A distinguished panel of experts gathered under The CEHRT Perspective webinar series to unpack one of the most overlooked issues in infrastructure development, poor timing of Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) within project lifecycles.

The webinar, moderated by Kwabena Kwakye Mamphey, focused on the theme “Misaligned Timelines & Missed Opportunities: Situating Environmental Assessment Within the Project Lifecycle.” It brought together an experienced panel including Dr. John Benard Koranteng-Yorke, Managing Director of Vision Consult Limited; Ing. Mrs. Jane Naki Tetteh-Anowie, Senior Engineer and Environmental Specialist; and Mr. Kojo Amoyaw-Osei, Environmental and Social Consultant.

The conversation set out to answer a critical question: When is the right time to conduct environmental and social assessments, and why does timing matter so much?

Environmental Assessment Beyond Compliance

Opening the session, moderator Kwabena Kwakye Mamphey emphasised that in Ghana and many parts of Africa, environmental assessments are often viewed merely as regulatory requirements—a box-ticking exercise to obtain permits. This approach, he noted, strips the process of its true value as a planning and decision-making tool capable of shaping more sustainable and efficient project outcomes.

Dr. Koranteng-Yorke built on this point, drawing from his extensive experience in transport infrastructure development. He outlined the key stages of a typical project lifecycle, from pre-feasibility and feasibility studies to detailed design, procurement, and construction, and highlighted how environmental and social considerations should align with each.

According to him, the most common pitfall occurs when environmental assessments are carried out either too early, before project details are adequately defined, or too late, after key design and investment decisions have already been made. In both cases, he said, “the opportunity to enhance sustainability, efficiency, and social inclusion is lost.”

He contrasted the practices of donor-funded projects, where environmental and social assessments are mandatory and well-integrated, with many government-led projects that often relegate the process to a post-design formality. “The absence of institutional structures within some public agencies”, he explained, “has made it difficult to mainstream environmental considerations in early project planning.”

Ghana’s ESIA Framework and Persistent Gaps

Environmental consultant Kojo Amoyaw-Osei provided an overview of Ghana’s current regulatory framework, citing the Environmental Protection Act, 2025 (Act 1124), and the Environmental Assessment Regulations, 2025 (LI 2504). These laws, he explained, set out a structured process that includes screening, scoping, impact assessment, review and permitting, and monitoring.

He cautioned, however, that while the legal framework is sound, practice often diverges from policy. “Most environmental and social assessments are commissioned too late in the project lifecycle, sometimes after the design has already been finalised,” he noted. “At that stage, the assessment becomes reactive, seeking to justify existing decisions rather than inform them.”

This timing gap, he added, also affects compliance. When permits are issued based on reports that don’t align with actual designs, projects risk breaching environmental conditions and undermining their own credibility.

Engineering and Environmental Collaboration Still in Silos

From the engineering side, Ing. Mrs. Jane Naki Tetteh-Anowie reflected on the gradual shift in perception among engineers regarding environmental assessments. She acknowledged that for years, engineering practice focused largely on technical output, building the road, bridge, or structure, without fully appreciating the environmental and social context.

“An engineer’s satisfaction”, she explained, “has traditionally come from seeing the physical product completed to specification. But with time, more professionals are recognising that environmental and social assessments are not barriers; they are tools that help make better design decisions.”

She noted that early assessments allow engineers to weigh design alternatives more accurately, select more suitable sites, reduce long-term maintenance costs, and avoid community conflicts. However, she lamented that in many cases, environmental experts and engineers still work in isolation, with limited collaboration or dialogue across disciplines.

“Environmental assessments should begin at the conceptual stage,” she emphasised, “when project scope, site selection, and functional designs are still flexible enough to accommodate sustainability insights.”

Institutional Weaknesses and Missed Opportunities

Panellists unanimously agreed that institutional capacity remains one of the biggest barriers to early integration of ESIA. Dr. Koranteng-Yorke noted that while the Ghana Highway Authority has established an Environment and Road Safety Unit, many other road and infrastructure agencies lack similar structures. “We need to institutionalise environmental and social safeguards across all implementing agencies,” he urged.

He also stressed the importance of strengthening the Environmental Protection Agency’s monitoring role to ensure that mitigation measures outlined in permits are implemented in practice.

Funding challenges were another recurring theme. Too often, environmental and social components are inadequately budgeted for, resulting in poorly executed mitigation plans or delays when funds must be reallocated later in the project.

The Cost of Getting It Wrong

Sharing real-world examples, Dr. Koranteng-Yorke recounted his experience on the N1 Highway project in Accra. Poor timing of environmental and social assessments, he explained, led to significant project delays due to unresolved land acquisition and compensation issues. “If the environmental assessment had been done early enough,” he said, “the government would have budgeted appropriately for resettlement and avoided months of setbacks.”

Similarly, Kojo Amoyaw-Osei described how late initiation of environmental processes often leads to poor stakeholder engagement, resulting in community distrust and protest. “Communities rarely oppose projects out of malice,” he said. “They just want to be informed, engaged, and respected. Early engagement not only builds trust; it saves time and money in the long run.”

A Call for Collaboration and Reform

By the end of the session, a consensus had emerged: environmental and social impact assessment must be embedded at the core of project planning, not treated as an afterthought. The panellists called for greater collaboration between engineers and environmental professionals, stronger institutional frameworks, and continuous capacity building within government and the private sector.

They also encouraged environmental professionals to be assertive in multidisciplinary teams, ensuring their perspectives are heard during critical design discussions. As Ing. Tetteh-Anowie put it, “The role of environmental specialists should not be peripheral—they should be at the table from the very beginning.”

Conclusion

In closing, moderator Kwabena Kwakye Mamphey thanked the panellists and audience for an engaging and practical discussion. He underscored CEHRT Ghana’s ongoing commitment to promoting sustainability and best practices in environmental governance across Africa.

He invited professionals and institutions to continue the conversation through CEHRT’s online platforms and announced that the next edition of The CEHRT Perspective webinar will take place in December.

The session ended with a powerful message that resonated with all participants: sustainable development begins with getting the timing right. When environmental and social assessments are integrated from the start, they do more than secure permits; they shape better projects, protect communities, and safeguard the planet.