Operations

Progetti per la diversificazione economica in Africa

Livelihood Restoration Plan: in Ghana for the creation of value

We promoted socio-economic development and training activities in the country to support 205 families from the Sanzule communities.

Where we develop the project

Ghana

At the link you can explore the country and discover the work we do there and other projects we're involved in.

Ghana

For the training and development of entrepreneurial skills

The development of national gas resources in Ghana is a priority to improve access to energy and stimulate more income for the country. Natural gas, available locally at affordable prices, guarantees a more stable, clean and safe energy supply. To implement the Offshore Cape Three Points (OCTP) project and build the land-based reception systems for gas from the Sankofa field, we acquired land in the communities of Sanzule and neighbouring areas in the Western Region of Ghana. The acquired approximately 96 hectares directly affected 205 families that used the land for their livelihood. To manage the socio-economic changes resulting from the plant's construction, we launched a programme to restore income-generating activities and improve the living standards of beneficiaries in a sustainable way. The Livelihood Restoration Plan (LRP), which forms part of the wider Environmental and Social Action Plan (ESAP), was carried out in compliance with international standards, in particular with IFC PS5 (International Finance Corporation Performance Standard number 5) on land acquisition and involuntary resettlement. The programme aims to restore the livelihoods of families through food support during the transitional phase, a financial training programme for good management of compensation received following the land acquisition and the start up of new sustainable businesses. Specifically, we will encourage new farming businesses, livestock farming, aquaculture, small trading businesses and market access.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is an action programme signed in September 2015 by 193 UN member states. It includes 17 goals for socio-economic development of communities and local areas. In line with the eighth goal, this project promotes development-oriented policies that support productive activities, the creation of decent work, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation. In addition, we help to encourage the set-up and growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, including with access to financial services (Goal 8). In addition, we contribute to the achievement of goals aimed at ending world poverty (Goal 1), hunger (Goal 2) and to strengthen the means of implementation and renew the global partnership for sustainable development (Goal 17).

Safety first

Safety in the workplace is an imperative value we want to share with our employees, contractors and local stakeholders. We are committed to eliminate accidents and protect the integrity of our assets. We consolidate a culture of safety through management and organization models, digital tools and communication initiatives. Our goal is strengthening the awareness of our people and their sense of responsibility toward themselves and others, by expanding HSE tools and digitalization to make corporate processes safer, more efficient and faster.

How we take on challenges

In the initial phase of the project implementation, the beneficiaries were able to choose from a range of production activities to be managed directly with the support of Eni Ghana. In some cases, during the project's development, beneficiaries asked to change their business, choosing others that would generate profit more quickly, asking to sell their entire production or their own equipment. To respond to these requests, we adopted ad hoc solutions, proposing more suitable alternatives to the beneficiary. For example, we gave them the opportunity to pick family members who could help run the business, boosted technical training and financial management sessions, increased the quantity and types of distributed equipment initially, and increased awareness about how important small businesses are in generating income for the community. Together with the NGO Technoserve, which supported the project development, we also worked closely with the community's elders to make them aware of our modus operandi. More generally, we managed a complaint management system with the NGO, which proved to be very useful in resolving any community tensions.

My parents couldn't afford to send me to welding school, so when I got this opportunity I decided to give it a try. Eni gave me the chance to train with a master welder who is teaching me the trade. I'm going to leave his workshop soon and open my own. I have all the necessary tools. I also intend to train anyone who wants to learn

Mabel, welder

Impact on the environment and communities

Although the OCTP benefits the whole of Ghana, the LRP project focuses on 205 households directly affected by the construction in the Sanzule community of the Onshore Receiving Facility, which receives the gas and compresses it before feeding it into the local domestic network. From 2016 to 2021, with an investment of 3.9 million dollars, together with the partners of the joint venture, we are providing capacity building, facilities, equipment and support which benefits over 1,400 people. In particular, the LRP project involves the development of businesses, mainly in the agriculture, livestock, aquaculture and trade sectors. The families benefiting from it have chosen one or two economic projects to manage and grow. Over 60 families have chosen aquaculture and will benefit from the setting up and management of lakes for breeding, harvesting and selling fish. The project also includes other activities, like refrigeration and storage, bakery, feed production, processing of fish, cassava, maize and other food, and also professional and technical activities such as mechanical workshops, the production of clothes and accessories, hairdressing, welding, carpentry, shoemaking, payment services and shops. The different parties involved are establishing a virtuous circle that stimulates the growth of a market capable of creating value at a local level.

Finally, in November 2019, the Business and Market Fair held in the Sanzule community, where those taking part in the project had the chance to sell their products (bread and derivatives, eggs, soap, clothes, accessories and more), is another example of an initiative that, in recent years, has contributed to the development of the Western Region of Ghana.

Our results so far

Some highlights that illustrate the success of the activities developed so far:

3.9 mln $

invested in the project

+ 1,400 people

benefiting from the LRP

205 families

involved in the project

over 60 families

who have chosen to develop aquaculture activities

Partnerships

Technoserve is an NGO (non-governmental organisation) that works with small entrepreneurs in more than 40 developing countries to build competitive farms, businesses and industries. In Ghana, it works closely with the people involved in the project to ensure the continuity and growth of new businesses set-up in the area, supporting them through training in business management and mentoring from expert technicians.

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