Environmental And Social Impact Assessment Research Articles

Does Matrilineality Reduce Gender Inequality in Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Public Participation? Some Evidence from Malawi.

This paper reports on Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) public participation in Malawi with a focus on the role of women from matrilineal and patrilineal marriage systems. Six rural ESIA projects are explored of which three are in areas of patrilineal and three are in areas of matrilineal systems. Participation space was found to be consistently dominated by men, with no obvious differences between both systems. The key reasons are likely to be lower educational and social status of women in rural areas throughout the country. This is associated with a number of challenges, including chronic poverty and food insecurity. Affirmative action is needed to achieve a better representation of women in ESIA processes.

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in Malawi: A Review

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) is a technique that aims to acquire adequate and timely information on the anticipated environmental repercussions of development projects, as well as feasible alternatives and mitigation strategies. It is a very important tool for achieving sustainable development.  ESIA procedures require that a developer submit a written document to designated agency describing the probable or possible future environmental and social impacts of the intended action. In Malawi, even though the project developer may choose to submit an environmental impact assessment (EIA) to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA), it is still the director that decides which project requires an EIA.  This paper describes the current institutional framework for EIA in Malawi.

A critical review of environmental assessment legislation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Background: Many countries undertake development activities that utilize resources from the environment. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Congolese Environmental Agency is supervised by the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development to undertake an environmental assessment of all projects that pose risks to the environment. The present study conducted a critical review of the country’s existing environmental assessment legislation, identifying strengths and weaknesses in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) system. Methods: A literature survey was done in the Google Scholar, Taylor & Francis, and Elsevier databases, which were also guided by the PRISMA. All full-text articles included in the study were written or translated (using online translation software) into the English language, and also, reported on environmental impact assessment as well as legislation. A textual examination of the included literature was done. A set of adapted analytical criteria was used to critically review the ESIA system in the DRC. The results were discussed, and recommendations were given. Results: It was found that the decree was not effective and efficient for the ESIA study. Some of the key limitations of the ESIA decree included the lack of scoping in the entire ESIA process, alternatives that were limited in scope, fees and charges that were not explicitly stated in the legislation, and the lack of public participation at some stages. Conclusion: The ESIA system in the DRC is ineffective and needs revision to improve its effectiveness.

Who is involved in environmental and social impact assessment public participation? Observations on urban and rural practices in Malawi

ABSTRACT In this paper, the authors reflect on public participation (PP) in environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes in Malawi, where EIA is implemented as Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). Who is invited and who is actively contributing to PP meetings is explored. In this context, 12 ESIAs are examined, six from rural and six from urban areas. While PP principles ask for a balanced approach towards the inclusion of both interested and affected individuals and bodies, in the 12 projects, participants were mostly development and planning experts in urban projects and traditional leaders (chiefs) in rural projects. People without societal positions that were directly affected by developments only represented 15% of those being present in PP meetings. Based on these findings, the authors suggest that PP policy needs to be improved and enforced in order to allow ordinary people potentially directly affected by development to be better represented.

Compliance with Environmental and Social Safeguards by Large Infrastructure Projects: The Case of Lamu Port and Associated Road Infrastructure Projects Implemented under LAPSSET

The study evaluated compliance with environmental and social safeguards during the implementation of Lamu Port and associated road infrastructure projects implemented under LAPSSET in Lamu County. The study employed a mixed-method approach in collecting primary and secondary data. This comprised of key informant interviews, focused group discussions, and field observations for primary data and document analysis of; i) the LAPSSET Corridor Feasibility Study report, ii) Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) report, and iii) the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Reports for Lamu Port and associated infrastructure, ESIA’s of Lamu Port access road and Garsen-Witu-Lamu Highway. Descriptive statistics and geospatial analysis were used to synthesise and interpret the data collected. Results show that the project safeguards meant to deter alteration of marine water quality, pollution of marine flora and fauna, protection of livelihoods of the fishing community, preservation of tangible and intangible heritage were not implemented. The study further established that compensation of project-affected persons pre-determined as exposed to effects of the project like landowners for loss of arable land was done while loss of grazing fields and watering grounds for pastoralists were not compensated. Overall, the location of the chosen borrow pit sites for the extraction of construction materials was inappropriate with about 25% of the borrow pits being in close proximity to homesteads. Rehabilitation of borrow pits was minimal; less than 10% of disused borrow pits had been rehabilitated. Inadequate budget and lack of enforcement by government agencies were cited as the main cause of poor compliance.

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of Surrounding Area of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant Project: A Case Study of Ishwardi Upazila in Bangladesh

Bangladesh started its nuclear journey on 02 October 2013 with the inauguration of the first phase of Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant construction. The main purpose of the study is to find out the impacts of Rooppur Nuclear Power plant on the environment, social economy and socio-cultural elements at surrounding areas of the proposed site. Field observations, household surveys, FGD, key informant interviews, daily newspapers, google engine, journal articles, reports, and other relevant sources were used to collect the data. To fulfill the objective of the study, environmental impact value (EIV) tool was applied. After observing and calculating all the components, authors were found positive impact on socio-economic impact (+198) and negative impacts on environmental parameters (-65) and socio-cultural parameters (-130). Finally, the project's total score (+3) indicates the project has a moderately positive impact on the social economy and environment and suggests that the project is acceptable. The significant positive impacts of the Rooppur nuclear power plant will be industrial and infrastructural development, economic growth, employment creation, knowledge transfer, river excavation, tree plantation, no greenhouse gas emission if the project follows national and international laws and legislation, a proper environmental management plan, strong cyber security, and free from any corruption or illegal activities.

An Appraisal of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment in Ethiopia: The Case of Meta Abo Brewery

This study investigates the implementation and follow-up of the environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) in Meta Abo Brewery in Ethiopia. Specifically, it aims to assess the implementation mechanism and status of ESIA monitoring and evaluation, the adequacy of the legal and administrative framework for ESIA implementation and follow-up, and the perception of residents towards the ESIA implementation and follow-up by the proponent. A mixed research approach was employed to collect and analyze both qualitative and quantitative data. Thematic and descriptive data analysis was used to analyze data collected through key informant interviews (KII), focus group discussion (FGD), closed-ended questions, and document review. Data were obtained from 11 purposely selected interviewees and 6 FGD participants, as well as 175 randomly selected respondents. This study found the practical implementation mechanism of ESIA monitoring and evaluation as well as weak ESIA monitoring and evaluation status through the case study. The main causes of this weak ESIA system are weak implementation of ESIA monitoring and evaluation by the regulatory body and proponent, weak cooperation among regulatory body and proponent, weak institutional capacity, and weak managerial commitments. The study also indicated a lack of adequate legal and administrative frameworks and the absence of regular revision of relevant legislation. Additionally, the study identified that the proponent has some weaknesses in the ESIA implementation and follow-up. The findings regarding the legal and administrative framework can be developed to guide the formulation and amendment of the ESIA legal and administrative framework not only for Ethiopia, but other developing countries as well. Moreover, the findings of this study can be a groundwork for future studies to fill the gap by understanding the social-cultural barrier and finding appropriate strategies to enhance the ESIA system in developing countries.

Evaluating the effectiveness of a national environmental and social impact assessment system: lessons from Uganda

ABSTRACT We consider the adequacy of the legislative and administrative provisions for environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) in Uganda. Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) legislation was enacted in Uganda in 1995. Although it was intended that social impacts would also be considered, the nomenclature, organizational culture and practice of EIA has given an over-emphasis to biophysical issues, with social issues being under considered. Lack of explicit instructions about how to assess social impacts and the positioning of ESIA too late in the project cycle limit the ability of social issues to be properly considered. From document analysis, an on-line survey, in-depth interviews, reflexive practice, and a literature review, we found that there was inadequate public participation, poor follow-up, low levels of capacity in all stakeholders, and political interference in the project approval process. To improve the effectiveness of ESIA in Uganda and other developing countries, we make recommendations to address the challenges facing ESIA practice.

Effects of Salt Harvesting on Ground Water Quality in Gongoni Ward, Kilifi County, Kenya

Aims: To determine the effects of salt harvesting on ground water quality in Gongoni ward, Kilifi County.
 Study Design: The study design was purposive where sampling points were deliberately chosen.
 Place and Duration of Study: The study was carried out in Gongoni ward and its environs in Kilifi County from May 2015 to July 2015.
 Methodology: Sixteen sampling points were selected within the study area and sampling was done twice between May and July 2015. The water samples collected were analyzed for sodium (Na+), Chlorides (Cl-), Fluorides, (F-) Calcium (Ca2+), alkalinity, acidity (pH), E. coli, Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) and Salinity as NaCl in the Government Chemist laboratories in Mombasa. The collected data was analyzed using SPSS and Microsoft Office Excel.
 Results: The ground water sources in Gongoni ward registered high levels of key parameters (TDS, Salinity, Chloride, and Sodium) than the adjacent areas of Mambrui, Ngomeni and selected secondary data from Mombasa County wells where no salt harvesting occurs. Gongoni water sources had a mean TDS of 1969.00mg/L and the adjacent area shad TDS of 1050.00 mg/L. The level of E. coli and total coliform were above the Kenyan and WHO permissible limit of 0 MPN/100ml for treated water and 10 MPN/100mls for untreated water.
 Conclusion: Despite the elevated concentration levels of chemical parameters from Gongoni ward water sources, the differences are not statistically significant when compared to the adjacent areas of Mambrui and Ngomeni.
 Recommendations: The water from sources with high levels of TDS and salinity should be pre-treated to make the water more suitable for human use. Those with high coliform and E. coli bacteria should be regularly treated using the appropriate disinfection methods. It is recommended that all projects on salt harvesting should be subjected to an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) before implementation as provided by the Kenya Environmental Management and Coordination Act of 1999.

Hidden in plain sight: gender analysis of the environmental and social impact assessment of the East African Crude Oil Pipeline

ABSTRACT Large-scale mining, oil, and gas projects can have a profound and negative affect on women’s rights and gender equality. Adverse impacts include the disruption of family and social life; the increased risks to health and safety, especially in terms of domestic and sexual violence; environmental degradation; as well as changing access to and control over land and livelihoods. These adverse impacts fall most heavily on women. This case study focused on the East African Crude Oil Pipeline (EACOP). It shows that conventional environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) processes may not identify all potential adverse impacts on women, and can fail to analyse the implications of potential impacts on gender norms and gender power relations, leading to a downplaying of the significance of these impacts. The implications for women and girls’ health and safety resulting from the in-migration of large numbers of mostly men seeking project employment and other opportunities and increases in women’s unpaid care work are two potential adverse impacts the EACOP ESIA failed to identify. Strengthening gender analysis within the current suite of impact assessment tools and methodologies, particularly for extractive industries projects, is therefore urgently needed.

Potential of Road Rainwater Harvesting in Yemen – Its Social, Environmental and Economic Benefits: A Case Study of Sana›a – Hodeida Road, Yemen

Abstract
 In Yemen, farmers and people living along the roads are suffering from the lack of utilization of rainwater runoff from road surface & surrounding area and road water structures. The objectives of this research is to optimize the benefits of Road Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) to the beneficiaries during road design, construction and operation & maintenance; to suggest a technical outlines; to induce the awareness of road’s engineers on the importance of Integrated Water Harvesting Management (IWHM), in addition to discussing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The research approach focused on conducting field visits and applying a reconnaissance survey to document the current and potential road rainwater structures along the pilot section of 24 km as part of Sana’a – Al-Hodiedah road between Al- Masajed village and Sooq Al-Aman; Designing and applying questionnaires and interviews for farmers & beneficiaries, and road engineers. The SPSS software program was used to analyze the collected data. From the conducted interviews along the road, it was revealed that almost all the stakeholders have land adjacent to the roadside, and their farms are irrigated from rainwater collected from road structures. All inhabitants considered water floods running from/on the road surface and structures as their rights, and it is distributed at the moment according to the field’s water rights which exist before the road construction. The research found that almost all farmers considered the water from roads as contaminated water. The source of contamination comes from residual oil on the road, diesel, oil from oil shops and suspended soil particles. On the other hand, according to the road engineer’s questionnaire, the concept of water harvesting, groundwater recharge and water for irrigation from road surface and road structures were not considered during design. In addition, the results obtained showed that water-harvesting techniques in the pilot road section is in the form of farmers’initiatives implemented by directing water to their farms for irrigation. The study conclude applying RRWH to protect the road sections from erosion and damage; increase the availability and utilization of water in the areas nearby roads; minimize the erosion of landscape especially in mountainous areas as well as in road embankments; improve the stabilization of the road slopes; and maintain esthetic value of landscape nearby roads. It is recommended that road drainage structure should be located in a proper place to avoid conflicts among farmers and fulfill their water rights. To avoid soil and water contamination by oil, grease and fuel from vehicles along the road, the research recommends that oil workshops should be implemented and forced to collect and recycle oil instead of disposing it on the road surface. RRWH is recommended to be applied to mitigate the damage of terraces during the heavy runoff. The study urges the joint efforts from all stakeholders and road engineers to apply the suggested technical outline in this paper by including rainwater harvesting from roads as part of road design, implementation and maintenance.
 Keywords: rainwater harvesting, road design, culverts, engineers,stakeholders, farmers, ESIA, Yemen, social and economic benefits.

Potential of Road Rainwater Harvesting in Yemen – Its Social, Environmental and Economic Benefits: A Case Study of Sana›a – Hodeida Road, Yemen

Abstract
 In Yemen, farmers and people living along the roads are suffering from the lack of utilization of rainwater runoff from road surface & surrounding area and road water structures. The objectives of this research is to optimize the benefits of Road Rainwater Harvesting (RRWH) to the beneficiaries during road design, construction and operation & maintenance; to suggest a technical outlines; to induce the awareness of road’s engineers on the importance of Integrated Water Harvesting Management (IWHM), in addition to discussing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA). The research approach focused on conducting field visits and applying a reconnaissance survey to document the current and potential road rainwater structures along the pilot section of 24 km as part of Sana’a – Al-Hodiedah road between Al- Masajed village and Sooq Al-Aman; Designing and applying questionnaires and interviews for farmers & beneficiaries, and road engineers. The SPSS software program was used to analyze the collected data. From the conducted interviews along the road, it was revealed that almost all the stakeholders have land adjacent to the roadside, and their farms are irrigated from rainwater collected from road structures. All inhabitants considered water floods running from/on the road surface and structures as their rights, and it is distributed at the moment according to the field’s water rights which exist before the road construction. The research found that almost all farmers considered the water from roads as contaminated water. The source of contamination comes from residual oil on the road, diesel, oil from oil shops and suspended soil particles. On the other hand, according to the road engineer’s questionnaire, the concept of water harvesting, groundwater recharge and water for irrigation from road surface and road structures were not considered during design. In addition, the results obtained showed that water-harvesting techniques in the pilot road section is in the form of farmers’initiatives implemented by directing water to their farms for irrigation. The study conclude applying RRWH to protect the road sections from erosion and damage; increase the availability and utilization of water in the areas nearby roads; minimize the erosion of landscape especially in mountainous areas as well as in road embankments; improve the stabilization of the road slopes; and maintain esthetic value of landscape nearby roads. It is recommended that road drainage structure should be located in a proper place to avoid conflicts among farmers and fulfill their water rights. To avoid soil and water contamination by oil, grease and fuel from vehicles along the road, the research recommends that oil workshops should be implemented and forced to collect and recycle oil instead of disposing it on the road surface. RRWH is recommended to be applied to mitigate the damage of terraces during the heavy runoff. The study urges the joint efforts from all stakeholders and road engineers to apply the suggested technical outline in this paper by including rainwater harvesting from roads as part of road design, implementation and maintenance.
 Keywords: rainwater harvesting, road design, culverts, engineers,stakeholders, farmers, ESIA, Yemen, social and economic benefits.

Reconciling standards and the operational needs of mining projects in Africa: Examples from Guinea

Impact assessments and action plans are mandatory during the feasibility phases of mining projects, but are too often perceived as simple legal obligations to obtain development permits. However, these steps must be considered as planning tools for the implementation of a mining project over its entire duration. Adapting these performance standards to actual mining contexts and integrating operational requirements into these documents can simultaneously rationalise costs and optimise efficiency while providing genuine tools for project development. This positioning has the virtue of meeting the requirements of both national legislation and international standards as well as the operational requirements of the project, while optimising investments in all the prerequisites of the feasibility phases. Drawing on findings from research on and assessments of the mining sector in Guinea during 2011–2020, we explore the paradoxes that arise from the objectives of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) regulations and the constraints that they generate at each phase of mining project development. Based on our analysis, we suggest ways to use these standards to improve the integration of mining projects in their territories while respecting environmental and social sustainability.

Are large-scale dams environmentally detrimental? Life-cycle environmental consequences of mega-hydropower plants in Myanmar

Rivers control biophysical processes that underpin essential ecosystem services. Myanmar’s rivers provide great opportunities for increasing energy supply at low costs from hydropower plants and make important contributions to the national economy. However, associated environmental impacts, as well as input and output flows of hydropower developments, remain less well understood. In this paper, we report on an investigation of the overall environmental effects of five hydropower plants in Myanmar, using a life-cycle impact assessment (LCIA) approach. The primary objective of the paper is to generate detailed life-cycle inventory data and quantify the environmental impacts of the existing five hydropower plants in Myanmar. This paper reports on a “cradle to grave” LCIA for five hydropower plants in which environmental impacts associated with construction, operation and maintenance, transportation, and decommissioning of large-scale hydropower plants in Myanmar were systematically assessed. Construction, transportation, operation and maintenance phases are most sensitive to global warming, mineral resource depletion, acidification, freshwater aquatic ecotoxicity, human toxicity and photochemical ozone creation. There is heterogeneity in hydropower plants’ effects on the environment, based on the size of the power plant. Strategic selection of hydropower projects is suggested to enhance resilience in environmentally sensitive areas. It is concluded that more comprehensive and rigorous environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) is needed, not only for mega-dams but also for the smaller-scale hydropower plants.

Modifying social impact assessment to enhance the effectiveness of company social investment strategies in contributing to local community development

ABSTRACT Good practice social impact assessment (SIA) should lead to improved local community development outcomes. However, the social benefits alleged to flow from projects are often not as evident to affected communities as the project’s adverse impacts. Projects still give inadequate attention to social issues and fail to achieve social development outcomes. Using a prominent gas project in Russia, the Nord Stream 2 project, as an illustrative example, we explore the potential of environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) to enhance the effectiveness of project contributions to local community development. We analyse the main steps of the community development process for the Nord Stream 2 project, and consider how it benefitted from the SIA process. We also reflect on the potential further contribution of SIA to community development. Even though SIA and community development are interrelated, we conclude that SIA, as currently practiced, is constrained in its ability to contribute to community development outcomes. Adjustments to the SIA and corporate social investment frameworks are needed to make them more effective in achieving social development outcomes.

Metro infrastructure planning in Amsterdam: how are social issues managed in the absence of environmental and social impact assessment?

ABSTRACT Amsterdam’s North-South Metro Line (NZL) megaproject has had a long eventful history. From the initial proposal in the 1990s, through construction in the 2000s to 2010s, to its opening in 2018, the NZL overcame many challenges. Several geotechnical incidents in the Vijzelgracht neighbourhood in 2008 cost the City of Amsterdam and the Dutch government millions of Euros. These incidents required complex recovery management actions, and there was a complete re-evaluation of the project, resulting in extensive reformulation of the project’s communications and impact management strategies, and in more-transparent public participation. Despite NZL’s significance, it never underwent any formal Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), thus it provides an interesting case to consider how social impacts are addressed when there is no formal ESIA. Drawing on document review, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group, we considered the experiences of key decision-makers and project team members to learn how social impacts were assessed and managed over time in the absence of ESIA. We conclude that, when combined with appropriate urban governance frameworks, applying ESIA in urban and transport planning would improve the assessment and management of the social impacts of future megaproject infrastructure developments.

Comparative Techno-Economic Study of Solar Thermal Power Plants with Various Capacities: A Case for the Northern Part of Cameroon

The purpose of this article is to evaluate the commercial use of different solar thermal power technologies in the northern part of Cameroon. For this, a techno-economic study highlighting the design of each technology using various capacities of the studied plant. The main objective was to carry out, technical, economic and financial parameters able to attract investors for the use of such kinds of technology to generate electricity in these provinces [G1] having a good direct normal irradiation estimated at 2145kWh/m2/year and meet at the energy demand of population living with less than 10% electrification rate in rural area. During this study, we considered some technical paramet[G2] ers as total annual DNI received by solar field, Field thermal output, thermal system transfer rated, overall energy efficiency and yearly electricity production. The last parameter was a key parameter for techno-economic analysis of the studied system.[G3]  Some parameters as the payback period (PBP), internal rated return (IRR), net present value (NPV) and levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) have been found out during the economic analysis. The bonus carbon can be allowed to a company because of the good electricity generation has been applied during the calculation of these parameters. Other parameters as the initial investment and incentives from the government or financial named in this study have been considered also. The [G4] environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) related to this purpose give a priority to criteria as grid, land and water access and use for electricity generating. Then, the ESIA study has been considered as a key parameter for Multi-Criteria Decision Maker. The studied systems  had various range capacity  starting from 5 MW to 100 MW  and their analysis in the sub-Saharan region[G5]  shown that, the cost of installed kW for concentrating solar technologies (CST) varies between 4550 – 6745 US Dollar   ,  5240 – 9365 US Dollar   and 5100 - 6290 US Dollar   and the levelized cost of electricity per kWh varies between 10.22-13.22 USD cents, 11.07-19.81 USD cents and 14.63-15.6 USD cents for Parabolic trough collector(PTC), Solar Tower (ST) and Linear Fresnel (LF) respectively. The solar tower technology can't be efficient compared to other techniques for the thermal power plant (TPP) under 10 MW[G6] [G7] [G8] e due to the initial investment. It important to add this, the cost of installed kW in the sub-Saharan region is higher[G9]  than order region because of transportation fees, the lake of solar thermal manufactures for insulation and piping system, metal structure and expertise related to total indirect cost such as engineering procurement construction and advanced ESIA services in this area.  The support of financial institution through CER/TAX and a similar approach in addition to existing subvention[G10] [G11] s for such technology can decrease considerably both payback period and feed-in-tariff (FİT) price of the studied system and contribute to developing the sector [G12] by creating an attractive market for investors. 

Reflecting on How Social Impacts are Considered in Transport Infrastructure Project Planning: Looking beyond the Claimed Success of Sydney’s South West Rail Link

ABSTRACT Urban rail transport megaprojects are promoted as generating positive social change at a metropolitan scale, yet they produce complex unplanned negative impacts at local scales. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and its follow-up help decision-makers assess and manage the social and environmental impacts of major projects. Using Western Sydney’s politically-successful South West Rail Link as an example, we identified the practice challenges and governance barriers to applying ESIA and EIA follow-up across spatial scales. These challenges and barriers influence the planning and management of the impacts of integrated urban development and transport infrastructure development.

Socioeconomic Impact of Development Projects on the Livelihood of Farmers: A Case Study of the Bui Dam Hydroelectric Project

The development of major social projects such as hydroelectric dams, roads and mining often result in the loss of properties and sometimes relocation of the affected people or communities. This paper examined the impact of the Bui Dam Hydroelectric project on the livelihood of the people affected, especially farmers in the Bono Region of Ghana. The paper also reviewed the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report of the project in line with the Environmental Protection Agency requirement, examined the compensation and the living conditions of the farmers in the affected communities. Interviews and focus group discussions of farmers in four communities were conducted which was later followed by the administration of questionnaires to seventy-five (75) farmers. The data obtained from the questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequencies, percentages and Excel software for the development of charts. The review of the ESIA report of the Bui dam showed that an extensive ESIA was conducted with only few lapses outlined in the text. The interviews and the questionnaires  revealed  that  the  farmers  who  were  relocated  have  problems  with  land acquisition, soil fertility and irrigation facilities when they were moved to their new location. There were also concerns about inadequate payment of compensations and unfulfilled promises. However, about 97.3% of the respondents were comfortable at their new location because of the proximity to health services, access to good roads, nice buildings and provision of some basic social amenities such as light and water, as well as possible business and employment opportunities. The paper makes suggestions for improving compensations and resettlement schemes in Ghana.

Examining stakeholder participation and conflicts associated with large scale infrastructure projects: the case of Tema port expansion project, Ghana

ABSTRACTBalancing economic activities with socio-environmental considerations has become a global standard for the construction of large scale infrastructure projects, including ports. In this discourse, stakeholder participation and environmental and social impact assessment (ESIA) have been stressed as important tools that can help port managers to co-create values, avoid conflicts and promote inclusive growth. Drawing on qualitative research tools and stakeholder theory, this paper explores whether and to what extent local stakeholders’ inclusion has substantial influence on addressing their socio-cultural concerns and interest. This is illustrated with a case study of an ongoing port expansion project at Ghana’s largest port of Tema. The findings suggest that although the port authority conducted an ESIA and engaged local stakeholders as part of the planning process, this did not translate into preventing the loss of valuable cultural resources of the local communities. The port authority did not place ‘value’ on cultural resources of the local communities that cannot be expressed in monetary terms. Further, lack of good faith engagement with local stakeholders led to conflicts in some cases that triggered a court action and delays. The paper concludes that stakeholder participation if not applied well, can become a ‘post-political’ tool.