RFP: West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (WACA ResIP II)

1. INTRODUCTION

The Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) has financial support from the World Bank to develop and implement the West Africa Coastal Areas Resilience Investment Project II (WACA ResIP II). The Program Development Objective (PDO) of the WACA ResIP II Project is to strengthen the resilience of targeted communities and areas in coastal West Africa. The project will protect and restore the ecological, social, and economic assets of coastal areas addressing erosion, pollution and flooding. The project aims to restore coastal ecosystems, especially mangroves, to reduce the risk of erosion and flooding, including restoration of abandoned rice paddies and the water systems. It builds on an ongoing project called the WACA Resilience Investment Project. The Project has four components which are as follows:

Component 1: Strengthening Regional Integration.

The objective of the regional integration component is to strengthen the effective coordination of interventions for coastal resilience in West Africa at the regional and national levels. This is achieved through the consolidation of the regional institutional set-up and harmonization of policy to seek economies of scale and the development of new strategic partnerships needed for the scale-up of response to the coastal resilience development challenge.

Component 2: Strengthening the Policy or Institutional Frameworks.

The project will support the strengthening of institutional and policy frameworks around coastal development, protection, and natural resource management (exclusive of fisheries). Focus areas will include strengthening of existing national coordination mechanisms and development of mechanisms for sub-national coordination, including civil society coordination.

Policy actions under this component will support improved land use and marine spatial planning for resilient coastal development. This includes measures for institutional support that will improve collection and analysis of data critical for risk-informed decision making. This includes, but is not limited to, data related to beach profile and crest elevation, spatial data, and improved local demographic and economic data, especially as related to sources of livelihood and gender disaggregation.

Component 3: Strengthening National Physical and Social Investments. The project will support a wide typology of site-specific grey, green, and hybrid physical investments, and social sub-projects at the community level to achieve measurable increases in protection from coastal erosion and flooding, pollution control, and promote climate-resilient coastal development. Physical investments supported by the project are based on coastal management strategies and climate-resilient development plans, including Multi Sector Investment Plans (MSIPs), undertaken and ongoing in each country that identifies priority investments and actions for strengthening coastal resilience and mitigating the impacts of climate change through sustainable, integrated coastal zone management.

The project will be financing (a) green infrastructure such as dune fixation to protect beaches from erosion using vegetation and shrubs to trap sand, wetland and mangrove restoration and beach replenishment; (b) grey infrastructure such as the construction of breakwaters, seawalls, revetments, groynes, and dikes; (c) land claim and reclamation; (d) rehabilitation of flood banks; (e) rehabilitation and management of natural flood areas, including dredging to maintain natural flow in lagoons; (f) infrastructure, e.g. culverts, for improved drainage; and (g) sustainable land management practices in transboundary sub-watersheds and areas of high ecosystem value that drain into the coastal areas, and (h) measures to improve the management of natural habitats, including reduction of invasive species encroachment.

Specifically, physical interventions under this component 3 will support adaptation measures for protection, retreat, or accommodation, or a combination thereof at three locations: Korle Lagoon, Densu Delta, and Keta Lagoon. Nature-based physical protection measures will include protection and restoration of mangroves and other submerged native aquatic vegetation to reduce flooding hazards, and beach nourishment and dune rehabilitation to address coastal erosion. Grey solutions may include the construction of groins, dykes, seawalls, revetments, or other infrastructure.  The focus of this ToR is to conduct an Environment and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed physical works between the Volta River Estuary and Atorkor in the Lower Volta Basin on the east coast of Ghana.

Component 4: Project Management. A Project Implementation Unit (PIU) has been established with the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology, and Innovation (MESTI) to be responsible for the overall implementation of the project. The PIU is to be guided by a multi-stakeholder Project Steering Committee (PSC) Figure 1.

Figure 1 Organogram showing Institutional Implementation

1. Physical Investments at the Lower Volta Basin

Under the West Africa Coastal Areas Management Program (WACA) (ResIP 2) (P175525), WACA’s interventions in this region aim to improve the basin’s resilience through a combination of engineered (grey) and nature-based (green) infrastructure, aligned with the program’s regional objectives of safeguarding coastal and near-coastal systems.

The Lower Volta Basin project is benefiting from targeted physical investments such as grey, green, hybrid solutions, and social subprojects at the community level to address both environmental degradation and climate vulnerability. This project intervention will be based on site-specific studies/solutions/recommendations.

The physical investment in the LVB will focus on the rehabilitation of degraded coastline, restoration of mangroves along the coast, and reduction of erosion and sedimentation. These will include the use of riprap structures for slope stabilization and the revegetation of buffer zones to restore ecological integrity and enhance flood protection. The project also supports and promotes sustainable land use practices to minimize runoff and downstream flooding.

In addition, physical investment in the LVB will integrate community-based green infrastructure-such as vegetative barriers and reforestation to complement traditional infrastructure upgrades like embankments improvements. These hybrid interventions are designed to restore hydrological function, enhance water quality in the lagoons, and protect livelihoods, particularly in flood-prone and erosion-sensitive zones along the lower reaches of the Volta River.

By combining physical infrastructure with ecosystem restoration, WACA’s investments in the Lower Volta Basin will not only reduce vulnerability to climate risks but also contribute to long-term socio-ecological resilience, ensuring that both the environment and local communities can thrive in the face of increasing environmental pressures.

1. ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND REQUIREMENTS

The Environmental and Social Risk Classification (ESRC) for the WACA ResIP II project is “high” and the project design and implementation is guided by the WB’s Environmental and Social Framework (ESF). Eight (8) of the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs) of the WB’s ESF/ESS are relevant to the project, namely: ESS1 – Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts, ESS2 – Labour and Working Conditions, ESS3 – Resource Efficiency and Pollution Prevention and Management, ESS4 – Community Health and Safety, ESS5 – Land Acquisition, Restrictions on Land Use and Involuntary Resettlement, ESS6 – Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Management of Living Natural Resources, ESS8 – Cultural Heritage, and ESS10 – Stakeholder Engagement and Information Disclosure. The project is also required to comply with relevant legal requirements in Ghana including the EPA requirements as per the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652).

In conformance with the World Bank’s ESF and Ghana Government EPA regulations, an Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) for the WACA ResIP 2 Project has been prepared and disclosed. The ESMF has established clear processes and procedures for environmental and social risk assessment, such as screening of subproject activities as the first step to determine the level of assessment required for subproject. The ESMF is connected to other environmental and social instruments that has been prepared and disclosed, such as the: Resettlement Policy Framework, Stakeholder Consultations and Engagement Plan, Labour Management Procedure and Gender Assessment.

1. RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The proposed project activity is expected to have significant impacts on the bio-physical and socio-economic environment of the site; therefore, in compliance with the Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999 (LI 1652) and the World Bank’s ESF (ESS1) it is mandatory to carry out an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed intervention works between the Volta River Estuary and Atorkor in the Lower Volta Basin.

The main objective of this assignment is to undertake an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the proposed activities between the Volta River Estuary and Atorkor in the Lower Volta Basin. The ESIA is designed to assess major project impacts, consider alternative project designs, and to present measures for mitigating and monitoring anticipated project impacts. The ESIA will assess direct, indirect, cumulative, and, where relevant, transboundary impacts, in line with ESSs. In addition, it will assess potential climate co-benefits, including adaptation and mitigation measures, as part of the project design. It will also provide the basis for guiding subsequent actions, which will ensure that the activity is carried out in a sustainable manner. The ESIA consultant shall work closely with the design consultant to achieve this objective.

1. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment assignment shall be carried out in two phases by a qualified consultancy firm:

• Phase 1: Scoping Study and
• Phase 2: detailed Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.

1. Phase 1: Scoping Study

1. The Consultant will identify all stakeholders the project may influence (direct or indirect) and develop a Stakeholder Engagement Plan, building on the project SEP (to be incorporated in the Scoping Report) to guide a comprehensive consultation and engagement with stakeholders, particularly communities and residents, in the area likely to be influence by the subproject during the scoping study and the second phase (ESIA) of the assignment. In addition to identifying the stakeholders, attention will be paid to the domains of influence of the proposed action by considering the following:

• Who will be adversely affected by potential environmental and social impacts in the subproject’s area of influence?
• Who are the most vulnerable among the potentially impacted stakeholders?
• At which stage of project development will stakeholders be most affected (e.g., procurement, construction, operations, decommissioning)?
• What are the various interests of the project stakeholders and what influences might this have on the project?
• Which stakeholders can best assist with the early scoping of issues and impacts?
• Who strongly supports or opposes the changes that the project will bring and why?

The Consultant will prepare a record of stakeholder interests, concerns, comments and suggestions in the form of an Issues and Response Report, which will be incorporated in the Scoping Report and serve as a guide for continuous consultation during the ESIA. Attention will be paid to the cultural importance of the study area during stakeholder consultations and in recommending risk mitigation measures. The Consultant shall comply with all national, World Bank and World Health Organization (WHO) protocols throughout the ESIA process.

1. The Consultant shall identify health and safety issues related to the proposed activity and potential risk of restrictions to land-use, land acquisition, involuntary resettlement, loss of property and amenities and livelihoods resulting from the implementation of the activities and scope the need for a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP). If land acquisition or livelihood impacts are confirmed, the consultant will prepare a Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) or Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP) consistent with ESS5
2. The Consultant will identify the most relevant and significant environmental and social issues of concern with the aim to focus on them in the ESIA. The Consultant will provide indication of the most appropriate impact identification and evaluation methodologies to be used in preparing the ESIA.

Based on the outcomes of the Scoping Study, the Consultant will develop a detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the main ESIA to be undertaken in line with Ghana’s Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) and to satisfy the World Bank ESS1 (Assessment and Management of Environmental and Social Risks and Impacts). The TOR shall be incorporated in the Scoping Report. The outline for the Scoping Report and the TOR for the ESIA, will follow the format provided by EPA. The scoping report will be submitted to the EPA, World Bank, and MEST for review and clearance. To properly inform the work completed in Phases 1 and 2, the consultant will need to liaise closely with the MEST/PIU.

1. Phase 2: Detailed ESIA

The scope of the ESIA study and the approved Terms of Reference shall be agreed with the EPA, World Bank, and MEST, based on the results of the Scoping Study. Prior to the ESIA, the Consultant will work with the MEST Project Implementing Unit (PIU) to facilitate the registration of the proposed subproject by filling and submitting an Environmental Assessment Registration Form to EPA. This will pave the way and begin formal engagement with the EPA on the environmental permitting process.

Collaborating closely with the design consultants, the specific tasks to be undertaken during the ESIA shall include, but not limited to, the following:

Task 1: Detailed Description of the Proposed Subproject

The Consultant will liaise with MEST/PIU for information/data to prepare a detailed description of the proposed activities. The project description would cover, but not be limited to:

• The location, size, and access to the site;
• Ownership of the site (with supporting documents, where available);
• Current status and previous uses of the site over the past 10 years;

• Adjoining land uses at the site such as residential, commercial, recreational, garbage disposal, etc. and other uses, including surrounding communities and demographic characteristics, and existing infrastructure;
• Designs of the site including layout, haul and access roads, drainage facilities, receiving facilities, groundwater and leachate from agrochemical and waste management facilities and monitoring systems as well as buffer zones;
• List of construction machinery and equipment (detail their types, quantities, operating hours, fuel consumption, maintenance schedules, and potential emissions, including noise and air pollutants);
• Construction and operation schedules, including scheduling of site preparation (using appropriate tools such as Gantt charts) , and
• Site Operations and Decommissioning Plan.

The description should be illustrated with maps, plans, diagrams and photographs as necessary.

Task 2: Specialized Studies

For purposes of establishing the baseline and predicting potential impacts, the Consultant will consider undertaking the following field investigations, among others:

• Flora and Fauna (biological) Assessment: Carry out a flora and fauna survey of the site and the surrounding area to establish the ecological baseline of the area.
• Hydrogeological Assessment: Conduct a hydrogeological assessment to determine the potential impact of proposed activity on groundwater quality and flow.
• Air Quality Assessment: Assess the occupational and public health and safety implications of air quality deterioration (odour, dust releases, PM10,) arising from the project activity at the site, in accordance with both the Ghana Standard for Environment and Health Protection – Requirements for Ambient Air Quality and Point Source/Stack Emissions (GS 1236:2019) and WBG General EHS Guidelines, 2007. The consultant shall also apply the IFC EHS General and sector-specific guidelines (e.g., for construction, dredging, and coastal infrastructure).
• Noise Impact Assessment: Conduct noise impact assessment to estimate potential impact on the existing ambient noise condition at the proposed site and its environs in accordance with both the Ghana Standard for the Health Protection – Requirements for Ambient Noise Control (GS 1222:2018) and Acoustic Guide for measurement of outdoor A-weighted Sound Levels (GS 1253:2018) and WBG General EHS Guidelines, 2007.
• Hydrological Assessment: Conduct hydrological assessments to determine the potential impacts of the project activity on surface water bodies in and in the vicinity of the site; determine the potential impacts of the proposed activity on storm water flow and assess the quality of surface water bodies in accordance with the Ghana Standard for the Environment Protection Requirements for Effluent discharge (GS 1212:2019).
• Traffic Impact Assessment: Assess the impacts of the activities associated with the works on the existing transport network and identify reasonable solutions to address these impacts.
• Occupational Health and Safety Assessment: identify hazards and risks (physical, chemical, biological, etc.) potentially associated with the proposed works or investments and recommend measures to prevent, minimise or mitigate such risks.
• Cultural Heritage Impact Assessments: The study should identify and evaluate tangible heritage resources and cultural landscapes in the project area and assess the impacts that may result from a proposed development, such as alteration of the cultural heritage resource.
• Ongoing Coastal Projects: The consultant will evaluate cumulative and indirect impacts of proposed activities in conjunction with other ongoing or planned coastal projects.

Task 3: Review of Legal and Institutional Framework

The Consultant will review relevant national and international policies, legislation, regulations, and institutional frameworks which are applicable to (or have implications for) the proposed project activity. The Consultant will discuss the legislation and regulations that have informed the ESIA, including the environmental assessment and permitting process of the Ghana EPA. It is important that the Consultant discusses the applicability of existing standards/guidelines relating to ambient air quality, surface and groundwater quality, ambient noise, and solid waste disposal (including the disposal of contaminated materials). The Consultant will also review the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework and Standards which apply to the activities. The Consultant will formulate recommendations on how to close gaps that might exist between Ghana’s environmental policies, laws, regulatory and institutional frameworks and the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework and Standards.

Task 4: Baseline Biophysical and Human Environments

The Consultant will collect as much primary physical and biological environmental and socio-economic baseline data/information as relevant to the ESIA, supplementing the information with available secondary data as necessary. It is important that the Area of Influence (AoI) of the proposed activities is well defined. Baseline studies must include seasonal (wet and dry season) data collection and consider climate change projections, including sea-level rise, storm surge, and long-term erosion trends. The baseline studies shall utilize GIS-based mapping tools and IBAT-like systems to spatially analyze sensitive habitats and ecosystems. Seasonal (wet and dry) data collection should be conducted for key environmental and social parameters, including water quality, biodiversity, and fisheries. The baseline assessment must also consider transboundary impacts related to sediment dynamics and tidal influences across the Ghana–Togo coastal region. The environmental baseline study would include a description of the current state of the environment in the AoI, focusing on those aspects that can influence and be impacted by the proposed activity, including:

• Geology and Soils,
• Topography,
• Biodiversity (flora and fauna),
• Underground and surface water resources,
• Drainage networks,
• Ambient air quality and noise,
• Climate change factors (e.g., sea-level rise, storm surge, and flooding risk scenarios),
• Disaster risk assessments must be included.

The baseline socioeconomic characteristics will include:

• Communities and Demographic characteristics (including where available, population size disaggregated by gender);
• Land uses;
• Economic activities;
• Infrastructure and utilities;
• Access roads and traffic patterns, and
• Gender and Vulnerability Issues.

The list above is indicative of baseline features, and the Consultant is expected to capture additional information that will help in the identification, assessment and mitigation of the impacts.

Task 5: Analysis of Alternatives

The Consultant will propose alternatives while exploring additional options for the proposed activity. The alternatives should include:

• Alternative 1- “No-Action” Alternative – the alternative of not carrying out the proposed activities, to demonstrate environmental and social conditions without the development of the site.
• Alternative 2 – The project as proposed
• Alternative 3 – Alternative sites (if necessary);
• Alternative 4 – Different configuration of the proposed infrastructure
• Alternative 5 – Technologies or materials to be employed, and
• Alternative 6 – Options for decommissioning and closure of the site at the end of the subproject.

The alternatives should be compared in terms of potential environmental and social impacts. To the extent possible, quantify the costs and benefits of each alternative, incorporating the estimated costs of any associated mitigation measures. Identify the preferred alternative and provide a justification for the selection.

Task 6: Stakeholder Consultation and Engagement

The Consultant will build on the consultation and engagement activities and outcomes from the scoping phase of the assignment with the aim of engaging comprehensively with stakeholders. The Stakeholder Engagement Plan prepared at the scoping phase will be implemented. The SEP must outline strategies for engaging vulnerable groups (e.g., fisherfolk, women, youth, and persons with disabilities) and describe the grievance redress mechanism (GRM) for both community and worker grievances. It is expected that the engagement activities to be undertaken during this work will be carefully planned and agreed with the MEST/PIU as well as World Bank, in advance of going to site. Materials to be used during stakeholder engagement (including a ‘key messages’ document) will need to be agreed to in advance with the MEST/PIU and the World Bank.

The Consultant would identify all key stakeholders and pay special attention to engaging with and soliciting the concerns and views of the residents, landowners, traditional authority, Municipal Assembly, as well as potential project-affected-persons, including women, youth, persons with disabilities, elderly, and other vulnerable groups, within the area of influence. The Consultant will document all engagement activities with these stakeholders and where necessary, secure written evidence of consent from them with regard to the planned activities.

Based on the outcomes of the consultations, the Consultant will advise on measures to enhance the larger WACA Project Grievance Mechanism so that the subproject would have an effective procedure in place to receive and address concerns/complaints from aggrieved residents, individuals and organizations promptly during the period of the proposed activities. This will include measures to ensure the adequacy of referral mechanisms in the event Gender Based Violence (GBV) at the community level is reported related to project implementation. The consultant will include a SEA/SH risk assessment and develop mitigation measures such as codes of conduct, worker training, and referral pathways.

Task 7: Identification and Assessment of Potential Risks and Impacts

The Consultant will identify and assess potential environmental and social impacts of the proposed activity at the proposed site. Impacts emanating from the Pre-construction, Construction / Development, Operational and Decommissioning phases of the site shall be predicted. Significant potential environmental and social impacts (direct and indirect) must be identified, making use of impact identification methodologies proposed in the scoping report. Impact identification should take into consideration factors such as expectations or concerns of stakeholders, ecological sensitivity of the site, likely pressures from the activities, and the applicable legislative framework. The ESIA must assess cumulative impacts from other ongoing or planned projects in the Lower Volta Basin and potential transboundary impacts related to sediment transport and tidal dynamics across the Ghana–Togo coastal region. The baseline studies shall utilize GIS-based mapping tools and IBAT-like systems to spatially analyze sensitive habitats and ecosystems. Seasonal (wet and dry) data collection should be conducted for key environmental and social parameters, including water quality, biodiversity, and fisheries. The baseline assessment must also consider transboundary impacts related to sediment dynamics and tidal influences across the Ghana–Togo coastal region

The Consultant shall give due consideration to the identification of impacts relating to, among others:

• Ambient air quality;
• Ambient noise conditions;
• Flora and Fauna (Ecology);
• Surface water resources (quality and flow characteristics);
• Ground water resources (quality and flow);

• Storm water drainage;
• Traffic and human movement;
• Land use and economic activities;
• Infrastructure and utilities (electricity, water, telecommunications facilities, etc.);
• Community health and safety;
• Occupational health and safety,
• Employment and labour (including child labour);
• Commercial/residential/public property or assets;
• Solid waste management;
• Cultural/historical/religious heritage;
• Fishery resources;
• Fishery livelihood;
• Social conflict;
• Income and livelihoods;
• Poor and vulnerable Groups (including women, persons with disabilities, youth, artisanal fishermen, children and analysis of how the proposed activities will impact them);
• Gender inequality; and
• Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (SEA)/Sexual Harassment (SH)

Task 8: Mitigation and Management Measures

The Consultant shall propose measures aimed at avoiding, minimizing or mitigating the adverse impacts at the site. Mitigation measures must follow the mitigation hierarchy: avoid, minimize, mitigate, and compensate for residual impacts. Measures must also be proposed to enhance any positive impacts. These measures must be technically feasible, socially acceptable (i.e., they must consider the views of the main stakeholders, especially residents of nearby communities and potential project-affected-persons) and be cost-effective. The mitigation and enhancement measures should be specifically tailored to the impacts to achieve the aim of avoiding or limiting the negative effects of the proposed activities. Also, the Consultant shall prepare “Chance Find” procedures to be included in the ESIA for use if unanticipated archaeological, historical and sacred sites or materials are encountered during site improvement/construction works at the site.

Task 9: Preparation of Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP)

The Consultant will prepare an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The ESMP will identify the mitigation measures, and the actions needed to implement the mitigation and enhancement measures proposed by the ESIA. The ESMP should identify: (i) set of proposed measures to mitigate potentially adverse impacts; (ii) responsibility and timeframe for implementation of each proposed mitigation measure; (iii) cost of implementing the mitigation measures, and (iv) a monitoring program to verify compliance with the recommended mitigation and assess the effectiveness of the measures implemented. This includes identifying adequate SEA/SH response and mitigation measures based on the risks and impacts identified in Task 7 and in line with guidance on the World Bank’s Good Practice Note for Addressing SEA/SH in Investment Project Financing involving Major Civil Works and the ESMF. The ESMP would also contain measures needed to respond to emergency situations that may occur while executing the proposed activities.

The Consultant will prepare a Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) to provide a clear and concise outline of the actions and methods required to mitigate likely impacts on biodiversity including mitigation of potential impacts on rare, threatened species. The Consultant should prepare the BMP as a separate chapter of the ESIA report.

The Consultant will prepare a Cultural Heritage Management Plan (CHMP) which will include results of the assessment of the potential impact of a proposed activity on cultural heritage. The plan should outline measures to be taken before, during and after an activity to manage and protect cultural heritage in the activity area. The Consultant should prepare the CHMP as a separate chapter of the ESIA report.

The ESMP must also present a detailed budget for all proposed environmental and social measures, including monitoring and reporting activities, training, and emergency preparedness.

Task 10: Decommissioning and Closure Plan

The Consultant will prepare a Decommissioning and Closure Plan to serve as a guide for the formal closure, rehabilitation and long-term monitoring of the site at the end of the subproject. The plan will describe a range of actions necessary to restore the site to the beneficial use of other land users. The Consultant should prepare the decommissioning and closure plan as a separate chapter of the ESIA report. The Consultant will seek and take into consideration the views of the landowners, traditional authority, residents, and the relevant Municipal Assemblies in the development of the plan.

Task 11: Preparation of Environment and Social Impact Assessment Report

The Consultant will prepare the ESIA report for the subproject. The ESIA report will be a compilation of the outcomes of activities undertaken during the ESIA to develop a detailed description of the site and the proposed activities; characterize the baseline physical, biological and social environments; analyse subproject alternatives; consult with stakeholders; identify and assess potential impacts; recommend mitigation, enhancement and monitoring measures and develop environmental and social management measures.

1. DELIVERABLES

The following reports shall be prepared and presented by the Consultant to MEST/PIU:

1. Scoping Report

The Consultant will prepare and submit ten (10) hard copies and an electronic copy of the Scoping Report (in MS Word and pdf) to MEST/PIU within three (3) weeks from the Commencement Date of the contract. Once cleared, the PIU will facilitate the submission of the Scoping Report to EPA for approval as required by the Ghana Environmental Assessment (EA) procedure.

1. Draft Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report

The Consultant will prepare and submit ten (10) hard copies and an electronic copy (in MS Word and pdf) of the draft ESIA report to MEST/PIU within eight (8) weeks after the World Bank and MEST/PIU provide the Consultant with a compilation of review comments on the Scoping Report and indicate agreement with the Terms of Reference.

1. Final Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report

The main deliverable of this assignment will be a final ESIA Report on the proposed activities.  The Consultant will submit ten (10) hard copies and an electronic copy (in MS Word and pdf) of the final ESIA report to MEST/PIU within two (2) weeks after receipt of the compilation of review comments on the draft ESIA report from the PIU. 

1. Budget: The ESMP shall include a costed implementation plan, outlining the estimated costs for mitigation measures, monitoring, stakeholder engagement, SEA/SH mitigation, and capacity-building activities.

The deliverables and time schedules are presented in the table below:

1. REQUIRED EXPERTISE OF CONSULTING FIRM

The Consulting firm must be a legally registered consulting firm in Ghana. Other characteristics of the firm include:

• Must have been in the business of undertaking environmental and social impact assessment over a period of not less than 10 years;
• Should be registered with or recognized by a relevant environmental institution and/or a certification institution as an environmental consulting firm;
• Must have a minimum of five (5) projects experience in undertaking ESIA on coastal management or coastal infrastructure and
• The firm must have technical and managerial capabilities.

Technical Competence of the firm should include technical qualifications of the firm in undertaking similar assignment.  Project references submitted should accurately reflect the experience of the specified firm.

• Management Competence of the firm should include the corporate structure.
• A firm and its associates should not be currently sanctioned by the World Bank.  Neither the consulting firm nor the associates should be convicted of an integrity-related offence or crime related to theft, corruption, fraud, collusion or coercion.
• Any misrepresentations that knowingly or recklessly mislead or attempt to mislead may lead to automatic rejection of the proposal.

The firm is required to field a team of experts, including an Environmental and Social Assessment Expert, Social Development Expert, Hydrologist, and Biodiversity Expert to undertake the ESIA, under the leadership and supervision of a Lead Consultant. The experts should meet the following criteria:

1. Lead Consultant/Environmental and Social Assessment Expert:

1. Social Development Expert:

Knowledge and experience with World Bank Environmental and Social Framework and safeguard policies and EPA’s environmental assessment procedures

• Experience in conducting/dealing with social assessments, involuntary resettlement, gender inequality, GBV, inclusion of vulnerable groups, labour management, community and stakeholder consultations, and grievance redress.
• Knowledge of social legislations and policies in Ghana
• Familiarity with the subregion with experience working in Ghana’s coastal zone, preferably in the project area
• Proficiency in English (oral and written) and Knowledge of a local language in the subproject area will be required;
• Excellent inter-personal skills and demonstrated ability to engage with a wide range of stakeholders including government agencies, non-government organizations, civil society, and communities in Ghana
• Strong analytical and presentation skills
• Proficiency in computer application and programs, including Microsoft Office

1. Hydrologist /Coastal engineer

1. Biodiversity Expert:
2. REPORTING RELATIONSHIP

The Consultant shall submit the:

• Inception Report,
• Scoping Report,
• Draft ESIA report and
• Final ESIA report. These reports should be submitted under official cover letters to Project Implementation Unit of MEST in a timely manner. PIU MEST will facilitate the submission of the reports to the World Bank and other relevant institutions for review.

1. CLIENT’S INPUT

PIU MEST will provide the Consultant with the following:

1. Project-related documents (concept paper, project information document)
2. Any available documents on the sites, including site plan, layout, conceptual designs, etc.;
3. WACA Project, Environmental and Social Management Framework, Stakeholder Consultations and Engagement Plan, Resettlement Policy Framework, Labour Management Plan, and Gender Assessment
4. Facilitation of access to the site and to the landowners, where necessary,
5. Technical support by WACA Project’s team, if necessary.
6. DISCLOSURE

MEST/PIU will facilitate the disclosure of the Scoping Report and the ESIA report by making copies available to the World Bank and the Anloga Municipal Assembly. The World Bank will publish the final ESIA report on the Bank’s website.