RP1623 REPUBLICOFGHANA GHANA SECONDARY EDUCATION IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (GSEIP) DRAFT RESETTLEMENT POLICY FRAMEWORK (RPF) March 28, 2014 CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND __________________________________________ 8 2 DESCRIPTION AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT ____________________ 9 3 COUNTRY LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS ___________ 10 3.1 Resettlement/Compensation Policy in Ghana ____________________________________ 10 3.2 Land and Property laws in Ghana ______________________________________________ 10 3.3 Overview of Land Ownership in Ghana __________________________________________ 13 3.4 Customary Ownership _______________________________________________________ 14 3.5 Local Government Act, 1994, Act 480 ___________________________________________ 16 4 WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES _________________________________________ 17 5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS ________________________________________ 19 6 DESCRIPTION OF ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA _______________________________________ 20 6.1 Lands Policy and World Bank OP 4.12 ___________________________________________ 20 6.2 Eligibility __________________________________________________________________ 20 6.3 Redress ___________________________________________________________________ 20 7 VALUATION OF AFFECTED ASSETS ___________________________________________ 21 7.1 Valuation Methodology ______________________________________________________ 21 7.2 Valuing Entitlement _________________________________________________________ 21 7.3 Procedures for Delivery of Entitlements _________________________________________ 21 8 RESETTLEMENT ENTITLEMENT POLICY ________________________________________ 23 8.1 Legal Basis for Resettlement Entitlement ________________________________________ 23 8.2 Entitlements Relating to Various Categories of Impacts ____________________________ 23 8.3 Compensation Process _______________________________________________________ 23 9 ARRANGEMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR DELIVERY OF ENTITLEMENTS _____________ 28 9.1 Institutional Arrangements/Responsibilities _____________________________________ 28 9.2 Internal Compliance Monitoring _______________________________________________ 31 9.3 Trainings and Capacity Building ________________________________________________ 31 9.4 Community & Participatory Consultation __________________ Error! Bookmark not defined. 10 IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS _______________________ 34 10.1 Implementation Schedule ____________________________________________________ 34 10.2 Grievance Redress Mechanisms _______________________________________________ 34 10.3 Budget and Source of Funding _________________________________________________ 36 10.4 Resettlement Cost Estimates and Budget ________________________________________ 36 GSEIP / RPF Page 2 11 MONITORING AND EVALUATION __________________________________________ 38 Annex 1: MoE Site Verification Checklist used for Screening __________________________ 39 Annex 2: RAP Outline _________________________________________________________ 40 Annex 3: Socioeconomic and Environmental Characteristics in the Education Sector________39 Annex 4. Sample of Land Acquisition Documents ___________________________________ 48 GSEIP / RPF Page 3 Executive Summary The Government’s Education Sector Plan (ESP) covering 2010-2020, aims to “increase equitable access to high quality second cycle education that prepares young adults for the various options available within tertiary education and the workplace.� The Government strategy aims to rapidly expand both access and quality making it gradually universal and also progressively free. Among other plans, the Government intends to expand SHS facilities through new construction and rehabilitation above and beyond recent investments into the SHS infrastructure. The proposed Project would support the implementation of the government’s Community Day Senior High School program through two components: (i) Support to Senior High School expansion and quality improvement; and (ii) Management, Research and Monitoring and Evaluation. Component 1 uses a results-based financing (RBF) modality. Disbursements up to a capped absolute amount will be made against specific line items in the Education sector annual budgets, referred to as eligible expenditure programs (EEPs). These disbursements will be conditioned on achievement of specified results, as measured by disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs). A matrix of indicators has been developed to measure performance annually and monitor the results achieved as reflected in the results framework. The SEIP is expected to finance results of the Government’s program to expand space through the construction of new senior secondary schools in underserved areas, rehabilitation and expansion of existing low performing schools and through support for SHS attainment of disadvantaged students. The Government plans include new construction in the 14 districts where currently there are no public SHS operating. In addition, using the agreed selection criteria for eligible student population compared with available school capacity (effective demand) combined with district level poverty indicators, an additional ten (10) districts have been identified for new construction. The ultimate objective is to create new spaces for those demanding seats in SHS and to fill these spaces with new students coming from previously underserved communities. In addition to new schools, this component would focus on improving existing SHS, particularly those with capacity for expansion, meeting criteria of school age population not attending SHS, and poverty criteria in addition to a needs assessment which will determine level of deficiency (bathrooms, science labs, computer facilities, etc.).This pillar will improve the government’s targeting of resources to support increased access by further supporting scholarship and other demand side investment to encourage girls’ attendance and poorer students. The land ownership system in Ghana is governed by a complex operation of customary, statute, and common law resulting in a rather uniquely complicated land ownership structure. There are three principal land ownership patterns in Ghana namely:  Customary-owned;  State-owned;  Customary-owned but state-managed lands also known as vested lands. Vested lands are lands owned by a Stool but managed by the state on behalf of the land-owning Stool. Under such ownership, the legal rights to sell, lease, manage, and collect rent is taken away from the customary landowners by the application of specific law to that land and vested in the state. The landowners retain the equitable interest in the land (i.e., the right to enjoy the benefits from the land). This category of land is managed in the same way as state lands. Unlike state lands, however, the boundaries are not cadastral surveyed and they are usually larger in size, covering wide areas. Vested lands are often the lands used for social infrastructure, such as the secondary schools to be supported under the project. GSEIP / RPF Page 4 Secondary schools are expected to be built in 14 districts already identified, with an additional 10 districts applying the above referenced criteria for effective demand and district poverty indicators. The schools will be placed in newly created districts and already existing districts which have no senior high schools. In addition, the SEIP will support the upgrading and expansion of existing low performing senior high schools in a selection of districts. These districts will be determined based on agreed targeting criteria for school performance, absorption capacity, population demand, and poverty indicators. When the MoE conducted site verification visits in February 2014, they specifically asked for information on existing land disputes, so as to avoid school construction on these sites. The MoE also requested communities for information regarding lands which are community cultural sites, sacred sites, sacred groves, heritage lands, and cemeteries. These lands were avoided. The Terms of Reference for the site visits and the checklists included attention to cultural heritage matters which are consistent with the World Bank policy. The other sites for school construction and possible funding support have not been finalized or acquired; however, the same procedures will apply. The site screening criteria incorporated under SEIP are designed to minimize impact on land, people and property, loss of livelihood, and access to resources due to school construction. However, in cases where land acquisition will cause adverse impact on people and property or people’s access to land or property, the resettlement and compensation payment shall be made in accordance to the World Bank OP 4.12 as well as the Lands Act 1963 Section 6(1). In such cases, the appropriate action plan will be prepared, disclosed and implemented prior to commencement of civil works. Properties to be affected by the proposed school construction in the targeted regions and districts should be inspected/referenced or enumerated. As noted elsewhere, the MoE has already conducted extensive consultations which explicitly addressed land issues under litigation so as to avoid these in the project. However, where land or assets need to be valued, this should be contracted out to an independent evaluator to avoid any doubts of under-valuing. The Land Valuation Board, which is the government’s statutorily accredited valuation authority, should be involved in the process. The preliminary site selections indicate that the most likely valuation necessary will be that of existing crops on the sites. To the extent possible, construction timing is expected to allow for harvesting of annual crops on the site, such as cassava. The MoE is avoiding encumbered sites in selection. Replacement Cost method of valuation should be used so as to arrive at values which could secure replacement properties for the affected persons. GSEIP / RPF Page 5 ABBREVIATIONS AND ACRONYMS ACs Area Councils AESL Architectural Engineering Services Limited AfDB African Development Bank BECE Basic Education Certification Exam CAGD Controller and Accountant General Department CAMFED Campaign for Female Education CHASS Conference of Heads of Assisted Secondary Schools CSO Civil Society Organization DAs District Assemblies DFID Department for International Development DLIs Disbursement-linked Indicators DSSEE Development of Senior Secondary Education- Education III ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States EEPs Eligible Expenditure Programs EMIS Education Management Information System ESMF Environmental and Safeguard Monitoring Framework ESPR Education Sector Performance Report ESP Education Sector Plan FPMU Funds and Procurement Management Unit GAS Ghana Audit Service GDP Gross Domestic Product GES Ghana Education Service GEU Girls Education Unit GETFUND Ghana Education Trust Fund GIFMIS Ghana Integrated and Financial Management Information System GLSS Ghana Living Standards Survey GSGDA Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda GPEG Ghana Partnership for Education ICT Information and Communication Technology ICU Infrastructure Coordination Unit INTOSAI IFRs Interim Financial Reports IPSAS Public Sector Accounting Standards MDG Millennium Development Goal MOE Ministry of Education MOF Ministry of Finance MTEF Medium Term Expenditure Framework NESAR National Education Sector Annual Review NITA National Information Technology Agency PBME Planning, Budget, Monitoring and Evaluation PSC Project Steering Committee PTAs Parent Teachers Associations PIM Project Implementation Manual RBF Result-Based Financing RPF Resettlement Policy Framework SHS-s Senior High Schools STEM Science and Technology and Math GSEIP / RPF Page 6 STEP Skills Towards Employment and Productivity Survey SRIMPR Statistics, Research, Information Management and Public Relations SPPPs School Performance Partnership Plans USAID United States Agency for International Development WASSCE West Africa Senior Secondary Certificate Examination GSEIP / RPF Page 7 1 INTRODUCTION AND BACKGROUND The Government’s Education Sector Plan (ESP) covering 2010-2020, aims to “increase equitable access to high quality second cycle education that prepares young adults for the various options available within tertiary education and the workplace.�1 The strategies towards this goal include, among others: (1) making available free public and private second cycle education and training for those eligible; (2) providing boarding on a needs basis; (3) ensuring equal education opportunities for all academically eligible students; (4) ensuring that central and outlying girls education units are functional and informed by EMIS; and (5) all institutions meet national norms in health, sanitation and safety. The ESP makes a strong commitment to achieve full gender equality by 2015 with full gender parity, “enrollment of hard- to-reach and out of school students,� high safety and sanitation standards and other actions. Among the quality improvement measures, the key objectives include “adequate access to relevant and up-to-date teaching/learning materials (including ICTs)�, school, public and community libraries, and relevant curricula, (including an update in 2014), WAEC level examination and continuous INSET. The Government strategy aims to rapidly expand both access and quality making it gradually universal and also progressively free. Among other plans, the Government intends to build about 200 SHS facilities above and beyond recent investments into the SHS infrastructure. The gross enrollment rate to SHS has been around 35 %. Improving access by about 70,000 students (for instance through an addition of 50 new schools) would bring the enrollment rate to the present level and 200 schools would expand the system by 40 percent to about 50% GER. An expansion of the SHS system was also planned by the ESP (2010-2020) with strategies such as new school constructions, and some efficiency savings through rationalization of boarding, teacher deployment and measures to share costs and engage the private sector. There is significant social and geographical inequity in terms of successful completion of basic education and entry to SHS. About three quarter million students are enrolled, which represents one third of the relevant age population (35% GER), although less than 25% of the 15-18 year olds are in SHS (NER). 3/4th of the youth typically either do not have physical access to SH schools or do not have adequate qualification to enter SHS. Either they drop out before reaching the basic education completion exam (BECE) or about half of those taking BECE are not successful in passing the examination. In Upper East, Northern and Upper East regions, the BECE pass rate is 11%, 22% and 11% respectively. There are increasing pressures on the SHS supply, in terms of the physical, human and financial capacities and sustainability. The number of SHSs rose by 69% since 2005 to 828 schools, out of which 535 are public. 62.8 percent of the private senior high schools are located in rural areas. The average size of secondary schools has risen from 683 students per school to 1,018 students per school in 2013. There is a significant disparity between the average size of public and private secondary schools with public schools catering to 1,441 students per school and private schools catering to only 245 students per school. Importantly, among the public schools there is a significant disparity between: (i) schools that are preferred by the majority of students, selective and oversubscribed; and (ii) mostly community day schools that remain undersubscribed either because they have less quality inputs, services and outcomes, or because families may not be able to afford privately provided boarding or transportation to these schools. In the latter scenarios, they have extra space for additional admission leading to persistent inefficiency. Additional facilities at existing community day schools and also private schools could expand enrolment by 40 percent. 1 EDUCATION STRATEGIC PLAN 2010 To 2020 VOLUME 1 policies, strategies, delivery, finance p. 24. GSEIP / RPF Page 8 2 DESCRIPTION AND JUSTIFICATION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT The proposed Project would support the implementation of the government’s Community Day Senior High School program through two components: (i) Support to Senior High School expansion and quality improvement; and (ii) Management, Research and Monitoring and Evaluation. Component 1: Support to Increase Access with Equity and Quality in SHS Component 1 uses a results-based financing (RBF) modality. Disbursements up to a capped absolute amount will be made against specific line items in the Education sector annual budgets, referred to as eligible expenditure programs (EEPs). These disbursements will be conditioned on achievement of specified results, as measured by disbursement-linked indicators (DLIs). A matrix of indicators has been developed to measure performance annually and monitor the results achieved as reflected in the results framework. Policies and interventions to be supported under the first component of SEIP are grouped into two pillars: (i) increasing access with equity (geographic, gender, poverty, etc.); and (ii) enhancing quality of low performing SHS. Pillar 1: Increase Access with Equity: The objective of this pillar is to improve access to upper secondary education in underserved districts and improve equity by targeting and subsidizing low income students, girls and students from hard-to-reach communities. This pillar will support and monitor key activities to accomplish these goals through the construction of new schools and the improvement and expansion of existing schools where demand is high and the schools have inadequate facilities to absorb and retain students. The SEIP is expected to finance results of the Government’s program to expand space through the construction of new senior secondary schools in underserved areas, rehabilitation and expansion of existing low performing schools and through support for SHS attainment of disadvantaged students. The Government plans include new construction in the 14 districts where there are no current operating public SHS. In addition, using the agreed selection criteria for eligible student population compared with available school capacity (effective demand) combined with district level poverty indicators, additional districts have been identified for new construction. The ultimate objective is to create new spaces for those demanding seats in SHS and to fill these spaces with new students coming from previously underserved communities. In addition to new schools, this component would focus on improving existing SHS, particularly those with capacity for expansion, meeting criteria of school age population not attending SHS, and poverty criteria in addition to a needs assessment which will determine level of deficiency (bathrooms, science labs, computer facilities, etc.).This pillar will improve the government’s targeting of resources to support increased access by further supporting scholarship and other demand side investment to encourage girls’ attendance and that of poorer students. In summary, Pillar 1 may entail new construction and rehabilitation to achieve its objectives. However, the World Bank is not directly financing these inputs. Instead, using a results based approach, the World Bank will post-facto disburse funds only for the results reached as agreed between the Bank and the Government to increase access with equity and quality.14 sites have been identified (though not in detail) by the Government, and this Resettlement Framework sets out the principles by which the Government will properly conduct its site selection and land acquisition for any new construction that is planned in the targeted districts. In addition, the RPF outlines the principles by which land acquisition and resettlement will occur in any additional sites selected under the SEIP and how a Resettlement Action Plan will be prepared in each instance. GSEIP / RPF Page 9 3 COUNTRY LEGAL AND INSTITUTIONAL GUIDELINES AND REQUIREMENTS 3.1 Resettlement/Compensation Policy in Ghana It is the policy of the Government of Ghana to pay compensation or offer resettlement assistance to people whose properties, lands, or landed property are affected by projects being undertaken by the government. The regulatory, policy and legal context for the preparation and implementation of this Resettlement Policy Framework have been reviewed under this section. The RPF is mainly governed by the following: 1. The Constitution of Ghana (1992), 2. The Ghana National Land Policy (1999), 3. Administration of Lands Act, 1962, Act 123 4. The State Lands Act,1963,Act 125, as amended, and the 5. The Arbitration Act, 1961, Act 38 6. Lands (Statutory Wayleaves) Act1963, (Act 186). These laws principally govern the compulsory acquisition of land in Ghana and define the environmental regulatory framework in which the RPF will be implemented. 3.2 Land and Property laws in Ghana The Constitution provides that everyone has the right to own property, either individually or in conjunction with a group, and that “no person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of his home, property, correspondence, or communication except in accordance with law and as may be necessary in a free and democratic society for public safety or the economic well-being of the country, for the protection of the rights and freedom to others.� (1992 Constitution, Article 18). 3.2.1 The Constitution of Ghana (1992) The Constitution of Ghana (1992) upholds the rights of citizens to own property and receive adequate reparation from the state when lands are compulsorily acquired by the state. The Constitution provides for individual property rights, the protection of those rights, and appropriate compensation from the government if it compulsorily acquires a private person’s property. The right to acquire land is governed by enabling legislation and this right is exclusively vested in the President. The, right to so acquire by the state can only be exercised if the “taking of possession or acquisition is necessary in the interest of defense, public safety, public order, public morality, public health, town and country planning or the development or utilization of property in such a manner as to promote the public benefit� and “the necessity for the acquisition is clearly stated and is such as to provide reasonable justification for causing any hardship that may result to any person who has interest in or right over the property.� (Constitution, Article 20). Again by Article 20(3) the 1992 Constitution requires that where compulsory acquisition or possession of land is effected by the State involves displacement of any inhabitants, the State shall resettle the displaced inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard for their economic well-being and social and cultural values. The Constitution grants all people the right of access to the High Court in the event that there is a dispute with regard to his/her right or interest over the land or the amount of compensation being offered. GSEIP / RPF Page 10 3.2.2 The Ghana National Land Policy (1999) The Government of Ghana in 1999 put in place the above policy to serve as a broad framework and policy guidelines for land administration and utilization. The main objective is to provide guidelines aimed at enhancing land management systems, land use, conservation of land resource and enhancing environmental quality. All these are intended to ensure coordinated and orderly use of land, a vital resource, by present and future generations. Summarily, the policy seeks to give protection to proprietary rights and promote the concept of prompt payment of adequate compensation for compulsorily acquired lands and also create the enabling environment for community participation in sustained land management. 3.2.3 Administration of Lands Act, 1962, Act 123 Act 123 of 1962 was enacted to facilitate the management and administration of stool lands (and other lands). The Act empowers the Minister responsible for lands to manage stool lands in accordance with the provision of the law. By section 7 of the Act 123 the President of the Republic may by Executive Instrument declare any stool land to be vested in trust and accordingly the state could administer such land as a trustee for the stool involved. In such situation the legal rights to sell, lease, collect rent, litigate and manage generally is taken away from the customary land owners and vested in the state. However, the equitable right in the land, which is right to enjoy the benefits, is retained by the land owner. Similarly, the Act provides in section 10 that “the President may authorize the occupation and use of any land for any purpose which, in his opinion, is conducive to public welfare or the interest of the state�. It is a requirement that a public notice shall be published in the Gazette giving particulars of the lands to be taken and the use to which it will be put. Persons whose interests are affected by “reasons of disturbance as a result of the authorization� so made are entitled to be paid. The entitlements are however to be assessed by giving due consideration to the values of the land (and other losses suffered) and the benefits to be derived by the people in the area (by way of the use to which the state is going to put the land). The difficulty of this law is that the nature of interest taken is not expressed in definite terms. Again stakeholder consultation and community involvement is not highlighted. It must be observed that the state does not normally use this section of the Act and thus occupation of lands is rarely exercised. 3.2.4 The State Lands Act, 1962, Act 1125 This is the principal Law under which private lands could be compulsorily acquired. The Law empowers the President to acquire any land for the public benefit. The Act and its Regulation, (the State Lands Regulation 1962, L1 230) detail out the mechanism and procedure for compulsorily acquiring lands. It is a mandatory requirement that a copy of the instrument of acquisition be served on any person having an interest in or possession such lands or be affixed at a convenient place on the land and be published thrice in a newspaper circulating in the district where the land is situate. The Act emphasizes the payment of compensation to the victims of acquisition made under the Act. The basis of the said Compensation should be either the market value or Replacement value. Costs of disturbance and incidental expenses or other damage suffered are to be considered in the award of compensation. One critical limitation of the Act is that not much premium has been given to the issue of GSEIP / RPF Page 11 public involvement in the acquisition process. Community consultations and involvement is therefore not mandatory. 3.2.5 The Lands Statutory Wayleaves Act, 1963, Act 186 The Lands Statutory Wayleaves Act 1963, Act 186 was enacted to facilitate the entry on any land for the purposes of construction, installation and maintenance of public utility works and creation of right of ways and other similar right for such works. The Act and its accompanying Regulation, the Lands Statutory Wayleave Regulation 1964 (LI 334) provides the modalities and procedures for the acquisition of the statutory right of ways. Thus, the mechanism for entry for survey works and construction has been spelt out in details. The owner/occupier is required to be given formal notification at least one week, about the intent to enter, and at least 24 hours prior to actual entry. The right of way is legally established by the publication of an executive instrument. Losses and damages suffered are to be compensated for in accordance with the states procedure on compensation. Provision has also been made for restoration of affected lands where that is possible. In assessing compensation to be paid, consideration must be given to the increases of land values as a result of the installation or construction of works. A right of appeal by an aggrieved person is also provided for. Clearly the desired issue of community consultation has not been given serious consideration. Again the provision of compensation assessment is unfair; especially the exemption from payment of compensation in cases where the land affected does not exceed twenty (20) percent of the affected persons total land holdings. The Land Valuation Division is responsible for the computation of compensation on the basis of market value in the case of land and replacement value for houses and other properties damaged or destroyed as a result of the acquisition. The State Lands Act defines market value as the amount the land would sell for on the open market at the time the wayleave is declared, using the principle of willing buyer – willing seller. Replacement value is used for compensation if there is no demand or market for the land due to the situation of the land or the purpose for which the land was used when the declaration of intent to acquire the land was made. The replacement value is the amount required for “reasonable reinstatement equivalent to the condition of the land at the date of said declaration�. Cost of Disturbance is defined as the reasonable expenses incidental to any necessary change of residence of place of business by any person having a right or interest in the land. Land-for-land will be provided where appropriate. The State Lands Act 1963 section 6(1) provides that any person whose property is affected by public projects shall be entitled to compensation. The same Act provides avenues for those who are not satisfied with the compensation to seek redress. The Lands (Statutory Wayleaves) Act, 1963, Act 186 provides for entry on any land for the purpose of the construction, installation, and maintenance of works of public utility, and for the creation of rights of way and other similar rights in respect of such works and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid. For the creation of statutory wayleaves, it is required under Act 186 that, where the President is of the opinion that it is in the public interest that any right of way or other similar right over any land (“statutory wayleave�) be created in respect of the whole or any part of any of the works specified under section 2(1) of Act 186, subject to the provisions of this Act, by executive instrument (“wayleave instrument�) declare the land specified in the instrument to be subject to such statutory wayleave as specified therein; and on publication of a wayleave instrument and without further assurance the land shall be deemed to be subject to that wayleave which shall, in accordance with the terms of the instrument, ensure to the benefit of the Republic, any statutory corporation specified in the instrument, or the public generally. GSEIP / RPF Page 12 A wayleave instrument shall contain the following particulars:  A description (with measurements) of the land affected by the statutory wayleave together with a plan showing the position of the works constructed thereon;  Particulars of the person or body for whose benefit the wayleave is to ensure; and  Such other particulars of the said works as the president think necessary or expedient to include in the instrument. A copy of every wayleave instrument shall be served on the owner or occupier of the land affected by the statutory wayleave, and if neither the owner nor occupier can be found shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the land and published in a newspaper circulating in the locality. Under section 2(1) a statutory wayleave may be created in respect of any of the following works:  Any highway; and  Any other structure or works for the purpose of, or in connection with, any public utility service;  Any “specified works.� Under Section 6(1) of the Act, any person who suffers any loss or damage as a result of the carrying out of any survey as a result of installation, construction, inspection, maintenance, replacement, or removal of any specified works that person shall, save in so far as the loss or damage resulted from or arose out of the acts of that person, his servants or agents, and subject to the provisions of this section, be entitled to compensation of an amount assess by the minister in respect of such loss or damage; and in assessing such compensation the minister may take into account in reduction thereof any amount by which the person’s land has increased in value as a result of the installation or construction of the works. Any claim for compensation under section 6(1) shall be made to the minister in the prescribed form not more than three months (or such longer period as the minister may either generally or in any particular case direct) after the date of declaration made by the president under section 1 of Act 186. Under section 6(3) no person shall be entitled to any compensation for any loss or damage if, in the opinion of the minister:  The alleged damage is to land, that land has been sufficiently reinstated;  The alleged loss arises out of the deprivation of the use of any land, the person alleging the loss has been offered other land of equivalent value;  The alleged damage is to movable property, that property has either been replaced or sufficiently restored; or  The works constructed do not substantially interfere with the enjoyment of the land. Where any person is dissatisfied with the amount of compensation assessed by the minister, but in no other case, the matter may be referred by the minister to tribunal. The tribunal shall consist of three persons appointed by the president, following consultation with the chief justice, and one of those persons shall be a judge of the high court who shall be chairman of the tribunal. 3.3 Overview of Land Ownership in Ghana The section provides a brief overview of the land ownership regimes in Ghana. The land ownership system in Ghana is governed by a complex operation of both customary, statute, and common law resulting in a rather uniquely complicated land ownership structure. There are three principal land ownership patterns in Ghana namely: GSEIP / RPF Page 13  Customary-owned;  State-owned;  Customary-owned but state-managed lands also known as vested lands. The Land Title Registration Law of 1986 recognizes these types of interests in land. 3.4 Customary Ownership Customary ownership occurs where the right to use or to dispose of use-rights over land is governed purely by customary laws of the land-owning community. Customary laws in Ghana vary from one community to another, and the Ghanaian society is made up of various ethnic communities with their varying social structures, customary practices, and norms. These customary laws and norms rest neither on the exercise of brute force, nor on the evidence of rights guaranteed by government statute, but on the fact that they are recognized as legitimate by the community, the rules governing the acquisition and transmission of these rights being usually explicitly and generally known, though not normally recorded in writing (Bower, 1993). Such ownership may occur in any one or a combination of the following ways: 1. Discovery and long uninterrupted settlement; 2. Conquest through war and subsequent settlement; 3. Gift from another land-owning group or traditional overlord; and 4. Purchase from another land-owning group. Within the customary land-owning system, various schemes of interest with varying quantum of rights exist. The Allodial Title is the highest quantum of land rights capable of ownership and it forms the basis of all land rights in Ghana. The Allodial Title in land is equivalent to the common law freehold rights. These rights are vested either in a Stool, a clan, a family, an earth priest, or a private individual person. Other lesser interests such as usufructuary interest, tenancies, licenses, and pledges emanates from the Allodial Title. In Ghana customary lands are managed by a custodian (a chief or a head of family) together with a council of principal elders appointed in accordance with the customary law of the land- owning community. The custodian and the elders are necessarily members of the land-owning community and are expected by customary law to hold the land in fiduciary capacity in trust for the members of the land-owning community. They are thus accountable to the members of the land-owning community for their stewardship. Membership is obtained by birth. All grants of land rights by the custodian require the concurrence of at least two of the principal elders for the grant to be valid. The customary freehold is an interest or title which a member of the larger community which holds the allodial title acquires in the communal land. It is an interest which is held as of right by virtue of being a member of the community. It is of indefinite duration and thus potentially subsists forever. The holder of this interest has the right of beneficial occupation and may, subject to the laws of the land, use in any manner. This type of freehold is created only by express grant. The grantor may thus impose terms on the grantee provided such terms are reasonable and not contrary to public policy. Currently, the laws of the land forbid non-Ghanaians from acquiring freehold in lands in Ghana. The member who holds such interest has the right of beneficial occupation; unfettered use (also subject to the laws of the country). Upon death, the interest devolves on his/her successors in title and infinitum. This interest prevails against the whole world including the allodial title from which it was derived. The customary freehold may however be terminated by the occurrence of any of these occasions; failure of successors, compulsory acquisition by the state; sale or gift by owner, GSEIP / RPF Page 14 abandonment or forfeiture in rare circumstances where for example the holders deny the absolute title of the allodial owner. These are lesser interests in land and are created by the holder of the allodial title or customary freehold (or common law freehold). These types of tenancies are in nature share cropping arrangements. They are quite common in Ghana and occur when a tenant-farmer gives a specified portion of the farm produce to the land owner at each harvest time in consideration for use of the land. The two popular tenancy arrangements are the ‘Abusa’ and ‘Abunu’ schemes. Other forms of customary tenancies in which the consideration from the tenant is not sharing of crops but cash or a combination of crops and money exist. The customary license is in this category. Customary leasehold is a creation of the common law and not Ghanaian customary law. It is an interest in land for a specified period. The leasehold may be granted by the allodial holder in respect of lands in which no conflicting interest exists; or by a customary freeholder; or common law freeholder. In Ghana, leasehold may be for a maximum duration of 99 years. (Again non-Ghanaians can only acquire leases up to 50 years). Various terms and conditions may be imposed by the grantor including the payment of rent as consideration for the grant. Customary ownership presents considerable land acquisition problems in Ghana. The boundaries of most customary-owned lands are not generally surveyed and in some cases undefined. It is also plagued with land ownership squabbles, and trying to identify the true owner of any piece of land can be risky. There is improper record keeping of judgments, dispositions, and other records relating to the land by the custodians. In many instances, there is the need to distinguish between jurisdictional rights of custodians and propriety rights in land. 3.4.1 State Lands State lands are those specifically acquired by government under an appropriate enactment using the state powers of eminent domain. Currently the principal acquiring legislation is the State Lands Act of 1962, Act (122) for public purposes or in the public interest. Under such ownership the Allodial rights become vested in the government which can then proceed to dispose of the lands by way of leases, certificate of allocations, licences, etc. to relevant beneficiary state institutions as well as private individuals and organizations. The boundaries of these lands are cadastrally surveyed but are scattered throughout the country. 3.4.2 Vested Lands The third category of land in Ghana is the generally referred to as vested lands and they are lands owned by a Stool but managed by the state on behalf of the land-owning Stool. Under such ownership, the legal rights to sell, lease, manage, and collect rent is taken away from the customary landowners by the application of specific law to that land and vested in the state. The landowners retain the equitable interest in the land (i.e., the right to enjoy the benefits from the land). This category of land is managed in the same way as state lands. Unlike state lands, however, the boundaries are not cadastral surveyed and they are usually larger in size, covering wide areas. In Ghana, there is no land without an owner; it is presumed that any parcel of land in Ghana would fall within one of the above-discussed categories. And since state and vested lands are acquired expressly through legislation, all other lands outside these categories belong to the class of customary lands – Stools, clans, or families. The acquisition of land for government projects is regulated by the Lands Act 1963. Under Section 6(1) of the Act, any person who suffers any loss or damage as a result of construction, rehabilitation, maintenance, etc. shall be entitled to GSEIP / RPF Page 15 compensation. A claim for compensation shall be made through the minister in the prescribed form not more than three months after the date of declaration made by the president under Section 1 of the Act. 3.5 Local Government Act, 1994, Act 480 Under the Local Government Act, Act 480, 1994, MMDAs are mandated to assist, support and coordinate the establishment of educational infrastructure within their areas of geographical jurisdiction. Their involvement and support has therefore been sought under the project to facilitate the execution of the project. The Lands Commission is responsible for handling compensation claims flowing out of State acquisitions. The Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission establishes compensation levels, using market value for lands, and generally replacement values for structures. Ghanaian law does not give illegal squatters or settlers the right to compensation, unless they can claim a right to the property under the Limitation Decree. The lands which will be acquired in order to help meet the SEIP objectives consist of vested lands (See Annex). The 14 district sites where new schools will be constructed are on land owned by a chief or stool or District Assembly and managed by the state. In these cases, as evidenced in the Annex, the lands have been donated to the Ministry of Education for the school construction. The MoE expects that any additional sites acquired will fall in the same category. GSEIP / RPF Page 16 4 WORLD BANK SAFEGUARD POLICIES The World Bank Operational Policy explicitly makes adequate provision for project-affected persons who are either displaced or suffer other losses, as a result of projects, to be adequately catered for. Livelihoods of persons to be affected must be preserved, but in cases when this is inevitable, minimal displacements should occur. In instances where displacement is unavoidable, compensation should be paid to PAPs to help them to restore their social, economic and environmental livelihoods. Annex 1 shows the full text of World Bank OP 4.12 on Involuntary Resettlement. The Ghana statutes makes provision for compensation to be paid to only persons who have suffered any loss and can produce any form of title that is legal in the form of deeds, leaseholds, or legally binding tenancy agreement to the land in question. However, the Operational Policy expects all forms of losses without exception to be catered for. Under the Ghanaian statute, it is the preserve of the Minister to assess losses due to works done but the World Bank OP 4.12, advocates the involvement of the project-affected persons through surveys etc. to ensure that the project enjoys the full support of the Bank and affected persons. The Operational Policy advises that project-affected persons be assisted during their transition period in the resettlement site and efforts made to restore their livelihoods whereas the Ghana laws are silent on that. Table 4.1 below highlights some comparison between the Ghanaians Laws and the World Bank policy. To operate within the policy of the Bank, resettlement instrument, a RAP or an ARAP has to be developed in line with the OP 4.12 with the involvement of affected persons through consultations. Where compensation has to be paid and disturbance and restoration of livelihood taken care of, they will be based on full replacement cost. In the case of the SEIP, some land has already been acquired, so a resettlement audit may be appropriate to determine consistency with World Bank Operational Policy 4.12 with respect to the districts where MoE has agreed to improve access with equity and quality. Table 4.1: Comparison of Ghanaian Laws with World Bank Policies TOPIC GHANAIAN LAWS WORLD BANK REQUIREMENTS Timing of Compensation Prompt. Prior to displacement and relocation. Payment Calculation of Fair and adequate. Full replacement cost. Compensation No provision, they are deemed Squatters Are to be provided transitional allowance. not to be eligible. In situations where inhabitants Affected persons who are physically displaced have to be displaced, the state is are to be provided with residential housing, or Resettlement to resettle all on “suitable land housing sites, or as required, agricultural sites at with due regards for their least equivalent to old site. Preference to be GSEIP / RPF Page 17 economic well-being and social given to land-based resettlement for displaced and cultural values�. persons whose livelihoods are land-based. No specific provision with respect Resettlement Affected persons are to be offered support after to additional assistance and Assistance displacement, for a transitional period. monitoring. Displaced persons and their communities are The owner/tenants on the land provided timely and relevant information, must be formally notified at least Information and consulted on resettlement options, and offered a week in advance of the intent to Consultation opportunities to participate in planning, enter, and be given at least 24 implementation and monitoring of hour notice before actual entry. resettlement. Formal and informal mechanisms Appropriate and accessible grievance Grievances and formal access to court of law. mechanisms to be established. GSEIP / RPF Page 18 5 SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS The SEIP aims to increase access with equity and quality in targeted underserved districts. Therefore, the Government has applied a set of criteria for selecting the beneficiary districts. The criteria includes any district without a senior high school; and districts with high demand for schooling and low availability of SHS spaces combined with district level poverty indicators. Given the operation’s focus on under-served areas and promoting access with equity, disbursement will be linked to indicators (disbursement linked indicators) that measure increases in seat availability in these targeted locations for new construction. The government has plans to construct new senior high schools starting with those districts without a SHS (14). Additional schools may be constructed in other districts applying the above criteria. The targeting is therefore equity-based and poverty focused. These districts are populated by subsistence farmers and small petty traders who lack the means to sponsor their children to attend boarding secondary schools. In these districts, children have been involved in economic activities to support the household rather than in education. (See Annex 4) The majority of the schools will be located at a central location where access for students will be high, in other words, the selection criteria incorporate social factors, such as catchment area and population concentration. However, site selection has avoided selection of land which would have required relocation of population, even if this means the school would be moved further from the center. Land disputes, ethnic issues, sharing of land resources, and hierarchy of ascending to throne are potential areas of conflict in some part of the country especially the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions. These potential conflict issues have implications for land tenure and security as well as the following related areas:  Compulsory acquisition and compensation payments  Resolution of land disputes  Spousal conflict arising from payment of women in lieu of loss of user rights (crops, economic trees, buildings etc)  Methods of addressing land disputes  Capacity of land sector agencies to get affected persons engaged. When the MoE conducted site verification visits in February 2014, they specifically asked for information on existing land disputes, so as to avoid school construction on these sites. The MoE also requested communities for information regarding lands which are community cultural sites, sacred sites, sacred groves, heritage lands, and cemeteries. These lands were avoided. The Terms of Reference for the site visits and the checklists included attention to cultural heritage matters consistent with the World Bank policy. The other sites for school construction and possible funding support have not been finalized or acquired; however, the same procedure will apply. GSEIP / RPF Page 19 6 DESCRIPTION OF ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA 6.1 Lands Policy and World Bank OP 4.12 Under SEIP, efforts are being made to minimize impact on land, people and property, loss of livelihood, and access to resources due to school construction. However, in cases where land acquisition will cause adverse impact on people and property or people’s access to land or property, the resettlement and compensation payment shall be made in accordance to the World Bank OP 4.12 as well as the Lands Act 1963 Section 6(1). 6.2 Eligibility Persons that may be classified according to the following three groups as displaced persons shall be eligible for compensation and resettlement assistance:  Those who have formal legal rights to land (including customary and traditional rights recognized under the Lands Act).  Those who do not have formal legal rights to land at the time the census begins but have a recognizable legal right or claim to such land or assets.  Those who have no recognizable legal right or claim to the land they are occupying (i.e., squatters, ownerships under dispute, etc.). It is the policy of the Government of Ghana to pay compensation or offer resettlement assistance to people whose properties, lands or landed properties are affected by projects being undertaken by the government. Land for land will be provided where appropriate. The State Lands Act 1963 section 6(1) provides that any person whose property is affected by public projects shall be entitled to compensation. The same Act provides avenues for people who are not satisfied with compensation to seek redress. This however refers to only those with legal titles. 6.3 Redress The project will establish a register of resettlement/ compensation related grievances and disputes at all levels. The receipt of complaints will include its logging and registration as this will help with monitoring the status of the grievances and ease reporting on them. The existence and conditions of access to this register (where, when, how) will be widely disseminated within the project areas as part of the consultation undertaken for the project in general. The Projects will determine the redress action in consultation with the complainant if necessary and with the representative of the PAPs. Grievances will be tracked with the use of a grievance redress form. Annex4 show a Grievance and Redress Form. Section 6(4) of the State Lands Act 1963 stipulates that where any person is dissatisfied with the amount of compensation assessed by the Minister, the matter may be referred by the Minister to a tribunal established in accordance with the following: The tribunal shall consist of three persons appointed by the president, following consultation with the chief justice, and one of those persons shall be a judge of the high court who shall be the chairman of the tribunal. GSEIP / RPF Page 20 7 VALUATION OF AFFECTED ASSETS 7.1 Valuation Methodology Losses due to land acquisition will be compensated on the basis of replacement costs. 7.2 Valuing Entitlement Properties to be affected by the proposed school construction in the targeted regions and districts should be inspected/referenced or enumerated. As noted elsewhere, the MoE has already conducted extensive consultations which explicitly addressed land issues under litigation so as to avoid these in the project. However, where land or assets need to be valued, this should be contracted out to an independent evaluator to avoid any doubts of under-valuing. In addition, individuals who dispute values for their assets can take their own evaluator. Where there are discrepancies between the Government evaluator and the private evaluator, discussions are held to come to an agreement. The Land Valuation Board, which is the government’s statutorily accredited valuation authority, should be involved in the process. The preliminary site selections indicate that the most likely valuation necessary will be that of existing crops on the sites. To the extent possible, construction timing is expected to allow for harvesting of annual crops on the site, such as cassava. The MoE is avoiding encumbered sites in selection. Replacement Cost method of valuation should be used so as to arrive at values which could secure replacement properties for the affected persons. 7.3 Procedures for Delivery of Entitlements Entitlements for Project-Affected People (PAP) would range from cash payments to the provision of new land, and non-cash compensation for other lost properties in accordance with the identification of the impact on their property. Subject to the final decision on the exact position of the site and its dimensions, the approved entitlements or amounts would be communicated to the implementing agency or unit for delivery or payment to the beneficiaries. Compensation would be paid before the owners/occupiers are made to vacate their properties for commencement of construction or works. The National Coordination Office (NCO) will ensure that no construction begins until project-affected persons have been resettled if physical relocation is necessary and/or received their compensations (according to World Bank Operational Policies OP 4.12). All compensation, whether cash payments and /or alternative land and house provisions, would be given to project-affected persons prior to any request for vacation of land/property and before commencement of construction. Compensation and resettlement will be funded by the MoE similar to any other activity eligible under the government’s administrative and financial management rules and manuals. The compensation process should incorporate the following: Involvement of Public Sector Agencies Institutions such as the EPA, District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies and the Town and Country Planning Department must be involved in the process of resettlement and land acquisition and their roles clearly spelled out. Notification of Land Resource Holders All property owners or users would have to be identified and located. The user or his representative should be informed through both a formal notification in writing and by verbal notification delivered in the presence of all stakeholders or their representative. GSEIP / RPF Page 21 Documentation of Holdings and Assets – Officers of the implementing agency and Land Valuation Board should arrange meetings with affected individuals and/or households to discuss the compensation process. For each individual or household affected, officers of the implementing agency and LVB should compile a compensation dossier containing necessary personal information on, the affected party and those that s/he claims as household members, total land holdings, inventory of assets affected, and information for monitoring their future situation. This information should be confirmed and witnessed by EPA and District/Municipal Assemblies. Dossiers will be kept current and will include documentation of lands surrendered. This is necessary because it is one way in which an individual can be monitored over time. All claims and assets will be documented in writing. Agreement on Compensation and Preparation of Contracts – All types of compensation should be clearly explained to the individual or household. A land acquisition team comprising the Land Owner(s), the Local Community, Area Council, District Assembly with the support of the Regional Lands Commission and Land Valuation offices should draw up a contract listing all property and land being surrendered, and the types of compensation (cash and/or in-kind) selected. A person selecting in-kind compensation has an order form, which is signed and witnessed. The compensation contract should be read aloud in the presence of the affected party and other stakeholders prior to signing. Compensation Payments –The handing over of properties such as land and buildings and compensation payments will be made in the presence of the affected party and officials of EPA and the District/Municipal Assemblies. The appropriate documentation will be done, and documents appropriately tracked, in both hard and soft copies. As noted elsewhere, World Bank financing support for the government’s program will be dependent on adherence to Ghanaian law and World Bank safeguard policies as well as to the disbursement linked indicators identified in the financing agreement. GSEIP / RPF Page 22 8 RESETTLEMENT ENTITLEMENT POLICY 8.1 Legal Basis for Resettlement Entitlement Although the Lands Act provides for payment of compensation and resettlement of displaced people, whose lands or landed property are affected by projects being undertaken by the government, where there are gaps or discrepancies between the Lands Act and the World Bank resettlement and compensation policy, the World Bank's Resettlement and Compensation Policy would apply and an abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), based on the guidance set forth in the Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) completed. 8.2 Entitlements Relating to Various Categories of Impacts 8.2.1 Entitlements Relating to Various Categories of Impacts Valuing methods for affected land and assets depend on the type of asset. State-owned land would be allocated freely (perhaps except for processing and registration fees); however the DAs and ACs, beneficiary communities, and groups would be expected to pay to acquire land in this category in cases where the state-owned land is being used by individual and or household farmers. Privately-owned property and land would have to be acquired at the market value. The guiding principle is that whoever was using the land to be affected by the project would be provided alternative land of equal size and quality or affected person would be paid compensation. Compensation rates would be market rate as of the date and time that the replacement is to be provided. As such, current prices for cash crops would have to be determined. As part of the compensation processes under SEIP, a cut-off date would have to be established for specific resettlement action plans preparation informed by the end date of the socio-economic survey/data collection. No one who moves to the site after the declaration of the cut-off date will be eligible for consideration for any form of assistance. Compensation would not be made after the cut-off date in compliance with this policy. The Ministry of Education through the District Assemblies would be responsible for compensations payment for affected assets and investments, including land, economic trees, crops, etc according to the provisions of the resettlement plan. Individual and household compensation will be made in cash, in kind and/or through assistance. The type of compensation will be determined by the PAP/PAF, although every effort will be made to instil the importance of accepting in- kind compensation if the loss amounts to greater than 20 percent of the total loss of subsistence assets. As school construction will likely require the use of vested lands which may be currently used for crop production (e.g., cassava), project-affected peoples should be provided with land elsewhere in the community for agricultural activities. Making compensation payments raises some issues regarding inflation, security, and timing. One purpose of providing in-kind compensation is to reduce inflationary pressures on the costs of goods and services. The time and place for in-kind compensation payments shall be decided upon by each recipient in consultation with the DAs and ACs and beneficiary communities. Monetary payments should be paid at a time in relation to the seasonal calendar. 8.3 Compensation Process The compensation process shall involve several steps to be carried out in accordance with the measures set out in this RPF and any follow up ARAPS/RAPs prepared under the SEIP. These steps include: GSEIP / RPF Page 23 8.3.1 Public Participation Public participation of local communities shall be an ongoing process throughout resettlement planning. PAPs shall be notified by DAs and ACs during the identification sub-projects and consulted with as part of the screening process. To ensure that any sensitive areas are accurately identified during this procedure, chiefs, religious leaders, other elders and individuals who will be affected will be fully engaged during all the processes. The subsequent socio-economic survey will record all relevant information about PAPs, and ensure that this is accurately reflected in the RAPs in order to allocate the appropriate compensation. Periodic monitoring will ensure that PAPs have been consulted and that compensation and relocation have been carried out satisfactorily. 8.3.2 Notification Notification includes discussions on the desire to acquire land for SEIP results, alternatives and options, compensation arrangements, and grievance mechanisms, together with land owners. The user shall be informed by the DAs and ACs and Beneficiary Community or Group through a formal notification, both written and verbal, to be delivered in the presence of the chief. The cut-off date for affected prosperities enumeration and valuation for compensation payment shall be disclosed to affected parties and stakeholders as part of the notification processes. 8.3.3 Documentation of Holdings and Assets Officials and the local community shall arrange meetings with PAPs/PAFs to discuss the compensation process. For each individual or household affected, the local community shall complete a compensation dossier containing necessary personal information on the affected party and those individuals considered as household members, total land holdings, inventory of assets affected, and information for monitoring future arrangements. The dossier must be confirmed and witnessed by officials and shall be kept up to date. This is necessary as it is possible for an individual to surrender parcels of land over time and can eventually become eligible for resettlement. All claims and assets shall be documented. 8.3.4 Agreement on Compensation and Preparation of Contracts The types of compensation shall be clearly explained to, and agreed with PAPs/PAFs. The local community shall draw up a contract listing all property and land being surrendered, and types of compensation (cash and/or in-kind) selected and agreed upon by the PAP/PAF and the DAs and ACs and beneficiary communities and groups. This contract shall then be explained in the presence of the affected party and the chief and local leaders prior to signing. Agreed terms of compensation shall be signed by PAP/PAF, DA and AC under the appropriate supervision by the Regional Lands Commission and Land Valuation Board. GSEIP / RPF Page 24 After the pre-screening conducted by the MoE, see checklist in Annex, the main categories of loss would be the loss of agricultural land and/or loss of standing cash crops. Table 8.1: Compensation Matrix General Definition Compensation Compensation Implementation Description approach/Types Mechanism Approach Loss of Area in cultivation, Loss of land, labor, and Using a single rate Land mapping shall Agricultural being prepared for crops shall be regardless of the crop, be performed at the Land: cultivation, or that compensated by the incorporating the time of micro was cultivated DAs and ACs and combined at market screening by the DAs during the last Beneficiary Community value of all staple crops and ACs and agricultural season and groups with funds lost, preparing new Beneficiary from the land (the average costs Community and MLGRD/DA/AC through of clearing, ploughing, groups or a provision of land of sowing, weeding twice, contracted service equal productive and harvesting the provider. capacity and which is crop), which is to be satisfactory to the updated to reflect PAP/PAF. values at the time compensation is paid. Temporary Land that will be PAP/PAF shall be All damages to private Negotiations between Loss Of Land: acquired for a set compensated for their land or property contractors and period of time as a (temporary) loss of including crops shall be landowners so that By voluntary result of the project income, standing crops, compensated at expenses can be agreement and or the cost of soil prevailing market rates included in the bid between a restoration and including price. contractor damaged infrastructure compensation for and a based on prevailing tenants, if any, that landowner market rates. includes rental fees and only dislocation allowances for when the land/structure is inaccessible. Loss of Other Fixed assets other Replacement shall be Replacement shall be The DAs and ACs and Assets than land (e.g., negotiated with the of an equivalent value Beneficiary fencing, houses, owner and shall form and in-kind. Community and shelters, kiosks) part of the Replacement costs groups and the construction contract shall be determined PAP/PAF shall for the sub-project. prior to construction, negotiate prices taking into account based on prevailing market values for GSEIP / RPF Page 25 structures and market rates. materials, and included as part of the bid price. Loss of non- Trees/vegetation These trees often have Younger trees may be The DEOC/Regional productive that does not recognized local replaced with trees of Land Valuation Board fruit and provide income- market values, the same species, in shall provide an initial shade trees generating activities, depending on species addition to supplies to review of but are used for and age. support the trees’ compensation other purposes. growth (e.g., a water measures at the time bucket, fencing and a of application for a shovel). micro-project, subject to World Bank’s approval Loss of crops Trees/crops that Owners will be Market value for Land Valuation and provide income- identified individual trees will be Division will productive generating activities, paid] enumerate affected trees but are used for trees and provide other purposes. valued cost for approval and payment. Loss of Compensation shall xNo cash PAPs losing access to Any issues with access to be paid for those compensation will be resources shall be regard to access to resources: resources that paid to PAPs. identified and notified resources shall be materials provide the Alternative livelihoods as part of the addressed in the (e.g., fruit, foundation for will be provided for compensation process. Annual Audit, in wood, herbs, livelihoods – identified beneficiaries. The DAs and ACs and collaboration with the etc.) whether these are the Beneficiary National Coordination used for domestic or Community and groups Office. productive use. shall take all possible measures to provide alternative sources of income-generating activities for PAPs, particularly those identified as vulnerable Squatters Those with no No compensation to Provision of vehicle to Date(s) for relocation recognizable legal land. Assistance in move PAPs’ belongings will be agreed upon right or claim to the relocating to a place to new location. Assets with PAPs. land they are where they can legally that could not be re- occupying reside and work. Right used upon relocation to salvage assets. will be replaced. Near- Compensation for lost mature annual crops assets, taking into will be allowed to account market values mature and then GSEIP / RPF Page 26 for materials. harvested. GSEIP / RPF Page 27 9 ARRANGEMENTS AND PROCEDURES FOR DELIVERY OF ENTITLEMENTS To minimize the major problem of resettlement management and implementation, the establishment of an appropriate institutional framework at both the agency and field levels is essential. It is therefore important that appropriate agencies mandated to plan and implement compensation, income restoration, and rehabilitation programs are identified as early as possible in project preparation. 9.1 Institutional Arrangements/Responsibilities 9.1.1 Institutional Arrangement and Responsibilities Although secondary education is within the mandate of the Ghana Education Service, oversight of the SEIP implementation will be in the Ministry of Education (MOE). This section deals with the relevant institutional arrangements–existing and proposed –which would facilitate the implementation of the safeguards requirements and the project as a whole. 9.1.2 Project Oversight A Project Steering Committee (PSC) and a Project Management Team of the MOE will be established to coordinate and oversee implementation. The Project Steering Committee (PSC) will:  Provide guidance on strategic, policy and implementation issues;  Coordinate activities of the ministries, agencies and other stakeholders involved in the project implementation;  Review and approve annual work plans, budget and annual reports;  Review and discuss quarterly and annual project progress reports and make necessary recommendations; and  Assess the progress towards achieving the project’s objectives and take corrective action if necessary.  Resolving cross-sectoral and issues above the Project Management Team. The PSC will be chaired by the minister of MOE or his/her designee. The PSC will include representatives at the chief director level for the ministries and at the director levels for the agencies of relevant ministries and institutions and civil society organizations, including: (i) Ministries of Finance; and Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development; (ii) Ghana Statistical Service; Environmental Protection Council; and West African Examination Council; (iii) Civil Works Contractors Associations; and Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition. The PSC will meet quarterly to assess the project implementation progress on the ground including ensuring safeguards due diligence and undertake site visits as necessary. 9.1.3 Project Management Team The Project Management Team will derive from the Project Implementation Committee at the national level. The PMT’s main functions (i) assume project control, (ii)ensure any land acquisition is done in accordance with the RPF, (iii) monitor the actual construction of work executed in the four (4) zones of the country namely: Zone 1- Northern, Upper East and Upper West regions; Zone 2- Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions; Zone 3- Central, Western and Greater Accra regions; and Zone 4- Volta and Eastern regions; (iv) review reports submitted by the supervising consultant on a zonal basis and bring up issues GSEIP / RPF Page 28 to the Project Implementation Committee for resolution; (v) liaise with the District Assemblies to ensure their full participation in the supervision of the project; (vi) prepare and update the schedule of activities/procurement plans to be executed under the project; (vii) vetting claims submitted by the consultants on behalf of the contractors; (viii) vetting consultancy claims submitted by the supervising consultants; (ix) agree on design modification to suit topography of the land; (x) prepare bi-monthly briefs to the Ministerial leadership; (xi) follow up and ensure that contractors and consultants are paid for properly prepared claims; (xii) review any recommendations for the payment of fluctuations/variations and for advice to the PSC; (xiii) take over completed structures and commission them for usage by the schools; and (xiv) accompany Ministerial leadership on monitoring in the respective zones. The PMT will include the following:  2 environmental and social safeguards consultants  1 procurement specialist (MOE)  1 technical advisor (MOE)  4 architects (FPMU + 3 others)  4 quantity surveyors (FPMU, GETFund and 2 others)  4 civil engineers (FPMU + 3 others)  1 electrical engineer (on retainer basis  Project management consultancy firm (providing the others) Table 9.1 below is a table of the institutional arrangements and responsibilities for environmental assessment and resettlement. Table 9.1: Institutional Arrangements/Responsibilities for Environmental Assessment and Resettlement Institutional Responsibilities Task Institution(s) Responsible Project coordination and management - Project Steering Committee (PSC) - Project Management Team - District Education Oversight Committee - School Management Implementation and monitoring of ESMF and RPF PMT (E&S Consultants) DEOC (including Land Valuation Division) Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Determination of affected persons and compensation levels PSC PMT DEOC GSEIP / RPF Page 29 Payment of compensation PMT DEOC Dispute resolutions DEOC District Level: District Assemblies (DAs) are empowered under Act 462 of 1993 to be responsible for development, improvement and management of human settlements and the environment in their districts. In order to facilitate the work of the DAs in this regard, the District Education Oversight Committee (DEOC) which includes the (i) MCE or DCE; (ii) District Director of Education; (iii) District Engineer; (iv) District Planner; (v) District Environmental/Social Officer; and (vi) representative from the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission will have responsibility for the project implementation in collaboration with the beneficiary communities. The District Environmental/Social Officer will be responsible for site screening and reporting to the DEOC. There will be the need for capacity building at the DEOC level. The District Engineer will lead in the monitoring and supervision of contractors and recommend the signing of work certificates against work done. Role of DEOC The key functions envisaged for the DEOCs with regard to environmental issues are:  Responsibility for liaising with EPA and other relevant agencies  Work with project environmental consultants (PM Consultancy) when required  Responsible for registering all project components within the zones with the EPA, including completing Form EA1, any other documentation, and/or the attached project environmental screening checklist.  Ensure compliance with all recommendations by EPA and other regulatory agencies  Play a lead role in site selection for relevant SEIP components within the district and initiating collation of baseline data  Inspecting and Monitoring of environmental components of pre- constructional, constructional and operational stages and providing the PMT with reports on a regular basis. The following table outlines the institutional setup for timely identification and reporting of the environmental and social issues relating to the SEIP and for taking necessary preventive or corrective measures at the national and district levels of responsibility under the ESMF and RPF: Table 9.2: Organizations and Focal Persons for ESMF and RPF Implementation Project Management Responsible for implementing Environmental and Ministry of Team various activities required for Social Safeguards Education safeguard compliance under the Consultants (to be ESMF and RPF. recruited) GSEIP / RPF Page 30 District Education Responsible for project District Respective Districts Oversight Committee implementation in collaboration Environmental/Social with the beneficiary Officer communities as well as site screening and reporting to the DEOC. The two environment/social consultants to be recruited as part of the PMT will be required as part of their TOR to strengthen the capacity of the DEOC. 9.2 Internal Compliance Monitoring  Compliance to environmental and social guidelines will be effected through an internal compliance monitoring mechanism comprising the channels, as described below:  The head of institution being the environmental moderator at the school site level will ensure observance of the ESMF guidelines at the construction and operational phase. He/she approaches the contractor to do the right thing as the first level of resolution. The next level is to bring the issue to the attention to the DEOC through the District Director of Education.  The DEOC of the respective districts will make routine as well as surprise visits to the schools during construction/rehabilitation as well as occupancy phases of the project. They will act on resolving issues and will submit their monitoring reports to the PSC.  The DEOC will process monitoring reports and forward the consolidated report of the district to the PMT for decision making. The PMT will analyze and summarize the report for the information and guidance of the PSC.  The PMT will engage the services of an independent auditor (technical audit) to provide final completion reports. Each completed school project will submit to MOF the E&S Due Diligence Checklist, which will serve as the evidence of compliance with all national and equivalent World Bank safeguards. 9.3 Trainings and Capacity Building The principle objective of the trainings is to ensure long-term sustenance of the ESMF and RPF principles for sound and sustainable project implementation. Social conflict can best be addressed by bringing all stakeholders on board through sustained and regular training. The training will also correlate with means of empowering the community, enhancing decision-making capacity of the School Management Committees for social conflict resolution. 9.3.1 District Level Training It is recommended to hold one-day training workshops at the District level for DEOCs. These workshops will focus on identifying and discussing environmental and social issues that will arise during the implementation of the ESMF and RPF. These will also sensitize participants about environmental and social considerations of the SEIP, managing the site relevant problems, and strategizing implementation of the ESMF guidelines. 9.3.2 National Level Training Similarly, a one- day workshop will be held at the national level every year during which key stakeholders involved in SEIP field implementation will focus primarily on policy issues and share GSEIP / RPF Page 31 ideas and experiences. The E&S consultants in the PMT will be responsible organizing and reporting on these annual trainings. At the national level, it is also recommended that contractors working in the various districts are oriented on safeguards and their responsibility to ensure compliance trained. 9.3.3 Development of Training Manual In order to make the training efforts meaningful, the PMT, in consultation with the two environmental and safeguards consultant, will develop comprehensive “Training Manuals� for the participants. The training manuals will contain outline of the program, training methodology, glossary of terms, methodologies for avoiding and correcting environmental and social impacts, gender issues, tips on observing the guidelines, problem solutions with examples, excerpts of the relevant literature/legislations, and linkages to further sources of information and guidelines. The environmental and social consultants will be responsible for reviewing and updating the training manuals as necessary. 10 CONSULTATIONS 10.1 Introduction Consultations play a major role in identifying the potential impacts of any proposed transmission system project. Community consultations assist in the identification of socio-economic, religious and cultural impacts. Stakeholder consultation to support the ESMF and the resettlement process, if any, specifically aims to achieve the following objectives:  To provide information about the project and its potential impacts to those interested in or affected by the project, and solicit their opinion in that regard  To manage expectations and streamline misconceptions regarding the project  To agree on resettlement preferences, if any, and discuss concerns  To ensure participation and acceptance of the project by the communities Information obtained during consultations can be used to make an inventory of existing infrastructures and to collect information on land management, socio-economic activities, infrastructure, and expectations of the local residents. 10.2 Methodology A team consisting of the staffs of Ministry of Education and representatives of the Environmental Consulting Firm collected data for the consultations. Community opinion leaders such as assemblymen/women, faith based organization leaders, youth leaders, chiefs, or headmen served as key contacts to encourage meeting attendance. The meetings that were held either at the community center were interactive, with questions from the communities and answers and explanations from the consultant and Ministry of Education Staff. The main issues discussed were regarding compensations, jobs creation, and provision of schools. Presented below are the list of people consulted, attendees, contact details of the opinion leaders and the socioeconomic and cultural issues forming the bases of the discussions. GSEIP / RPF Page 32 10.3 Community & Participatory Consultation The Ministry of Education conducted country-wide consultations in February 2014 (See Annex 4). These consultations were led by teams covering six zones. The consultations were led by: the Minister of Education, two Deputy Ministers and the Chief Director, Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education and the Director of Secondary Education for the Ghana Education Service. This high-level attention to consultation demonstrates the commitment to on-the-ground feedback on the project. Each district team then was complemented by district level officials, including the District Chief Executive and the Lands Commission official of the respective districts. The team visited sites, met with the chiefs, interviewed local opinion leaders and community members. They also presented the project plan in the District Assemblies in all districts. Issues discussed in the meetings were: land acquisition processes, issues related to litigation on land in that district, access to electricity and other social infrastructure. In all districts, chiefs expressed support for having senior high schools in their communities. In some districts, there was some heated discussion regarding exact siting within the district, as Chief Executives and MPs both wanted the school location within their zone of influence. In general, such siting issues were resolved by the Minister. In addition to the country-wide consultations conducted by the Ministry, the WB team participated in a two day pre-appraisal/appraisal workshop in Dodowa from March 18-19, 2014 to discuss the project with stakeholders at the regional, district and senior secondary school level. The team solicited views and validation of the design of the project from a representative group of education professionals and stakeholders including heads of schools, district representatives, regional directors, District Assembly members, CSOs, CHASS, GSS, and MOE officials. During project implementation, the Resettlement Management Team may need to undertake further stakeholder consultations to update communities on the process. Table 10.1 below is a summary of stakeholder groups engaged, their concerns/comments and how they will be addressed under the project. Table 10.1: Summary of Stakeholder Concerns and Responses Stakeholders Groups Summary of Comments/Concerns Mitigation Measures Engaged Local chiefs and queen  Prompt, fair and adequate  PAPs will be compensated mothers, compensation payment for PAPs. according World Bank Assemblymen/women,  Job creation for the youth. There Environmental and Social opinion leaders, youth was a cyclical request for Safeguard Policies. leaders, faith-based employment particularly unskilled  Contractors’ Clauses will organizations, general labor to be sourced from the oblige Contractors to recruit public. various affected communities. local labour as much as is  Upholding and respect of available. District Chief Executives, community values (reverence  Community sensibilities have Headmasters/Head towards the communities’ cultural been taken into consideration mistresses, District heritage-shrines, sacred groves, in site selection. Education Officers, Regional etc).  Sanitary facilities have been Education Officers, Civil  The health implication of the included in the project Society Organizations, Ghna proposed school project without design, and provision made Statistical Service adequate provision of water for running water. GSEIP / RPF Page 33 facilities.  Transport  Request for the provision of basic infrastructure/facilities will be social amenities, not necessarily in improved under the project the context of the proposed project. Disclosure The safeguards documents will be disclosed nationally and at the World Bank infoshop. The country level disclosure will take the form of newspaper advert, notices in participating districts, offices of the Environmental Protection Agency and the Ministry of Education. Comments received from potential project impacted people or communities will be discussed and included in implementation arrangements and plans for the safeguards. 11 IMPLEMENTATION AND MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS 11.1 Implementation Schedule Payment of compensation and provision for other rehabilitation entitlements (in-cash or in-kind), and relocation, if that is the case, will be completed at least one month prior to the scheduled start-up date of works at the respective school construction site. Public consultation and participation are essential because they afford potentially displaced persons with the opportunity to contribute to both the design and implementation of sub-projects. Consultations will occur throughout the entire project cycle but particularly during the following stages: (i) the preparation of resettlement action plans where applicable; (ii) the environmental impact assessment; (iii) the drafting and reading of the compensation contract; and (iv) project planning and implementation. . Potentially affected individuals must be informed that they are not obligated to voluntarily contribute land for SEIP purposes, that involuntary acquisition of land without appropriate compensation is not permitted. The Environmental and Social Safeguards Co-ordinator will review the implementation schedule to ensure adequate time is allocated for grievances to be recorded. Additional information to be disclosed includes:  Entitlement to replacement in kind or compensation at the replacement cost;  Methods to be used in establishing compensation rates; and  Procedures for pursuing grievances, including contact information. Information should be presented in a language and medium accessible to those potentially involved or affected. 11.2 Grievance Redress Mechanisms Definition of Grievance Any query, call for clarification, problems, concerns raised by individuals or groups related to activities undertaken or processes applied by the project. These when addressed are expected to ensure support, results and sustainability of project activities. The goal is to create an avenue to prevent and address potential adverse environmental and social impacts emanating from project activities. GSEIP / RPF Page 34 Objectives  To amicably resolve grievances raised by Aggrieved Parties (APs) during project implementation  To ensure successful and timely completion of projects, without creating adverse environmental, social and health conditions on the community. Scope The grievance mechanism applies to all project activities to be financed by the original project activities and the additional financing activities. It includes issues related to environmental, involuntary resettlement and social issues in that come up during project implementation. The scale and scope of potential resettlement impacts of the SEIP is minimal, and the pre-screening conducted by the MoE on site selection reduces potential negative social impact. However, regardless of the scale and scope of involuntary resettlement of the SEIP, it will inevitably give rise to grievances among the affected population over issues ranging from rates of compensation and eligibility criteria to the location of resettlement sites and the quality of services at those sites. Timely redress of such grievances is vital to the satisfactory implementation of land acquisition and to completion of the project on schedule. The Project Management Team and the District Education Oversight Committee install a Grievance Mechanism that will allow project-affected affected persons who are not satisfied with compensation and/or resettlement packages or procedures to lodge a complaint or a claim without cost and with the assurance of a timely and satisfactory resolution of that complaint or claim. The office of the District Physical Planning Officer will be the designation point, and the Planning Officer and his deputy will be the responsible officers. A complaint form will be available for any aggrieved person(s), who will be assisted to complete the complaint form in copy, sign and submit a copy to the office. (S)he will keep the other for reference. The DEOC will receive and review all complaint forms. Arbitration shall be an option for grievance redress, as per the Arbitration Act, 1961, Act 38 and aggrieved persons shall be allowed to name up to a maximum of two arbiters from the community to join the DEOC in addressing disputes. Should an aggrieved person not have confidence in, or not be satisfied by the outcome of the arbitration process, (s)he reserves the right to take the matter up to a court of competent jurisdiction for redress. To facilitate this process, the GRM will be at three levels: community, district and national level. Even though the district level is likely to be the main recipient of complaints, provision has been made to spread access to the use of the mechanism to the community and the national level. Details are as follows: The Grievance Redress Committee The following arrangements are outlined for the levels of grievance committees and the procedures to be followed. There shall be a grievance redress committee at the community, district and national levels as follows: Community level The Chief, Youth Leader, Women’s Leader, Chairman of the PTA (where applicable), Assembly member and an NGO known in the community will constitute the committee. District level GSEIP / RPF Page 35 The Planning Officer, District Engineer, District Education officer (DEO) Civil Society representative, District Security official will constitute the committee. Overall responsibility is on the DEOC National level The Ministry of Education, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Project implementation representative, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD). Once constituted, each committee shall appoint/designate a registrar to handle the processing of complaints as detailed below. The Project Implementation Committee will have overall responsibility for coordination. Grievance Redress Procedure Generally, affected people can lodge complaints at the district which should properly receive and document for onward action. In order to streamline the process, the following structure is proposed: i. Community Level: Complaints may be submitted to any member of the community level representatives which will be recorded/filed and discussed at an agreed date for possible resolution within 7 days upon receipt of such complaints (see sample format in Annex 5). The community representatives will meet at the community level- to discuss and address issues and complainant informed of outcome of resolution. ii. If complaint is not resolved then it is elevated to the level of the District level. The District Education Oversight Committee receives and convenes a meeting with all representatives to address complaint or resolve the issue. At this level, it is recommended that a representative of an NGO/CBO working in the community and in good standing should be invited as an independent witness. Maximum time for resolution should not exceed 14 days. iii. If issue is not resolved, then DEOC informs PIC who will inform the national committee for a final resolution which could take any time between 1-3 months. iv. Beyond this, the complainant has the option of seeking redress at the law courts if not satisfied with outcome of resolution. 11.3 Budget and Source of Funding Resettlement Action Plans (RAP)/Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plans (ARAP) would include a detailed budget for compensation and other rehabilitation entitlements. It will also include information on how funds will flow as well as compensation schedule. The Action plans will also clearly state where the sources of land and funds will come from. As the Borrower, the Government of Ghana carries official responsibility for meeting the terms of this framework, including financial obligations associated with land acquisition. 11.4 Resettlement Cost Estimates and Budget To ensure the comprehensive and successful implementation of the RPF, budgetary provisions will need to be made for the various mitigation commitments outlined in the ESMF and interventions proposed in GSEIP / RPF Page 36 the RPF. A budget estimate will need to be made that will cover all actionable and activities under the ESMF and RPF, and their implementation. The proposed outline is as follows:  Estimated Budget for RPF Implementation  Budget for Preparation and Implementation of abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan(s). To date, implementation of land acquisition for the 14 sites has been budgeted for in the following manner: Survey + Preparation of Sites Plans (10 Acres) – USD 2,500 Valuation of lands USD 1,500 Land Titles USD 1,500 Surveys (cadastral) USD 1,000 USD 6,500 For 14 Sites=USD 6500 X 14 sites USD 91,000.00 The associated ESMF for this project contains a detailed budget breakdown which also incorporates the administrative costs for ensuring safeguards compliance going forward. GSEIP / RPF Page 37 12 MONITORING AND EVALUATION Monitoring and Evaluation by the implementing agency are key components of the RAP. Arrangements for monitoring of RAP activities by the implementing agency, and the independent monitoring of these activities, shall be included in the RAP section on monitoring and evaluation. The final evaluation should be done by an independent monitor or agency to measure RAP outcomes and impacts on PAPs’ livelihood and living conditions. The World Bank has examples of performance monitoring indicators to measure inputs, outputs, and outcomes for RAP activities; involvement of PAPS in the monitoring process; evaluation of the impact of RAP activities over a reasonable period after resettlement and compensation, and using the results of RAP impact monitoring to guide subsequent implementation. As SEIP utilizes disbursement-linked indicators, the project is establishing significant arrangements for M&E, including possible use of ICT tools. GSEIP / RPF Page 38 ANNEX 1: MOE SITE VERIFICATION CHECKLIST USED FOR SCREENING S/No. ITEM YES NO 1 Who is the original owner of the land? 2 Has the land been fully acquired for the intended purpose? If no, what is the status? 3 Are the documents available? 4 Is there any litigation on the land? 5 Is there another site in contention for the project? If yes, can we inspect it. 6 Is there a consensus in the community about the use of the land? o Chiefs/Opinion Leaders/Politicians 7 What is the plot size?(lands officer to assist) 8 Was the site selected by both the MP and the DCE? 9 Are there any SHS in the district? o Public o Private 10 Is an electricity transformer close to the site? 11 Is there a water pipeline close to the site? 12 Is there any VRA pylon on the site? 13 Is the land cleared? If no, are there any cash crops on the site? Are there any items/structures to be demolished? 14 Is there any access road to the site? 15 General remarks/comments GSEIP / RPF Page 39 ANNEX 2: RAP OUTLINE OUTLINE OF A RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN Reference: OP 4.12, annex A. 1. Description of the sub-project and of its potential land impacts 1.1 General description of the project and identification of the project area 1.2 Potential impacts. Identification of: 1.2.1 the project component or activities that give rise to resettlement; 1.2.2 the zone of impact of such component or activities; 1.2.3 the alternatives considered to avoid or minimize resettlement; and 1.2.4 the mechanisms established to minimize resettlement, to the extent possible, during project implementation. 2. Objectives. The main objectives of the resettlement program. 3. Socio-economic studies and census of affected assets and affected livelihoods. The findings of socio- economic studies and census to be conducted with the involvement of potentially displaced people, include: 3.1 The results of a census survey covering current occupants of the affected area to establish a basis for the design of the resettlement program and to exclude subsequent inflows of people from eligibility for compensation and resettlement assistance; 3.2 Standard characteristics of displaced households, including a description of production systems, labor, and household organization; and baseline information on livelihoods (including, as relevant, production levels and income derived from both formal and informal economic activities) and standards of living (including health status) of the displaced population; 3.3 The magnitude of the expected loss—total or partial—of assets, and the extent of displacement, physical or economic; 3.4 Information on vulnerable groups or persons as provided for in OP 4.12, para. 8, for whom special provisions may have to be made; 3.5 Provisions to update information on the displaced people's livelihoods and standards of living at regular intervals so that the latest information is available at the time of their displacement. 3.6 Other studies describing the following: 3.6.1 Land tenure and transfer systems, including an inventory of common property natural resources from which people derive their livelihoods and sustenance, non-title-based usufruct systems (including fishing, grazing, or use of forest areas) governed by local recognized land allocation mechanisms, and any issues raised by different tenure systems in the project area; GSEIP / RPF Page 40 3.6.2 The patterns of social interaction in the affected communities, including social networks and social support systems, and how they will be affected by the project; 3.6.3 Public infrastructure and social services that will be affected; and 3.6.4 Social and cultural characteristics of displaced communities, including a description of formal and informal institutions (e.g., community organizations, ritual groups, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs)) that may be relevant to the consultation strategy and to designing and implementing the resettlement activities. 4. Legal and Institutional Framework. 4.1 Summary of the information included in this RPF 4.2 Local legal specificities if any 4.3 Local institutional specificities 4.3.1 Identification of agencies locally responsible for resettlement activities and NGOs that may have a role in project implementation; 4.3.2 Assessment of the institutional capacity of such agencies and NGOs 5. Eligibility and entitlements. Based on the definitions and categorization in this RPF (see entitlement matrix), definition of displaced persons and criteria for determining their eligibility for compensation and other resettlement assistance, including relevant cut-off dates. 6. Valuation of and compensation for losses. The methodology to be used in valuing losses to determine their replacement cost; and a description of the proposed types and levels of compensation under local law and such supplementary measures as are necessary to achieve replacement cost for lost assets. 7. Resettlement measures: 7.1 Description of the packages of compensation and other resettlement measures that will assist each category of eligible displaced persons to achieve the objectives of the policy (see OP 4.12, para. 6). 7.2 Site selection, site preparation, and relocation. Alternative relocation sites considered and explanation to those selected. 7.3 Legal arrangements for regularizing tenure and transferring titles to resettlers. 7.4 Housing, infrastructure, and social services. 7.5 Environmental protection and management. 7.6 Community participation. Involvement of resettlers and host communities 7.7 Integration with host populations. Measures to mitigate the impact of resettlement on any host communities GSEIP / RPF Page 41 7.8 Specific assistance measures intended for vulnerable people, to be identified for instance amongst those listed in section 9 of the RPF 8. Grievance procedures. Based on the principle mechanisms described in this RPF, description of affordable and accessible procedures for third-party settlement of disputes arising from resettlement; such grievance mechanisms should take into account the availability of judicial recourse and community and traditional dispute settlement mechanisms. 9. Organizational responsibilities. The organizational framework for implementing GSEIP / RPF Page 42 13 Annex 3. Socioeconomic and Environmental Characteristics in the Education Sector The total population of the selected districts is computed, as per formula (1) to be 6,124,068 by the end of 2003, out of which 3,034,028 are males and 3,090,040 are females. It must be mentioned that 4,848,469 people in the area are found in the rural areas and 1,274,600 people are in the urban areas. 1. Distribution of Rural–Urban Population The study area is predominantly rural. The rural-urban split of the study area is 20.8- 79.2%. 2. Rural-Urban Distribution Source: Computed from 2000 Population & Housing Census: Ghana Statistical Service 3. Education While literacy can be acquired through reading and private informal channels, the formal schooling system remains the best process for improving access to information and broadening the horizon of the people. According to the 2000 Population and Housing Census, educational attainment in Ghana (3 years and more) was pre-school (3.2%), primary (18.6%), Middle/JSS (21.1%), Secondary SSS (6%), Vocational/Technical (2.2%), Post Secondary (1.5%), Tertiary (2.8%), and None (43.3%), and the school attendance (3 years and more) was pre-school (13.8%), primary (54.3%), Middle/JSS (16.5%), Secondary SSS (8.3%), Vocational/Technical (2.0%), Post Secondary (1.7%), and Tertiary (3.5%). 4. Availability of Schools in Rural Areas About 86% of rural households live in communities that have access to a primary school; 62% of households live in areas, which have access to a junior secondary school, while 10% live in communities, which have access to a senior secondary school. Almost all rural schools are public schools. About 19.5% of the Secondary School in the districts visited during the fieldwork have sanitation facilities. A good number of these Secondary Schools are relatively new. The table below shows the rural households with access to schools. 5. Rural Households with access to schools Ecological Zone Primary JSS SSS/technical Coastal 88% 64% 5% Forest 91% 71% 15% Savannah 80% 51% 11% 86% 62% 10% GSEIP / RPF Page 43 6. Distance rural households travel to get to the nearest primary school The Secondary Schools are usually in the communities, where the rural households live. Other households however have to travel between 1 and 10 miles to get to the nearest primary school depending on the ecological zones, as per the table below: 7. Distance rural households travel to get to the nearest primary school Ecological Zone <1 mile 1 mile 2miles 3miles 4miles >5 miles Coastal 88.0% 5.0% 2.5% 0.0% 2.5% 2.0% 100% Forest 91.0% 3.0% 2.0% 2.0% 1.0% 1.0% 100% Savannah 80.0% 4.0% 8.0% 3.0% 1.0% 4.0% 100% 86.3% 4.0% 4.2% 1.7% 1.5% 2.3% 100% 8. Proportion of boys and girls of primary school age enrolled Boys and girls in the Forest zone appear to be much more likely to be enrolled in primary schools than their counterparts from the Coastal and Savannah zones. In the Savannah zone, girls are less likely than boys to be enrolled in Secondary School. This is illustrated in Tables below: 9. Proportion of boys of primary school age enrolled Ecological Zone Almost all At least half Less than half Coastal 27.0% 44.0% 29.0% Forest 54.0% 41.0% 5.0% Savannah 16.0% 46.0% 38.0% 32.3% 43.7% 24.0% 10. Proportion of girls of primary school age enrolled Ecological Zone Almost all At least half Less than half Coastal 23.0% 42.0% 35.0% GSEIP / RPF Page 44 Forest 53.0% 41.0% 6.0% Savannah 16.0% 28.0% 56.0% 30.7% 37.0% 32.3% 11. Main reasons why some children in rural communities are not enrolled in Secondary School The most common reasons why children some children in the rural communities are not enrolled in Secondary Schools, by ecological zones have been summarized in the table below. Lack of finance appears to be the main reason for non-enrolment of children in rural areas in Secondary Schools. It must be mentioned that, due to the same reasons, a lot of the enrolled children in Secondary School miss classes continuously. It was observed in a primary school visited in Kintampo District (Savannah Zone) during the fieldwork that more than half the children skip school during market days. 12. Main reasons why some children in rural communities are not enrolled in Secondary School Ecological A B C D E F G Zone H Coastal 58.0% 10.0% 10.0% 6.0% 3.0% 2.0% 0.0% 11.0% Forest 70.0% 7.0% 5.0% 2.0% 7.0% 2.0% 0.0% 7.0% Savannah 64.0% 6.0% 7.0% 8.0% 0.0% 1.0% 11.0% 3.0% 64.0% 7.7% 7.3% 5.3% 3.3% 1.7% 3.7% 7.0% A: Inability of parents to fund child’s education B: Lack of Parental Interest C: Lack of Interest in School going children D: School too far away E: Inadequate schools/classrooms F: Dangers faced by children on their way to school e.g. getting drowned in rivers G: Children are used for work e.g. work in the field, work during market days, and taking care of younger siblings or weak and aged parents H: Other Reasons 13. Schooling Problems GSEIP / RPF Page 45 The most serious schooling problems in the rural communities include lack of school building, insufficient furniture, lack of qualified teachers, high cost of schooling, lack of textbooks, and lack of accommodation for teachers, among others. It was noted in all the districts visited during the fieldwork that some primary school children carry their chairs to school. The Parent and Teachers Associations contacted during the said fieldwork also indicated that they usually fund the purchase of furniture for their children in school. The table below summarizes the schooling problem. 14. The most serious schooling problems in the rural communities Ecological A B C D E F G H Zone Coastal 43.0% 25.0% 2.0% 5.0% 5.0% 10.0% 0.0% 10.0% Forest 38.0% 19.0% 10.0% 10.0% 6.0% 2.0% 3.0% 12.0% Savannah 59.0% 8.0% 9.0% 1.0% 4.0% 3.0% 1.0% 15.0% 46.7% 17.3% 7.0% 5.3% 5.0% 5.0% 1.3% 12.3% A: Lack of school building B: Insufficient Furniture C: Lack of Qualified Teachers D: High Cost of Schooling E: Lack of Textbooks F: Inadequate supply of stationery and other school materials G: Lack of accommodation for teachers H: Other Reasons 15. Secondary Schools with Sanitation Facilities About 19.5% of the Secondary Schools in the districts visited during the fieldwork have sanitation facilities. A good number of these Secondary Schools are relatively new. The practice with regards to schools without sanitation facilities is either free ranging or walking to the nearest public toilet in the community. GSEIP / RPF Page 46 16. Secondary Schools with Water Points With regards to water points, only about 3.47% of the Secondary School of the districts visited during the fieldwork have water points. The water points are pipe borne water taps and boreholes. In almost all the cases, the surrounding residents were noted to be patronizing the water points. In most of the schools without water points, the school authorities each day buy or fetch water, which is kept in each classroom in a bucket with cover and a cup for the pupils. 17. Secondary Schools with Electricity It was observed during the fieldwork that about 4.6% of the Secondary School in the visited districts have electricity. They are new and are found in the urban sections of the districts. It has been recommended in the guidelines that electricity be incorporated into the designs of the project facilities, even if the area, where the school is sited does not have electricity. This is to make it easy to access electricity without extra costs and inconvenience, when the facility reaches the area. 18. Secondary Schools with Telephone All of the SHS in the districts visited has telephone. 19. Secondary Schools with Refuse Cans With regards to refuse cans, only 0.83% of the schools in the districts, which were visited during the fieldwork, have refuse or garbage cans. The pupils in the bulk of the primary schools pick the rubbish around the schools and dump them onto a chosen site or burn them. 20. Secondary Schools with Landscape 10% of the Secondary School in the districts visited during the fieldwork have some sort of landscape, which is of utmost importance in checking erosion. It must be mentioned that in the forest zone, due to the abundance of rainfall, landscape is easily carried out and maintained. 21. The Need for Facilities as per Order of Importance The need for sanitation facility, water points, electricity, telephone, refuse disposal system, and landscape was discussed during the fieldwork with District Authorities, District Directorate of Education, members of Parent-Teachers Associations, Head teachers, Teachers, and school pupils. It was observed that water points and sanitation facilities were chosen equally as the most important necessity of Secondary School. These were followed by electricity, refuse disposal system, landscape and telephone, in that order. 22. Adult Literacy Adult literacy programs appears to have been most active in the savannah zone, with three quarters of the households living in communities, where there is or has been an adult literacy program. The table below shows households living in communities, where there is or has been an adult literacy program. 23. Households living in communities, where there is or has been an adult literacy program GSEIP / RPF Page 47 Ecological Households living in communities, where there is or has Zone been adult literacy program Coastal 61.0% Forest 56.0% Savannah 76.0% 24. Major Health Problems Facing Households in Rural Communities Rural community dwellers are exposed to a host of health problems related directly to inadequate water (quality) and quantity) and lack of proper sanitary provisions. These problems are compounded by absence of basic health infrastructure and health education. Some of the common diseases are malaria, guinea worm, kwashiorkor, cholera and diarrhea. The table below shows the major health problems facing household in rural communities by ecological zones. 25. Major Health Problems Facing Households in Rural Communities Ecological Malaria Hernia Guinea Bilharzias Measles Cholera Others Total Worm Zone Coastal 59% 5% 19% 2% 3% 5% 7% 100% Forest 63% 2% 2% 13% 4% 6% 10% 100% Savannah 40% 25% 11% 1% 11% 0% 12% 100% 54% 11% 11% 5% 6% 4% 10% 100% 26. Industry of economically active Population The economically active population as per ecological zone are employed or engaged in different sectors i.e. agriculture, mining and quarry, manufacturing, construction, public administration, and education among others. The details have been presented in the table below: 27. Industry of Economically Active Population GSEIP / RPF Page 48 Industry Savannah Forest Coastal Agriculture, Hunting, Forestry 71.81% 54.34% 50.04% Fishing 3.04% 3.86% 6.12% Mining and Quarry 1.18% 1.87% 1.71% Manufacturing 7.27% 9.49% 11.89% Electricity. Gas, Water 0.53% 0.50% 0.42% Construction 0.72% 1.65% 2.24% Wholesale and Retail Trade 6.60% 13.19% 11.70% Hotels and Restaurants 1.42% 2.68% 2.89% Transport, Storage and Communication 1.15% 2.87% 2.94% Financial Intermediation 0.17% 0.29% 0.34% Real Estate & Business Activity 0.78% 0.66% 1.14% Public Administration 0.54% 0.86% 0.91% Education 1.49% 2.91% 3.09% Health and Social Work 0.36% 0.79% 0.74% Other Community Service 1.47% 3.49% 3.30% Private Households 1.43% 0.51% 0.50% Extra-territorial organization 0.04% 0.03% 0.03% GSEIP / RPF Page 49 Source: Computed from 2000 Population and Housing Census 28. Household Expenditure The mean annual household expenditure and the mean annual per capita expenditure according to ecological zones have been presented in the Table below: 29. Household Expenditure Mean annual household expenditure, ¢ Mean annual per capita expenditure,¢ Savannah 8,689,724 1,393,150 Forest 15,056,307 3,704,038 Coastal 16,937,427 4,255,723 Source: Ghana Living Standard Survey, 2000 30. Solid Waste Management Practices Solid Waste Management forms an essential part of the primary school construction and operation. It involves technical, managerial, administrative, logistical and financial support at the local level. It is aimed at:  Ensuring and protecting public health within communities and the schools and  Promoting environmental hygiene and cleanliness in the schools and the communities. 31. Solid Waste Composition Knowledge on the source and types of solid wastes, along with the data on its composition and generation rates, is basic to the design and operation of all elements of the Solid Waste Management System. The term solid waste is all- inclusive and encompasses all source, classifications, compositions and properties. The following major solid waste categories related to this project can be distinguished: i. Domestic Solid Waste ii. Commercial Solid Waste iii. Constructional/Demolition waste. Visits to the schools showed little variations in composition as well as in quantities generated per capita. The similarities are mainly linked to the similarities in socio- economic conditions, climate, school size, personal consumption habits etc. The solid waste generation is estimated to be between 0.2 – 0.5kg per capita per day. GSEIP / RPF Page 50 32. Solid Waste Collection, Transportation, and Disposal Mostly, solid waste bins are placed at vantage points in the schools for waste collection. The waste after having been collected is mostly not segregated. The means of transportation have been either wheelbarrows or carried by pupils to the various disposal sites. These disposals sites are some pits 10-30m away from the schools where they are dumped and at times burnt. Because of the nature of the waste, not all are burnt and thus rendering the pits full within a very short time. The waste usually contains large quantities of sand which also contribute to making the pits full very fast. Pits are therefore dug very often all around the school premise with its associated environmental impact. Generally, solid waste from within the communities are collected and transported to selected solid waste dumpsites by the District or Metropolitan Assemblies. In most urban areas, private companies have been involved in the collection, transportation and disposal of solid waste. 33. Estimating Quantity of Solid Waste Generation An average weight of 0.2 – 0.5-kg/capital/day of solid waste is generated in the schools visited. A class should have an average of 25-35 pupils. Normally a primary school would have six classes, and a head teachers office. The average population of the schools visited including the teachers is 220. The teachers’ accommodation, which is part of the project, is likely to provide an additional population of 20 making the total population to be 240. This population multiplied by the average capita waste generation per day is 84 –120 kg/day per school. GSEIP / RPF Page 51 Annex 4. Socioeconomic and Environmental Characteristics of the Beneficiary Districts ANNEX 4. SAMPLES OF LAND ACQUISITION DOCUMENTS GSEIP / RPF Page 52 GSEIP / RPF Page 53 Annex 5: Sample Grievance and Resolution Form (Can be used for Complaint Recording or for Resolution) Name (Filer of Complaint): __________________________________ ID Number: __________________________________(PAPs ID number) Contact Information : _____________________________(Village ; mobile phone) Nature of Grievance or Complaint: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Date Individuals Contacted Summary of Discussion ____________ __________________ ___________________________ Signature_______________________ Date: ____________ Signed (Filer of Complaint): ______________________________________ Name of Person Filing Complaint :__________________________( if different from Filer) Position or Relationship to Filer: __________________________________ Review/Resolution Date of Conciliation Session: ______________________________________ Was Filer Present? : Yes No Was field verification of complaint conducted? Yes No Findings of field investigation: ___________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________ Summary of Conciliation Session Discussion: _________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Issues _____________________________________________________________________________ Was agreement reached on the issues? Yes No If agreement was reached, detail the agreement below: If agreement was not reached, specify the points of disagreement below and proposed next steps: ____________________________________________________________________________________ Signed (Conciliator): ___________________________ Signed (Filer): ________________ Signed: ___________________________ Independent Observer Date: ___________________________ GSEIP / RPF Page 54 GSEIP / RPF Page 55