Policy in Practice

Policy In Practice

Our Policies & Commitments

At Elizka Relief Foundation, our programmes and operations are guided by policies that promote accountability, inclusion, safety and responsible management. These policies provide a framework for how we work with communities, partners, staff and other stakeholders and demonstrate our commitment to ethical and sustainable development.

Safeguarding Policy

We are committed to creating safe environments for everyone who comes into contact with our organisation and programmes. Our Safeguarding Policy guides how we prevent, identify, report and respond to harm, abuse, exploitation and neglect across our programmes, operations and partnerships.

Sexual Harassment & Abuse Policy

Elizka Relief Foundation has zero tolerance for sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, abuse and other forms of sexual misconduct. Our policy sets clear standards for prevention, reporting, response and accountability, helping to ensure a respectful and professional environment for all.

Gender Equality & Social Inclusion

We believe sustainable development requires equal opportunities and meaningful participation for all. Our GESI Policy guides us in promoting gender equality, preventing discrimination and ensuring that people who may face barriers to participation are included in our programmes, workplace and decision-making.

Financial Management Policy

We are committed to managing financial resources responsibly, transparently and efficiently. Our Financial Management Policy guides budgeting, financial controls, expenditure, record keeping, reporting and accountability, ensuring that organisational and donor resources are used responsibly and for their intended purposesg.

Our enforcement strategy operates on a “Three-Layer” system. If a breach happens at one layer, it triggers a response at the next.

Community-Level Vigilance (“The Trusted Messenger”)

We operate in rural settings where formal “complaint boxes” don’t work. Instead, we use the “Trusted Messenger” system. In every project site, we identify two local leads typically a respected educator and a representative from the women’s cooperative who are trained on our Child Protection and Environmental policies.

The Reality:
These messengers are our early-warning system. If a contractor is ignoring our environmental buffer or acting inappropriately, the community doesn’t have to navigate a bureaucratic hierarchy; they report to the Messenger..

The Mandate:
Every report from a Messenger is treated as a priority alert.

Digital Verification (The “ICT4D Proof”)

We don’t rely on guesswork. Every piece of infrastructure we deploy is connected to our ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) dashboard.

The Reality:
If a solar pump site has a chemical leak, a waste issue, or if the water output drops, our system flags it. We don’t just trust a site manager’s word; we verify the site’s health through data.

The Mandate:
If the data shows an environmental or safety variance, our team triggers a mandatory site audit. The digital record is the final word in our operational accountability.

Traditional Governance (The “Final Authority”)

Our enforcement framework is rooted in the authority of the land custodians. We operate with a “Social License to Operate” granted by the Traditional Councils.

We don’t rely on guesswork. Every piece of infrastructure we deploy is connected to our ICT4D (Information and Communication Technology for Development) dashboard.

The Mandate:
We explicitly contract this power. If our internal reports or the Traditional Council identify a breach, work ceases immediately until the compliance team clears the site for re-opening.

What Happens When a Red Line is Crossed?

We don’t do “warnings” for safety or environmental breaches. We have a clear “Stop Work” protocol:

1. Immediate Cessation: Any project identified in breach of our Environmental Safeguards or Child Protection policy is halted immediately. No exceptions.

2. The Audit: The Site Lead and the Compliance Officer conduct an on-site audit within 48 hours. The report is shared with the Traditional Council and, where necessary, the appropriate district authorities (such as the EPA or the Department of Social Welfare).

3. Remediation: Work remains suspended until the breach is corrected and the Traditional Council is satisfied that the integrity of the land or the safety of the community has been restored.

4 . Contractual Consequences: If the breach was caused by a sub-contractor, the contract is terminated. We do not gamble with our reputation—or the community’s trust—for the sake of a deadline.

Proof of Policy: We don’t just write these rules to look good for auditors. In 2025, we paused operations for 3 days to address a minor compliance breach regarding waste management at one of our project sites. The work stopped, the site was remediated, and our protocols were tightened before a single shovel was picked up again. We don’t trade our reputation for a deadline.

Policy: Environmental Safeguards & Land Stewardship

We recognise that sustainable development depends on protecting the environment and responsibly managing natural resources. Our Environmental Safeguards & Land Stewardship Policy guides responsible land use, environmental risk management, ecosystem protection and the reduction of negative impacts from our programmes and operations.

Legal & Regulatory Framework

We operate within the following legal and international standards, which serve as the “floor” for our internal operational requirements:

Ghanaian Law: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act, 1994 (Act 490); The Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703) & Act 900; and The Water Resources Commission Act, 1996 (Act 522).

International Standards: The International Finance Corporation (IFC) Performance Standards on Environmental and Social Sustainability; UN Sustainable Development Goals (specifically SDG 6—Clean Water and SDG 15—Life on Land).

Pre-Implementation Site Assessment (The “Gate” Protocol)

No project shall commence without the following documented steps:

The Traditional Baseline: A formal sitting with the Asanteman Council and local Traditional Authorities to map sacred groves and water access points. In alignment with the 1992 Constitution of Ghana, we recognize the Traditional Authority as custodians of the land.

Regulatory Alignment: Every infrastructure project must secure the relevant permits required under the EPA Act (Act 490). If a project footprint impacts a water body, a Water Use Permit under Act 522 must be attached to the project file before ground-breaking.

The “No-Leak” Certification: In compliance with environmental best practices to prevent soil contamination, all machinery brought on-site must be inspected. We adhere to the Minerals and Mining Act principles regarding land reclamation; if machinery does not meet clean-operation standards, it is barred from the site.

Operational Safeguards

Riparian Buffer Zones: We strictly enforce a 30-meter buffer zone around Rivera and teir tributaries, in line with Water Resources Commission guidelines.

Chemical Zero-Tolerance: We operate under a “Chemical-Free” mandate. We prohibit the use of synthetic chemicals that violate local environmental safety thresholds.

Galamsey Mitigation: We operate in high-risk zones. We align our field presence with the Minerals and Mining Act (Act 703) regarding the prohibition of illegal mining. Our teams are trained in “Observation-Only” monitoring: any mining activity encroaching on our buffer zones is documented in our ICT4D dashboard and reported immediately to the Traditional Council and local EPA district offices.

CHILD PROTECTION POLICY

We are committed to protecting children from abuse, exploitation, neglect and all forms of harm. Our Child Protection Policy guides staff, partners and field teams in promoting safe, respectful and child-centred practices and in preventing, reporting and responding to child protection concerns

Legal & Human Rights Framework

Our social mandate is anchored in the following:

Ghanaian Law: The Children’s Act, 1998 (Act 560); The Domestic Violence Act, 2007 (Act 732); and The Criminal Offences Act (Amendment) Act, 1998 (Act 554).

International Standards: The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC); Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW); and SDG 5 (Gender Equality).

Protection of Rights

Our staff, partners, and contractors are legally bound to protect children from abuse, torture, and degrading treatment as defined under Part 1 of Act 560.

Verification

We require vetting of all personnel with access to project sites. We collaborate with the Department of Social Welfare in our operational districts to ensure our site guards and field officers understand their reporting obligations under the law.

Reporting Protocol

Any suspected breach of the Children’s Act is treated as a criminal matter. We maintain a direct reporting line to the Ghana Police Service (DOVVSU – Domestic Violence and Victims Support Unit) and the Social Welfare Department.