THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) REPUBLIC OF GHANA MINISTRY OF HEALTH GHANA COVID-19 EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE PROJECT (P173788) ENVIRONMENTAL and SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) 17 March 2020 1|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN 1. The Government of Ghana (the Recipient) will implement the GHANA COVID-19 Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (the Project), with the involvement of the following ministries/agencies/units: Ministry of Health and the Ghana Health Service (GHS). The International Development Association (the Association) has agreed to provide financing for the Project. 2. The Recipient will implement material measures and actions so that the Project is implemented in accordance with the Environmental and Social Standards (ESSs). This Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (ESCP) sets out material measures and actions, any specific documents or plans, as well as the timing for each of these. 3. The Recipient is responsible for compliance with all requirements of the ESCP even when implementation of specific measures and actions is conducted by the Ministry, agency or unit referenced in 1. above. 4. Implementation of the material measures and actions set out in this ESCP will be monitored and reported to the Association by the Recipient as required by the ESCP and the conditions of the legal agreement, and the Association will monitor and assess progress and completion of the material measures and actions throughout implementation of the Project. 5. As agreed by the Association and the Recipient, this ESCP may be revised from time to time during Project implementation, to reflect adaptive management of Project changes and unforeseen circumstances or in response to assessment of Project performance conducted under the ESCP itself. In such circumstances, the Recipient will agree to the changes with the Association and will update the ESCP to reflect such changes. Agreement on changes to the ESCP will be documented through the exchange of letters signed between the Association and the Recipient. The Recipient will promptly disclose the updated ESCP. 6. Where Project changes, unforeseen circumstances, or Project performance result in changes to the risks and impacts during Project implementation, the Recipient shall provide additional funds, if needed, to implement actions and measures to address such risks and impacts. 2|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY MONITORING AND REPORTING A REGULAR REPORTING: Prepare and submit to the Association Quarterly throughout the Project Ministry of Health, Ghana/ regular monitoring reports on the environmental, social, health implementation period. Ghana Health Service and safety (ESHS) performance of the Project, including, but not limited to, stakeholder engagement activities and grievances log. B International Alignment. An internationally renowned health Reporting by-monthly throughout the Ministry of Health, Ghana agency (Africa CDC or WHO) will regularly review the Project’s Project implementation period. implementation, monitoring, and reporting provisions made under the Project. ESS 1: ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL RISKS AND IMPACTS 1.1 ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE: The Ministry of Health/ GHS shall The PIU coordinator and dedicated Ministry of Health, Ghana/ establish and maintain a PIU with qualified staff and resources to environmental and social safeguards Ghana Health Service support management of environmental and social risks and specialist shall be assigned prior to the impacts of the Project including environmental and social risk Effective Date. The PIU shall be management specialists. maintained throughout Project implementation. 3|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) 1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL ASSESSMENT/MANAGEMENT Ministry of Health, Ghana/ PLANS AND INSTRUMENTS/ CONTRACTORS Ghana Health Service a. Assess the environmental and social risks and impacts of a. The ESMF for the GARID project proposed Project activities, including to ensure that individuals shall be updated within one (1) or groups who, because of their particular circumstances, may month after the Effective Date.. be disadvantaged or vulnerable, have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project, in accordance with ESSs and the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) of GARID Project (P164330) to be updated for the Project. The ESMF will include a template for Infection Control and Waste Management Plan (ICWMP) as well as a template for Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) as necessary for isolation centers b. Before carrying out of the relevant construction. Project activities, and thereafter throughout the carrying out of such b. Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement the ICWMP, updated activities, if required by the ESMF ESMF/ESMP and/or any other other instruments, if required once available. for the respective Project activities based on the assessment process, in accordance with the ESSs, the ESMF, the EHSGs, and c. Before launching the procurement other relevant Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) process for the relevant activities including the relevant part of COVID-19 Quarantine Guidelines and thereafter throughout the and WHO COVID-19 biosafety guidelines in a manner carrying out of such activities. acceptable to the Association. c. Incorporate the relevant aspects of this ESCP, including, inter alia, any environmental and social management plans or other instruments, ESS2 requirements, and any other required ESHS measures, into the ESHS specifications of the procurement d. Throughout project implementation documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. Thereafter ensure that the contractors and supervising firms comply with the ESHS specifications of their respective contracts. d. Update environmental and social management plans or other 4|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY instruments based on updated guidance by WHO on COVID19. 1.3 EXCLUSIONS: Exclude the following type of activities as ineligible During the assessment process Ministry of Health, Ghana/ for financing under the Project: conducted under action 1.2.a. above. Ghana Health Service • Activities that may cause long term, permanent and/or irreversible (e.g. loss of major natural habitat) adverse impacts • Activities that may have significant adverse social impacts and may give rise to significant social conflict • Activities that may affect lands or rights of vulnerable people , • Activities that may have adverse impacts on cultural heritage • All the other excluded activities set out in the ESMF of the Project. ESS 2: LABOR AND WORKING CONDITIONS 2.1 Labor Management Procedures (LMP) will be prepared, disclosed, LMP shall be prepared within one Ministry of Health, Ghana/ adopted, and implemented consistent with ESS 2 month of the date of effectiveness Ghana Health Service 2.2 The Project shall be carried out in accordance with the applicable Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ requirements of ESS2, in a manner acceptable to the Association, Ghana Health Service including through, inter alia, implementing adequate occupational health and safety measures (including emergency preparedness and response measures), setting out grievance arrangements for Project workers, and incorporating labor requirements into the ESHS specifications of the procurement documents and contracts with contractors and supervising firms. 2.3 The Recipient shall implement adequate occupational health and Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ safety measures (including emergency preparedness and response Ghana Health Service measures) in line with the ESMF and WHO guidelines on COVID19 in all facilities, including laboratories, quarantine and isolation centers, and screening posts. 5|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 2.4 The Recipient shall ensure a non-discriminatory, decent work Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ environment; including by ensuring that all health workers adhere Ghana Health Service to the WHO Code of Ethics and Professional conduct. 2.5 The Recipient shall establish a grievance hotline and assignment of Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ focal points to address these grievances within MoH. Ghana Health Service ESS 3: RESOURCE EFFICIENCY AND POLLUTION PREVENTION AND MANAGEMENT 3.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to: manage Ghana Health Service health care wastes, and other types of hazardous and non- hazardous wastes. ESS 4: COMMUNITY HEALTH AND SAFETY 4.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ under action 1.2 above, including, inter alia, measures to: minimize Ghana Health Service the potential for community exposure to communicable diseases; ensure that individuals or groups who, because of their particular circumstances, may be disadvantaged or vulnerable have access to the development benefits resulting from the Project; manage the risks of the use of security personnel; manage the risks of labor influx; and prevent and respond to sexual exploitation and abuse, and sexual harassment. 4.2 The Recipient will put measures in place to prevent or minimize Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, Ghana/ the spread of the infectious disease/COVID-19 to the community. Ghana Health Service 4.3 The Recipient will implement emergency preparedness measures Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, Ghana/ in case of laboratory accidents/ emergencies e.g. a fire response or Ghana Health Service natural phenomena event 6|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 4.4 The Recipient will operate quarantine and isolation centers in line Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, Ghana/ with WHO guidelines on “Key considerations for repatriation and Ghana Health Service quarantine of travelers in relation to the outbreak of novel coronavirus 2019-nCoV� as well as the Africa CDC guideline on “Africa CDC Guidance for Assessment, Monitoring, and Movement Restrictions of People at Risk for COVID-19 in Africa�. 4.5 The Recipient will ensure the avoidance of any form of Sexual Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, Ghana/ Exploitation and Abuse by relying on the WHO Code of Ethics and Ghana Health Service Professional conduct for all workers in the quarantine facilities as well as the provision of gender-sensitive infrastructure such as segregated toilets and enough light in quarantine and isolation centers. 4.6 The Recipient will operate quarantine and isolation centers and Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, Ghana/ screening posts in a conflict-sensitive manner, avoiding any Ghana Health Service aggravation of local communal conflicts. 4.7 The Recipient will ensure that any security personnel operating for Throughout project implementation Ministry of Health, Ghana/ quarantine and isolation centers and screening posts follow strict Ghana Health Service rules of engagement and avoid any escalation. ESS 5: LAND ACQUISITION, RESTRICTIONS ON LAND USE AND INVOLUNTARY RESETTLEMENT 5.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ under action 1.2 above. Ghana Health Service 5.2 All eventual construction is likely to be undertaken within existing Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ facilities which are encumbrance free. In the event of any need of Ghana Health Service private land acquisition, restrictions on land use and involuntary resettlement, the RPF prepared for the GARID project will provide guidance on the preparation of resettlement action plan or abbreviated resettlement action plan as it may relate to the IPF and CERC activities ESS 6: BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AND SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF LIVING NATURAL RESOURCES 6.1 Relevant aspects of this standard shall be considered, as needed, Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ under action 1.2 above. Ghana Health Service 7|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY ESS 7: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES/SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN HISTORICALLY UNDERSERVED TRADITIONAL LOCAL COMMUNITIES 7.1 This standard is not considered relevant. The preliminary assessment suggests that there are no distinct social and cultural groups in the project area who exhibit characteristics akin to the criteria for indigenous or traditionally under-served communities as spelled out in the ESS7. ESS 8: CULTURAL HERITAGE 8.1 This standard is currently considered Not Relevant as the project Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ activities will not potentially have an impact on tangible and Ghana Health Service intangible cultural heritage. In the unlikely event of major construction or the movement of earth in connection with any project activities that have not yet been anticipated, a chance find procedure will be prepared and integrated into the ESMF for the project. ESS 9: FINANCIAL INTERMEDIARIES Not relevant. ESS 10: STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT AND INFORMATION DISCLOSURE 10.1 STAKEHOLDER ENGAGEMENT PLAN AND INFORMATION A draft SEP shall be prepared before the Ministry of Health, Ghana/ DISCLOSURE: Prepare, disclose, adopt, and implement a Board date and updated and disclosed Ghana Health Service Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP) consistent with ESS10, and in within 1 month after the Effective Date. line with WHO provisions “Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE) readiness and response to the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV)� (January 26, 2020) in a manner acceptable to the Association. 10.2 CASE MANAGEMENT. In line with the SEP, the Project will ensure Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ systematic case management, allowing communication between Ghana Health Service quarantined people and their relatives. 8|Page THE WORLD BANK - ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL COMMITMENT PLAN (ESCP) MATERIAL MEASURES AND ACTIONS TIMEFRAME RESPONSIBLE ENTITY/AUTHORITY 10.3 GRIEVANCE MECHANISM: Accessible grievance arrangements Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ shall be made publicly available to receive and facilitate resolution Ghana Health Service of concerns and grievances in relation to the Project, consistent with ESS10, in a manner acceptable to the Association. CAPACITY SUPPORT (TRAINING) Training topics for personnel involved in Project implementation Throughout Project implementation. Ministry of Health, Ghana/ will among others include: Ghana Health Service • COVID-19 Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations • Laboratory biosafety guidance related to the COVID-19 • Specimen collection and shipment • Standard precautions for COVID-19 patients • Risk communication and community engagement • WHO and Africa CDC guidelines on quarantine including case management 9|Page