshine The annual mean sunshine duration at the project area, as recorded at Akuse (nearest synoptic station) 5.51 hours. The sunshine duration is moderate and will not have an adverse effect on majority of the crops to be cultivated at the project site (WAPCOS, 2016a). Wind Data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (2006 to 2015) indicate that wind direction is

predominantly South South Westerly (i.e. blowing from South South West to North North East. This

is indicated by Figure 4-3 which presents the frequency of winds from 2006 to 2015 is plotted by wind

direction, and indicating wind speed ranges with colour bands.

1.36%

3.83%

8.24%

11.24%

13.39%

16.61%

8.89%

4.17%

11.13%11.74%

6.99%

2.41%

1

4 8 8 11 12 8 6 11 12 73

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

180

200

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Average Rainfall (mm)

Average Rainfall (mm) No. of Rainy Days Linear (Average Rainfall (mm))



Figure 4-3: Distribution of wind speed and direction at the Akuse Synoptic Station (2006 -2015)

The wind data indicate that 97% of the wind direction in the period were south south westerly and 3%

were south westerly. Wind speed ranged between 0 and 3 knots and predominantly between 1 and 2

knots (57.26%). February/March and September are the windiest months and wind speed is least in

November/December.

At the onset of the major season, strong south-westerly winds may occur causing thunderstorms that

sometimes damages structures, vegetation and crops. During the early part of the dry season, the

harmattan winds from the Sahara regions blow across the district, drying up seasonal streams and

ponds and exposing the vegetation to bushfires.

Feasibility studies by the engineering consultants, WAPCOS, indicate that the wind speed is not high

enough to have adverse effects on crops currently grown at the project area.

Temperature and Relative Humidity

The temperature and relative humidity in the district vary little during the year. Variation in monthly

mean temperature, based on data from the Ghana Meteorological Agency (2006 to 2015) is presented

in Figure 4-4. The warmest month is usually March whiles the coolest month is usually August. The

annual mean temperature being 28.6°C.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

NO

. OF

EVEN

TS

WIND DIRECTION

Wind Direction and Speed 0 <= ws < 1

1 <= ws < 2

2 <= ws < 3



Figure 4-4: Variation in mean monthly temperature at the Akuse Synoptic Station

Relative humidity in the area is highest between June and July (80%) and is least between December

and February (69% to 71%) as presented in Figure 4-5. Annual mean humidity is 74.8%.

Figure 4-5: Variation in mean monthly relative humidity

Feasibility studies by the engineering consultants, WAPCOS, indicate that the relative humidity is quite

conducive for farming.

4.1.3 Climate Change and Agriculture in the Volta Basin

Agriculture in the Volta Basin is heavily reliant on rainfall and the rural poor rely almost exclusively on

agriculture for their sustenance. Diminished and less predictable rainfall will result in increased

drought and dry spells within the growing season which is likely to reduce the resilience of farmers

and increase poverty.

Climate models on the Volta Basin show temperatures rising by up to 3.6°C over the next century

which the scientists warn could significantly increase water lost to evaporation. The models also

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40


Variation in Mean Monthly Temperature (oC)

Average minimum temp Average maximum temp Average temp

62

64

66

68

70

72

74

76

78

80

82


Mean Relative Humidity (%)



indicate average annual rainfall could drop by about 20%, which could also affect groundwater

recharge. It is calculated that water flows in the Volta Basin could fall by 24% through 2050 and by

45% by 2100 (McCartney et al., 2012). The loss of water in the Volta Basin would be especially

challenging for poor farmers in rural areas, where agriculture is the primary provider of food and

income.

Scientists propose the use of a more resilient mix of options for agriculture to address the climate

change challenge. This may include small and large-scale irrigation schemes, and small and large-scale

water storage options. The solutions for farmers could include simple, small-scale approaches to water

storage such as building small ponds on rural farms, and using water tanks with roof that reduce

evaporation. Groundwater resources could also be improved through managed aquifer recharge, i.e.

enhancing recharge of aquifers under controlled conditions, either by injection or infiltration

(McCartney et al., 2012).

4.1.4 Topography and Relief

The topography of the area is mainly gently sloping lands. The topography is characterised by vast

stretches of Volta flood plains bordering the Volta River on both sides. Within the flood plains, the

topography is fairly flat, between 1.5% and 2%. Due to the flat nature and heavy soils, the plains are

poorly drained.

4.1.5 Soils

Soils study was conducted at the entire project area by WAPCOS (Design Consultant) between April

and May 2016 to establish the soil types present in the entire area, assess the suitability of the land

with respect to its present land use and ascertain current limitations with respect to irrigated

agriculture.

Methodology

Soils in the entire area were identified using the conventional method of establishing baselines, cutting

perpendicular traverses to the baselines and digging chisel holes at 200m intervals along each of the

traverses. Global Positioning System (GPS) readings were recorded at all the points and were

downloaded onto a base map. Chisel holes were dug up to depths of 75cm and soils were examined

and identified.

The identified soils of the project area were evaluated for the production of irrigated rice and other

major arable crops namely, maize, soyabean, and horticultural crops. The Food and Agriculture

Organization (FAO) Framework for Land Evaluation (FAO, 1976); Guidelines: Land Evaluation for

Irrigated Agriculture (FAO, 1985) and Sys (1979) were adopted for the assessment. Evaluation of the

land/soil units was based on major land/soil characteristics derived from soil investigations.

Results

Four (4) main soil types were identified at the project area, namely Akuse, Amo, Tefle and Hake series,

with Zipa series being a minor inclusion. Table 4-1 shows the areal extent of the various soil series.

The various soil series are subsequently described.

Table 4-1: Areal extent of Soil Series in the Project Area (Source: WAPCOS, 2016b)

Soil Series Surveyed Area (ha) CCA (ha)

Akuse 82.75 69

Amo 963.43 796



Tefle 671.93 555

Hake 701.70 580

Zipa 7.77 -

Totals 2,427.58 2000

Description of Individual Soil Series

Akuse Series (Calcic Vertisol)

Soils of Akuse series occur on upper and middle slopes where slope gradient are generally 0 – 1%.

They are deep (> 150 cm), very dark grey to black, having heavy, cracking clay textures. The solum is

clayey throughout the subsoil with impeded internal drainage but good external drainage.

The profile normally consists of about 25 – 55 cm of black to very dark grey clay loam with moderate,

medium crumbs grading into coarse prismatic and moderate medium angular and sub-angular blocky

structure. The subsoil consists of very dark grey, heavy, plastic, impervious clay when moist. When

dry, it becomes very compact and cracks deeply and widely into broad vertical prisms. The prisms

break into large angular blocks and slickensides are developed on the outside. Small, black concretions

containing manganese dioxide are occasional to frequent in this layer. At the base of the last horizon,

there is commonly weathered bedrock which is either plastic clay or loamy in texture depending on

the degree of weathering.

Amo Series (Eutic Cambisol)

Soils of Amo series are developed in silty clay alluvial deposits of the Volta River. They are deep (>160

cm), imperfectly drained with colours ranging from dark grayish brown to yellowish brown and possess

clay loam textures usually occurring on lower levees. This is underlain by more than 100 cm of clay,

grayish brown to brownish yellow subsoil, mottled yellowish brown.

Tefle Series (Eutric Gleysol)

Tefle series consists of grey mottled brown clays occupying the lowest wide valley bottoms of the

association. They are, therefore subject to flooding and waterlogging for much longer periods than

Amo series and also remain moist well into the dry season. They usually possess dark grayish brown

to yellowish brown topsoil with clay loam textures. The topsoil is overlain by about 150 cm of grayish

brown to light gray, silty clay loam subsoil. A profile of the series usually has mottles which in the

topsoil appear yellowish brown to yellowish red and grading into reddish brown in the subsoil.

Hake Series (Dystric Cambisol)

Soils of Hake series are deep, moderately well to imperfectly drained and normally occupy higher parts

of the Volta alluvial plain. A typical profile of the soil usually has dark brown to dark yellowish brown

topsoil and possesses clay loam textures. The subsoil is usually yellowish to brownish yellow in colour

and has clay loam textures which grades into clay.

Zipa Series (Ferric Luvisol)

Soils of Zipa series are usually found on old terraces and are located above the floodplains. The topsoil

is usually light brownish gray to brown and is sandy in texture. The subsoil is yellowish brown and

possesses silty to sandy clay textures and is generally very well drained. They have prominent strong

brown, yellowish brown and red mottles usually below 30 cm. They have weakly developed hard pan

which is usually found about one meter below the surface.



Soil Suitability Assessment

Soils of Akuse and Amo series are both currently moderately suitable for rice cultivation. The limitation

in both cases is wetness (w) reflected in the drainage condition of both Akuse and Amo series. Rice

requires poorly drained conditions. However, Akuse series possess moderately well drained and Amo

series possess imperfectly drained conditions. Besides, while rice requires slow or slower hydraulic

conductivity for optimum growth, both Akuse and Amo series possess moderately slow hydraulic

conductivity. Puddling could help reduce high hydraulic conductivity and retain water for longer time

for rice cultivation.

Soils of Amo series are moderately suitable for all the crops evaluated. The limitation to its fitness for

the growth of the crops is due to its imperfect drainage conditions. All the crops apart from rice require

moderately well to well drained conditions.

Soils of Hake series are also moderately suitable for all the crops evaluated, the major limitation being

topography (t). These soils occur on slopes of between 2 – 3%. This limitation can be overcome by

land grading and leveling. Once this limitation is removed, then for crops such as pepper, French bean

and cowpea, the soils becomes highly suitable (S1) for these crops.

Soils of Tefle series, for all the crops evaluated are marginally suitable (S3). The major limitation being

poor drainage conditions, which could limit oxygen availability to the crops. The soils occur in low lying

areas and are, therefore, prone to waterlogging. Such poor drainage conditions good for a crop such

as rice. However, there is that limitation of the soil having a moderate hydraulic conductivity

(3.15cm/hr), but rice requires a slow or slower (0.1 – 0.8 cm/hr) hydraulic conductivity for optimum

growth.

4.1.6 Water Resources and Drainage

Surface Water and Drainage

The Volta River is the main water body in the North Tongu District. Other rivers/streams which drain

the district are the Alabo, Kolo, Aklapka, Gblor, Bla, Anyorgborti and Nyifla streams and their

tributaries which flow into the Volta River. These streams are seasonal and dry up or shrink up

considerably during the dry season. During the rainy season however, they sometimes overflow their

banks, causing damage to roads and farms. The Volta River borders the western boundary of the

project site and will serve as a source of water for the irrigation.

The project area is drained by the Nyifla and Gblor streams. The Gblor Stream (mainly a natural

boundary in the southern fringes) empties into River Volta near the village of Gblornu. The Nyifla

Stream flows in the middle of the project area and outfalls into a lake near the community of Nakpoe.

The surface area of the lake varies throughout the year. During high flows, the lake overtops and

excess water drains southwards towards the Alabo River. The Alabo River has its headwaters west of

Ho (Volta Regional Capital) and flows in the south-eastern corner of the project area.

Drains have been constructed along the existing tertiary and secondary canals. Secondary unit drains

flow into the natural drainage system of the Gblor, Nyifla and Alabo Streams and their tributaries.

Both the Gblor and Nyifla streams flow in a south-eastern direction. The probability that these surface

water bodies can be deteriorated by drainage water containing large amount of nutrients is very high.

Most of the communities depend on these waters for their domestic use as well as to supply their

cattle.



The proposed project will provide alternative sources of water for the project communities. The

project designs have also made provisions for water troughs at vantage points for cattle.

Groundwater

The project area is underlain by the Dahomeyan Formation comprising mainly of Basic Gneiss.

Available hydrogeological maps indicate that both shallow and deep groundwater is scanty and

unpalatable. The borehole in Sokope community is reported by the community members to be salty,

hence they do not use it for drinking or for other domestic purposes. Yields obtainable from boreholes

are very low and range from 1 to 3 m3/hr. (Ghana Geological Survey 1967, 1990; Water Resources

Research Institute (CSIR), 1996 as cited in WAPCOS, 2016b).

Drinking water supply and sanitation studies conducted in the Volta Region in the 1990’s indicate

shallow bedrock in areas underlain by Dahomeyan gneisses. These studies highlight that clay

overburdens are highly impervious and may act as potential barriers to direct infiltration of rainfall

(WRI-DANIDA, 1992 as cited in WAPCOS, 2016b).

More recent baseline studies in the Lower Volta basin indicate that the North Tongu District, as a

whole, has very low groundwater potential due to the massive nature of the basic gneiss basement

rock, which is poorly weathered and is characterized by micro-fractures. The overburden is less than

4m thick, with the bedrock outcropping in some places. As a result, the aquifer horizon is shallow and

requires constant recharge. Existing boreholes in village communities either run dry or provide

marginal yields (Water Research Institute (CSIR), 2016 as cited in WAPCOS, 2016b).

4.1.6.1 Water Quality Assessment

Water quality analysis was conducted as part of the baseline environmental studies for the proposed

project. Upstream surface water sample was collected from the canal intake point at Volta River

(sample point: N 6.14922°; E 0.12670°) and the downstream sample collected from the confluence of

the Alabo stream and the Volta River, which is just beyond the eastern boundary of the project site

(sample point: N 6.10440°; E 0.20886°). A sample was collected from the Nyifla Lake to represent the

mid-point of the project site (sample point: N 6.12001°; E 0.16336°) Groundwater sample was also

collected from a borehole (N 6. 13391°; E 0.16625°) at the Sokope Community (a community which

shares boundary with the project site).

The water samples were analyzed at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research’s (CSIR) Water

Research Institute laboratory. The groundwater, mid-stream and downstream sample results are

compared with the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Drinking Water Quality Guideline (DWQG).

The borehole at Sokope was constructed to serve as source of portable drinking water, however the

community reports that the water is salty, hence they do not drink or use it for other domestic

purposes. The Nyifla Lake is depended on by some of the communities in the project area (Nakpoe,

Deikope, Nyiflakpoe and Nyiflakope) as their source of water for drinking and domestic purposes. The

Volta River may be depended on by various downstream communities for either drinking or for

domestic use. The upstream sample is compared with the Target Water Quality Ranges (TWQR) of the

Ghana Raw Water Quality Criteria and Guidelines (Volume 4(B): Agricultural Water Use (Irrigation)) to

determine its suitability for irrigation. The results are shown in Table 4-2.



Table 4-2: Results of Water quality analysis

Sample ID Groundwater Mid-stream Downstream

WHO DWQG

Upstream TWQR (Irrigation)

pH (pH Units) 6.57 6.74 6.69 6.5-8.5 7.29 6.5-8.5

Conductivity (µS/cm) 8040 90.4 157 - 97.9 -

Turbidity (NTU) <1.00 34.0 27.0 5 11.0 -

Apparent Colour (Hz) 2.50 37.5 30.0 15.0 15.0 -

TSS (mg/l) <1.00 7.00 11.0 - 8.00 <50

TDS (mg/l) 4422 49.7 86.4 1,000 53.8 <40

Alkalinity (mg/l) 72.0 32.0 16.0 - 24.0 -

NO3-N (mg/l) 1.09 0.150 0.133 50 0.675 <0.5-<5

Phosphate (mg/l) 0.132 0.073 0.130 - 0.100 -

NO2-N (mg/l) 0.012 0.018 0.009 1.00 0.004 <0.5-<5

Ammonia (mg/l) <0.001 0.074 0.088 - 0.068 -

Fluoride (mg/l) 0.384 0.115 0.108 1.50 0.105 <2

Sulphide (mg/l) <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 500 <0.005 -

BOD (mg/l) 0.100 1.60 1.90 - 1.40 -

COD (mg/l) 1.20 11.3 11.2 - 10.8 -

Oil/Grease (mg/l) <1.00 <1.00 <1.00 - <1.00 -

Chloride (mg/l) 51.6 4.00 11.9 250 4.00 <100

Iron (mg/l) 0.038 0.229 0.613 0.300 0.381 <5

Zinc (mg/l) <0.005 0.029 0.034 4.00 0.031 <1

Lead (mg/l) <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.005 <0.2

Manganese (mg/l) 0.008 0.163 0.148 0.400 0.194 <0.02

Cadmium (mg/l) <0.002 <0.002 <0.002 0.003 <0.002 <0.01

Copper (mg/l) <0.010 <0.010 <0.010 2.00 <0.010 <0.1

Chromium (mg/l) <0.010 <0.010 <0.010 0.050 <0.010 <0.1

Cobalt (mg/l) <0.010 <0.010 <0.010 - <0.010 <0.05

TC (cfu/100ml) 12 360 380 0 285 -

FC (cfu/100ml) 0 10 12 0 6 <1

The results from the water quality analysis shows the following:

Total dissolved solids (TDS) and total coliform (TC) for the groundwater sample did not conform

to the WHO DWQG;

Turbidity, apparent colour, iron, TC and feacal coliform (FC) exceeded the WHO DWQG values;

Turbidity, apparent colour, TC and FC for the mid-stream sample did not conform to the WHO

DWQG; and

With the exception of TDS, manganese and FC, all parameters for the upstream sample were

within the TWQG (Irrigation) values.

The high levels of total dissolved solids recorded in the groundwater sample may be due to the rock

characteristics of the project area and the Accra Plains in general which facilitates the dissolution of

ions such as chlorides into groundwater. This accounts for the salty nature of the water from the

borehole at Sokope. The total coliforms in the groundwater sample may be due to microbial

contamination of the piping system of the borehole. The high levels of some parameters recorded in

the surface water samples (upstream, midstream and downstream may be attributed to activities

from the surrounding environment. Cattle grazing and run off from the surrounding environment may



have contributed to high turbidity, apparent colour, total coliform and faecal coliform in the surface

water samples. In addition, high turbidity and apparent colour of the downstream sample may be due

to the mixing waters at the confluence of the Alabo stream and Volta River.

Water quality analysis was conducted by WAPCOS in May 2016 by collecting water from the head of

the supply canal and analysed at the CSIR Water Research Institute to test the suitability of the water

for irrigation. The results show that the physicochemical parameters were generally satisfactory and

the water was suitable for irrigation. However, the bacteriological parameters exceeded the WRC

recommended limits for irrigation. The results are attached as Annex 3.

The exceedance level of faecal coliform in the upstream sample results (refer to Table 4-2) and the

exceedance levels of bacteriological parameters recorded by WAPCOS in their water quality analysis

implies that caution must be taken in using water to irrigate crops that are consumed in their raw

(uncooked state).

4.1.7 Air quality and Noise Level

Current land use at the project area is mainly subsistence farming, which is the common land use

practice in the district. The commercial farms in the project area are Vegpro Ghana Limited and

Anyako Farms Limited. The current land use practice does not involve any processing or the use of any

heavy machinery which significantly impacts on ambient air quality and noise levels.

Air quality (dust) analysis and noise level monitoring were conducted in March 2016 during the ESIA

studies for GR Mawuko Farms Limited (a GCAP Grantee Farm) in the project district (sample point: N

6.10345°; E 0.43495°) as part of the baseline environmental studies. The results for the air quality

parameters (TSP and PM10) and noise levels recorded were within the EPA guideline values (see Tables

4-3 and 4-4 below).

Table 4-3: Results of Air quality monitoring conducted at GR Mawuko Farms Ltd’s project site in March, 2016.

No. Sampling Site TSP

µgm-3

EPA Guideline

Value (µgm-3)

PM10

µgm-3

EPA Guideline

Value (µgm-3)

1. Proposed site for warehouse at GR

Mawuko Farms Limited’s project site.

180 230 28 70

Table 4-4: Results of noise level monitoring conducted at GR Mawuko Farms Ltd’s project site in March 2016

dB(A)

EPA Guideline

Value [dB(A)] No. Sampling Site Leq Lmax Lmin L10 L50 L90

1. Proposed site for warehouse at

GR Mawuko Farms Limited’s

project site.

58.9 69.9 56.7 62.9 58.8 57.4 60

Legend

Leq - Integrated noise level during the measurement period

Lmax - Maximum noised level

Lmin - Minimum noise level

L50 - Average noise level

L10 - Nuisance noise level

L90 - Background noise level



4.1.8 Seismic Activity

Ghana is in relatively seismic active region, the great earthquakes in history are M6.5 strong on July

10, 1862 in Accra and M6.8 strong on June 22, 1939 also in Accra. According to the data from Ghana

Geological Department, regional active faults as Akwapim Fault Zone and Coastal Boundary fault are

main earthquake control structure in Ghana. The above two great earthquakes are associated with

the activities of Akwapim Fault Zone and Coastal Boundary Fault. As a result, Magnitude 7 earthquake

may happen in Akwapim Fault Zone and Coastal Boundary Fault. They are crossed at Nyanyano which

is about 5 km West of Accra. The design specifications for seismic parameters in Ghana are determined

by the seismic zoning map (Figure 4-6). The zoning map does not define the exceeding probability,

and parameter is of the maximum ground acceleration.

Southern Ghana is not a highly active seismic area; however, it is a region capable of producing

significant earthquakes. The seismic zoning map indicates that the proposed project district falls

within a medium to high risk zone. Thus, as a precautionary measure it will be prudent to factor seismic

concerns into the designs.

Figure 4-6: Seismic zoning map of Southern Ghana



4.2 Biological Environment

Terrestrial flora and fauna survey was conducted by SAL Consult Limited at the project site during an

ESIA study in March, 2016 for Anyako Farms Limited, a selected Grantee farm under GCAP within the

Kpong Left Bank Irrigation Project site. The results of the Flora and Fauna Survey are presented in the

following sub-sections.

4.2.1 Terrestrial Flora

Methodology for Survey

Assessments of the flora in the proposed project area was conducted through field and desk studies.

The vegetation types of the proposed project location as well as the land use were noted by walking

and driving through the proposed project site as appropriate. A rapid assessment of the abundances

of the plant species encountered was conducted using frequency symbols. The botanical

nomenclature follows Hutchinson and Dalziel (1954-72). The vegetation descriptions follow Taylor

(1960) and Hall and Swaine (1981). The flora survey aimed at determining (i) the type of vegetation of

the project site (ii) the most commonly occurring plant species and their relative abundances (subjectively

determined) and (iii) whether any species are endangered. A species list was compiled by walking

through the project site and its immediate surroundings. Plate 4-1 shows the Ecologist from SAL

Consult Limited conducting flora and fauna survey at the project site.

Plate 4-1: Ecologist conducting flora and fauna survey at the KLBIP site

Results of Survey

The flora survey showed that the project site is a modified habitat, consisting mainly of farmlands with

regrowth, fallow lands with Azadirachta indica, thicket vegetation with isolated trees and areas

around the banks of the Volta River and Gblor stream had isolated trees. Plates 4-2 and 4-3 show the

typical vegetation at the project site. The list of flora species at the project site and their International

Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conservation status are presented in Table 4-5. The floral

survey revealed that the vegetation at the project site is common in the area and no species of

conservation value was found.



Plate 4-2: Typical grassland vegetation at the KLBIP site

Plate 4-3: Typical vegetation along streams at the project site



Table 4-5: Details of flora at the KLBIP site

SPECIES FAMILY LIFE FORM IUCN CONSERVATION

STATUS

Mangifera indica Anacardiaceae Tree Data deficient (DD)

Commelina africana Commelinaceae Herb Least concern (LC)

Millettia zechiana Papillionaceae Tree LC

Uraria picta Papillionaceae Shrub LC

Dichrostachys cinerea Mimosaceae Shrub LC

Cyperus rotundus Cyperaceae Herb LC

Nauclea latifolia Annonaceae Climber Not yet assessed (NA)

Uvaria chamae Annonaceae Climber NA

Ritchiea reflexa Capparaceae Climber NA

Erythrophleum suaveolens Caesalpiniaceae Tree NA

Paullinia pinnata Sapindaceae Climber NA

Abutilon mauritianum Malvaceae Shrub NA

Ceiba pentandra Bombacaceae Tree NA

Morinda lucida Rubiaceae Tree NA

Trema orientalis Ulmaceae Tree NA

Mallotus oppositifolius Euphorbiaceae Tree NA

Phyllanthus amarus Euphorbiaceae Shrub NA

Byrsocarpus coccineus Connaraceae Shrub NA

Lonchocarpus sericeus Papillionaceae Tree NA

Piliostigma thonningii Caesalpiniaceae Tree NA

Combretum sp. Combretaceae Tree NA

Borassus aethiopum Palmae Tree NA

Zanthoxylum xanthoxyloides Rutaceae Tree NA

Ricinus communis Euphorbiaceae Tree NA

Carissa edulis Apocynaceae Shrub NA

Adansonia digitata Bombaceae Tree NA

Azadirachta indica Meliceae Tree NA

Mitragyna inermis Rubiaceae Tree NA

Passiflora foetida Passifloraceae Climber NA

Cissus sp. Vitaceae Climber NA

Dgitaria horizontalis Gramineae Herb NA

Heteropogon contortus Gramineae Herb NA

Imperata cylindrica Gramineae Herb NA

Panicum maximum Gramineae Herb NA

Achyranthes aspera Amaranthaceae Shrub NA

Cyathula prostrata Amaranthaceae Shrub NA

Cassia occidentalis Caesalpiniaceae Shrub NA

Cassia sieberiana Caesalpiniaceae Shrub NA

Cleome viscosa Capparaceae Shrub NA

Chromolaena odorata Compositae Shrub NA

Tidax procumbens Compositae Shrub NA



SPECIES FAMILY LIFE FORM IUCN CONSERVATION

STATUS

Croton lobatus Euphorbiaceae Shrub NA

Securinega virosa Euphorbiaceae Shrub NA

Sida acuta Malvaceae Shrub NA

Boerhavia diffusa Nyctaginaceae Shrub NA

Talinum triangulaire Portlacaceae Shrub NA

Elaeis guineensis Palmae Tree NA

4.2.2 Terrestrial Fauna and Wildlife

Methodology for Survey

Information on the fauna was obtained through direct/opportunistic observation, identification of

animal spoors, interviews and literature. The interviews focused mainly on the identification of the

various animals that commonly occurred in the area, and some indication of their abundance/degree of

occurrence. The literature consulted during the fauna desk survey includes Cansdale (1948; 1951), Booth

(1958), Schiotz (1969), Hughes and Barry (1969), Decher (1997a), Decher et al. (1997), Kingdon (1997) and

Ryan and Ntiamoa-Badu (1997).

Results of Survey

Fauna found in the project area is dominated by rodents, birds and reptiles. No large mammals

(wildlife) have been reported at the project site. None of these animal species are considered as

endangered. The common fauna at the project site and their IUCN Conservation status is shown in

Table 4-6.

Table 4-6: Common fauna at the Project Site

Species Common Name IUCN Conservation Status

Ploceus cucullatus Village weaver Least concern (LC)

Bufo regularis African common toad LC

Rattus rattus Black rat LC

Bitis arietans Venomous viper LC

Philothamnus semivariegatus Spotted bush snake LC

Dasypeltis fasciata Egg-eating snake LC

Boaedon fuliginosus Cape house snake Not yet assessed (NA)

Agama agama Red-headed rock agama LC

Elanus caeruleus Black-winged kite LC

Ardeola ibis Cattle egret LC

Cricetomys gambianus Gambian pouched rat LC

Thryonomys swinderianus Greater cane rat LC

Dendroaspis viridis West African green mamba LC



4.2.3 Aquatic Ecological Studies

Aquatic biological studies at the Kpong Left Bank was carried out in September 2016 to provide

baseline information on the local dynamics of the aquatic flora and fauna in the project area. The

study was carried out in the Alabo River, located within the proposed scheme area. Access to the

Gblor and Nyifla streams was limited due to the proliferation of aquatic weeds. Studies in these

streams was therefore limited to aquatic flora. The Alabo River has a large open water space with

smaller tributaries and all the banks are covered with thick aquatic vegetation (Plate 4-4). During the

visit, it was observed that the open water was full and flowing fast towards the smaller tributaries.

The depth of the water at the deepest part was 1.2 m. Inhabitants indicated that the river sometimes

overflow its banks onto adjacent rice farms; this adversely affects their farming activities. The

dominant socio-economic activities are subsistence fishing; farming, sand winning, fish processing,

and transportation on the river. Communities adjacent to the river abstract water from the river for

drinking, washing and other domestic chores.

Plate 4-4: Open water of Alabo river and its banks fringed with aquatic vegetation

To help assess the biological integrity of the river ecosystem, aquatic flora and fauna were sampled,

identified and abundance estimated as per standard methods. Where sampling could not be done

due to inaccessibility, some residents were interviewed to provide information on vertebrates and

other fauna in the area. Other relevant observations were noted and results analysed to help with

predictions and mitigation of significant impacts. Detailed methodology for the sampling is provided

in Annex 12.

Aquatic plants

The most dominant grass was Typha domingensis; it covered a significantly large area of the river,

particularly at the slow moving banks. Following landwards of Typha was the guinea grass Panicum

maximum. Following closely in abundance and area covered are the aquatic floating plants water lily

Nymphaea lotus, duckweed Lemna sp., water lettuce Pistia stratiotes, water hyacinth Eichhornia sp

(Plate 4-5). These floating plants usually quickly proliferate and are found in nutrient rich and slow

flowing water. They often harbour mosquitoes which may adversely affect health of adjacent

communities. These aquatic plants provide an excellent spawning area for fishes.

Plate 4-5: Water hyacinth Eichhornia sp in the water followed landwards by Typha dominengensis and other aquatic

vegetation at the banks of the river.



Benthos

The sediment was very coarse at both the shallow and mid areas. There was no benthic organism

stained in both samples. The paucity of benthic organisms may be due to the relatively fast flowing

nature of both the shallow and the middle portions of the river; as well as the high human activity at

the banks.

Vertebrates

There were no shore birds sighted during the visit. Inhabitants interviewed were unanimous that the

river was full of fish and no other vertebrates.

Fisheries

Fishing for both commercial and subsistence purposes was a common socio-economic activity and this

is done throughout the year except on Wednesdays of each week. The river is an important source of

fin- and shell-fish for communities surrounding the river.

The main fishing gears are set gill net, cast net and hook and line (Plate 4-6) (baited or not baited), in

decreasing abundance. Fishermen indicated the presence of up to twenty (20) canoes fishing in the

river but only four (4) operational canoes were observed at the landing site. Due to the high depths

in the river, fishermen who fish with cast nets normally need a boat to move around on the river.

Fishermen indicated they earn a range of between GHC 50 to GHC 250 cedis per day from their fishing

activities. The women process landed fish. Fishers supplemented their income from fishing with

subsistence farming.

Plate 4-6: Set of hook and line fishing gear ready for fishing

The experimental fishing with mosquito net, a non-selective gear, yielded a diversity of fish species

weighing a total of 538.59 g (Plate 4-7) after 33 minutes. The catch rate of the experimental fishing

was 16.32 g/minute which is relatively high; indicating high fish abundance in the river. Table 4-7

shows the composition of the catch and associated fish sizes. Fish sizes was a mix of small and medium

sized fishes; an indicator of an overfished population. There were eleven species made up of nine fin-

fish species and two crustacean species.

Plate 4-7: Diverse fish species caught during experimental fishing



Table 4-7: Composition of the catch and associated fish sizes

Name of fish Common name Number of

specimens

TL / cm (size

range)

Body weight / g (size

range)

Hemichromis fasciatus Banded jewelfish 6 7.2 - 13.0 6.3 - 35.4

Mugil cephalus Flathead grey mullet

3 19.9 - 23.5 79.8 - 126.7

Hepsetus odoe African pike characin

14 3.8 - 10.8 0.4 - 13.8

Hemichromis

bimaculatus

Jewel Cichlid 3 6.0 - 7.8 4.67 - 8.9

Pellonula sp. Smalltoothed pellonula

26 4.0 - 9.7 0.8 - 11.7

Parachana obscura Obscure snakehead

1 16.5 36.16

Gobiodes sp. Goby 3 7.0 - 9.5 3.7 - 9.7

Schilbe mystus African butter catfish

1 7.6 3.28

Alestes sp. African Characidae 4 18.0 - 24.5 9.0 - 35.2

**Penaeus sp. Giant tiger prawn 8 2.5 - 5.8 1.8 - 4.5

**Macrobrachium sp. Giant river prawn 3 4.9 - 9.8 2.3 - 7.5

** Crustacean

During catch assessment, the fisherman who set his net at 5 pm the previous day and inspected them

at 5 am next morning, duration of 12 hours, had a catch dominated (44 specimens) by Mugil sp. (Grey

mullet) (Plate 4-8). The other species in the catch was four specimens of Chrysicthys nigrodigitatus.

The catch rate of this fisherman is moderately high while the fish sizes are medium and of prime

marketable size. He indicated a dependence on fishing for livelihood to support his household size of

eight persons.

Plate 4-8: Catch of a Fisherman, dominated by Mugil sp., after 12 hours of fishing effort

Fishermen overwhelmingly agreed that the river was rich in fish diversity in abundance that supports

their livelihoods. Interviews revealed that in addition to fish enumerated above in fisheries survey the

following species are also found in the river: Mormyrus sp., Gnathonemus tamandua, Polypterus

senegalus, Heterotis niloticus, Gymnarchus niloticus, Auchenoglanis occidentalis, Synodontis sp.,

Malapterus electricus, Lates niloticus, and a range of Tilapia and Clarias species. Fishers noted that

the Citharinus spp. is rare and not caught in recent years.

The above high species richness of the river provide evidence that the project site and its surroundings

are habitat for a number of economically and ecologically important plant and animals. There is the

need for planned biodiversity management strategies with the commencement of project activities.



Conclusion and Recommendation

The Volta River at Kpong is very productive and has high flora and fauna biodiversity that need to be

protected. The flora and faunal biodiversity supports human livelihoods in the catchment. When

carefully managed, the project is not likely to cause significant adverse effects on aquatic biodiversity

and the livelihood of inhabitants of the area. It is recommended that the project can ensure all the

slow moving areas of the river are made to flow through the clearing and thinning of the thick aquatic

vegetation around the banks.

4.3 Socio-Economic and Cultural Environment

4.3.1 Demographic Characteristics

According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census (PHC), the total population of North Tongu

District was 89,777, representing 4.2% of the Volta Region’s population and 0.4% of the national

population. Females are 47,285 representing 52.7% of the population of the district, with the male

population at 42,492 (47.3%). About 60% of the population is in the rural areas. The population of the

district is youthful, with 38% of the population in the 0-14 age group, depicting a broad base

population pyramid which tapers off with a small number of elderly persons. The districts age

dependency ratio is 79.5 dependents (children and old age) for every 100 people working, and the

dependency ratios for males and females are 81.9 and 77.5 respectively for every 100 persons in the

working ages.

All settlements within the project zone are rural by population and function as their current population

are below the 5,000 people minimum threshold for urban centres in Ghana. Table 4-8 presents the

current population size and household structure of the communities in the project area.

Table 4-8: Population distribution in the project area

Communities 2010 Male (2010) Female (2010)

2016 No. % No. %

Agyimakope 45 17 37.8 28 62.2 52

Alabonu 786 358 45.5 428 54.5 911

Azagonorkope 273 128 46.9 145 53.1 316

Fodzoku 1,529 739 48.3 790 51.7 1773

Gblornu 414 209 50.5 205 49.5 480

Kasa 23 13 56.5 10 43.5 26

Nakpoe 205 99 48.3 106 51.7 237

Nyiflakpo 65 31 47.7 34 52.3 75

Sokope 384 210 54.7 174 45.3 445

Torgorme 1,436 668 46.5 768 53.5 1665

Ziakpoe 93 46 49.5 47 50.5 107

Total 5,253 2,518 47.9 2,735 52.1 6093

Source: 2010 Population Census Report. 2016 figures extrapolated using 2.5% annual intercensal growth rate.

4.3.2 Education and Literacy

The North Tongu District has various educational facilities, comprising 5 Senior High Schools (SHS), 53

Junior High Schools (JHS), 119 primary schools and 79 pre-schools. According to the 2010 Population



and Housing Census, 26.5% have never attended school. Out of the population of persons 3 years and

older, who are currently in school, 49% are in primary school, while 19.8% are in Junior High School.

There are more males (51.2%) than females (48.8%) attending school.

There are more literates (52.86%) than non-literates (47.14%) in the North Tongu District. Considering

the population 11 years and above, 82.7% of males are literate and 66.7% of females are non-literate.

The majority (70%) of the literate population 11 years and older are literate in English and Ghanaian

language.

Table 4-9 shows the available schools (Primary and JHS) in the communities in the project area. Where

there is no school in the community, the nearest town where community members attend school is

shown in bracket. There is no SHS in the project area.

Table 4-9: Schools (Primary & JHS) in the Project Area

No. Community Primary School /(nearest town attend) JHS /(nearest town attended)

1. Torgorme Torgorme Evangelical Presbyterian Basic School

2. Azagornorkope Azagornorkope D/A Primary School - /(Torgorme & Fodzoku)

3. Nyiflakpo Nyiflakpo D/A Primary School - /(Torgorme)

4. Sokope - /(Nyiflakpo) - /(Torgorme)

5. Napkoe - /(Nyiflapko) - /(Torgorme)

6. Gblornu Gblornu D/A Primary School - /(Alabonu, Asutuare*, Kadjanya*)

7. Kassa - /(Gblornu, Asutuare*) - /(Gblornu, Asutuare*)

8. Deikope - /(Nyiflakpo) - /(Torgorme)

9. Daledokope - /(Alabonu, Asutuare*) - /(Alabonu, Asutuare*)

10. Alabonu Alabonu D/A Primary and JHS

*Community located across the Volta River in the Shai Osudoku District

4.3.3 Employment and Economy

About 66.3% of the population in the North Tongu District aged 15 years and older are economically

active whiles 33.7% are not economically active. Of the economically active population, 95.8% are

employed while 4.2% are unemployed. More females (55%) are employed as compared to males

(45%). For those who are not economically active, a greater percentage of them are in full time

education (53.3%); with pensioners being the lowest (1.9%).

The economy of the North Tongu District is agrarian with more than half (57.2%) of the employed

population engaged in agriculture, forestry and fishery, whiles 15.3% are involved in sales and services.

Wholesale, retail, repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles accounts for 12.9% of the employed

population, with manufacturing making up 10%. The majority of the employed population engaged in

skilled agriculture and fishery are women, constituting 53%. This is similar for those engaged in

services and sales with females constituting 82% and males 18%.

Table 4-10 shows the primary and secondary occupations for both males and females in the

communities in the project area. Crop farming is the main source of livelihood in the project area.

Secondary livelihoods include livestock rearing, fish farming, pottery, petty trading and charcoal

production. Charcoal burning thrives due to the availability of acacia species. In the communities

where pottery is a source of livelihood, clay deposits are found in those areas. The secondary

livelihoods are mainly to support the incomes from crop farming, which is currently not sustainable.



Table 4-10: Primary and Secondary Occupations in the Project Area

No.

Community

Primary Occupation Secondary Occupation

Males Females Males Females

1. Torgorme Crop farming, fishing Crop farming,

trading

Livestock rearing Pottery

2. Azagornorkope Crop farming Charcoal burning, livestock rearing

3. Sokope Crop farming Charcoal burning Charcoal burning,

pottery

4. Napkoe Crop farming Basket weaving,

charcoal burning

Charcoal burning,

pottery

5. Gblornu Crop farming Fishing, charcoal

burning, livestock

rearing

Fishing, petty

trading, charcoal

burning, livestock

rearing

6. Kassa Crop farming Charcoal burning, fishing

7. Deikope Crop farming Livestock rearing Charcoal burning,

petty trading

8. Daledokope Crop farming Charcoal burning, livestock rearing

9. Alabonu Crop farming Fishing, charcoal burning

4.3.4 Agriculture

Agriculture is the most important economic activity in the district, with the majority of the employed

population engaged in it. However, agriculture in the district is dominated by small-scale farmers who

are unorganised and depend mainly on simple labour-intensive production methods. This creates

opportunities for nucleus agriculture investor to support the smallholder farmers to increase their

productivity and recoup the investments made. The major crops cultivated in the district are maize,

cassava, groundnuts, sugarcane, vegetables, cowpea, rice, oil palm and mangoes. Farming is mainly

rain-fed.

Farmers farm on family lands or are into sharecropping. This notwithstanding, training using the

Farmer Based Organisation approach was provided under the MIDA facility, especially, for horticulture

products as the intention was to develop the small scale farmers within the project zone into out

growers. This has improved knowledge of basic agricultural practises and formation of Farmer Based

Organisations among the farmers. Under the MIDA project, eight hundred and ninety three (893)

farmers in fifteen (15) Farmers Based Organisations went through training in farming practising, basic

book keeping and group dynamics among others. Of these, six hundred and seventy seven (677) were

allotted plots under the scheme. Nonetheless, more training will be required to improve productivity

and achieve the commercialisation objective of this project.

The project area is beginning to see investments in commercial/mechanised agriculture as medium

/large scale entities like Vegpro, Anyako Farms and Jaspong Farms have taken up concessions under

irrigation cultivating between 3 and 96 hectares of maize, vegetables and rice. The Aveyime area is

particularly suitable for rice cultivation, with several individual farmers from the area engaged in rice

production.



The livestock sector forms an integral part of the farming system in both the North Tongu District and

within the project command area. The presence of grass and water bodies in the project district

supports the production of livestock. In view these, households in the project zone rear livestock such

as goats, local poultry and sheep mostly on subsistence basis. More than 30% of the farming families

in the district keep some ruminants in the form goats, sheep and pigs as well as chicken (North Tongu

District Assembly, 2014). Apart from the major cattle ranches at Adidokpawu and Aveyime, individual

farmers keep kraals all over the District. Pastoralists also rear cattle and goats within the command

area.

Fishing serves as the main economic activity among inhabitants along the Volta River. Traditional

methods are usually employed for fishing including the use of traps, cast nets and hook and line.

Streams and ponds in the district provide avenues for fishing and aqua-culture, however these are

heavily silted and overgrown with aquatic weeds.

4.3.5 Water Supply and Sanitation

The North Tongu District benefits from a Joint District Water Scheme called the Three District Water.

The scheme provides water to some of the communities in the district. Other sources such as hand

dug wells, rivers and dams serve as other sources of water.

According to information obtained from the Community Water and Sanitation Agency of the North

Tongu District by WAPCOS, only Torgorme and Fodzoku have access to pipe borne water. There is also

a borehole at Sokope. However, the Sokope community reported that the borehole water is salty,

hence not used for drinking or for other domestic purposes. A community water treatment system

constructed at Napkoe to provide potable water to Nakpoe, Sokope and other neighbouring

communities has also not been functional for about three (3) years now. GCAP will restore the Water

Treatment System as part of the rehabilitation and modernization of the Kpong Left Bank Irrigation

Scheme.

Some of the communities in the project area such as Nakpoe, Deikope, Sokope, Nyiflakpoe, Nyiflakope

and Agyimakope therefore depend on the Nyifla Lake and streams/rivers that drain the project zone

or the existing canals constructed by MiDA as source of water for drinking and other domestic

purposes. Communities such as Gblornu, Kassa, Daledokope and Alabonu which are along the Volta

River depend on the Volta River for drinking water and water for other domestic purposes.

In terms of sanitation facilities only Torgorme and Fodzoku have public toilets. In the absence of public

places of convenience, the residents within communities in the project zone resort to pit latrines and

open defecation. GCAP as part of the rehabilitation and modernization of the irrigation scheme, will

provide some basic sanitation facilities in the project fringe communities.

4.3.6 Health

There are twelve (12no.) health facilities spread across the district. These are under the management

of the Ghana Health Services and the Christian Health Association of Ghana. The only hospital – Battor

Catholic Mission Hospital – is located in the district capital. The other health facilities include 6no.

Health Centres, 3no. Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) Centres and 1no. private

clinic.



The three (3) public health facilities located close to the command area are the Juapong, Fodzoku and

Torgorme health centres. There are no medical doctors in these three facilities which are manned by

nurses and midwives. There is a new CHPS compound being built at Alabonu.

The top 10 Out Patient Department (OPD) cases recorded in the district in 2014 (in order of

prevalence) are malaria, anaemia, upper respiratory tract infections, hypertension, gynaecological

conditions, rheumatism and joint pains, diarrhoea, intestinal worms, acute respiratory tract infection,

skin diseases and all other diseases (North Tongu District Health Directorate, 2014). The major causes

of morbidity in the North Tongu District between 2009 and 2016 are malaria, unitary tract infections

(notably bilharzia) and upper respiratory tract infections.

4.3.7 Culture, Tourism and Religion

The major traditional areas in the district include Battor, Volo, Dofor, Juapong and Dussor Traditional

Areas. The project site is under Torgorme Traditional Area. The people are predominantly Ewes.

Various festivals are celebrated by the traditional authorities in the area. These festivals provide

opportunities to mobilize resources for development. Common festivals celebrated in the district

include Hogbeza, Ayimagonu, Afenorto and Tugbedzo. Tourism potentials in the district are linked

with the Volta River. Resorts along the River provide serene environments for tourists. The tourism

potential in the district is currently underexploited.

Christianity is the predominant religion in the North Tongu District constituting about 83% of the total

population with Traditionalists and Muslims forming 6.4% and 3.6% of the districts population,

respectively according to the 2010 population and housing census. Those who practice no religion in

the District stand at 6.3%.

4.3.8 Land Tenure and Access to Land

Land Ownership for the KLBIP

The government of Ghana took over the entire land for the KLBIP in 1975 through Executive

Instrument E.I. 162 of 1975. The purpose of taking over the land was to establish ADCL (Agricultural

Development Company Limited) to cultivate raw materials to feed the defunct Akosombo Textiles

factory. Land in the area originally belonged to three clans – Gave Afegame, Gave Afeviame and Torfi.

The present custodian of the land is the Torgome Chief since the area falls within the purview of the

Torgorme Traditional Area Authority.

General Land Tenure in District General land ownership in the district is also vested in the customary law families. Grants are

specifically made by the head of family. Each member of the family has equal right to land within the

confines of the family’s land. There is no discrimination between the sexes with respect to the grant

of lands. Women have access to land if requested from the respective family heads. Dispute resolution

regarding land ownership is referred to the family head where it involves the same family members.

However, where there are boundary disputes involving members from different clans, the two clan

heads are brought in to resolve the dispute. Where there is a failure, it is referred to the Traditional

Council for settlement.

Land is acquired by renting or lease depending on the duration of interest. The normal duration for a

long lease approved by the Government of Ghana (GoG) is 90 years. The individual landowner is



contacted for hiring small parcel of land for farming purposes, but the Chief is involved when it is for

large-scale commercial purposes.

4.3.9 Taboos and Culturally Sensitive Areas

In spite of the fact that most of people in the project district are Christians, the communities in the

project zone have retained some cultural and traditional systems. They believe in the existence of

deities and have taboos and sacred places within project zone. There are scared forest (grooves), rivers

and lakes within the command area which are designated culturally sensitive areas for the local

population which must be protected or may require that certain rituals are performed before the

commencement of works in the area. These are presented in Table 4-11.

Table 4-11: Taboos and Culturally Sensitive Areas within the Project Area

Community Taboos Sacred / Culturally Sensitive Areas

within the Command Area

Torgorme No farming on Saturdays and

Mondays

Hoes used in the Northern Ghana to

farm can not to be used in the area

No entering of the Nyifla Lake on

Fridays

Women menstruating are not

supposed to enter the Nyifla Lake

None

Azagonorkope No farming on Saturdays and Mondays



None

Sokope/

Nyiflakpo

No farming on Saturdays and Mondays



No crossing of the Nyifla Lake on

Fridays

Sokope cemetery

Nyifla Lake

Kpedze forest

Libation must be poured by the

community head to the “Nyifla Lake

and Kpedze” Forest before works

begin.

Nakpoe No farming on Saturdays and Mondays



Sacred groove

Cemetery

Alabornu No farming on Saturdays and Mondays


farm are not to be used on land in the

Area

Alabo and Gbagbavi gods

Libation must poured to the gods

“Alabo and Gbagbavi”

Gblornu No farming on Saturdays and Monday Spdegbe god

Libation must be poured to the god

“Spdegbe” before works can start Source: Adapted from the Environmental Scoping Report on the KLBIP to GCAP by WAPCOS, March 2016

Some of the taboos in Table 4-11 are not being enforced due to modernity and penetration of

Christian beliefs and values in the project zone. Notable among them are the ban on farming on

Saturdays and Mondays and barring women in mensuration from entering the Nyifla Lake. This

notwithstanding, the ban on using hoes of northern Ghana origin in tilling lands within the command

area is still being enforced.



5.0 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATIONS AND PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

5.1 Objectives

Stakeholder participation during project planning, design and implementation has now become

universally recognised as an integral part of environmental and social impact assessment process.

Local communities, government, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) may all be able to

contribute to and benefit from dialogue directed at identifying and resolving key project-related issues.

Stakeholder consultation is a two-way flow of information and dialogue between project proponents

and stakeholders. It is specifically aimed at developing ideas that can help shape project design,

resolve conflicts at an early stage, assist in implementing solutions and monitor progress.

Specifically, the stakeholder engagement seeks to achieve the following objectives:

To provide information about the proposed irrigation project to stakeholders;

To educate stakeholders on the need for the proposed project;

To provide opportunities to stakeholders to discuss their opinions and concerns;

To enhance the project designs and implementation by learning from, and incorporating the

expertise of individuals, professionals, communities and organisations;

To provide and discuss with stakeholders alternatives considered to reduce anticipated impacts

and risks;

To manage expectations and misconceptions regarding the project;

To discuss the significance of environmental, social and health impacts and risks identified;

To inform the process of developing appropriate mitigation, monitoring and management

measures; and

To facilitate and maintain dialogue with key stakeholders throughout the project implementation

phase.

5.2 Identification of stakeholders

The stakeholder identification was based on organizations/institutions/communities/persons to be

involved or affected or have interest in relation to the project scope of works and the geopolitical and

traditional setting of the project area as well as document review. The main considerations in the

stakeholder group selection process are:

Relevant regulatory institutions;

Local government authorities within the project area (district assemblies);

Other relevant government institutions which may be involved or have direct interest;

Traditional authorities/land owners with influence on the project lands;

Project affected persons or communities; and

Relevant Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO’s).

As part of the ESIA study, stakeholders identified for consultations include:

Regulatory Institutions

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Head Office, Accra;

Water Resources Commission, Accra;

Volta River Authority, Akuse/Akosombo;

Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA);



Plant Protection and Regulatory Services Directorate of MoFA, Accra;

Ghana National Fire Service; and

Factories Inspectorate Department, Accra.

Local Government Body

North Tongu District Assembly

Decentralized government institutions under the North Tongu District Administration

(Department of Agriculture, District Health Management Team, District Education,

Department Community Water and Sanitation Agency, National Disaster Management

Organisation (NADMO), Town and Country Planning Department

Other Government Institutions

Lands Commission, Accra;

Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands, Accra/Ho;

Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research-Crop Research Institute (CSIR-CRI);

CSIR- Soil Research Institute;

Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG); and

Ghana Meteorological Agency, Accra.

Traditional Authorities/Councils

Torgorme Traditional Council, Torgorme

Local communities close to the project site

Torgorme;

Azagonorkope;

Sokope/Nyiflakpo;

Nakpoe;

Alabonu; and

Gblornu/Ziakpoe.

Commercial farms in the project area


Anyarko Farms Ltd.

Farmer Based Organizations (FBO)


Afenya Group;

Miator Group;

Dzibgordi Group;

Nenyo Group; and

Veviedodo Group.



5.3 Outcome and Evidence of Consultations

The Design Consultants (WAPCOS) and SAL Consult have held various levels of consultations with

relevant stakeholders. The design consultants (WAPCOS) and their technical experts on the project

have been involved with consultations with key stakeholders at the district and national levels,

including traditional authorities, local communities, district assembly, MoFA, Volta River Authority

(VRA), Farmer Based groups and commercial irrigation companies in the project area.

The discussions centred on issues such as:

Description of the proposed project;

Land acquisition and compensation;

Challenges associated with the MiDA irrigation scheme;

Operational level management;

How to minimise land degradation, air and water pollution;

Settlement expansion and buffer areas for settlements;

Prevention of water related diseases including malaria and schistosomiasis (bilharzias);

Sustenance of livelihoods of men and women in the charcoal production and pottery

businesses;

Environmental concerns for flora and fauna; and

Social infrastructure requirements.

5.3.1 Overview of the Design Consultants’ Consultations

Table 5-1 contains a summary of outcomes of consultations with relevant stakeholders in the project.

Evidence of stakeholder engagement by the design consultant is provided in Annex 4.

Table 5-1: Summary of consultation outcomes by the Design Consultants in 2016

Stakeholders Project Appreciation Project concerns/apprehensions /risks

Environmental

Protection Agency,

Accra

Generation of Employment

opportunities

Improvement in food

security

Flooding due to rainfall and design and

construction flaws

Public health concerns like increase in the

incidence of malaria

Gaps between the Ghana’ Environmental

Protection Agency requirements and the

World Bank requirements

GCAP Environmental

/ Social Desk

The project is considering all

kinds of farmers

Meeting World Bank and Ghana EPA

requirements for the preparation of ESIA

Speedy implementation of study to

achieve project objectives

Volta River Authority The project will economically

benefit the communities in the

area.

Impact on the Kpong Dam

Requested for a formal/detailed

description of the project

Impact on the communities within the

project zone

District Coordinating

Director / Planning

Officer

Employment and income

for farmers

Project sustainability

Land allocation

Operation and maintenance of the new

scheme

Project impact on people’s properties and

land take




District Agriculture

Officer

Increased farm yields

Reliable access to water for

animals and crops

Continuous crop

production all year

Generation of employment

Food security

Flooding fields due to blocking of water

bodies and poor land preparation

Provision of cattle crossings and provision

of drinking ponds

District Education

Officer

It will improve incomes and

probably more parents can put

their wards in school

Expansion of schools in the project area to

accommodate the expected increase in

population due to the project.

Children dropping out of school to work on

farms and rear livestock

Assistant District

Health Officer

Employment opportunities

Possibility of providing

social amenities like

potable water to reduce

the disease burden

As farmers will be handling pesticides and

other agrochemicals, the health personnel in

the district needs training in how to handle

diseases and associated poisoning and

contamination

Department of

Community

Development/ Gender

Creation of employment

opportunities

Income for farmers in the

communities within the

command areas

Lack of water and sanitation facilities within

the communities in the project zone can causes

diseases

Farmer based organisations and project communities

Torgorme Employment opportunities

Increased income

Access to irrigated land for

year-round agriculture

Water pollution due to agrochemicals

draining into water bodies which serves as

sources of water for drinking and other

domestic purposes for residents in the

area

Land acquisition and compensation issues

Incorporate social interventions like

construction of a well-equipped health

center.

Disruption of livelihood of charcoal

burners and pottery makers as a result of

project

Conflict between cattle herdsmen and

crop farmers as cattle sometimes destroy

their crops

Flooding of the fields after rainfall and

water not reaching some parts of the fields

Azagonorkope Employment opportunities

Increased income



Dust pollution as a result of land

preparation /leveling and cutting down

trees near the community

Water pollution as a result of

agrochemicals draining into water bodies

that serve as a source of water for

residents


Disruption of livelihoods of charcoal

burners and pottery makers as a result of

cutting down acacia trees used for




charcoal and firewood and the project

taking up sources of clay for making pots

Safety of children and road users during

the construction of the irrigation

infrastructure

Sokope/ Nyiflakpo Increased income

Employment opportunities


Water pollution

Incorporate social interventions

Disruption of livelihood as a result of

project

Conflict between cattle herdsman and

farmers as cattle destroys their crops

Grazing grounds and drinking pond will be

depleted under the project

Nakpoe Employment opportunities

Increased income



Dust pollution during clearing and

construction phase

Water pollution as the treatment plant

that serves the community and other

adjoining communities is not functioning.

The people fetch water from nearby water

bodies which can be contaminated with

agro-chemicals


Disruption of livelihood for charcoal

burners and potters as a result of project

Diseases and health problems

Water not reaching some plots due to

poor leveling of the fields

Alabonu Employment opportunities

Increased income



Area will be opened to

commercial farming

Dust pollution during the construction

phase, land preparation and leveling

Water pollution from agrochemicals




project


The irrigation scheme will limit settlement

expansion

Gblornu/Ziakpoe Employment opportunities

Increased income



Land acquisition and compensation Issues



project


Delays in implementation leading to

landless and food insecurity

5.3.2 Overview of SAL Consult Consultations

The stakeholders engaged by SAL Consult Ltd and their concerns/ issues raised are presented in Table

5-2. Evidence of stakeholder engagement by SAL Consult Ltd are presented in Annex 5. Table 5-2 also

provides a summary of previous consultations with relevant stakeholders with respect to the Anyako



Farms Project, a selected grantee firm under GCAP within the KLBIP area and similar stakeholders as

the KLBIP.

Table 5-2: Summary of concerns/issues raised by stakeholders from SAL Consult engagement

Stakeholder/

Institution/ Location

Concerns Raised/ Information Received

Institutions

Department of

Agriculture, North

Tongu District

-Relevant information was provided on how the department will provide technical

services through Agriculture Extension Agents (AEA) to famers on the scheme.

-Provided information on training programmes for farmers to enhance, productivity

and marketing.

-Some identified challenges discussed were:

Canals constructed under the MiDA project were not of good quality and are

already deteriorating

Lack of water for some farms on the scheme

-Recommendations:

Slope of land needs to be re-evaluated to help even water distribution

The design should include plans to recycle waste water to prevent

contamination of other water bodies

Sensitization of farmers of the project

Animals must be integrated to prevent livestock from being a nuisance to

farmers

- Recommended that used agro-chemical containers should be returned to the

suppliers as a means of disposal.

North Tongu District

Assembly

Benefits of the scheme should include employment, technology transfer between

farmers

Concerns raised on land issues, which need to be well managed within the

scheme to prevent conflicts

The Assembly serves as the local authority in communities to help as facilitators

for projects to benefit the district/local communities

The Assembly is willing to help with any collaborations on the project.

North Tongu District

Health Directorate

Relevant Information was provided on the Diseases and Health status of the

district.

Traditional Authorities/Farmer Based Organizations/Project Communities

Torgorme Traditional

Council/ Farmer Based

Organizations/

Torgorme Community

Job opportunities should be provided for the local communities

Alternative livelihoods should be provided for the communities during the


Buffer area should be created between canal and communities.

Land allocation should be at least 1 acre.

Access roads at the project site should be repaired.

Reservoirs should be created to ensure continuous water availability for farming.

Canal poses threat to children and community members, hence safety measures

should be put in place.

Alabonu Community Smallholder farmers should be prioritized in land allocation.

Rice farming is the main occupation, hence they want to continue doing rice

farming under the project.

Plot allocations should take into consideration existing farm sizes of the

community members and distance of the communities to the plots.

Compensation should be paid to farmers who may be affected.



Stakeholder/

Institution/ Location

Concerns Raised/ Information Received

Project may lead to pollution of Alabo River, which is the main source of drinking

water.

Kassa/Daledokope

Communities

Employment opportunities should be created for youth in the community.

Sections of canals close to communities should be fenced.

Existing canal roads are unmotorable when it rains and should be fixed.

Canal is close to the community and may affect future community expansion.

Farm machinery should be provided to assist the farmers.

Gblornu Community Project will bring benefits to the community.

Women should be equally considered in land allocation.

Alternative livelihoods should be provided during construction period.

A “buffer area” should be left between the project side and communities to cater

for future community expansion.

Canals should not be close to the communities.

Nakpoe/ Deikope

Communities

The project will negatively affect grazing of livestock at the project area.

Canals pose threat to the safety of the community.

Alternative livelihoods should be provided for persons whose livelihoods may be

affected, such as charcoal burners and pot makers.

Community members should be provided with job opportunities.

Azagonorkope

Community

Access road to the communities have been destroyed by the existing canals.

Bridges should be constructed at sections of the canals to aid movement of

people and animals.

The livelihood of charcoal burners and pot makers will be affected by the project.

Roads along the existing canal are very bad, which affects carting of produce to

market centres.

Employment opportunities should be created for the local communities.

Sokope Community Initial designs show canal is close to the community. This should be re-considered.

Potential conflict between livestock owners and farmers.

Copy of ESIA report should be made available to the community.

Community should be prioritized during land allocation.

Project timelines should be communicated to the community to enable them

plan.

Safety measures should be put in place to prevent drowning in the canals.

Table 5-3: Relevant sections of consultations on the Anyako Farm Project, which is within the KLBIP area

Stakeholder Concerns Raised/ Information Received

Ghana

Commercial

Agriculture

Project (GCAP)

Provided relevant information and documents on project implementation and

environmental and social concerns including:

the need for independent assessment of the project’s impacts to aid in decision making;

pollution prevention and remediation;

local content; and

stressed on “do no harm” and “do good” principle.

Environmental

Protection Agency

(EPA), Volta

Regional Office,

Ho

The Regional EPA is aware of the GCAP projects within the Region and is interested in

the land acquisition process for the various farms.

Labour migration to the project sites is of key interest to the EPA.

The environmental monitoring and management plan should include soil analysis. This

should include the soil living organisms to determine the effect of agrochemicals.

The maintenance regime of the machinery to be used should be considered since it

could have effects on air pollution.




The option of resending agrochemical containers to suppliers for reuse should be

considered under GCAP project.

Energy efficiency should be considered.

Ghana Irrigation

Development

Authority (GIDA),

Ho

The GIDA Regional office has oversight responsibility of water resources in the region

for irrigation, watering of livestock and aquaculture.

Feasibility studies are carried out by GIDA for all their facilities which involves key

stakeholders such as the Environmental Protection Agency. For all the GIDA facilities

that are going to be used by the GCAP project, some feasibility studies have been

carried out including some form of impact assessment which involved EPA.

As much as possible, the use of agrochemicals should be minimized.

Bins should be used on the project site to collect agrochemical containers for proper

disposal.

All those depending on GIDA facilities automatically become part of the Water Users

Association and they must attend regular meetings.

Irrigation service charge must be paid by all those using GIDA facilities.

Drainage systems are also included in the design of irrigation systems and these are

occasionally maintained.

CSIR – Soil

Research

Institute, Accra

Soil fertility studies should be conducted at the project site to determine requirements

for fertilizer.

Irrigation can result in salinization of soils.

Farmers have to be trained on water management.

Ghana National

Fire Service

(GNFS) – Volta

Regional Office,

Ho.

Bush fires are prominent in the region and the GNFS takes bush fire issues very

seriously.

Electricity would be used at the proposed project sites in the region and bush fires burn

some of the poles. Other properties including homes are destroyed in bushfires.

The regional office will collaborate with the district offices to monitor the project sites.

Ghana National

Fires Service

(GNFS) – North

Tongu District,

Battor

Farmers and workers would have to be trained on how to control fire at the initial

stages before GNFS reaches the scene in case of a fire outbreak.

The farms will require fire hydrants and fire extinguishers for emergency cases. They

would need the assistance of the GNFS in installing these equipment.

GNFS will issue a fire certificate to the proponent after these equipment have been

properly installed.

The fire certificate will have to be renewed annually and the GNFS will have to inspect

the site for the renewal of the certificate.

Fire belts will have to be created around the farms (about 20 meters width) to control

bushfires.

Some of the farmers will have to be trained as fire volunteers.

MOFA, North

Tongu District,

Battor

The MOFA district office has 9 agricultural extension officers and supervisors to provide

extension services at various areas of the district including good agronomic practices

such as using certified planting material, good land preparation, early weed control,

use of insecticides, etc.

Farmers are also trained on the safe use of agrochemicals, the right PPE’s to use and

on management of agrochemical containers.

Farmers are advised to harvest cereals early to reduce pest infestation.

Farmers are advised strongly not to recycle agrochemical containers.

The district has 15 operational areas, however only 9 are currently being managed

effectively due to inadequate extension officers.

Farmers along the river bank are advised not to farm close to the banks of the rivers. A

buffer of about 200m should be left between the farms and river banks.

Sand winning activities along the Volta River affects fishing through lubricants which

get into the river.




Land Commission,

Land Valuation

Division, Volta

Region, Ho

Main concern is with compensation issues after the lands have been acquired.

For lands acquired by private investors, the Land Commission will have to register the

lands. For such lands, the private investor may handle compensation issues on their

own or may involve the Land Valuation Office.

Forestry

Commission,

Volta Regional

Office, Ho

If there are economic trees on the project site, the Forestry Commission should be

involved else if the economic trees are felled, the District Assembly and the state will

lose revenue.

Some trees could be left on the site to provide benefits such as fodder and fuelwood.

Sources of water for irrigation should be protected by not farming in areas around the

banks.

Communities upstream of water bodies should be involved in protecting them.

The Forestry Commission has two offices in the region- Denu and Sogakope. These

should be consulted to help farmers identify any economic trees on their lands.

Bush fires are rampant in the region therefore prevention and control of wildfires

should be critically considered.

Planning

Department,

North Tongu

District, Battor

Stakeholder consultation should be a major consideration for the project, mainly

farmers, landowners and traditional authorities. This will eliminate or reduce any land

disputes.

The project should be sustainable so the project does not collapse in future like other

similar projects in the district.

About 60% of the population in the North Tongu District are engaged in agriculture,

with women being more than men. Women’s views should therefore be a key

consideration in the design of project.

Health

Directorate,

North Tongu

District, Battor

Malaria is the major disease in the district. Other diseases are diarrhoea and skin

diseases.

Diarrhoea is associated with the water situation in the district. Many areas depend on

collected water in ponds and streams are shared with animals resulting in diarrhoea.

Portable water is a challenge in the district.

Teenage pregnancy and acute respiratory tract (ART) infections are other health

challenges/ diseases in the district.

Even though there is a Health Centre at Torgorme with community health nurses and

midwives to provide health care for the community, there is the need for health

education for the community and the community health nurses on agrochemicals and

the necessary precautionary measures.

North Tongu

District Assembly,

Battor

Due processes must be followed. Any projects within the district that are not registered

with the district assembly will not be recognized by the assembly.

The Assembly is happy with such upcoming projects and will be willing to lend their

support to any projects within the district, but this will only be done when due

processes are followed.

Also such projects provide employment opportunities for people within the district,

hence the assembly will wish to support such projects. The assembly therefore urges

all projects within the district to register with the Assembly and follow due process.

Torgorme

Traditional

Council

Assembly man –

Torgorme

Electoral Area

Benefits of project to the community.

Performed traditional rites for community entry and survey works on the proposed

project site.

Source: Adapted from the Environmental Scoping Report for Anyako Farms Ltd, April 2016.



5.3.3 Further Consultations with Nakpoe Community after Revised EIS

Following review of the first draft ESIS, SAL Consult Ltd organised further consultations with the

Nakpoe community in collaboration with GCAP. The Nakpoe community is unique in the sense that it

is entirely engulfed by the proposed irrigation scheme area. GCAP organised a meeting with the

traditional leaders and residents of the Nakpoe community on 28 June 2017 in the community (see

Plate 5-1) to discuss details of the proposed project, identified impacts and proposed measures to

mitigate the identified impacts. The meeting was also used to seek community’s free, prior informed

consent for the project implementation. The meeting took the form of general consultations with the

whole community and focus group discussions with adult men, adult women and youth (15-21years).

Evidence of the consultation, including attendance sheets are attached in Annex 5.

Some proposed measures to address community’s concerns were as follows:

GCAP will rehabilitate the existing the water treatment facility at Nakpoe (see Plate 5-2), which

was initially constructed under the MiDA project, to serve as a source of potable water for the

community. This is because the Nyifla Lake, which is currently being used by the community as

their main source of water will be part of the drainage system of the proposed irrigation scheme.

A 25 m buffer area will be maintained between the community and the scheme’s command area.

This will be enhanced and conserved through enrichment planting by the community to provide

productive functions (example: fodder, fuelwood, fruits, etc.) and regulation functions (example:

windbreak functions, screening of agrochemicals in run off, screening of airborne dust, etc.) for

the community.

Farmers in the Nakpoe community will be allocated irrigation blocks/sub-blocks closest to the

community to provide a source of livelihood and ensure that the farmers do not develop within

the safe buffer zones. The farmers will also be much more inclined to adopting responsible social

and environmental measures directed at protecting their communities.

The proposed project will also provide public biofil toilet for the community. Community

members were cautioned to take good care of the water system and the toilet system to be

provided.

The project design has made provisions for livestock watering points and access to grazing areas.

Plate 5-1: Further consultations with the Nakpoe community



Plate 5-2: Existing water treatment plant at Nakpoe

Response from the community

The community expressed their overwhelming support for the implementation of the proposed

project and believed the recommended mitigation measures to safeguard the interest of the

community were adequate. The following concerns were however expressed for consideration during

the project implementation:

Community members are concerned that promises were made to them in previous projects (e.g.

the MiDA project) and were not fulfilled and hope that the mitigation measures as discussed will

be delivered for the KLBIP.

Those who rear animals are concerned on where the animals will graze since the community will

be surrounded by farm plots.

The Nyifla lake is considered to be sacred so the necessary rites will need to be performed prior

to clearing of vegetation growth in the lake.

From the presentation on the proposed project design and layout, community cemetery and

sacred grove falls within the command area of the scheme. It would be preferable if these are left

undeveloped.

The community suggested that the drains and lake should be regularly sprayed to reduce or

prevent breeding of mosquitoes.

Currently the drains get flooded during rains and spill over to the community. They hoped that

the proposed project will help address this challenge.

5.4 Key Concerns from Stakeholder Consultations

The key concerns/issues raised by the project communities during the stakeholder consultations are

summarised below.

5.4.1 Job opportunities for local communities

One of the main priorities of the project communities is the creation of job opportunities for

community members. There are currently limited/no job opportunities in the communities, especially

for the youth. This has led to many of the youth leaving the communities in search of job opportunities

elsewhere. It is the expectation and plea of the community leaders and members that the project

construction and operation provide jobs for the community members.

5.4.2 Plot allocation

Community members will want to be prioritized during land allocation for the project. The proximity

of plots to communities should also be factored during plot allocations. They would want to be

allocated plots close to their communities to reduce travel time and stress from commuting long

distances to their farm. They noted that they have much bigger stake in ensuring good environmental



practises on fields near to their communities as any negative impact resulting from unsustainable

practices will first affect them.

5.4.3 Safety concerns

Initial project designs showed that sections of the canals were close to some of the project

communities. This raised a lot of safety concerns from the communities, who requested relocation of

such canals or putting in place safety measures to protect the community members, especially

children.

5.4.4 Buffer zone around communities

From the initial project designs, community members were concerned about not having adequate

land for future buildings due to the proximity of the plots to the communities. They therefore

appealed for a buffer area to be reserved between the communities and the cultivable area, which

could in future be utilized for new buildings where necessary.

5.4.5 Rehabilitation of roads

The roads to the various project communities, which are part of the farm roads created for the existing

scheme, are in a deplorable state. Some sections of the roads become unmotorable during heavy

rains. The communities appeal for the roads to be rehabilitated as part of the proposed project.

5.4.6 Preservation of Cultural Sites

Concerns were raised with regards to the potential infringement of the proposed project on cultural

resources such as cemeteries, sacred groves and shrines in the Sokope, Nyiflakpo, Nakpoe, Alabonu

and Gblornu communities. The communities recommended that these sites are preserved. With

regards to the removal of vegetation from the lakes, the respective chief priests or overseers will need

to perform the necessary rites to permit the activity.

5.5 Scoping Notice Publication and Public Involvement

The EPA indicated in its response to the project registration that a scoping notice be published in one

of the national dailies as part of the public involvement process for the ESIA. The scoping notice was

published in the Daily Graphic of Thursday, 25th August, 2016. A copy of the publication is provided in

Annex 2.



6.0 IMPACTS IDENTIFICATION AND SIGNIFICANCE

The nature of the project, field inspections and observations, concerns from stakeholder consultations

and issues from relevant literature search formed the basis for the identified potential environmental

and social issues and impacts.

6.1 Project Area of Influence

The project areas to be influenced have been grouped under:

Geographical;

Environmental;

Socio-economic;

Community level; and

Institutional/organizational.

6.1.1 Geographical Area of Influence

The immediate geographical area of influence is the proposed 2000 ha of land to be developed under

the irrigation scheme at Torgorme area. The ESIA study also covered the land area covered by the

communities (refer to Section 6.1.4) in the project area. The larger geographical area of influence is

the North Tongu District of the Volta Region of Ghana.

6.1.2 Environmental Media of Influence

The environmental media to be potentially influenced by the activities of the proposed project are

land (landscape), flora/fauna, soil resources, air quality, surface water bodies including Volta River,

Nyifla stream and lake, Alabo stream, and Gblor stream and groundwater resources in the project

zone. The Volta River will serve as the source of water for irrigation and the Volta River, Nyifla and

Gblor streams and Nyifla Lake will be the recipient of any run-off water from the project site. Any

percolation of agrochemicals through the soil may also impact on groundwater resources. The air

quality may also be impacted by dust and gaseous emissions from project activities especially with the

use of equipment/machinery.

6.1.3 Socio-economic Influence of the Project

The proposed irrigation development project will greatly impact on the socio-economic status of local

farmers who will participate in the irrigation scheme, North Tongu District and the nation as a whole.

The project area has low coverage of social amenities as well as low employment opportunities. It is

anticipated that employment opportunities, income levels and economic wellbeing, infrastructure

(roads, education, and health) will be greatly improved from the successful implementation of the

project.

6.1.4 Community Influence and Vulnerable Groups

The implementation of the proposed project could impact on neighbouring communities. The local

communities of concern include Afalikpoe, Agyimakope, Agetklekye, Alabonu, Akpagokope,

Azagonorkope, Bekpoe, Fodzoku, Gblornu, Kasa, Klamakpoe, Klamadaboe, Kpatokope, Nakpoe,

Pokyeku, Sokope, Torgorme and Ziakpoe.



Figure 6-1: Location of communities within the project area (Adapted from the proposed layout map for scheme, WAPCOS Limited)



The Nakpoe community is entirely engulfed by the proposed irrigation scheme area, and the

Akpagokope, Gblornu, Kasa, Ziakpoe communities are sandwiched between the scheme area and the

Volta River.

Vulnerable Groups

Vulnerable groups are those at risk of becoming worse off due to the proposed project. Vulnerable

people include, but not limited to:

Physically challenged farmers;

Aged farmers, usually from 70 years and above;

very sick and or physically weak individuals;

Widows and female farmers in general;

Female heads of household;

Children; and

Tribal or religious minorities.

6.1.5 Institutional Influence

The major institutions to be influenced or involved in the proposed project include:

Ministry of Food and Agriculture - Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP);

Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA);

Lands Commission;

Water Resources Commission;

Environmental Protection Agency;

Ghana National Fire Service;

Department of Factories Inspectorate;

North Tongu District Assembly; and

Torgorme Traditional Council.

6.2 Project Activities of Environmental and Social Concern

6.2.1 Preparatory Phase Activities

Preparatory phase activities are grouped into two (2) as follows:

a) Pre-Construction Phase:

Survey works and feasibility studies;

Stakeholder consultations;

Design of water supply and sanitation facilities for each community;

Engagement of local communities on the acquired land;

Engineering design;

Tender preparation and procurement of works/contract award; and

Statutory permitting activities from EPA.

b) Pre-Agricultural Development and Operational Phase:

Land allocation; and

Scheme organization and management system setup.



6.2.2 Constructional Phase Activities

Constructional phase activities include among others:

Construction of contractor work camps and yard;

Transportation of materials and equipment to site;

Rehabilitation and Improvement of Existing Canal System;

o De-silting and removal of weeds from lined canals;

o Excavation of secondary, tertiary and quaternary canals;

o Removal of redundant structures;

o Repair works – damaged sections of facilities;

o Clearing and stripping of existing canal banks;

o Raising of concrete lining and canal banks (filling and compaction in earthwork);

o Construction works;

o Installation works;

o Disposal of weeds, silt, excavated materials, etc.;

o Re-modelling of existing cross and head regulators.

Extension Works (New Canals);

o Excavation and civil works for canals and drains

o Construction works (including new canals and associated works, cross-drainage

works, cattle crossings, village road bridges, etc.); and

o Installation works.

Installation of Instrumentation for Canal Automation and Discharge Measurement;

Land Development Works;

o Clearing of vegetation and removal of stumps

o Felling of trees

o Land levelling and grading for 2000 ha area

Flood Protection Works;

o Clearing of vegetation, removal of stumps and stripping of earth

o Felling of trees

o Filling and compaction of dykes on both banks of Nyifla

Construction of Drains;

o Excavation of field drains, collector drains and main drains

o Supply and installation of outlet pipes across Nyifla dykes

Construction of Canal Inspection Roads and Access Roads (filling of laterite for roads);

Material storage areas, concrete plant, construction equipment storage, maintenance areas;

Construction of Ancillary Infrastructure (drying floors, warehouses, sheds, etc.);

Miscellaneous Works;

o Construction of well-furnished offices for the consultant(s) and the contractor(s)

o Rehabilitation of materials testing laboratory

o Provision of electricity, water, sanitation facilities on site

Decommissioning of work camps, concrete batch plant; equipment workshop; and

Disposal of construction spoil and waste in general.



6.2.3 Agricultural Development and Operations Phase Activities

Agricultural development and operations phase activities include:

Land/farm development;

Planting/Sowing;

Weed control;

Pest and disease control;

Construction and maintenance of fire belt;

Water abstraction and Irrigation of crops;

Fertilizer and/or manure application;

Harvesting of produce;

Transport of farm inputs and produce;

Post-harvest and storage management;

Maintenance of machinery/ equipment and irrigation facilities (e.g. canals, intake structure

etc.);

Materials management and storage (including agrochemicals, fertilizers, tools, etc.);

Warehouse management and security;

Waste management (including farm and office waste); and

Marketing.

6.3 Impact Significance Determination

The impact significance rating depends upon:

Area of influence and impact magnitude;

Duration/persistence of impact, whether it is temporary in nature or permanent, reversible

and irreversible;

Sensitivity and value of the receptor;

Compliance with relevant laws, regulations and standards;

Concerns and views of stakeholders;

Overall worker comfort; and

Likelihood of an occurrence.

The impacts are rated according to the following categories:

1. An impact of Low Significance referred to as a ‘Minor Impact’ is one where an effect is

experienced, but the impact magnitude is sufficiently small and well within accepted

standards, and/or the receptor is of low sensitivity/value and is temporary;

2. An impact of Medium Significance referred to as a ‘Moderate Impact’, is one which is within

accepted limits and standards. Moderate impacts may cover a broad range, from a threshold

below which the impact is minor, up to a level that might be just short of breaching an

established (legal) limit and is of longer duration; and

3. An impact of High Significance referred to as a ‘Major Impact’ is one where an accepted limit

or standard may be exceeded, or large magnitude impacts occur to highly valued/sensitive

resources/receptors.



6.4 Evaluation of Potential Positive Impacts

The potential positive impacts of the proposed project are listed below with evaluation provided in

Table 6-1.

Employment generation;

Improved crop productivity of farmers;

Enhanced income and livelihoods of farmers;

Increased food production and food security in the district and the country at large;

Improvement in the revenue base of key institutions and regulatory bodies;

Improvement in local and national economy;

Improvement in access roads linking the farms to the various communities; and

Increased climate change adaptation.

Table 6-1: Evaluation of potential positive impacts.

No. Impact Key

receptor(s)

Evaluation Significance

1. Employment

generation

Community

members,

people from

other

communities

The proposed project will result in the engagement of skilled and unskilled labour during the update of feasibility studies and the land development and constructional phase activities. In addition to employment for farmers, people will be employed for the operation, maintenance and servicing of machinery and equipment during the operational phase of the project. At the feasibility stage, the project has professionals for a range of services including project designs, baseline studies and environmental assessments. It is estimated that not less than 22 key staff will be deployed by the contractor on full time basis for the construction period of 18 months. Additionally, more than 600 temporary staff including truck drivers and their assistants as well as labourers mainly from the project fringe communities. The operational phase of the project will provide employment for the scheme management staff, smallholder farmers who will be allocated lands for farming at the project site and workers who will be engaged by the medium and large scale enterprises such as Anyako Farms Limited and Vegpro.

The project will therefore have a major positive impact on

the socioeconomic conditions of the local communities in the

project area (Torgome, Alabornu, Azagonorkope, Nyiflakpoe,

Nakpoe, Sokope, and Gblornu/Ziakpoe) and the North Tongu

District as a whole through the creation of permanent and

temporary direct jobs as well as indirect jobs.

Major

2. Improved crop

productivity of

farmers

Community

members/local

farmers

The provision of services for participating farmers such as

land preparation, fertilizers, improved seeds, etc. will boost

crop productivity on farms. Irrigation services will enable

farmers to plant all year round and avoid losses during

periods of low rain fall and drought.

Major



No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


Capacity building for farmers and transfer of knowledge will

help them better manage their farms and boost productivity.

The proposed project is therefore expected to have a major

positive impact on the crop productivity of the participating

farmers.

3. Enhanced

income and

livelihood of

farmers

Community

members/

local farmers

The incomes and livelihoods of the participating farmers will be enhanced through the following:

All year round cropping will ensure farmers have reliable

source of income.

Reduction in investment losses by farmers.

Efficient and effective scheme management unit will ensure

ready market for farmers.

Increased crop productivity of farmers will boost their

incomes and livelihoods.

Women will participate in the project will also earn some

income to support their families.

The implementation of the project will inspire commercial

activity in the project area and also provide direct and

indirect jobs. The impact on outgrowers and other workers’

incomes and livelihoods will be major and permanent.

Major

4. Increased food

production and

food security

Local and

national

economies

Currently, approximately 500ha of land developed under the

KLBIP is seldomly used for production because of the

dilapidated state of the existing irrigation network. The

proposed rehabilitation and modernization works will

rehabilitate the existing irrigation network, improve land

development of the 500ha and bring additional 1500ha into

production.

The improved methods of crop production, irrigation and use

of high quality and improved seed varieties will increase food

production in the project area and the country as a whole. It

is also expected that the improved access roads, transport

and storage facilities will significantly reduce post-harvest

losses of farmers on the project. The impact will be major and

of regional extent.

Major

5. Improvement in

revenue base of

institutions and

regulatory

bodies.

Local and

national

institutions

and economy

Revenue will accrue to traditional authorities and regulatory

institutions through the payment of royalties and regulatory

fees and levies. The impact will be permanent, lasting

throughout the duration of the project.

After the scheme is renovated, the facility becomes a

property of the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority

(GIDA). GIDA will derive a substantial revenue from the

scheme through land leases and contract with a private

Scheme Management Entity (SME) which will be engaged to

manage the scheme. Other public institutions such as the

Major



No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


Water Resources Commission (WRC) and the Environmental

Protection Agency (EPA) will respectively derive revenue

through acquisition and renewal of water abstraction and

environmental permits. The WRC will additionally earn

revenue from payment of water abstraction charges. The

North Tongu District whose jurisdiction the scheme falls will

also earn revenue through taxation and issuance of essential

permits e.g. building permits for offices. The impact will be

permanent, lasting throughout the duration of the project.

6. Improvement in

local and

national

economy

Neighbouring

communities,

district and

national

economy

The local and national economy will be boosted through the

following:

Direct and indirect job creation.

Increased income for workers.

Increase in business activities in the communities.

Increased food production will reduce food cost.

Payment of taxes will improve the revenue base of the economy.

The designs have included additional village and canal inspection roads which serve to improve the road network situation among fringe communities. This will enhance and facilitate movement of persons, goods and services among communities and thereby contribute to a vibrant local economy. On the national front, the expected increment in rice production and productivity can contribute to reducing the nation’s rice importation bill. The impact will be regional and permanent, lasting throughout the duration of the project.

Major

7. Increased

Climate change

adaptation

Lower Volta

Basin

The proposed project will enable farmers adapt to the effects

of climate change as it is a more resilient option compared to

rain-fed agriculture due to the availability of water all year

round for farming.

Groundwater resources could also be improved through

managed aquifer recharge, i.e. enhancing recharge of

aquifers through infiltration from the scheme and reservoir.

Major



6.5 Evaluation of Potential Adverse Impacts Associated with Preparatory Phase Activities

The adverse environmental and social issues which could possibly arise from preparatory phase

activities are listed below and examined in Table 6-2.

Disturbance of flora and fauna;

Occupational health & safety; and

Conflict over land allotment and land use rights.

Table 6-2: Evaluation of adverse preparatory phase impacts

No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


1. Disturbance of

flora and

fauna

Flora, fauna,

soil

The movement of personnel and vehicles may result in trampling of flora and disturbance of fauna at the proposed project site. Collection of soil samples for analysis may also result in removal of some fauna and death of some soil dwelling invertebrates.

The impact is of local extent and temporary, lasting for a

few days during preparatory phase activities.

Minor

2. Occupational

health &

safety

Workers Consultants, surveyors and other workers engaged may be exposed to injury and bites from dangerous reptiles and other animals such as scorpions, bees, ants, etc. This effect can be prevented or minimised through the use of appropriate personal and protective equipment such as safety boots and gloves.

The impact is temporary lasting during the survey works.

Minor

3. Conflict over

land allotment

and land use

rights

Local

communities

and farmers,

Cattle

headsmen

The allocation of land to community members may result

in conflict if not done in a fair and transparent manner.

Farmers and local communities may also prefer different

areas for different reasons to where the scheme managers

may allocate them. Conflicts may also arise where the

interest of livestock owners in the neighbouring

communities (Torgome, Alabornu, Azagonorkope,

Nyiflakpoe, Nakpoe, Sokope, and Gblornu/Ziakpoe) and

cattle headsmen are not considered in the planning of the

project and in land allocations.

Lands hitherto lying idle will now trigger interest from

different stakeholders which could potential delay the

project if not well managed. Livestock owners exist in

almost all the fringe communities and they will be

concerned about the potential loss of grazing fields while

women deriving alternative livelihood from the pottery

industry may be concerned about potential loss of raw

materials (i.e. clay and fuel wood) currently obtained from

the site.

The impact, if not managed, may negatively affect the

sustainability and success of the project.

Major



6.6 Evaluation of Potential Adverse Constructional Phase Impacts

The potential negative environmental and social impacts associated with constructional phase

activities are discussed with respect to impacts related to land preparation, construction and

installation works for the proposed project. The general constructional phase impacts are listed below

and evaluated in Table 6-3.

Loss of vegetation and impacts to flora and fauna;

Soil impacts and sediment transport;

Air quality deterioration;

Vibration and noise nuisance;

Impacts from visual intrusion;

Generation and disposal of solid waste;

Occupational health & safety issues;

Influx of workers and migrants;

Public safety;

Road impacts and traffic issues;

Obstruction of access ways to communities;

Disruption of livelihoods;

Sanitation issues and public health; and

Destruction of culturally sensitive sites.

Table 6-3: Evaluation of potential adverse constructional phase impacts

No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


1. Loss of

vegetation and

impacts on

flora and fauna

Flora, fauna,

soil

Vegetation clearance during land preparation and opening

and rehabilitation of access roads will result in loss of flora

and disturbance and/or loss of fauna at the project site.

Field studies show the vegetation to be lost are common in

the project area and no critical species have been found at

the proposed project site (Refer to Section 4.2.1). Hence

the project will not result in loss of species of conservation

value. Disturbed fauna can migrate to nearby bushes and

the forest reserve. The impact is limited to project site and

of local extent.

Moderate

2. Soil impacts

and sediment

transport

Soil, water

bodies, air

Excavation, vegetation clearance, levelling and other land

preparation works and opening of access roads will expose

and loosen the soil making it susceptible to erosion. There

could be the loss of top soil and possible contamination of

soil from fuels, oils and waste. The use of heavy machinery

(excavators, bulldozers, etc.) may result in soil compaction

in portions of the project site.

The oil spills from the maintenance of equipment and fuel

storage area, especially from dispensing, could

contaminate soil and soil sediments transported by runoff.

Transported soil sediments by air and water may end up in

Major



No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


nearby waterbodies (Volta River, Nyifla and Gblor streams

and Nyifla Lake).

The impact is temporary lasting during the construction

works. The impact cannot be avoided and requires

management.

3. Air quality

deterioration

Air, workers,

communities

along

haulage road

Loosen and exposed soils from land preparation works and

movement of vehicles/trucks to and from the project site

may result in the increase of airborne particulates affecting

the air quality.

The haulage of stones and boulders from the proposed

quarry sites to the project site will have minimal impact on

communities along the route such as Doryumu junction,

Asutuare junction, Okwenya and Akuse as the road is

tarred. However, within the project area where the road is

untarred, the movement of these trucks together with

haulage trucks to and from the borrow pits and yard will

generate dust which may impact on neighbouring

communities such as Azagonokope, Napkoe and Sokope.

The impact cannot be avoided, however, can be managed

through the adoption of best practices such as regular

dampening of the road surface and/or application of

biodegradable dust wrapping materials. No permanent air

emission sources will be created by the project

implementation. The impact is intermittent, lasting during

the constructional phase activities are occurring.

Moderate

4. Vibration and

noise nuisance

Air, fauna,

workers,

communities

along

haulage

road, project

communities

The likely sources of noise during the constructional phase

will be through the movement and operation of machines,

trucks and equipment. The movement of haulage trucks

from quarry sites through Doryumu and Asutuare junctions,

Okwenya and Akuse may increase noise levels

intermittently in those communities. Noise levels from the

movement of vehicles over access roads, measured at a

distance of 10 m, typically range between 77dBA and 83

dBA (BS 5228-1:2009). This is expected to further reduce by

6dBA at distance of about 20m.

Project communities such as Azagonokope, Sokope,

Nakpoe and Gblornu may also experience temporary

increase in noise and vibration levels from construction

activities.

The impact is temporary, lasting during the construction

activities; site-specific and of weak intensity.

Minor

5. Visual

intrusion

Landscape,

communities

The construction activities will result in alteration in the

landscape character and features. The alteration of the Minor



No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


along

haulage

road, project

communities

landscape will affect the public view of the site particularly

for the nearby communities (Alabonu, Klamadaboe,

Nakpoe, Sokope, Gblornu, Kassa, Daledokope and

Azagunorkope). The frequent movement of

vehicles/haulage trucks will be an unusual view for these

communities which are rural settings. For communities

along the road from the quarry sites to the project site, the

movement of haulage trucks is a common feature.

Poor housekeeping practices at the project site may also

reduce the aesthetic value of the area.

There is already an existing canal system at portions of the

project site which is to be rehabilitated, modernised and

extended to new areas of the project site. The project will

therefore not be an entirely new feature at the project site.

The project site will be restored to agricultural use after

land preparation which is the current use of the project site.

Hence the change in landscape features and view of the

public will be temporary and of minimal impact.

6. Generation

and disposal of

solid waste

Soil, water

bodies

Vegetative material and desilted and excavated soils which

are unsuitable for reuse for canal and road works will form

the bulk of waste generated. Servicing and maintenance of

machinery and equipment and installation works may

generate waste such as scrap metal, empty lubricant

containers, rubber seals, etc.

Also, packaging materials, wrappers, used polythene bags,

food wastes, used water sachets and bottles, etc. will be

generated from use by construction workers.

The impact is of local extent and temporal, lasting during

the constructional phase.

Moderate

7. Occupational

health & safety

Workers Occupational health and safety issues associated with the proposed project construction include:

Workers will be exposed to noise, dust and vibrations.

There is a high risk of accidents and injury from the use of

machinery and equipment if safety procedures are not

adhered to.

Risk of falling into existing canals.

Workers will be exposed to attack or bite from dangerous

animals such as snakes, scorpions, insects.

Risk of accidents from the materials management at the

construction yards, including accidents from poorly

managed workspace and fire from fuel storage facilities.

This impact is temporary, lasting during the constructional

phase.

Major

8. Public safety communities

along

The movement of haulage trucks to and from the quarry sites to the project site will pose safety risks for Doryumu junction, Asutuare junction, Okwenya and Akuse which are

Major



No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


haulage

road, project

communities

located along the route. The project communities may also be at risk from the movement of trucks/vehicles and other machinery, as well as from borrow pits and unsecured excavations such as the canals, laterals and drains, if adequate measures are not put in place to restrict movement to these areas. This is particularly critical for children in the project communities and those along the haulage road. This impact is temporary, lasting during the constructional phase.

9. Road impacts

& traffic issues

Road

network,

communities

along

haulage

road, project

communities

The road from the quarry sites at Shai Hills to Juapong (N2)

is an asphalt road and in good condition to contain the

movement of the haulage trucks. However sections of the

access road leading to the project site, is in a bad state and

may be worsened by the frequent movement of haulage

trucks transporting stones and boulders to the project site.

The section of the N2 highway from the quarry sites at Shai

Hills to Atimpoku is a low traffic volume road with average

daily traffic of 3,968 and 4,540 (JICA, 2013) at Astsuare

junction and Atimpoku respectively.

It is expected that, in the worst case scenario, the

construction phase will require the transportation of about

200 truckloads of materials per day (both inbound and

outbound) for the 18 month duration of the construction

works using 20 m3 capacity trucks. The increased traffic

though significant is not expected to hinder road traffic on

the road. The road to the project site has low traffic volume,

which is typical of rural setting and can accommodate the

movement of haulage trucks to the project site. It must

however be noted that all materials for filling will be

obtained in-situ and from nearby borrow pits while stone

aggregates for concrete works will however be transported

from the quarry sites at Shai Hills.

Any unattended mechanical breakdown of such cargo

trucks on the roads can induce traffic and serious accidents

Any traffic impacts will be of moderate intensity.

Moderate

10. Influx of

workers and

migrants.

Workers,

public

Construction activities may result in the movement of workers to the project area and people from other communities in search of job opportunities. The migrants may not conform to the societal norms and cultural practices and may upset the social structure of these communities. The influx of people during the construction period may promote irresponsible sexual behaviour. This could possible lead to HIV/AIDS and other STD infections. Irresponsible sexual behaviour could also result in teenage pregnancies

Major



No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


and unwanted pregnancies. The impact may be permanent or irreversible in nature.

11. Obstruction of

access ways to

communities

Project

communities

The road network along the existing canals serve as access roads to some of the communities in the project area, such as Klamadaboe, Nakpoe, Sokope, Gblornu, Deikope and Kassa. Construction works at the project may render portions of the roads and existing foot paths inaccessible, temporarily closed or unmotorable during the constructional phase. This may create inconvenience and increase travel time to and from the affected communities. The impact is temporary, lasting during the constructional phase.

Moderate

12. Disruption of

livelihoods

Community

members

Crop farming is the main source of livelihood in the project

area. Some members of communities around the project

area (Klamadaboe, Nakpoe, Sokope, Gblornu and

Azagonorkope) currently farm at the project site, mainly

under rain-fed. Their livelihoods could be impacted if they

are unable to farm on the land and/or do not have

alternative lands for farming during the project

construction phase. The impact may be temporary, lasting

during the constructional phase, but could have negative

impacts on livelihoods.

Major

13. Sanitation

issues and

public health

Land, water

bodies and

local

residents

and

construction

workers

Poorly managed construction site camps and indiscriminate

disposal of waste will create unsightly conditions. Open

defecation may be promoted if adequate toilet facilities are

not provided at camps and the project site during

construction. Improperly covered trenches may result in

stagnant water and breed mosquitoes.

Faecal matter from open defecation by construction

workers, and transported soil sediments by air and water

may end up in nearby waterbodies (Volta River, Nyifla and

Gblor streams and Nyifla Lake), and affect the water quality.

The water bodies serve as water sources for livestock and

some project communities (Sokope, Napkoe, Gblornu,

Kassa). The impact is will last throughout the constructional

phase, and may have health impacts on livestock and some

community members.

Major

14. Disturbance of

culturally

sensitive sites

Local

communities

and

traditional

authorities

Culturally sensitive sites such as sacred groves, shrines and

cemeteries in the project area (including communities)

have been identified through field visits and consultations

with community leaders.

Sections of the proposed canal which would have been

close to a cemetery at Sokope (culturally sensitive site) have

been re-designed to move further away from the cemetery.

This followed discussions and agreement reached at

monthly project technical meetings, which involves project

Moderate



No. Impact Key

receptor(s)


proponents, project design consultants, community

leaders, environmental consultants, among others.

A sacred groove and cemetery at Nakpoe which are within

the project site have also been identified to be within the

planned scheme area. The sacred grove falls mainly within

sub-blocks 2 and 4 of Block MC2-TC7-L2 and the cemetery

is located on the periphery of the community, near sub-

block 1 of Block MC2-TC9-L1. The Nyifla lake is also

considered to be sacred and sacred rites will need to be

performed to prior to the removal of vegetation from the

lake. These potential impacts must necessarily be

addressed to ensure the peaceful coexistence of the project

with the community. These identified sacred places have

been incorporated in the design of the project to reduce the

potential impact.

6.7 Evaluation of Agricultural Development and Operations Phase Impacts

The potential adverse impacts related to the agricultural development and operations phase of the

proposed project are stated below and evaluated in Table 6-4.

Soil quality degradation (soil biological/chemical/ physical degradation);

Impact from water abstraction;

Pollution of water sources;

Impact from air emissions;

Noise and vibration;

Impacts on grazing land and conflict with cattle herders;

Impacts on secondary livelihoods;

Impacts on communities within the scheme area;

Waste generation and disposal;

Occupational health and safety;

Public safety;

Sanitation issues and public health;

Fire risks;

Pest/rodent infestation and contamination of stored grains;

Post-harvest losses; and

Sustainability of the irrigation scheme.



Table 6-4: Evaluation of adverse agricultural development and operations phase impacts.

No. Impact Key receptor(s) Evaluation Significance

1. Soil quality

degradation

Soil, fauna, water

bodies

Soil quality degradation may result from the following:

Continuous use of agrochemicals and fertilizers may

result in the death of soil fauna, soil pollution.

Continuous application of ammonium-based

inorganic fertilizers may result in soil acidification.

Land preparation, tilling and other physical works

may also result in the death of soil fauna.

Loosened and exposed soils will be susceptible to

water and wind erosion.

Soil compaction in areas of the land under continuous

use of heavy machinery.

Continuous tilling of the soil, hard pan formation,

erosion and effects on soil fauna may adversely affect

the soil structure.

The impact is local but will last through the life span of

the project and may have lasting effects of the soil.

Major

2. Impact from

water

abstraction

Kpong Dam

The irrigation potential of the flood plains of the Lower

Volta River have been explored since 1961. Provisions

were therefore made for outlets in both left and right

wing embankments of the Kpong Dam for irrigation of

areas downstream of the Dam. Each outlet has a

capacity of about 7m3/s.

The KLBIP is being designed with a peak discharge of 5

m3/s, which is less than the capacity of the outlet

incorporated in the Dam’s design. Water abstraction

by the project will therefore not compromise

hydropower generation by the Kpong Dam, and the

Dam’s operations in general.

The design consultants for KLBIP (WAPCOS Limited)

have consulted Volta River Authority (VRA) on the

project, as captured in Chapter 5, and will continue to

liaise with the VRA throughout the project design and

construction. The selected Scheme Management

Entity for the project will also work closely with the

VRA. Any impact will be negligible.

Minor

3. Pollution of

water sources

Water, aquatic

life, Nakpoe,

Deikope,

Nyiflapkoe,

Nyiflakope,

Agyimakope

Gblornu, Kasa,

Erosion from farmlands may result in the transport of

soil sediments into surface water sources (Volta River

– downstream of Kpong Dam), Nyifla and Gblor

streams, Alabo River and Nyifla Lake). There is also the

possibility of pollution of surface water sources

through the transport of agrochemicals in runoff water

and irrigation return water/wastewater. These may

Major




Daledokope and

Alabonu

lead to eutrophication of the Nyifla Lake, and also

possibly the Gblor, Nyifla and Alabo River.

Communities such as Nakpoe, Deikope, Nyiflapkoe,

Nyiflakope and Agyimakope which depend on the

Nyifla lake/stream for water (Refer to Section 4.3.5)

will be at risk of any effects on the Nyifla lake/stream.

Communities such as Gblornu, Kasa, Daledokope and

Alabonu will also be at risk of any effects on the Gblor,

Nyifla streams as well as the Alabo River. These

communities fetch water from the Volta River

downstream of the confluence of the Gblor stream

with the Volta River. Fish catch from the Alabo River

could also be at risk of contamination from the farm

runoff containing pollutants.

Groundwater resources could also be polluted from

the percolation of agrochemicals through the soil. The

Sokope community has a borehole and may be at risk

from any effects on groundwater. Impact on water

sources (surface and groundwater) may occur through

the lifespan of the project.

4. Impact from

air emissions

Air, workers,

Nakpoe, Sokope,

Nyiflakpoe,

Nyiflakope and

Agyimakope

communities

Likely sources of air emissions will be land preparation

works for subsequent planting, spray drift from

application of agrochemicals and movement of

vehicles on untarred surfaces which will result in the

increase of airborne particulates, affecting the air

quality in the immediate surroundings. Emissions and

fumes from machinery and equipment, and harvesting

with combine harvesters may also temporarily affect

the air quality. Downwind communities such as

Nakpoe, Sokope, Nyiflakpoe, Nyiflakope and

Agyimakope will be at risk from any air emissions.

The layout of the scheme has been designed with a 25

meter wide buffer area between the communities

engulfed by the scheme (Napkoe, Gblornu, Ziakpoe,

Kasa and Abaykope) and the irrigation blocks to reduce

the potential impact of agrochemical spray drift.

Crop processing activities, mainly rice milling (if

introduced at the project site), may be the main

sources of air emissions resulting from increased

particulate matter in the air. Air quality measurements

for a rice milling site reported in the ESIS for Abians

Company Ltd, recorded total suspended particles (TSP)

and particulate matter (PM10) emissions of 185 µgm-3

and 27 µgm-3 respectively, which are within EPA’s

guideline values (see Annex 10). The rice mill for

Abians Company Ltd is located within a similar

Minor




irrigation scheme (Kpong Irrigation Scheme) and is

representative of a typical rice mill for the current

scheme.

Burning, which would have resulted in emission of

combustion by-products, will not be utilized for the

proposed project. GCAP prohibits burning and will

ensure the selected Scheme Management Entity

enforces this directive on the various farms.

Any impacts from air emissions is therefore likely to be

within EPA’s acceptable limits. The project has also

been designed to leave a 25m buffer between the

scheme command area and the communities. This

buffer area will be afforested and conserved, thereby

serving as a windbreak for the communities. Any

residual impacts from air emissions will therefore be

minimal.

5. Noise and

vibration

Air, fauna,

workers

The main sources of noise at the project site will be

from crop processing activities, mainly rice milling

operations, if introduced at the project site.

Noise level measurements for a rice milling site

reported in the ESIS for Abians Company Ltd, recorded

ambient noise levels in the immediate environs of the

mill as 56.9dBA, which is within EPA’s guideline values

(see Annex 10). The rice mill for Abians Company Ltd

is located within a similar irrigation scheme (Kpong

Irrigation Scheme) and is representative of a typical

rice mill for the current scheme.

Other likely sources of noise in the immediate project

area will be through the use of machines and

equipment and the movement of vehicles. These will

be of weak in intensity. No major heavy machinery and

equipment will be used during the operational phase

which will result in major vibrations. Any impact will be

of low intensity and of local extent.

Minor

6. Impacts on

grazing land

and conflict

with cattle

herders

Livestock owners,

cattle herders,

farmers

Livestock are reared in most of the communities in the

project area. For some of the communities such as

Deikope, Nakpoe and Sokope where grazing animals

(goats, sheep, cattle) are reared, the project area is

used for grazing of their livestock. Cattle herders

(including Fulani herdsmen) also graze their cattle

through the project area.

The development of the 2000ha land into farms will

them to find alternative grazing area for members of

the nearby communities involved in livestock rearing.

Conflicts may also arise where livestock from nearby

communities, or grazing cattle (by Fulani herdsmen)

Major




move into the project site and feed on crops or destroy

property. The impact will last for the lifespan of the

project.

7. Impacts on

secondary

livelihoods

Nakpoe and

Sokope

Community

Members

Charcoal burning and pottery are important secondary

livelihoods for the communities in the project area

(refer to Section 4.3.3). Charcoal burning is done by all

the project communities whiles pottery is done in

Napkoe and Sokope. The secondary livelihoods are

done to support incomes from crop farming (primary

livelihood), which is currently unsustainable.

The project site serves as an important source of raw

materials (fuel wood and clay) for these livelihood

activities. The proposed project may result in the

removal of fuel wood sources from the project site or

prevent access to clay deposits for pot making. This will

have negative effects on the incomes of community

members engaged in charcoal burning and pottery,

especially where alternative sources of raw materials

are not available, and crop farming remains

unsustainable. The impact will last for the lifespan of

the project.

Major

8. Impacts on

Communities

within the

scheme area

Nakpoe, Gblornu,

Kasa, Ziakpoe,

Abaykope

community

members

The Napkoe community is engulfed by the scheme

command area, whiles Gblornu, Ziakpoe, Kasa and

Abaykope are sandwiched between the scheme

command area and the Volta River. A 25m buffer area

between the boundary of the communities and the

scheme command area has been incorporated in the

project design following discussions and agreements

reached on the matter during monthly project

technical meetings, which involves representatives

from the project communities.

Although the entire land area is designated for

irrigation cropping, unplanned expansion of the

Nakpoe community may have to be at the expense of

land reserved as safe buffer zone between the

community and the irrigation blocks and eventually the

land allocated for farming within the scheme. Gblornu,

Ziakpoe, Kasa and Abaykope are located at about 60

meters from the irrigation blocks but, as with Nakpoe

community, unplanned development could also result

in encroachment of lands allocated for the scheme or

within the buffer zone of the Volta River. This could

potentially lead to conflicts with the project owners or

encroachment to the project site, as well as

destruction of riparian vegetation.

Moderate




The project design also involves 0.5 meter deep open

drains associated with the nearby irrigation blocks.

These could also pose risks of falling and injury to the

community members.

The impact is local and could last through the

agricultural development and operations phase if not

well-managed.

9. Waste

generation

and disposal

Soil, water bodies Periodic vegetation removal, occasional de-silted

materials from canals/drains, farm produce waste,

used agro-chemical containers, used fertilizer bags etc.

are the main waste to be generated on the farms

during the operational phase. Servicing and

maintenance of machinery and equipment may also

generate waste such as scrap metal, empty lubricant

containers, lubricants, rubber seals, etc.

Domestic/office wastes such as used polythene bags,

food wastes, food wrappers, used water sachets and

bottles, office wastes and human wastes will be

generated etc. The impact is local but long-term and

will last through the agricultural development and

operations phase.

Major

10. Occupational

health &

safety

Workers Machine operators will be exposed to noise, dust and

vibrations especially without the use of appropriate

PPEs. There is a risk of accidents and injury from the

use of machinery and equipment if safety procedures

are not adhered to.

There is a high risk of exposure to agrochemicals

through storage, handling, application and disposal of

agrochemicals. The use of appropriate PPEs and

adherence to safety and operational procedures will

reduce this impact.

Major

11. Sanitation

issues and

public health

Land, water

bodies

Indiscriminate disposal of farm generated waste will

create unsightly conditions. Also, indiscriminate

disposal of used agrochemical containers may pose

serious health risk to the public who reuse them.

Poor sanitation conditions may pollute nearby water

sources (Volta River – downstream of Kpong Dam),

Nyifla and Gblor streams and Nyifla Lake). Bushy areas

and stagnant water in improperly covered trenches

and empty containers may breed mosquitoes. There

could be an upsurge in water borne diseases such as

malaria and bilharzia due to flooding, waterlogging,

and slow flow of water in canals /drains /ponds

/reservoirs which tend to breed mosquitoes and

bilharzia vectors.

Major




Failure to provide appropriate toilet facilities at

vantage points may encourage open defecation.

Impact may occur throughout the duration of the

project if appropriate measures are not put in place.

12. Fire risks Farmers/workers,

public, property

Farms are highly susceptible to bush fires which could

result in death, burns and loss of property (crops on

farm and structures) and investment of the farmers

and also adjacent farmers. The fires could emanate

from within the farm (smoking, cooking, uncontrolled

burning, etc.) or from outside the farm.

Fires at processing and storage facilities may also

emanate from faulty machines, electrical faults,

smoking, etc. and could result in death, burns, damage

to machinery, loss of property (including stored

produce) and investment. The losses may be huge if

adequate measures are not put in place to prevent

fires or control fires at an early stage.

Major

13. Pest/rodent

infestation

and

contamination

of stored

grains

Stored produce,

farmers, public

Stored grains are susceptible to attacks from insects

and rodents if the necessary management practices

and storage conditions for the produce are not

followed. Improper post-harvest management

practices on the farm may introduce insects such as

weevils in the grains prior to storage. Insects and

rodents may feed on stored grains, resulting in losses

in quantity and quality of produce and consequently

investment losses which could be high.

In addition to feeding on stored grains, rodents may

also contaminate stored grains through their

droppings, urine, hairs and may spread human

diseases. This could have health implications for the

public. The impact on health could be high and of

regional extent.

Major

14. Post-harvest

losses

Farmers, public Post-harvest losses may arise from pest/rodent and

disease infestation and improper storage conditions

which reduce the shelf life of produce. Improper

storage conditions such as poor ventilation, poor

housekeeping and leakages in the roof may lead to

mould development, disease infestation and increase

risk of pest/rodent infestation. Improper drying of

grains to reach the recommended moisture content for

storage (13-14%) will reduce the shelf life and make it

susceptible to disease infestation.

Mould development, disease infestation and

pest/rodent infestation may result in loss of quantity

and quality of produce, reduced germination rate for

Major




seed grains, reduced nutritional value, loss in market

value and investment losses. Any infested produce will

be permanently impacted and the investment losses to

farmers could be major.

15. Sustainability

of the

irrigation

scheme

Land, water,

workers, public

Failure of the irrigation system and drought resulting in

low volumes of water in the Volta River can impact on

the sustainability of the project. Unavailability of ready

market and low prices may affect revenue generation.

Pest and disease infestation may also adversely affect

crop productivity. Failure of the storage facilities may

also reduce the shelf life of crops and result in high

post-harvest losses.

Emergency situations may arise from various activities

within and outside of the farm. For example, vehicular

accidents, bush fires, power failures, etc. may have

disastrous consequences if no emergency response

plans are put in place. The losses could be higher and

result in joblessness of the farmers if appropriate

measures are not put in place.

Lack of human resource, technical know-how and

logistics to implement environmental and social

safeguards could also significantly hamper the

successful implementation of the proposed project.

The losses could be higher if appropriate measures are

not put in place.

Major



7.0 MITIGATION AND ENHANCEMENT MEASURES

Mitigation and enhancement measures for the potential adverse impacts have been proposed in Table

7-1 to ensure that the project impacts are managed within reasonable and acceptable limits. The

general rules followed in designing the mitigation measures are listed below:

a) Avoidance of major impacts: major impacts are impacts where an accepted limit or standard

may be exceeded, or large magnitude impacts occur to highly valued/sensitive

resources/receptors;

b) Reduction of major and moderate impacts: moderate impacts are impacts within accepted limits

and standards. Moderate impacts may cover a broad range, from a threshold below which the

impact is minor, up to a level that might be just short of breaching an established (legal) limit;

and

c) Minor impacts occur where effects are experienced, but the impact magnitudes are sufficiently

small and well within accepted standards, and/or the receptors are of low sensitivity/value.

7.1 Type of Mitigation Measures

The mitigation measures adopted may be grouped under three major types which comprise:

Preventive measures;

Control measures; and

Compensatory measures.

7.1.1 Preventive Measures

These are measures adopted during the design and pre-construction phase. The measures are aimed

at avoiding or minimising potential major impacts at source. Avoiding or reducing an impact at source

is essentially ‘designing’ the project so that a feature causing an impact is designed out (e.g. site

selection to avoid sensitive areas) or altered (e.g. working at night where necessary) or avoided (e.g.

community sensitisation programmes to avoid conflicts or confrontations).

7.1.2 Control Measures

These are measures adopted to abate or remedy the impacts occurring during construction and

operation/maintenance phases. Impacts can be abated on site or at receptor end. Where there is

unavoidable damage to a resource, repair or remedy of impacts may be applied, e.g. vegetation

clearing during land preparation. In this case repair essentially involves re-vegetation of the affected

parts.

7.1.3 Compensatory Measures

Where other mitigation measures are not possible or fully effective, compensation, when required,

will be provided in accordance with the national standards as set forth by the relevant entities such as

the Water Resources Commission.



7.2 Summary of Significant Potential Adverse Impacts

The significant adverse impacts (rated as moderate or major) identified from the analysis and

evaluation of the potential impacts from the proposed project in the preceding Chapter are

summarised below.

Preparatory Phase

Conflict over land allotment and land use rights.

Constructional Phase

Loss of vegetation and impacts to flora and fauna;

Soil impacts and sediment transport;

Generation and disposal of solid waste (including weeds, silt from canals and lakes etc.);

Occupational health & safety issues;

Influx of workers and migrants;

Public safety;

Road impacts and traffic issues;

Obstruction of access ways to communities;

Disruption of livelihoods;

Sanitation issues and public health; and

Disturbance of culturally sensitive sites.

Agricultural Development and Operations Phase

Soil quality degradation (soil biological/chemical/ physical degradation);

Pollution of water sources;

Impacts on grazing land and conflict with cattle herders;

Impacts on secondary livelihoods;

Impacts on communities within the scheme area;

Waste generation and disposal;

Occupational health and safety;

Sanitation issues and public health;

Fire risks;

Pest/rodent infestation and contamination of stored grains;

Post-harvest losses; and

Sustainability of the irrigation scheme.

7.3 Mitigation Measures for Significant Potential Adverse Impacts

The mitigation measures for the identified adverse impacts are summarised in Table 7-1.



Table 7-1: Mitigation and enhancement measures for the identified significant impacts


Preparatory Phase Impacts

Conflict over land

allotment and land

use rights

Local

communities and

farmers, Cattle

headsmen

The Land Allocation Committee (LAC) will engage and agree with the local communities and traditional authorities on

the criteria and guidelines for land allotment, selection of farmers and land use.

The LAC will reserve portions of lands close to communities for the establishment of fodder banks and woodlots.

The LAC together with the community leaders will also engage livestock owners in the local communities and cattle

herders to agree on alternative arrangements to provide grazing areas for them.

GCAP will ensure all grievances/concerns by local communities, traditional authorities, livestock owners and cattle

herders are discussed and resolved prior to construction works and land allocation. Fora for addressing grievances and

concerns will include monthly project technical meetings which will be held at Torgorme.

Land Allocation

Committee

(LAC)/ GCAP

-

Sub-Total 1 (Preparatory Phase): -

Constructional Phase Impacts

Loss of vegetation and

impacts on flora and

fauna

Flora, fauna, soil The Contractor for the canal construction works will limit vegetation clearance to areas demarcated for the canal

extension works. Vegetation clearance for the rehabilitation works will be limited to weeds in the existing canals and

drains.

The Contractor for the construction works will carry out vegetation clearance in sections and will be limited to portions

of the land to be developed at a particular time. The entire 2000ha land will not be cleared at a time and this will allow

for any fauna to migrate to adjoining bushes.

Total felling will not be done during vegetation clearance. Stands of trees will be left at the boundaries of the farm to

serve as windbreaks.

Agroforestry practices such as windbreaks, boundary planting of trees, riparian buffers, fodder banks and woodlots will

be incorporated into the project.

Any trees removed at the project site will be replanted in 3 folds.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of Bill of

Quantities

(BoQ) for

contractor




Soil impacts and

sediment transport

Soil, water bodies,

air The clearing of vegetation in sections by the contractor(s) will ensure only areas of the land to be developed at a

particular time are exposed to agents of erosion. This will also ensure the cleared areas of the land are not left bare over

long periods as development at the cleared areas will be carried out immediately. This will minimize erosion and

sediment transport from the project site.

The contractor will leave a buffer area of 25 metres width along the banks of the Nyifla, Gblor streams as well as Alabo

and Volta river, which is within the range (10 to 60 meters) prescribed in the National Buffer Zone Policy. The contractor

will also leave a buffer area of 30 metres width around the perimeter of the Nyifla Lake as prescribed by the National

Buffer Zone Policy for wetlands. The buffer zones will screen any soil sediments transported through run off water during

the construction and land preparation activities from getting into the water bodies.

The contractor(s) will immediately collect any excess excavated soils to minimise the potential for erosion into water

bodies and such excess or unusable materials will be used to fill existing borrow pits.

The contractor(s) will seek to reduce the quantity of heaped sand by delivery of quantities required for construction

over a specified period and ensure that any heaped sand for construction works will be covered with tarpaulin to prevent

wind and water transport of soil particles.

The contractor will ensure appropriate spill control measures are provided at the vehicle maintenance area and fuels

storage areas to reduce the potential impact from spills. These will include provision of bunds to contain spills,

installation and servicing of fuel dispensers.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Generation and

disposal of solid waste

Land, water

bodies

Tree and shrub stems; stock pile of tree stumps, roots, twigs and leaves; and unused excavated soil material will form

the bulk of the land preparation waste. The contractor(s) will allow the neighbouring communities to collect the tree

and shrub stems for use as poles, fuelwood and fencing material. As much as possible, the twigs and leaves will be spread

and ploughed into soil or allowed to decompose.

The contractor(s) will adopt efficient construction methods and re-use of construction material to minimize the waste

to be generated from the construction works. Excavated soil material will be re-used in backfilling and levelling as much

as possible. Excavated material and other construction waste such as wood chippings which cannot be re-used at the

site will be collected and disposed at the nearest North Tongu District approved landfill site which is located at Juapong,

about 18km from the project site.

The contractor(s) will immediately collect any excess soil material and unused excavated soils for backfilling of borrow

pits.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor




The contractor(s) will provide bins on site for collection and disposal of plastic waste and polythene materials such as

lubricant containers, drinking water sachets and carrier bags which will be regularly emptied at the approved dump site

at Juapong.

Occupational Health

and Safety Issues

Workers GCAP will engage experienced contractor(s) with requisite licenses and well-trained workers for the construction works.

The selected contractor(s) will have a Health & Safety Policy to guide the construction activities.

The contractor(s) will provide and enforce the use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety

boots, rain coats, hand gloves, earplugs and nose masks. Sanctions will be implemented where this is not followed.

The contractor(s) will ensure that bulldozers, excavators, tractors and other machinery hired for land development and

construction works are in good condition and are well serviced, and the operators are experienced and well trained.

Good conditioned and well maintained equipment will reduce frequent breakdowns, noise nuisance and smoke

emissions which could affect the operators’ and other workers’ health and safety.

The engineering consultant will review the layout of the materials storage yard to ensure adequate working space is

provided for entry and exit of the yard by vehicles as well as loading and offloading materials to reduce the risk of

accidents. The Consultant will also ensure that the compatibility of materials and activities sited adjacent to one

another. For instance activities such as welding which provide ignition sources will not be located near fuel storage

areas.

The contractor will ensure only quantities required for a specified period are stored to reduce excess materials (beyond

the capacity of the yard) and ensure adequate spacing at the construction yard.

The selected contractor(s) will have adequate training in first aid, and provide first aid kits on site to treat minor ailments.

However, major cases will be referred to the nearest hospital or health post (Torgorme Health Centre or Akuse

Government Hospital).

The contractor(s) will allow only trained personnel and those with prerequisite skills to operate machinery.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Public safety communities

along haulage

The contractor(s) will guard all excavations and trenches including borrow areas, canals and drains with caution tapes.

The contractor(s) will use warning signs at vantage points to indicate ongoing construction works.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor




road, project

communities

The contractor(s) will enforce proper security at the project site during construction works to limit entry of unauthorised

persons to the project site.

The contractor will ensure that all haulage trucks comply with the approved speed limit of 50km/hr within the

communities along the haulage road.

The contractor will adjust haul times to ensure trucks do not move to the communities during mornings when school

children may be crossing the road to school and during closing time.

Road impacts and

traffic issues

Communities

along haulage

road, project

communities,

public

Repair and maintain damaged sections of the road from Okwenya to the project site throughout the construction period.

The contractor will erect temporary road signs at junctions from the quarry sites and to the project site.

The contractor will ensure that all haulage trucks hired/contracted are in good condition to prevent breakdowns on

roads.

Do not park at unauthorised places to reduce the risk of accidents.

New roads provided in the designs will be constructed first to serve as alternative roads for the transport of materials

obtained in-situ. This will ease pressure on existing community roads.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Influx of workers and

migrants

Community

members

The contractor(s), together with opinion leaders such as the Assembly member, will sensitise migrant workers on

societal norms, taboos and other cultural practices.

GCAP, in collaboration with relevant stakeholders such as the North Tongu District Health Directorate and the Torgorme

Health Centre, will organise awareness creation and educational programmes for all workers and the general public on

the behavioural changes required to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS and other STDs.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Obstruction of access

ways to communities

Community

members

The contractor(s) will provide safe alternative access routes for access ways that are obstructed/destroyed during

construction works.

The contractor(s) will erect sign posts at vantage points to guide community members through safe alternative access

ways during construction works.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Disruption of

livelihoods

Community

members, farmers

Community members already cultivating portions of the project site will be allowed to continue temporarily farming at

areas of the land which will not be affected by construction of the canal system. For those whose farming areas will be

affected by the construction of the canals, they will be allowed to temporarily farm at other areas which will not be

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor




affected till the end of the construction works. Land allocations will then be made for all affected farmers after the

construction works to integrate them into the project.

The contractor(s) will provide safe temporary access routes for community members to access their farms during the


The affected community members (farmers) will be allowed to collect felled tree stems and branches which can be used

as poles, fuelwood and fencing material or sold to generate income.


public health impacts

Land, water

bodies, workers,

public

Contractor(s) will provide adequate waste bins at the project site for use to minimise indiscriminate disposal of plastic

and polythene material, cans and food waste by the workers. These bins will be frequently transported and emptied at

approved dump sites. This will prevent the littering of the project site with cans and bottles which could collect water

and breed mosquitoes.

Contractor(s) will regularly remove and dispose construction waste such as metal scrap, wood chippings, rubber seals,

nails, etc. for disposal at North Tongu District approved dumpsites.

Contractor(s) will appropriately and immediately cover trenches and/or excavations after they have served their

purpose to prevent accidents and collection of stagnant water which could serve as a breeding ground for disease borne

vectors e.g. mosquitoes.

The contractor(s) will provide temporary toilet facilities at the construction sites for use by the construction workers.

The workers will be educated against open defecation or “free range” defecation.

Contractor(s) will provide potable water for workers at all time.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor

Disturbance of

culturally sensitive

sites

Project

communities

Culturally sensitive sites such as sacred groves, shrines and cemeteries in the project area (including communities) shall

be preserved and incorporated in the project design.

The contractor shall ensure the construction workers are educated about the significance of these sites and instructed

to accord the necessary respect to these areas when working close to them.

The Contractor will ensure the communities elders are consulted prior to entry into the communities and vegetation

clearing in the lakes to ensure the necessary rites are performed.

Contractor/

WAPCOS/ GCAP

As part of BoQ

for contractor




In consultation with the Nakpoe community and the project proponents Block MC2-TC7-L2 which contains the Nakpoe

sacred grove and sub-block 1 of Block MC2-TC9-L1 (Nakpoe cemetery) will not be developed.

Sub-Total 2 (Constructional Phase): -

Agricultural Development and Operations Phase Impacts

Soil quality

degradation

Soil, fauna,

surface and

groundwater

A detailed soil study was conducted by the Design Consultant (WAPCOS) during the design stage of the project which

determined the chemical conditions of the soil at the project site. This will guide farmers to know the deficient soil

nutrients and the right types and quantities of fertilizers to apply.

The farmers will adopt integrated weed and pest management practices for weed and pest control such as use of

certified and disease tolerant seed varieties, use of early maturing seed varieties, proper land preparation, early planting,

following recommended planting space between rows and plants, timely/early weeding, suitable water management

practices and the use of agrochemicals where necessary. This will minimize the rate of agrochemical use.

The Scheme Management Entity (SME) will sensitize farmers to purchase only EPA approved agrochemicals from

licensed agrochemical shops for use at the recommended application rates. The SME will purchase EPA’s current register

of approved and banned agrochemicals and make it available to the farmers to consult prior to the selection and

purchase of agrochemicals for use. Extracts of the current register are provided in Annex 6.

The SME will ensure that any Product and Service Enterprise (PSE) it may engage to supply agrochemicals for farmers

will only supply EPA approved agrochemicals. The PSE will also educate the farmers on the proper handling and

recommended application rates of the agrochemicals.

The SME will sensitize farmers to, preferentially, use selective pesticides with low environmental impact quotient (EIQ)

where appropriate, rather than broad-spectrum products, to minimize impacts on non-target species.

The farmers will incorporate cover crops at erosion prone areas to minimise erosion.

With the exception of the major land preparation to be carried out at the onset of the farm, the farmers will adopt

minimum/reduced tillage for the subsequent planting seasons where possible. This will minimise soil impact on soil

fauna. Ploughing and harrowing will only be done where necessary, example due to proliferation of weeds.

Scheme

Management

Entity (SME)/

farmers

-




Under minimum/reduced tillage, the stocks and leaves of harvested crops will be left on the field as much as possible to

serve as mulch to conserve soil moisture and also decompose improve soil biological condition.

The farmers will explore the use of organic manure and where practically possible used on the farm to minimise the use

of inorganic manure and improve soil biological conditions.

Pollution of water

sources

Surface and

underground

water, aquatic life

GIDA and GCAP, as part of the project design, will rehabilitate the water treatment facility at Nakpoe and extend it to

the neighbouring communities which depend on the Nyifla Lake/stream (Sokope, Deikope, Nyiflapkoe, Nyiflakope and

Agyimakope) as an alternative source of potable water. GIDA and GCAP will consider utilizing solar power for the

treatment facility due to lack of electricity connection at Nakpoe.

GIDA and GCAP will also consider the provision of alternative source of potable water for the communities in the project

area which depend on the Volta River (Gblornu, Kasa, Daledokope and Alabonu). The options may include connection

of water from the water treatment facility at Nakpoe or construction of a similar water treatment facility.

The SME will ensure the use of agrochemicals including inorganic fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides is reduced as

much as possible. Integrated weed and pest management to be adopted by the farmers will minimise the use of

weedicides and pesticides.

The farmers will use erosion control measures such as ploughing along the contour of the land, growing of cover crops,

use of mulch and minimum tillage to minimize erosion and sediment transport from the project site.

The SME will sensitize farmers to use pesticide application technologies and practices designed to minimize off-site

movement or runoff, such as low-drift nozzles, using the largest droplet size and lowest pressure that are suitable for

the product.

The farmers will ensure any unused dilute pesticide that cannot be applied to the crop—along with rinse water, and out

of-date or no-longer approved pesticides—would be disposed of as a hazardous waste, as per FAO guidelines1.

GCAP/ SME/

Farmers

As part of BoQ

for contract on

water provision

1 FAO, International Code of Conduct on Pesticides Management (revised 2014), (Rome: FAO, 2014)

http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/agphome/documents/Pests_Pesticides/Code/CODE_2014Sep_ENG.pdf

http://www.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/agphome/documents/Pests_Pesticides/Code/CODE_2014Sep_ENG.pdf




The SME and farmers will provide separate labelled bins on site to collect all agrochemical containers after they have

been punctured and triple washed. The collected containers will be taken back to the seller for appropriate

disposal/recycling.

The SME will regularly farmers on agrochemical handling, usage, storage and management of empty agrochemical

containers.

Impacts on grazing

land and conflict with

cattle herders

Livestock owners/

herders/ farmers

The GIDA and GCAP, in collaboration with the Torgorme Traditional Council will identify alternative grazing areas for

livestock owners.

Rice straw from harvested rice fields will be made available to livestock owners and cattle owners to use as feed.

The Design Consultant (WAPCOS) will incorporate cattle drinking points into the design of canals at the periphery of the

scheme command area to provide drinking water for cattle without crossing into the command area.

The Design Consultant will incorporate bridges into the project design which will allow human and vehicular crossing to

the scheme command area, but prevent cattle from crossing.

The SME, GIDA and GCAP will assist communities to establish fodder banks in their communities to provide the fodder

needs for livestock owners in the communities.

GCAP/GIDA/

SME/ WAPCOS

3,000 annually

Impacts on secondary

livelihoods

Community

members

GCAP/GIDA will engage the community leaders and members to identify and register affected charcoal producers and

pot makers in the communities. This will be done prior to construction works.

The Land Allocation Committee (LAC) will integrate the affected persons into the scheme through land allocation for

farming to sustain their livelihoods. Affected persons who also wish to be employed to work on anchor farms will be

given such employment opportunities to sustain their livelihoods.

GIDA/ GCAP/

LAC

-

Impacts on

communities within

the scheme

Community

members

The project will comply with the final project design by respecting the new boundary of the project site, which has been

further shifted from the project fringe communities to allow for future expansion.

The project will create the 25m buffer zone as proposed in the final project design. This will be conserved and enhanced

through enrichment planting to provide productive functions (example: fodder, fuelwood, fruits, etc.) and regulation

functions (example: windbreak functions, screening of agrochemicals in run off, screening of airborne dust, etc.) for the

project fringe communities.

GCAP/ GIDA/

LAC/ SME

-




The LAC will ensure that farmers in the communities will be allocated irrigation blocks closest to their respective

communities to provide a source of livelihood and ensure that the farmers do not develop within the safe buffer zones

as well as riparian buffers for the Volta River and Nyifla Lake. The farmers will also be much more inclined to adopting

responsible social and environmental measures directed at protecting their communities.

GIDA, GCAP and the SME will ensure that Irrigation Sub-blocks 9, 10 and 11 are not allocated for development by the

LAC to ensure the safety of students in the new Gblornu D/A Primary.

GCAP and the SME to ensure that the drains serving irrigation blocks adjacent to communities are covered at strategic

locations (either by use of piped culverts or covered drains) to prevent falls and accidents.

In order to ensure peaceful coexistence and reduce the incidence of conflicts, GCAP together with Ghana Irrigation

Development Authority (GIDA) and the North Tongu District Assembly, will continue to extensively consult the project

fringe communities throughout the project implementation to ensure their free, prior informed consent for the

proposed development as well as agree on the terms of their occupancy, including procedures to be followed for

expansion and compatible land use activities.

Waste generation and

disposal

Land, water

bodies, public

The farmers will leave crop residue from harvested vegetables, legumes and maize on the fields to serve as mulch and

allowed to decompose on the farm to improve the organic matter content of the soil.

Rice straw has various uses (thatch, composting, mulching, bedding material for livestock, animal fodder, fuel for brick

kilns and power generation, packaging material, etc.). Some amount of straw may be left on rice fields to be tilled into

the soil and recycle nutrients stored in them. Excesses will be gathered, collected and temporarily heaped by the fields

and made available to the public for collection and use. Livestock owners and cattle herders will especially be

encouraged to collect the rice straw for use as feed.

Where rice milling is incorporated into the project, rice husks will be generated as waste. Rice husk has various uses

(such as bedding material for livestock, planting material and soil aeration in crop farming, biomass for fuel in power

plants or fuel in burning furnaces, etc.) and will be made available to any prospective user.

Scheme

Management

Entity

10,000 annually




The options to be explored by the SME for the management of any excesses of rice husk will include burying and

compositing, and in the long-term, acquiring a burning furnace which can utilize rice husk as fuel to generate heat for

drying of the rice.

The SME will educate the farmers on the various uses of rice straw and rice husk to encourage them to find alternative

uses for the rice straw which could also lead to generation of additional income.

GCAP and GIDA are also collaborating with the farmers to identify potential organizations and individuals to collect the

rice straw for use.

The SME will ensure farmers provide bins on the farm for temporary storage of plastic and polythene materials such as

drinking water sachets used by farmers and workers on the farms for collection and proper disposal by registered waste

management company at the approved dump site at Juapong.

The farmers will collect all packages of pesticides and herbicides from the field after use and properly store them until

they are returned to the supplier for appropriate disposal.

The SME will provide separate labelled bins on site for collection of agrochemical containers, foil seals, lids and fertilizer

sacks for return to the suppliers for recycling/proper disposal, as per FAO guidelines1. Empty agrochemical

bottles/containers will be triple-washed and punctured prior to being stored in the separate labelled bins for returning

to the suppliers. This will ensure they cannot be reused.

The SME will ensure bins containing used agrochemical containers are stored safely and are securely under cover prior

to their safe disposal; they will not be used for other purposes.

Fire risks Farmers/workers,

public, property

Burning will not be utilised as a farm management practice for the project. GCAP prohibits burning as a farm

management practice and will ensure the SME and farmers comply with this directive.

The farmers will construct fire belts on all borders of the farm to prevent any bush fires from entering the farm.

GIDA and GCAP will ensure the contractor(s) uses high quality electrical wiring materials for the construction of offices,

warehouses and all other building facilities.

Firefighting and detection equipment such as smoke detectors, alarms and fire extinguishers will be installed in buildings

and offices. Fire extinguishers will also be provided for use at the farm.

Scheme

Management

Entity/ GCAP

15,000 annually




The SME will ensure fire extinguishers are regularly serviced.

The SME will establish Emergency Assembly Points at all building premises and the farm.

Emergency contact numbers will be displayed at vantage points in building premises and on farms.

All equipment and machinery will be regularly serviced and maintained by the SME.

The SME will educate all farmers and workers on potential causes at the fire including smoking, cooking, burning, etc.

All farmers and workers will be trained on fire prevention and control by the SME. This will be done in collaboration with

the GNFS of the North Tongu District.

Selected farmers and workers will be trained by the SME in collaboration with the GNFS as fire volunteers to manage

minor fires.

Occupational health

and safety

Farmers, workers The SME will ensure that any pesticides used are manufactured, formulated, packaged, labelled, handled, stored,

disposed of, and applied according to the FAO’s International Code of Conduct on Pesticide Management1.

The farmers will ensure that pesticides that fall under the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Recommended

Classification of Pesticides by Hazard Classes 1a (extremely hazardous) and 1b (highly hazardous) (Refer to Annex 7), or

Annexes A and B of the Stockholm Convention (Refer to Annex 8) are not purchased, stored or used.

All pesticides listed in WHO Hazard Class II (moderately hazardous) (See Annex 7), will be avoided unless appropriate

controls established with respect to the manufacture, procurement, or distribution and/or use of these chemicals are in

place. These chemicals would not be accessible to personnel without proper training, equipment, and facilities in which

to handle, store, apply, and dispose of these products properly.

The SME will ensure all staff and farmers are trained on appropriate use and handling of agrochemicals.

The SME will provide selected staff and farmers with first aid training, including on accidents associated with

agrochemical use, to administer first aid health care in the event of any accidents.

The SME will enforce the use of appropriate PPEs such as gloves, nose masks, coveralls, goggles, safety boots, etc. by all

farmers and workers especially during the handling of agrochemicals such as during spraying of weedicides or

application of fertilizers.

GCAP/ GIDA/

SME/ Farmers

20,000 annually




Fire detection, warning and fighting equipment such as smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire extinguishers to be

provided by the SME at all building premises and also fire extinguishers at the farm (as indicated above) will help in the

early detection and control of fires.

Safety procedures, particularly with the operation of machines and the handling and use of agrochemicals will be

enforced by the SME and sanctions applied when they are not adhered to.

Contractors will install warning signs (eg. Speed limits) and also use cautioning tapes and fencing at the project site.


public health

Land, air, water,

workers, farmers,

public

The SME will enforce the use of separate labelled bins for the collection and disposal of used agrochemical containers

(after they are triple-washed and punctured) and sacks to prevent indiscriminate disposal.

The SME will train all farmers and workers on the harmful effects of reuse of agrochemical containers.

Any unused dilute pesticide that cannot be applied to the crop—along with rinse water, and out of-date or no-longer

approved pesticides—would be disposed of as a hazardous waste by the SME as per FAO guidelines1.

The SME will ensure the use of bins for collection of plastic containers and polythene bags at the warehouse and farms

to prevent indiscriminate disposal which could also collect water and lead to breeding of mosquitoes.

The SME will ensure areas around building premises are neatly kept and not allowed to get bushy to breed mosquitoes.

Open defecation will be discouraged at the farms through education of the farmers and workers. The farmers, who will

be from the neighbouring project communities, will be compelled to use toilet facilities in their homes or toilets provided

at workshops/warehouses/office premises.

SME/ Farmers -

Pest/rodent

infestation and

contamination of

produce

Stored produce,

farmers, public The SME will adopt an integrated insect and rodent management system to control insects and rodent infestation. This

will include:

o Good housekeeping practices such as regular cleaning inside warehouses/storage rooms and proper packing of

produce for ease of inspection;

o Keeping the surroundings of warehouses/storage rooms clean and free from weeds;

o Preventing insects and rodents from entering warehouses/storage rooms by regularly inspecting all doors, walls,

windows and roof for any openings and repairing them;

o Use of biological control, such as cats, to keep mice and other rodents from the warehouses/storage rooms;

o Use of rodent traps; and

Scheme

Management

Entity

6,000 annually




o Chemical control/fumigation through the use of EPA approved agrochemicals to control pests and rodents.

Post-harvest losses Farm produce,

Farmers The farmers will ensure harvested cereals are properly dried to about 13-14% moisture content to make them suitable

for storage.

The farmers will ensure on-farm processing activities, such as dehusking, shelling and drying, are properly done to reduce

mechanical damage to grains which increases their susceptibility to disease infestation.

Warehouse designs will include proper ventilation and the SME will regularly inspect the roofs to ensure there are no

openings for leakages. This is to prevent damp conditions and rain water from getting into warehouses/storage rooms.

Warehouse managers will ensure bags of produce are stacked on pallets off the ground and away from walls to prevent

any damp (moisture) from the floor and walls from reaching the produce.

The SME will ensure warehouses/storage rooms and their surrounding environments are always kept clean and free

from weeds.

Bags of grains will be properly arranged on pallets and the pallets will be arranged in rows with adequate spacing in

between to ensure ease of cleaning warehouses and inspection of produce for rodents and insects.

Warehouse managers will ensure new produce from farms are not mixed with old produce in warehouses/storage

rooms by storing new produce at a different sections.

Warehouse managers will adopt “first in first out” practices to ensure that old produce are always sold first.

Warehouse managers will ensure that any infested produce will be immediately removed and destroyed to prevent

infestation of other produce.

Chemical treatment/fumigation, by using only EPA approved agrochemicals, will be used by the warehouse managers

to control pest/rodents and diseases where necessary.

SME/

Warehouse

managers/

farmers

-

Sustainability of the

farming venture

Land, water,

workers, public

GCAP and GIDA will select an experienced SME with qualified staff and expertise to oversee the operations of the

irrigation scheme.

Farmers will sell their farm produce at realistic market prices to generate sufficient revenue.

The SME will ensure the Irrigation Service Charge (ISC) is realistic and is regularly paid to ensure maintenance of facilities

and the sustainability of the project.

GCAP/ GIDA/

SME/ Farmers

-




The SME will ensure efficient use of irrigation water to conserve water resources and the farmers will efficiently use

resources such as fuel and agrochemicals to minimize economic losses.

The SME will ensure regular maintenance of irrigation facilities, warehouses/storage rooms and all other equipment to

prolong their life span and prevent regular breakdowns.

Training will be regularly provided by the SME for staff and farmers on improved agronomic practices.

The SME will ensure farmers only use improved and certified seed varieties to enhance productivity.

The North Tongu District Department of Agriculture and GIDA will be regularly consulted by the SME for technical and

agronomic advice.

Sub-Total 3 (Agricultural Development and Operations Phase): 54,000 annually

GRAND TOTAL (Sub-Total 1 + Sub-Total 2 + Sub-Total 3): 54,000



8.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PLAN

Environmental and social monitoring is an essential component of a post project review phase

following Environmental and Social Assessment. The monitoring of various environmental and social

parameters will also help to confirm any predicted impact or otherwise and address the effectiveness

of the implementation of the mitigation measures.

A comprehensive monitoring plan has been developed in Table 8-1 for all the significant adverse

environmental and social impacts identified in Chapter 6. The monitoring plan includes the

responsible institutions or persons and estimated budget/cost requirements. Detailed cost analysis

from prospective consultants and experts to be engaged as part of the monitoring programme will be

needed to confirm cost requirements. In addition to the significant adverse impacts, monitoring plans

have been developed for the following:

Air quality

Noise;

Public complaints/grievances; and

Environmental compliance.



Table 8-1: Environmental and Social Monitoring Plan

No. Environmental/ Social

Component/Issue

Monitoring Parameters Monitoring Site Measurements Frequency Responsibility Cost Estimate/ Year

(GH)

PREPARATORY PHASE

1. Conflicts over land

allotment and land use

rights

-Complaints from cattle herders/ livestock owners

-Complaints from community members over land

allotment

-Records of complaints/grievances resolved/

unresolved

-Lands reserved for establishment of fodder banks

and woodlots

-Management and Stakeholder Meetings

-Communities in project

area

-Project/Stakeholder

meetings

Record keeping and analysis Weekly Social Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)

As part of duties of

Social Safeguards

Specialist

CONSTRUCTIONAL PHASE

1. Vegetation and fauna - Trees left on boundaries of project site

-Vegetation intact at inactive sites of project area

-Project area Observation Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)

*As part of duties of

Contractor and

Construction Supervisor

2. Soil impacts and

sediment transport

-Observable change in turbidity of water in

canals/drains/water bodies

-Observable oil sheen canals/drains/water bodies

-Observation of rills/gullies

-Construction site

-Canals/drains/water

bodies

Observation Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and





Component/Issue


(GH)

3. Air quality/Noise -Observation of air borne particulates (dust) and

exhaust fumes

-Records of dampening of roads

-Complaints on noise nuisance

-Construction site


area


Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


4. Surface water -Observable change in turbidity of water in

canals/drains/water bodies

-Observable oil sheen canals/drains/water bodies

-Canals/drains/water

bodies


Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


5. Waste management -Records on tree and shrub stems collected by

communities

-Availability and use of bins

-Records on frequency and location of waste disposal

site of domestic and construction waste

Construction site Record keeping and analysis Monthly Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


6. Occupational health &

safety

-Workers’ awareness of Contractor’s health and

safety policy

-Availability and proper use of PPEs

-Availability and proper use of warning signs

-Availability of first aid kit

-Adherence to health and safety procedures

-Records on frequency, type and source of

illness/accident/injury

-Records on non-compliances

Construction site Health & Safety records,

audit and review

Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and





Component/Issue


(GH)

7. Public safety -Absence of unauthorized persons at active

construction sites

-Availability and use of warning signs and cautionary

tapes around excavations and other dangerous areas

-Records on frequency and type of incident/accidents

involving public

-Construction site

-Road from quarry sites

to project site

Health, safety and traffic

records; audit and review

Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


8. Road impacts and traffic

issues

-Condition of road from Okwenya to project site

-Availability and use of diversion/road signs or trained

persons directing traffic.

-Frequency of truck breakdowns along road

-Records of parking at unauthorized places

-Road from quarry sites

to project site

-Junctions from quarries

and to construction site

-Records of road repairs and

maintenance

-Traffic records

- Audit and review

Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


9. Influx of workers and

migrants

-Records on community sensitization programmes

-Health records on pregnancy, HIV/AIDS and other

STDs

-Records on public complaints relating to non-

conformity to societal norms by workers and migrants

-Communities in the

project area


meetings

-Torgorme Health

Centre

Record keeping and analysis Weekly Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


10. Obstruction of access

ways

-Availability of safe walkways/access roads to

communities

-Records on public complaints related to obstruction

of access ways (road blocks, delays, etc.)

-Project site


meetings

-Record keeping and

analysis

-Observation

Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


11. Disruption of livelihoods -Records on community sensitization

-Records on affected persons and alternative lands/

other livelihood-support assistance provided.

-Communities in the

project area

Record keeping and analysis Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/


Contractor and





Component/Issue


(GH)

-Records on public complaints relating to disruption

of livelihoods

-Project/ Stakeholder

meetings

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)

12. Sanitation and public

health

-Health records (respiratory tract infections, malaria

and other sanitation related diseases)

-Records on public complaints related sanitation and

public health issues

-Communities in the

project area


meetings

Record keeping and analysis Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


13. Public complaints/

grievances

-Type and nature of complaints and concerns;

-Complaint records (Record of grievance and number

resolved/unresolved)


-Communities in the

project area


meetings

Record keeping and analysis Weekly Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and


14. Disturbance of

culturally sensitive sites

-Culturally sensitive sites (sacred groves, shrines,

cemeteries) preserved.

-Records of consultation with community leaders on

culturally sensitive sites.

-Blocks MC2-TC7-L2 (Nakpoe sacred grove) and sub-

block 1 of block MC2-TC9-L1 (Nakpoe cemetery) not

developed.

-Performance of traditional rites before weed

clearance in Nyifla lake.


area.

-Culturally sensitive

sites

-Record keeping and analyis

-Observation

Daily Contractor/

Construction

Supervisor/

Environmental

Safeguards

Specialist (GCAP)


Contractor and





Component/Issue


(GH)

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AND OPERATIONS PHASE

1. Soil fertility and quality Texture; pH; organic carbon; total nitrogen; available

phosphorus; available potassium; exchangeable

cations like Ca, Mg, Na, K; CEC

-Farms -Indian Standards Method

of Test for Soil

- United States Department

of Agriculture (USDA)

Classification

-French National Institute

for Agricultural Research

(INRA) Methods

Onset of

project and

subsequently

biennially

Environmental

Consultant/

Environmental,

Health, Safety &

Security Officer

(EHSSO)/ SME

8,000

2. Surface water quality -Physicochemical parameters

-Bacteriological parameters

-Pesticide residue parameters

(Refer to Annex 9)

-Upstream of project

site (Volta River- canal

intake point)

(N 6.14922°; E 0.12670°)

-Mid-point of project

site (Nyifla Lake).

(N 6.12001°; E 0.16336°)

-Downstream of project

site (Confluence of

Alabo stream and Volta

River) (N. 6.10440°; E

0.20886°)

**American Water Works

Association (AWWA),

American Public Health

Association (APHA), and

Water Environment

Federation (WEF) (20th

Edition)

Biannually

(Major and

minor season)

Environmental

Consultant/

EHSSO/ SME

8,000

3. Groundwater quality pH, conductivity, TDS, chloride, iron, nitrate,

coliforms, phosphate, pesticides, fluorides, heavy

metals (leads, arsenic, cadmium, mercury, etc.),

pesticide loads

Borehole at Sokope

(N 6.13391°; E 0.

16625°)

**AWWA, APHA and WEF

(20th Edition)

Biennially Environmental

Consultant/

EHSSO/ SME

2,000




Component/Issue


(GH)

4. Air quality TSP, PM10, NOx, SOx, CO -project site

-communities

Hand-held dust samplers

(TSP, PM10)/ diffusion tubes

(NOx, SOx, CO)

Quarterly Environmental

Consultant /

EHSSO

10,000

5. Noise Noise level -project site

-communities

Hand-held Integrated noise

level meter

Monthly/

Whenever

there is noise

complaint

Environmental

Consultant /

EHSSO

4,000

6. Impacts on grazing land

and conflict with cattle

herders

-Availability of alternative grazing areas

-Available and well demarcated cattle crossings and

drinking points

-Established fodder bank

-Complaints from livestock owners/herders and

farmers

-Project site -Observation/inspection

-Record keeping and

analysis

Daily EHSSO/SME *As part of job

functions of EHSSO and

SME

7. Impacts on secondary

livelihoods

-Records of affected persons (alternative livelihood

and support provided, income before and after, etc.)

-Records on trainings on alternative livelihoods and

support provided

-Established woodlot

-Stakeholder complaints related to livelihoods


area


meetings

-Record keeping and

analysis

-Interviews with affected

persons

-Observation



SME

8. Impacts on

communities

-Established productive buffer zone around

community

-Incident/accident records

-Health records of community members

-Complaints from community members

-Project community

-Torgorme Health

Centre


meetings

-Record keeping and

observations



SME

9. Waste management -Availability and use of bins for collection of plastic

and polythene material

-Farms Record keeping and analysis Weekly EHSSO/SME *As part of job


SME




Component/Issue


(GH)

-Availability and use of separate labelled bins for

agrochemical containers.

-Records on disposal of plastic and polythene material

(frequency and location of disposal site)

-Records on agrochemical containers returned to

suppliers (quantity, frequency, name of supplier)

10. Fire -Installation of smoke detectors, fire alarms and fire

extinguishers in offices, warehouse and other

premises.

-Availability of fire extinguishers at vantage points on

farms

-Fire belts created around project site.

-Availability of Emergency Assembly Points and

emergency contact numbers at vantage points.

-Records on servicing of firefighting equipment.

-Records of training on fire prevention and control.

-Records on fire incidents/accidents and investigation

reports.

-Farms

-Building premises

(offices, warehouses,

sheds, etc.)

-Record keeping and

analysis

-Observation/inspection



SME

11. Occupational Health &

Safety

-Farmers/Workers’ awareness of health and safety

policy

-Availability and proper use of PPEs

-Availability and proper use of warning signs

-Availability of first aid kit

-Adherence to health and safety procedures

-Records on frequency, type and source of

illness/accident/injury

-Records on non-compliances

-Farms

-Building premises

(offices, warehouses,

sheds, etc.)

-Record keeping and

analysis




SME




Component/Issue


(GH)

-Records on training and awareness creation on

health and safety

12. Sanitation and public

health

-Health records (type, frequency and causes of

diseases/illnesses)

-Records on public complaints related sanitation and

public health issues

-project area

-Torgorme Health

Centre


meetings

Record keeping and analysis Daily EHSSO/SME *as part of job functions

of EHSSO and SME

13. Pest/rodent infestation

and contamination of

produce

-Clean environment in and around

warehouses/storage sheds

-Cleaning roaster

-Records on infested/contaminated produce

-Warehouse/storage

sheds


-Record keeping and

analysis

Daily EHSSO/SME *as part of job functions

of EHSSO and SME

14. Post-harvest losses -Maintenance of warehouses/storage sheds

-Observation of damp conditions in warehouse

-Ventilation in warehouses

-Arrangement of produce in warehouses

-Fumigation records

-Records of infested/contaminated/spoilt produce

-Warehouses/storage

sheds


-Record keeping and

analysis

-Daily EHSSO/SME *as part of job functions

of EHSSO and SME

15. Sustainability of the

farming venture

-Records of payment of irrigation service charges

-Maintenance records

-Training records

-Resource use (fuel, electricity, water, agrochemicals,

etc.) records

-Availability of all necessary permits

- Record keeping and analysis Daily EHSSO/SME *As part of job

functions of SME and

part of supervisory role

of GIDA

16. Public complaints/

grievances

-Type and nature of complaints and concerns;

-(Complaint records (Record of grievance and number

resolved/unresolved)

- Record keeping and analysis Daily EHSSO/SME *As part of job


SME




Component/Issue


(GH)


17. Environmental

compliance

-Annual environmental, health and safety audits

-Quarterly returns of Monitoring Reports to EPA (in

line with LI 1652)

-Preparation of Annual Environmental Reports (in line

with LI 1652)

-Preparation of Environmental and Social

Management Plan (in line with LI 1652)

- Analysis of monitoring

reports/ Environmental

Assessment Regulations, LI

1652

Annually/

Quarterly

SME/

Environmental,

Health, Safety &

Security Officer

(EHSSO)

*As part of job

functions of SME and

EHSSO

TOTAL: 32,000



9.0 PROVISIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN

A Provisional Environmental and Social Management Plan (PESMP) is developed for the project in

accordance with the Environmental Assessment Regulations of 1999, LI 1652 to ensure that the project

activities are carried out in an environmentally safe and sustainable manner. The provisional ESMP

outlines management commitment and the required training programmes for the sustainable

implementation of the proposed project. An estimated budget for the PESMP is included in this section.

A stand-alone ESMP has also been prepared to guide the implementation of the project.

9.1 Programme to meet Requirements

The programmes proposed to meet the mitigation measures and monitoring programmes will include the

following:

Adoption of Environmental, Health and Safety Policies and Operational Procedures;

Environmental, Health, Safety and Security Management Structuring;

Environmental, Health and Safety Committee;

Farmers’ information and training;

Environmental and social monitoring programmes;

Audits and Reviews; and

Environmental and social management budgeting.

9.1.1 Adoption of Environmental, Health and Safety Policies and Operational Procedures

The SME shall engage the services of a Consultant to assist the company develop environmental, health

and safety policies to guide the sustainable implementation of the project. The Consultant shall also assist

in formulating standard operational procedures for all the operations of the project from land preparation

through to storage and marketing, waste management, agrochemical handling and use, material storage

and management, etc. The standard operational procedures will serve to guide the farmers in their daily

activities and also serve as a training manual for in-service training as well as training farm hands/workers

engaged on the project.

9.1.2 Environmental, Health, Safety and Security (EHSS) Management Structuring

GIDA shall be the overall responsible body for regulating the scheme development. The GIDA Scheme

Supervisor shall supervise and regulate the activities of the WUAs and oversee activities of the SME and

other actors on the scheme (as indicated in Section 3.5.1).

The SME shall appoint an Environment, Health, Safety and Security Officer (EHSSO) who will be

responsible for the management of the environment, health and safety of farmers and workers, and

security at the project site. Each WUA shall appoint an Environmental, Health and Safety Representative

(EHSR) and each Anchor Farmer shall have an Environmental, Health and Safety Officer (EHSO).

Security Services for the Scheme shall be outsourced. The selected security firm will also perform life

guard services during emergencies, and will function as one of the Product and Service Enterprises (refer

to Figure 3-5). The security firm shall have a Security Coordinator to supervise their activities.

The EHSRs, EHSOs and Security Coordinator shall report directly to the EHSSO and assist the EHSSO in the

day-to-day implementation of environmental, health and safety procedures of the scheme. They shall

hold weekly meetings to deliberate and discuss environment, health, safety and security issues arising

during the previous week and put in measures for the ensuing week. Figure 9-1 shows the organizational



structure for EHSS Management of the scheme. The main functions of the EHSSO, EHSRs, EHSOs and

Security Coordinator are summarised in Table 9-1.

SME

EHSSO

EHSRs

(WUAs)

SECURITY

SUPERVISOR EHSOs

(Anchor Farmers)

Figure 9-1: Organizational Structure for EHSS Management of KLBIP



Table 9-1: Key functions of the EHSSO, EHSRs, EHSOs and Security Coordinator

EHSSO EHSR/EHSO Security Coordinator

1. Lead the implementation of environment, health, safety

and security policies of the project, including technical

and non-technical operations.

1. Liaising with the EHSSO to ensure implementation of

environment, health and safety policies.

1. Liaising with the EHSSO to develop and ensure

implementation of security policies.

2. Liaise with the Scheme Management Entity to ensure all

required PPEs, waste bins and other logistics are provided

for the project.

2. Ensuring adherence to environment, health and safety

procedures and the correct use of PPEs provided for

farmers/ workers in carrying out their activities.

2. Ensuring adherence to security measures in and around

the project site.

3. Ensure all machinery and equipment are in good

condition and well serviced and the operators adhere to

environment, health and safety procedures.

3. Ensuring waste bins provided at the farm and all premises

(warehouse/workshop/offices, etc.) are appropriately used

and emptied on time.

3. Organizing and coordinating training on security and

lifeguard services for all security personnel and security

awareness program for farmers/workers.

4. Liaise with regulatory institutions such as EPA and GNFS. 4. Keeping records and reporting all incidents/accidents and

illnesses to the EHSSO.

4. Keeping records and reporting on all security issues to

the EHSSO.

5. Work closely with all Consultants engaged in carrying out

their work.

5. Reporting all complains from the farmers/workers

concerning environment, health and safety to the EHSSO.

5. Supervising security personnel to ensure security is

maintained at the project site.

6. Supervise the EHSRs, EHSOs and Security Coordinator to

ensure implementation of environment, health, safety

and security procedures.

6. Reporting all non-compliances to environment, health

and safety procedures to the EHSSO for appropriate action.

6. Preventing unauthorized access to the canal system by

community members, especially children.



9.1.3 Environment, Health, Safety and Security Committee

The Manager of the SME, WUA Leaders, Managers of Anchor Farmers, EHSSO, EHSRs, EHSOs and Security

Coordinator shall constitute the EHSS Committee of the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of KLBIP. The

EHSS Committee shall have monthly meetings to discuss and deliberate on environment, health, safety

and security issues. To ensure the commitment and direct involvement of the Management of the

Scheme, the Manager of the SME shall head the EHSS Committee and chair all meetings.

The functions of the Environment, Health, Safety and Security Committee shall among other things

include:

Implementing Environment, Health, Safety and Security Policies formulated for the Project;

Implementing the environmental permit conditions and mitigation, monitoring and management

measures in the ESIA report;

Engaging the services of Consultant(s) where necessary to assist with the preparation and

implementation of Environment, Health, Safety and Security Policies and environmental permit

conditions;

Identifying appropriate training programmes for the workers/farmers;

Reviewing monthly data collated on environmental management, farmers/workers’ health and safety

and security issues;

Addressing environment, health, safety and security complains and concerns of farmers/workers and

communities; and

Undertaking disciplinary actions against workers and farmers who don’t comply with health and

safety procedures.

9.1.4 Farmers/Workers Information and Training

The SME will ensure effective dissemination of information to all workers and farmers. Training

programmes will be regularly organized for workers and farmers in collaboration with Agricultural

Extension Officers and Consultants on agronomic practices, appropriate use and handling of

agrochemicals, environmental health and safety issues, etc. These will include training for all farmers,

farm hands and workers before they are engaged, formal in-service trainings and demonstrations at

farms, warehouses, workshops and other premises. The EHSRs and EHSOs will be trained on the

environmental permit conditions and mitigation and management measures in this ESIA report as well as

provided with first aid training. Contracted security personnel will have training on ensuring adequate

security at the project site, preventing unauthorized access to the project site, especially children from

the neighbouring communities and performing lifeguard services during emergencies.

Providing adequate training for the workers and farmers and ensuring effective dissemination of

information will contribute immensely towards:

i. environmental management through the judicious use of resources, appropriate disposal of wastes;

ii. prevention of accidents that might cause injury to workers and farmers and pose risks to persons

and the general environment; and

iii. ensuring security in and around the project site to protect lives and property of the workers/farmers

and the neighbouring communities.



9.1.5 Environmental and Social Monitoring Programmes

Comprehensive monitoring programmes will be developed based on the monitoring plan in Chapter 8 for

relevant environmental and social monitoring parameters. The monitoring programme shall also be in

accordance with the directives of the EPA in the environmental permit conditions.

9.1.6 Audits and Reviews

Annual environmental, health, safety and security audits and reviews will be conducted to assess the

performance of the environment, health, safety and security policies and operational procedures

implemented. The monitoring programme will form the basis for effective auditing and reviews. The

outcome of the annual audits and reviews will underpin the periodic update of the ESMP of the proposed

project.

9.2 Public Participation

The doors of the SME will always be opened to the general public for complaints/grievances, suggestions

and advice on the scheme, including environment, social and security related issues. Complains and

suggestions may also be channeled through the EHSSO, EHSRs, EHSOs and Security Coordinator.

9.3 Grievance Redress Mechanism

A grievance is any query, call for clarification, problems, and concerns raised by individuals or groups

related to activities undertaken or processes applied by the project. Grievances can be an indication of

growing stakeholder concerns and can escalate if not identified and resolved. The management of

grievances is therefore a vital component of stakeholder management and ensuring the sustainability of

a project. A Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is therefore a system by which queries or clarifications

about a project are responded to, problems that arise out of implementation are resolved and grievances

are addressed efficiently and effectively. An effective and efficient GRM should have multiple avenues or

channels for lodging complaints, transparency, promptness and timeliness of responses and clear

procedures.

The EHSSO will be responsible for receiving grievances which may be channeled to him directly through

face-to-face communication, phone calls, letters, e-mail, text messages, etc. Grievances may also be sent

to the EHSSO through the EHSRs, EHSOs and Security Coordinator. The EHSSO shall have a log book for

keeping records of all grievances received. Any grievance received from the public shall be treated

confidentially and resolved in a transparent and fair manner. The process of resolving grievances shall

comprise the following tiers:

1. Executives of Stakeholder Governing Board (SGB);

2. Community Leaders;

3. District Assembly; and

4. Court of Law.

From the community sensitization and engagement carried out for the proposed project, many grievances

are not anticipated to arise from the project implementation and any unforeseen grievances may be

resolved at the second tier (Community Leaders) in the worst case. The process of resolving grievances is

summarised in Figure 9-2.



Grievance received by EHSSO

Executives of SGB meet and take decision

Feedback to complainant

Complainant satisfied with decision (Grievance resolved)

Complainant not satisfied (Grievance unresolved

1 week



Grievance sent to Community Leaders (Assembly Member to receive)

Decision taken through discussion with Executives of SGB and Complainant

Complainant satisfied (Grievance resolved)

Grievance sent to District Assembly (District Development Officer/Planning Officer to receive)

Decision taken through discussion with all parties

Complainant satisfied (Grievance resolved)

Complainant takes legal action

TIER 1

Law Court Rules

TIER 2

TIER 3

TIER 4

2 wks

2-4 wks

Figure 9-2: Grievance Redress Process for the Rehabilitation and Modernisation of KLBIP



9.4 Environmental and Social Management Budget

The environmental and social management plans described above require detailed cost analysis after

project development to determine the budget needed for implementation. Management has however

earmarked Two Hundred and Six Thousand Ghana Cedis (GH¢206,000.00) annually on environmental

and social monitoring, and training and awareness creation programmes as well as reporting as shown in

Table 9-2. This figure is subject to review following confirmation from cost studies to be carried out after

project development phase.

Table 9-2: Environmental and Social Management Budget

No. Programme Frequency/ Timeline Cost/year

(GH)

1. Environmental monitoring (refer to Table 8-1) Continuous 32,000

2. Implementation of mitigation and enhancement

measures (refer to Table 7-1)

Continuous 54,000

3. Capacity Building and Training Continuous 81,000

4. Environmental Auditing and Reporting

Annual environmental, health and safety audits Quarterly 3,000

Returns of Monitoring Reports to EPA (in line with LI

1652)

Quarterly As part of

duties of EHSSO

Preparation of Annual Environmental Reports (in line

with LI 1652)

Annually 10,000

Preparation of Environmental and Social

Management Plan (in line with LI 1652)

18 months after commencement

of project and subsequently

every 3yrs

20,000

5. Grievance Redress

Management and Stakeholder Meetings

Monthly 6,000

Total 206,000.00



10.0 EMERGENCY RESPONSE PROCEDURES

Response measures have been proposed for the following emergencies which may arise during project

implementation:

i. Fire;

ii. Medical or Accident;

iii. Agrochemical Spill;

iv. Oil Spill; and

v. Flooding.

10.1 Fire Emergency

Small fires

Small fires are put out quite safely. A simple firefighting procedure followed to put out a small fire is

provided below:

The first person to sight the fire must sound the fire alarm if at a warehouse/workshop/office

premises or shout FIRE!! FIRE!! FIRE!! if at the farm;

Farmers and workers trained to use fire extinguishers (fire volunteers) are permitted to fight fire on

site. All others must evacuate the area;

Tackle fire in its very early stages at the source;

Always put your own and other people’s safety first. Make sure you can escape if you need to and

never let a fire block your exit;

Never tackle a fire if it is from a position against the prevailing wind direction and if the source cannot

be determined. If in an enclosed area such as warehouse/workshop/office premises, never tackle a

fire if it is starting to spread or has spread to other items in the room or if the room is filling with

smoke;

If the situation is solved, investigate the reason for the fire and clean the place;

Report to the EHSRs/EHSOs/Security Coordinator/EHSSO.

Large fires

These are fires that cannot be put out by the trained fire volunteers and the GNFS will have to be called

to fight it. The evacuation procedures to follow include:

The first person to sight the fire must sound the fire alarm if at the warehouse/workshop/office

premises or shout FIRE!! FIRE!! FIRE!! if at the farm;

Evacuate the building or area and report at the ASSEMBLY POINT;

Immediately report to the EHSRs/EHSOs/Security Coordinator/EHSSO to call the GNFS;

Contact numbers of the North Tongu District’s GNFS and the Volta River Authority Fire Service Station

in Akuse will be conspicuously displayed at offices, warehouses, workshop and security posts;

The EHSRs/EHSOs/Security Coordinator/EHSSO has to check on remaining farmers and workers and

carry out a fast, calm and secured evacuation;

A head count will be conducted to ensure all farmers and workers are safe and present;

If there has been any injuries, they will be conveyed to the nearest health facility (Torgorme Health

Centre/ Akuse Government Hospital);

Keep records of any injuries and the fire event.



10.2 Medical or Accident

In the event of any accident or injury the procedures to follow include:

If it is a minor accident/injury and the victim can move, he/she should report to the EHSR/EHSO.

The EHSR/EHSO who is trained in administering first aid, will treat the injury.

The EHSR/EHSO will decide if the victim needs further treatment at the Medical Centre and if so will

arrange together with the EHSSO for the victim to be sent to the nearest health facility (Torgorme

Health Centre/ Akuse Government Hospital) immediately.

The EHSR/EHSO together with the EHSSO will investigate and take records of the accident/injury

including the source and cause of the accident/injury.

If the accident/injury is such that the victim cannot move by him/herself but can be moved, the

farmer/workers present should assist him/her to the EHSR/EHSO to administer first aid and arrange

for the person to be sent to the nearest health facility immediately.

If the accident/injury is such that the victim cannot be moved, the workers/farmers present should

put him in a stable condition and immediately call the EHSR/EHSO/EHSSO. The EHSSO will

immediately arrange for medical staff from the nearest health facility to be brought to the farm to

attend to the victim.

All accidents and injury will be recorded by the EHSSO.

In the event of someone falling into the canals the following measures should be followed:

The first person to sight the victim should immediately raise an alarm by shouting HELP!!HELP!!HELP!!

to call a Security Personnel to the site.

The Security Personnel (who is trained as a lifeguard) should immediately assess the situation and

carry out a rescue mission. The Security Personnel should be mindful of his own safety when carrying

out a rescue mission and should call for assistance from other Security Personnel.

Perform a resuscitation on the victim where necessary and administer first aid.

Take the victim to the nearest health facility for further treatment.

Report to the Security Coordinator/EHSSO.

An investigation should be conducted and records of the incident kept.

10.3 Agrochemical Spill

Agrochemical spills involving spillages of stored fertilizers, pesticides and weedicides/herbicides may

occur in storage sheds/rooms or on the farm when in use. The procedures to follow include the following.

For spillages on concrete floors such as at storage sheds/rooms;

If the spilled agrochemical is solid such as granulated fertilizer, quickly gather and collect the product

using the appropriate PPE such as gloves and wash the area with a lot of water and disinfectant.

If the spilled agrochemical is liquid, quickly contain the spillage using saw dust provided at the site to

prevent the spilled product from spreading. Collect the used saw dust, wash the surface with a lot of

water and disinfectant and report to the EHSR/EHSO who will decide the appropriate disposal of the

used saw dust together with the EHSSO.

If the spilled product gets into contact with any part of the body, quickly wash the body part with a

lot of clean running water and immediately report to the EHSR/EHSO/EHSSO.



For spillages at the farm;

If the spilled product is solid such as granulated fertilizer, gather and collect the product which would

have mixed with soil using a shovel and wearing gloves and report to the EHSR/EHSO/EHSSO to decide

on its use or disposal.

If the spilled agrochemical is liquid, immediately use a shovel to scoop the contaminated soil into a

container. Ensure to scoop beyond the contaminated area to ensure no contaminated soil is left

uncollected. Immediately report to the EHSR/EHSO to take a decision on its appropriate disposal

together with the EHSSO.


lot of clean running water and immediately report to the EHSR/EHSO/EHSSO.

10.4 Oil Spill

Oil spills may involve spillages of fuel and lubricants which may occur whiles in storage or in use on hard

surfaces (concreted/ tiled/paved floor) such as at storage sheds/rooms, workshop or on the ground.

Spillage on hard surface

Immediately contain the spillage using saw dust provided at the site to prevent it from spreading.

Collect the used saw dust, wash the surface with a lot of water and disinfectant and report to the

EHSR/EHSO who will decide the appropriate disposal of the used saw dust together with the EHSSO.


lot of clean running water and immediately report to the EHSSO.

Spillage on the ground

Immediately use a shovel to scoop the contaminated soil into a container. Ensure to scoop beyond

the contaminated area to ensure no contaminated soil is left uncollected.

Immediately report to the EHSR/EHSO to take a decision on its appropriate disposal together with the

EHSSO.


lot of clean running water and immediately report to the EHSSO.

10.5 Flooding

Flooding of the farm may occur from continuous heavy rainfall resulting in pools of water in low lying

areas of the field, including the paddy fields for rice cultivation, or the distribution canals and streams

overflow their banks to flood portions of the farm. As a preventive measure to flooding, the following

measure must be followed especially during the rainy season;

Drainage channels for paddy fields should be cleared of silt and weeds to allow free flow of water.

Channels in between plots for other crops should be opened at the commencement of the rainy

season by clearing any weeds, dead vegetative material or soil to allow free flow of water during the

rainy season.

When such flooding occurs the measures to follow include:

For paddy fields (rice cultivation area), open the wastewater outlet of the paddy field to allow the

water flow out;



For other low lying areas of the field inundated with water, create channels to link the flooded areas

to the “inter-plot” channels to allow the flood water flow through the “inter-plot” channels out of the

farm;

Stay away from the boundary of the streams, drainage channels and canals. If possible use pegs/poles

to show the boundary of the streams, drainage channels and canals to serve as a guide to others; and

Report to the EHSRs/EHSOs/Security Coordinator/EHSSO.



11.0 DECOMMISSIONG

The proposed project involves rehabilitation and modernisation a canal irrigation system and the

development of 2000ha land for farming. The crops to be cultivated are cereals (rice and maize), grain

legumes (cowpea and soya beans) and vegetables (pepper, okra, cabbage, watermelon and butternut

squash).

The crops to be cultivated are annual crops and complete their life cycle, from germination to production

of seed, within one year. They can be cultivated for as long as the necessary factors of soil nutrient, water

availability, market availability etc. exist.

In the event decommissioning of the project is necessary, a decommissioning plan will need to be

fashioned out.

11.1 Decommissioning Plan

In keeping with environmental regulations of the country including the Environmental Assessment

Regulations 1999, LI 1652, a reclamation or post project closure plan with time frame and cost estimates

will be periodically discussed with the relevant regulatory authorities (the EPA, GCAP, GIDA and North

Tongu District Assembly).

11.2 Potential Decommissioning Activities

In the event that the project has to be decommissioned, this will be done at the end of the planting

season. The principles of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Recover (4 R’s) will be applied in all decommissioning

phase activities. The likely activities to be carried out during decommissioning of the project include:

11.2.1 Stakeholder Consultation

Before a decision is taken to discontinue the proposed project, the SGB will extensively consult all the

farmers and workers involved in the project. The SGB will also inform and make its programme available

to relevant stakeholders including regulatory agencies such as the EPA and GNFS, other government

agencies such as the North Tongu District Assembly, local authorities including the Chiefs and leaders of

Torgorme Traditional Council and all its customers and suppliers.

11.2.2 Evacuation of Farmers and Workers

At the end of the last farming season, farmers and workers on the scheme will be made to leave the

project site. Work at warehouses, workshops and offices will also cease after the last consignment of

produce are sold and workers made to leave.

11.2.3 Removal of Moveable Property

Moveable property including equipment and machinery will be removed from the site and sent to new

project sites for use or sold to potential users or donated.

11.2.4 Transfer of ownership of Non-moveable Property

Non-moveable property which will include the canals, warehouses, workshop, offices, etc. will not be

demolished. They will be handed over to the government through the North Tongu District Assembly for

use.



11.2.5 Waste Management

Any waste to be generated from the decommissioning process will be properly disposed. Recyclable waste

such as machine and equipment parts will be handed over to scrap dealers for recycling. Non-recyclable

waste will be collected and dumped at the District Assembly’s approved dump site.

11.2.6 Site Restoration/Rehabilitation

The management of the scheme will plant trees (including nitrogen fixing trees) and cover crops at the

project site as a means of restoring the land. This will be done in consultation with the North Tongu District

Assembly and other stakeholders such as the community leaders.



12.0 CONCLUSION

GCAP is committed to ensuring sustainable environmental management and safeguarding the health and

safety of the farmers and all other workers as well as the general public in the implementation of the

proposed Rehabilitation and Modernization of the KLBIP. GCAP is also aware of the provisions in the

Environmental Protection Agency Act 1994, Act 490 and Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999, LI

1652. In keeping with these laws, this ESIS has identified and assessed key environmental and social

impacts and concerns that may arise from the implementation of the proposed project.

Stakeholder consultations, which play a critical role in integrating economic, social and environmental

concerns in the environmental and social impact assessment process by sharing and obtaining inputs from

the public, was also carried out. All relevant stakeholders, including regulatory agencies, other

government institutions, the North Tongu District Assembly, community leaders and members as well as

potential beneficiaries within the project’s area of influence were consulted and their views and concerns

integrated in this report.

Consultations with stakeholders, review of relevant literature, field inspections and studies underpinned

the identification of the project adverse environmental and social impacts. Mitigation measures have

been provided to address these impacts and any residual impacts arising after application of the full

mitigation measures will be minor or negligible. A monitoring programme to help detect changes arising

from the predicted adverse impacts has also been prepared and presented in the report together with a

PESMP. The recommendations laid out in the PESMP for the project should also ensure a high level of

environmental protection is maintained.

The proposed Rehabilitation and Modernization of the KLBIP by GCAP has the potential to provide

numerous benefits to the communities in the project area and the national economy. These include

employment opportunities for farmers and workers who will be engaged, enhanced incomes and

livelihoods, increased food production and food security and improvement in revenue generation of

regulatory institutions and the national economy.



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http://www.cepf.net/Documents/voltasurvey.pdf



ANNEXES

Annex 1a EPA Response to the Project Registration

Annex 1b EPA Response to Scoping

Annex 1c EPA and GCAP/World Bank Comments on the Draft and Revised ESIA and Responses

Annex 2 Copy of the Scoping Notice Publication

Annex 3 Water Quality Results by WAPCOS

Annex 4 Evidence of Stakeholder Consultations by WAPCOS

Annex 5 Evidence of Stakeholder Consultations by SAL Consult Limited

Annex 6 Extracts of EPA’s Revised Register of Approved and Banned Agrochemicals (December,

2015)

Annex 7 WHO Recommended Classification of Pesticides by Hazard Classes – Class 1a, Class 1b

and Class II.

Annex 8 Annexes A and B of Stockholm Convention.

Annex 9 Major parameters for Surface Water Quality Monitoring

Annex 10 Air and Noise Level from a Typical Rice Mill

Annex 11 Relevant Environmental Quality Guidelines

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