Yelsumde-Ghana-Ltd_ESMP

105 Pages·2017·3.94 MB·English

YELSUMDE GHANA LIMITED

Proposed Cereal & Legume Farming

Project at Zongoyire in the Bawku

West District, UE/R

ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL

MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP)

FINAL PLAN

Prepared by:
SAL Consult Limited, P. O. Box GP20200, Accra, Ghana
February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

TABLE OF CONTENT
TABLE OF CONTENT .......................................................................................................................................... I
LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................... II
LIST OF TABLES ................................................................................................................................................ II
ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ..................................................................................................................III
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................................... IV
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 1
2.0 POLICY, LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ................................................................................ 2
2.1 WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES ............................................................................................................ 16
3.0 ENVIRONMENT, HEALTH AND SAFETY (EHS) POLICY.......................................................................... 18
3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY ........................................................................................................................... 18
3.2 HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY ...................................................................................................................... 18
3.3 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR) POLICY ......................................................................................... 18
4.0 PROJECT OPERATIONS AND ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION ......................................................................... 19
4.1 PROJECT ACTIVITIES .................................................................................................................................. 19
4.1.1 Pre-planting Phase Activities .......................................................................................................... 19
4.1.2 Land Development and Constructional Phase Activities ................................................................. 19
4.1.3 Farm Operations and Maintenance Phase Activities ...................................................................... 19
5.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN ........................................................................... 22
6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PLAN ......................................................................... 34
7.0 MANAGEMENT PROGRAMME TO MEET REQUIREMENTS ................................................................. 39
7.1 MANAGEMENT STRATEGY .......................................................................................................................... 39
7.2 PERFORMANCE MONITORING AND INSTITUTIONAL REPORTING REQUIREMENTS ................................................... 41
8.0 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PLANS ........................................................................ 45
8.1 FIRE EMERGENCY ..................................................................................................................................... 45
8.2 MEDICAL OR ACCIDENT ............................................................................................................................. 45
8.3 AGROCHEMICAL SPILL ............................................................................................................................... 46
8.4 OIL SPILL ................................................................................................................................................ 46
8.5 FLOODING .............................................................................................................................................. 47
9.0 CONCLUSION ..................................................................................................................................... 48
ANNEXES ....................................................................................................................................................... 49
ANNEX 1: WHO RECOMMENDED CLASSIFICATION OF PESTICIDES BY HAZARD CLASSES – CLASS 1A, CLASS 1B AND CLASS II.
50
ANNEX 2: ANNEXES A AND B OF STOCKHOLM CONVENTION. ................................................................................. 51
ANNEX 3: EXTRACTS OF EPA’S REVISED REGISTER OF APPROVED AND BANNED AGROCHEMICALS (DECEMBER, 2015) ..... 52
ANNEX 4: MONITORING CHECKLIST .................................................................................................................. 53

ESMP _ Proposed Cereal & Legume Farming Project at Zongoyire in the Bawku West District, UE/R Page i
February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

LIST OF FIGURES
FIGURE 1: ENVIRONMENTALLY-BASED PROCESS FLOW DIAGRAM FOR THE CEREAL AND LEGUME FARMING PROJECT...................... 21
FIGURE 2: ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE FOR YELSUMDE GHANA LIMITED’S CEREAL AND LEGUME FARMING PROJECT ................. 40
FIGURE 3: GRIEVANCE REDRESS PROCESS FOR YELSUMDE GHANA LIMITED’S CEREAL AND LEGUME FARMING PROJECT ................. 43

LIST OF TABLES
TABLE 1: POLICY, LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................... 3
TABLE 2: SUMMARY OF WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES ............................................................................................. 16
TABLE 3: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MITIGATION PLAN FOR IDENTIFIED SIGNIFICANT IMPACTS ............................................ 22
TABLE 4: ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MONITORING PLAN ............................................................................................. 35
TABLE 5: ENVIRONMENTAL, HEALTH AND SAFETY FUNCTIONS OF THE FARM MANAGER, SUPERVISORS, CHIEF FARMER AND FOREMAN
..................................................................................................................................................................... 39

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February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

ACRONYMS AND ABBREVIATIONS
CSR Corporate Social Responsibility
DEMC District Environmental Management Committee
EA Environmental Assessment
EHS Environment, Health and Safety
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
FC Forestry Commission
FSD Forest Services Division
GCAP Ghana Commercial Agricultural Project
GIDA Ghana Irrigation Development Authority
GNFS Ghana National Fire Service
GPRS Growth and Poverty Reduction Strategy
GRM Grievance Redress Mechanism
LI Legislative Instrument
METASIP Medium Term Agriculture Sector Investment Plan
MOFA Ministry of Food and Agriculture
OP Operational Procedures
PESMP Preliminary Environmental and Social Management Plan
PNDC Provisional National Defense Council
PPE Personal Protective Equipment
RCC Regional Coordinating Council
SADA Savannah Accelerated Development Authority
SMCD Supreme Military Council Decree
TCPD Town and Country Planning Department
TDS Total Dissolved Solids
WB World Bank
WD Wildlife Division
WHO World Health Organization
WRC Water Resources Commission

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February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Yelsumde Ghana Limited, a limited liability company duly registered under the Companies Code of
Ghana of 1963, Act 179 and one of the 31 selected Ghana Commercial Agriculture Project (GCAP)
Grantees, proposes to undertake a Cereal and Legume Farming Project on 256ha of land at
Zongoyire in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region. The proposed project, which will be
operated under Nucleus and Outgrower Schemes, will involve the cultivation of cereals (maize, rice,
sorghum and millet) and legumes (mainly soya beans) and will depend solely on rainfall. Irrigation
through the use of boreholes may be considered in future depending on the availability of funds.
The proposed project by Yelsumde Ghana Limited will also include a 500Mt warehouse at Zongoyire-
Natinga for the storage of farm produce.
Yelsumde Ghana Limited, as a beneficiary of the GCAP project, is required to comply with national
environmental regulations including the Environmental Assessment Regulations LI 1652 (1999) and
the World Bank Safeguards Policies. This Environmental and Social Management Plan is prepared to
guide the management of Yelsumde Ghana Limited towards effective environmental, social and
occupational health and safety actions in the implementation of the proposed Cereal and Legume
Farming Project to ensure sustainable development.
Significant Environmental and Social Impacts
The significant adverse impacts (rated as moderate or major) identified from the environmental and
social impact assessment (ESIA) of the proposed project are stated below.

Land Preparation and Construction Phase
 Loss of vegetation and impacts on flora and fauna;
 Soil impacts and sediment transport;
 Generation and disposal of solid waste;
 Occupational health & safety; and
 Sanitation issues and public health.

Farm Operations and Maintenance Phase
 Soil biological degradation;
 Physical degradation of soil;
 Soil chemical degradation;
 Pollution of groundwater;
 Impacts on stray wildlife from the forest reserve ;
 Waste generation and disposal;
 Occupational health and safety;
 Sanitation issues and public health;
 Fire risks;
 Pest/rodent infestation and contamination of produce;
 Post-harvest losses; and
 Sustainability of the farming venture.
Mitigation measures for significant potential adverse impacts
The mitigation measures for the significant adverse impacts are summarised in the table below.
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February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

Mitigation measures for significant adverse environmental and social impacts
No. Potential Environmental Project Activities Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility Cost Estimates
and Social Impacts (Gh₵)
LAND DEVELOPMENT AND CONSTRUCTIONAL PHASE
1. Loss of vegetation and  Opening of access roads  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will carry out vegetation clearance in phases and will be Contractor/ 3,000
impacts on flora and  Site clearing and land preparation limited to the portions of the land to be developed at a particular time. The entire Farm Manager
fauna  Construction of warehouse 200ha land will not be cleared at a time as the project will be developed in phases based
on availability of funds. This will allow for any fauna to migrate to adjoining bushes.
 Total felling will not be done by Yelsumde Ghana Limited during vegetation clearance.
With the exception of the rice cultivation area, Shea nut trees and other trees will be
left on the farm in an agroforestry nature.
 Any tree outside the demarcated area for the warehouse will not be felled by Yelsumde
Ghana Limited.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will replant in 2 to 3 folds any trees removed at the project
site.
2. Soil impacts and  Site clearing and land preparation;  The clearing of vegetation in phases by Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure only areas Contractor/ 1,000
sediment transport  Opening of access roads; of the land to be developed at a particular time are exposed to agents of erosion. This Farm Manager
 Transportation of materials and will also ensure the cleared areas of the land are not left bare over long periods as
equipment; development at the cleared areas will be carried out immediately. This will minimize
 Construction of and warehouse; and erosion and sediment transport.
 Disposal of construction spoil and  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure that heaped sand for construction of the
waste in general. warehouse will be covered with tarpaulin to prevent wind and water transport of soil
particles.
3. Generation and disposal  Site clearing and land preparation;  Tree and shrub stems, and stock pile of tree stumps, roots, twigs, leaves, and top soil Contractor/ 2,500
of solid waste  Opening of access roads; material will form the bulk of the land preparation waste. Yelsumde Ghana Limited will Farm Manager
 Construction of and warehouse; and allow the Zongoyire community to collect the tree and shrub stems for use as poles,
 Disposal of construction spoil and fuelwood and fencing material. As much as possible, the twigs and leaves will be spread
waste in general. and ploughed into soil or allowed to decompose.
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February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

No. Potential Environmental Project Activities Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility Cost Estimates
and Social Impacts (Gh₵)
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure Contractors for construction works adopt efficient
use of construction materials as well as re-use of materials where possible to minimize
the waste to be generated from the construction of the warehouse. 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 warehouse construction site will be collected and disposed at a landfill site
approved by the Bawku West District Assembly.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure Contractors provide bins on site for collection and
disposal of plastic waste and polythene materials such as lubricant containers, drinking
water sachets and carrier bags at approved dump site.
4. Occupational health and  Site clearing and land preparation;  Experienced contractor(s) with requisite licenses and well-trained workers will be Contractor/ 2,500
safety issues  Opening of access roads; engaged by Yelsumde Ghana Limited for the construction of the warehouse. Only Farm Manager
 Transportation of materials and trained personnel with the necessary prerequisite skills will be allowed to operate
equipment; machinery.
 Construction of and warehouse; and  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure that the selected contractor(s) will have a Health &
 Disposal of construction spoil and Safety Policy to guide the construction activities.
waste in general.  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will also ensure that the contractor provides and enforces the
use of appropriate personal protective equipment such as safety boots, rain coats, hand
gloves, earplugs and nose masks. Sanctions will be implemented where this is not
followed.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure that tractors used for land preparation 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 exhaust emissions which could affect the operator’s and other
workers health and safety.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure the selected contractor(s) has adequate training in
first aid and first aid kits are provided on site to treat minor ailments. However, major
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February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

No. Potential Environmental Project Activities Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility Cost Estimates
and Social Impacts (Gh₵)
cases will be referred to the nearest hospital or health post.
5. Sanitation issues and  Site clearing and land preparation;  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure the contractors provide adequate waste bins at the Contractor/ 1,500
public health impacts  Opening of access roads; project sites for use to minimise indiscriminate disposal of plastic and polythene Farm Manager
 Transportation of materials and material, cans and food waste by the workers. These bins will be frequently transported
equipment; and emptied at approved dump sites. This will prevent the littering of the project site
 Construction of and warehouse; and with cans and bottles which could collect water and breed mosquitoes.
 Disposal of construction spoil and  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure waste from construction activities, including metal
waste in general. scraps, wood chippings, rubber seals, spend lubricating oil containers, nails, etc. are
collected on a frequent basis and disposed of at approved dumpsites.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure all trenches or excavations made for the
construction of the warehouse are properly covered to prevent accidents and collection
of stagnant water which could breed mosquitoes.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will ensure the contractors 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.
Sub-Total 1 (Land Preparation and Construction Phase): 10,500
FARM OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE PHASE
6. Soil biological  Land preparation and maintenance  Management of Yelsumde Ghana Limited will, preferentially, use selective pesticides Farm Manager/ -
degradation  Weed control with low environmental impact quotient (EIQ) where appropriate, rather than broad- Supervisors/
 Pest and disease control spectrum products, to minimize impacts on non-target species Chief Farmer
 Fertilizer and/or manure application  With the exception of the major land preparation to be carried out at the onset of the
 Construction and maintenance of farm, Yelsumde Ghana Limited will adopt minimum/reduced tillage for the subsequent
fire belt planting seasons. This will minimise soil impact on soil fauna. Ploughing and harrowing
 Waste management 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 to serve as mulch to conserve soil moisture and also decompose improve soil
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February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

No. Potential Environmental Project Activities Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility Cost Estimates
and Social Impacts (Gh₵)
biological condition.
 The use of organic manure will be explored by Yelsumde Ghana Limited together with
the Department of Agriculture of the Bawku West District Assembly to augment
fertilizer usage.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will adopt Integrated Weed Management Practices including
the use of mechanical and cultural practices. Weedicides will only be used as the last
resort.
 The slashed weeds will be left on the farm as mulch which will also rot to improve soil
organic matter.
 Mulching will reduce weed growth and minimize the use of agrochemicals for weed and
pest control.
7. Physical degradation of  Land preparation and maintenance  The adoption of minimum tillage by Yelsumde Ghana Limited (as indicated above) will Farm Manager/ 1,500 annually
soil  Weed control reduce the susceptibility of the soil to erosion and also hard pan formation associated Supervisors/
 Pest and disease control with continuous ploughing at the same depth. Chief Farmer
 Fertilizer and/or manure application  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will incorporate planting of cover crops at erosion prone areas
 Construction and maintenance of as a soil management measure.
fire belt  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will leave crop residue and slashed weeds on the farm to
reduce exposure of the soil to agents of erosion.
 Increase in organic matter content of the soil through decomposition of crop residue
and slashed weeds (as indicated above) will improve the soil structure.
 Improvement in soil biological conditions through the addition of organic manure and
mulching as indicated above will improve the soil structure.
8. Soil chemical  Land preparation and maintenance  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will adopt integrated weed and pest management practices for Farm Manager/ -
degradation  Weed control weed and pest control such as use of certified and disease tolerant seed varieties, use of Supervisors/
 Pest and disease control early maturing seed varieties, proper land preparation, early planting, following Chief Farmer
 Fertilizer and/or manure application recommended planting space between rows and plants, timely/early weeding, suitable
 Construction and maintenance of water management practices and the use of agrochemicals where necessary. This will
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February 2017
SAL Consult Ltd GCAP Grantee – YELSUMDE GHANA LTD

No. Potential Environmental Project Activities Proposed Mitigation Measures Responsibility Cost Estimates
and Social Impacts (Gh₵)
fire belt minimize the rate of agrochemical use.
 Maintenance of machinery and  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will explore the use or organic manure to reduce the use of
equipment inorganic fertilizers.
 Waste management  Soil analysis will be carried out by Yelsumde Ghana Limited to determine the chemical
conditions of the soil at the onset of the farm and to know the recommended rates of
application of various soil nutrients. This will help know the deficient soil nutrients and
the right types and quantities of fertilizers to apply.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will only purchase EPA approved agrochemicals from licensed
agrochemical shops for use at the recommended application rates. Yelsumde Ghana
Limited will purchase and consult EPA’s current register of approved and banned
agrochemicals prior to the selection and purchase of agrochemicals for use.
9. Impacts on stray wildlife -  Yelsumde Ghana Limited will engage the Wildlife Division (WD) to provide training for Farm Manager/ 5,000 annually
from the forest reserve the farmers on the management of stray wildlife. Supervisors/
 Awareness creation and education will be provided by Yelsumde Ghana Limited in Chief Farmer
collaboration with WD for the farmers and community members on the importance of
conserving and protecting wildlife as well as managing human-wildlife conflicts. This will
be done in collaboration with WD.
 Yelsumde Ghana Limited will work closely with WD in managing stray wildlife and will
call upon the WD for assistance in managing stray wildlife where necessary. The WD will
be on high alert during migratory periods of wildlife where the likelihood of any stray
animals to the farm is high to promptly respond to any calls from Yelsumde Ghana
Limited. Contact numbers of the WD will be made available to the leaders of the farm.
The WD will be supported with logistics where necessary to aid their services on the
farm.
10. Pollution of  Weed control  The use of agrochemicals including inorganic fertilizers, weedicides and pesticides will Farm Manager/ -
groundwater  Pest and disease control be reduced as much as possible by Yelsumde Ghana Limited. Where possible, Supervisors/
 Fertilizer and/or manure application mechanical weed control will be considered instead of the use of weedicides and Chief Farmer
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February 2017