Tamale, Ghana – The Ghana Shea Landscape Emissions Reduction Project (GSLERP), funded by the Green Climate Fund (GCF), is nearing a major milestone with the completion of its Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The completion fulfills a critical requirement and objective of the project and provides clear actions and roles for risk mitigation on the project. The ESMP is also a requirement after the completion of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) and Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) in 2023.

The ESMP aims to identify and mitigate environmental and social risks, enhance benefits for local communities, and promote gender equality and inclusion. Additionally, it establishes safeguards for implementation and regulatory adherence in alignment with national laws and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Social and Environmental Standards (SES).

The Forestry Commission of Ghana, the project’s implementing partner, hosted a crucial stakeholder engagement in Tamale to finalize mitigation strategies for medium-level risk factors. During the meeting, consultants responsible for the ESIA and ESMP, alongside partners, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the GSLERP, convened to address key environmental and social concerns, including:

• Restrictions of Rights

• Exclusion and Social Tensions

• Land-Related Disputes

• Restriction of Access to Resources

• Child Labour Risks

• Exposure to Hazards

• Inefficient Resource Use and Pollution

Other discussions focused on establishing a robust Grievance Redress Mechanism and capacity-building initiatives for project implementers to ensure the effective execution of the plan.

The ESMP is expected to provide a structured framework to guide GSLERP’s interventions, ensuring that the project contributes positively to environmental sustainability, social inclusion, and economic resilience within Ghana’s shea landscapes.

The Ghana Shea Landscape Emissions Reduction Project (GSLERP) is a climate action initiative aimed at reducing emissions while improving sustainable livelihoods in Ghana’s shea-growing regions. Through strategic partnerships, the project enhances land-use practices, biodiversity conservation, and community-driven sustainable development.