Reevaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment in Ghana - A Gap Analysis - Report Example

Reevaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment in Ghana - A Gap Analysis of Reevaluation of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Ghana - A Gap Analysis 1.0 Introduction Environmental Impact Assessment is a planning tool used to identify the impacts of a project a propose mitigation measures that can be used to deal with those impacts (Friends of the Earth, 2005). According to Economic Commission for Africa (2005), the definition of EIA in Ghana demonstrates an integrated principle as it is described as an orderly and systematic process for identification, prediction and assessment of the probable environmental, socio-economic, cultural and health impacts of a project and the management and mitigation of those impacts. The main administrative body for EIA in Ghana is the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency formed in 1994. EPA Ghana continues to receive higher numbers of EIA application with 755 applications being received in 2003 (Boyle, 2004). This paper will carry out a reevaluation of three EIAs of three EIAs conducted in Ghana for major road project and identify any gaps in the mitigation measures proposed in relationship to the impacts identified. An EIA was conducted for a proposed project of the construction of 147.5 kilometers Fufulso to Sawla road which passes through three districts in the Northern region of Ghana (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2010). The baseline information of the project area was collected through studies, consultation with various stakeholders and field surveys. Information was collected on the major settlements, climate, noise levels and air quality. Topography, drainage, flora and fauna, socio-economic and land use activities in the area and socio-economic activities were also assessed. Moreover, the study looked at the sensitive ecosystems and existing road conditions (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2010). The EIA identified both positive and negative impacts on the environment. The positive impacts of the project include a reduction in the travel cost and time, creation of employment opportunities, boosting of tourism and trading and improvement of agriculture. The potential negative impacts are that excavation and drilling the effects will lead to excessive pollutant emissions with accompanying respiratory problems. The dust could also lead to asthmatic attacks on the residents (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2010). Use of heavy machinery will lead to considerable noise levels which will impact the workers and the members of the public. A 41 kilometer section of the road separates the Mole National Park and Kenikeni Forest Reserve and there will be clearing of vegetation on either side of the road. The vegetation is not dense but poses significant impacts as the area are statutory reserves. There are potential impacts on historical resources which include the Jintrepe Mass Grave and Larabanga Mystic Stone. Influx of people seeking employment opportunities could negatively impact the traditional and moral values of the locals leading to spread of STIs (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2010). During quarrying of rocks; there will be impacts such as emission and negative impacts on air quality. Moreover, noise, vibration and loss of business and homes for people along the road will also be experienced. Impacts of the operational phase of the project include increased emissions from the vehicles, better roads leads to increased frequency of traffic and vehicle speeds thereby posing accident risks. Increased traffic could lead to increased volume of waste generated, more truck drivers having to spend the night in towns along the road and may be tempted to solicit for sex from locals and changes in the landscape as more investors put up buildings along the road (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2010). The mitigation measures proposed includes; water dowsing on the road to, enforcement of speed limits and regular maintenance of the vehicles and equipments used in the construction to keep the dust down. Any activity that could result in dust will be suspended or stopped when the conditions are windy and transportation of materials will only be done during the day to prevent noise nuisance at night (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2010). Ears muffs will be provided to the workers and planting of trees along the road will serve as a noise barrier. The road will be marked appropriately and arrangements will be done with waste handlers to collect inorganic waste weekly. All the affected property was also value and adequate compensation provided (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2010). The second project is the construction of the 15 km Awoshie-Pokuase road. Negative impacts of the project identified in the EIA include increased levels of dust, noise pollution and clearing of the RoW during the construction phase will generate huge amounts of waste. The construction would require clearing of a corridor 90 m wide leading to loss of trees and vegetative cover (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2009). Animals depending on the vegetation for food and breeding would be affected consequently forcing these animals to migrate. Quality of water in the streams will be affected due to sediment laden water flowing into the stream. During construction stage heavy traffic could be experienced and historical resources in Ablekuma, Asofoman Presbyterian cemetery and other religious sites could be affected. Critical services could be interrupted such electricity and water could be affected by project (African Development Bank and African Development Fund, 2009). Immigrants seeking employment could erode the morals and traditions of the people. When sourcing for construction materials; quarrying will lead to dust and noise pollution. In the operational phase; heavy traffic could lead to more accidents and increased emissions. Furthermore, the embankments and shoulders of the road may experience sheet erosion resulting to obstruction of the drainage system. Mitigation measures proposed includes diversion of RoW past Ablekuma to an earthen road with a low density constructed properties to reduce the number of property affected. Adjustments on the road will be made in the sensitive areas such as the historical sites to reduce any potential impacts. Sprinkling of water will be done to keep down dust, proper design of drainage facilities which will be cleared periodically to remove silt and noise levels will be controlled through use of more efficient equipments. Dust generating activities will be suspended during windy conditions and all affected persons will be compensated. The impacts identified for the Achimota-Anyinam include rapid urbanization which could result to lawlessness, inadequate housing and sanitation and break down of the cultural values were predicted (African Development Fund, n.d). An increase in the number of accidents could increase and loss of agricultural land will be experienced. The project will also lead to destruction some buildings along the road and displacement of people. There will be negative impacts on flora and fauna in the area, noise and dust pollution and pools of water will be created where construction materials will be sourced (African Development Fund, n.d). The mitigation measures proposed for the project include sprinkling of water, control of noise through controlling of the construction activities. To control the effects of urbanization; relevant organs were called to strengthen the laws. New housing units would be constructed for the displaced persons and disrupted facilities such as telephone and water distribution lines will be replaced with new ones. Provision of vegetation cover will be done to control erosion and dams will be constructed to acts as receptors for waste water to prevent pollution of the water courses. A Gap Analysis of the EIA The three projects described are in the construction stage except the Achimota-Anyinam. Different groups of people have been displaced following implementation of these projects (Sampong, 2004). Achimota-Anyinam road has lead to increased traffic thereby posing a risk of accidents to the road users. To control accidents and traffic flow the road has been marked near sensitive areas such as schools (IAIA, 2003). The people displaced during the project implementation have been compensated to give alternative homes. Sprinkling of water is done on the road to keep dust down although this is not done at all times of the since monitoring of the mitigation measures is low (Sampong, 2004). The proposed mitigation measures in the Fufulso to Sawla road project fails to implement measures to control negative impacts on landscape where sourcing of construction materials will result in uneven landscape and pools which can act as breeding sites for disease vectors. The EIA also fail to propose adequate measures to manage wastes produced during the construction stage. Road construction lead to lots of soil being removed during evacuation and therefore it is critical to propose ways to manage this. Some mitigation measures proposed require the commitment of a third party to implement them such as management of solid waste produced requires discussion with the local waste management authority to collect sit while impacts of urbanization are to be dealt with by laws developed by relevant authorities. This therefore means that some mitigation measures may not be implemented. Ways That Can Improve EIA To improve EIA process, all the authorities involved in environmental protection should be give the authority to approve the EIA and not just examining the report (Bitondo, 2000). Participation of all the stakeholders should be enhanced and monitoring of the project during project implementation must be enhanced (Arts et al., 2001). The findings from the reevaluation of the three EIA can help shape policies in EIA where a policy on monitoring of the implementation of the project must be conducted to assess compliance with the mitigation measures proposed. 1.1 Rational of the research Many countries have adopted the use of environmental impact assessment as a planning tool to identify the potential impacts of projects and develop mitigation measures to deal with those impacts. However, the proposed mitigation measures do not always mitigate the actual impacts due lack of enforcement and commitment from the project proponent. Moreover, the research seeks to study whether the proposed impacts are the actual impacts that are experienced overtime following project implementation. 1.2 Research plan This research entails internet research on EIAs conducted in Ghana for three major road projects. These EIAs will be analyzed for the predicted impacts and mitigation measures. Internet research will be used to identify the actual impacts of the project and the mitigation measures employed to mitigate those impacts. 1.3 Methodology This research will rely on internet research to get information on the three road projects. Moreover, it will rely on media reports on public views of the project and reports of the relevant authorities to evaluate cases of accidents, criminal activities and any changes in the number of new STIs infections reported. The report will also rely on reports from Ghana Environmental Protection Agency on the implementation of the mitigation measures. 1.4 Data collection Data for this research will be collected from various sources such as data of accidents from the police department which will be compared to the average number of accidents reported in the area. The other source of data will be interviews with a sample population of the locals get their opinions on the project. References African Development Bank and African Development Fund (2010). Ghana: Fufulso-Sawla Road Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Summary. Retrieved 1st March, 2012 from http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Environmental-and-Social-Assessments/ESIA%20Revised%20Summary%20-%20Fufulso-Sawla%20Road%20Project.pdf African Development Bank and African Development Fund (2009). Ghana: Awoshie-Pokuase Road Project Summary of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Infrastructure. Retrieved 1st March, 2012 from http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Environmental-and-Social-Assessments/Ghana-Awoshie African Development Fund, (n.d). Ghana: Achimota - Anyinam road: Executive summary of the environmental impact assessment retrieved 1st March, 2012 from http://www.afdb.org/fileadmin/uploads/afdb/Documents/Environmental-and-Social-Assessments/ADF-BD-IF-97-130-EN-ESPS-3670060.PDF Arts, J. et al., (2001). Environmental Impact Assessment Follow-up: good practice and future directions – findings from a workshop at the IAIA 2000 conference. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Vol. 19. Bitondo, D. (2000). Environmental Assessment in Cameroon: State of the Art. Impact Assessment and Project Appraisal, Vol. 18, No. 1. Boyle, J., (2004). Possible Directions for World Bank Support to EA Development in Sub- Saharan Africa, 2004- 2007. A Discussion Paper prepared for the IAIA Annual Conference in Vancouver, Canada Economic Commission for Africa (2005). Review of the Application of Environmental Impact Assessment in Selected African Countries. Retrieved 1st March, 2012 from http://www.foe.co.uk/resource/guides/environmental_impact_asses1.pdf Friends of the Earth (2005). Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): A campaigner’s guide. Retrieved 1st March, 2012 from IAIA, (2003): Social Impact Assessment: International Principles: Special Publications Series No. 2. Sampong, E., (2004). A Review of the Application of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Ghana. A Report prepared for the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa in December. Read More