Briefly, the consultant for the preparation of the Abbreviated Resettlement Action Plan (ARAP), Mr. Koforobour Agyemang, was introduced by the moderator to the stakeholders (the Market Women & Chiefs, Queen Mothers, Community Members, etc.), with the necessary courtesies extended to the Chiefs, Queen mothers, and other stakeholders.

The moderator communicated the purpose of the engagement as a formal introduction of the Consultant for the preparation of the ARAP. The moderator explained the ARAP to the stakeholders as a data collection exercise for the project, to gather information on the Project-Affected Persons (PAPs) and also to respect the consultative process to receive input from the stakeholders. He highlighted that the role of the Consultant was important to address all safeguard issues which are required under World Bank Projects, specifically the Ghana Secondary Cities support program.

The primary focus of the engagement was to ensure that PAPs are catered for temporarily pre- and post-project.

He outlined the procedures for conducting the census on the PAPs, including numbering the various stores and all other structures in the project area. Collection of the details of the various occupants, including their details on the following: demographics, status of agreement with the owner of the store (assembly), and years of occupancy. Presentation of a report to the client (the assembly)  for onward discussion with all other stakeholders.

After the complete document is completed, the ARAP becomes the working document for the implementation of all safeguard issues.

Nana Amakwanda VII, chief of Upper saltpond commended the stakeholders, especially the Assembly, for the initiative to cater for the growing economic and local needs of Saltpond and the other neighboring communities. He further admonished the market women to cooperate with the consultant and be forthright to ensure that the process is smooth and timely for the project to kick-start within a reasonable time.

The MCE advised the PAPs to be cooperative, as had been communicated earlier, and added that their cooperation would serve all parties well. He added that the state of the old market was not befitting of the status of the saltpond and that completion of the project would elevate the status of the saltpond and the surrounding communities, which would be beneficial to the local economy after completion.  

He touched briefly on the timelines for the project, which is a six-month duration, and as such, the cooperation of the stakeholders and PAPs will serve all parties that have a stake in the project.