THE SOCIO - ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BUI DAM ON RESETTLED COMMUNITIES; A CASE STUDY OF LUCENE AND AGBEGIKURO COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47740/41.UDSIJD6iAbstract
The construction of dams for hydroelectric power results in widespread socio-economic impacts on communities. Lucene and Agbegikuro communities were purposively sampled to assess the impact of the creation of the Bui dam on some aspects of livelihood, culture and demography by aid of a semi – structured interview guide from November, 2013 to April, 2014.There were no significant differences in income levels before and after the dam creation in Lucene (t= -1.229, p ˃ 0.005) and Agbegikuro (t= -1.331, p˃ 0.005). Before the dam creation, farming and trading were the main source of livelihoods in both communities whereas farming, fishing and trading were common after the dam was created. Job opportunities and infrastructure improved after the dam creation with Lucene recording > 30 % of its people changing their source of livelihood from farming to fishing whiles Agbegikuro recorded > 30 % of its people moving to the construction sector of the dam. Culture was affected due to loss of sacred grounds, structures and totems. Electricity was the least affected in Lucene and Agbegikuro with percentage composition of 64.88 % and 66.03 % respectively. Education and housing were the most negatively affected in Lucene (35.12 %) and Agbegikuro (33.97 %). Government should ensure a longer period of monitoring of resettlers adjustment to their new environment to reduce post resettlement conflict.
Keywords: Communities, Composition, Culture, Infrastructure, Livelihoods
References
Abdullateef, U., Ifabiyi, I.P. (2012), Socio-economic analysis of the operational impact of Shiroro Hydropower generation in lowland areas of middle River Niger. International Journal of Academics Research in Business and Social Science, 2. 57-60.
Bird, E. (2012). The socio-economic impact of hydroelectric dams on developing communities: A case study of the Chalillo Dam and the communities of Macal River valley, Cayo district, Belize, Central America. BSc. University of Vermont. Page 10, 64-67.
Cernea, M.M. (1997). Hydropower dams and social impacts: A sociological perspective, social assessment series. Page 2-6.
Lata R., Rishi M.S., Kochhar N., Sharma R. (2013). Socio-economic impacts of Sorang hydroelectric power project in District Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh, India. Journal of Environment and Earth Science. Volume 3,3.
Mettle, M. (2011). Forced resettlement in Ghana: the dam and the affected people, the Bui hydroelectric power project of Ghana, M Phil. Norwegian University of science and technology (NTNU). Pages 1, 10-14 and 58-62.
Mudzengi, K.B. (2012). An Assessment of the socio-economic impacts of the construction of Siya Dam in the Mazungunye area: Bikita District of Zimbabwe. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 14, 12-15.
Tahmiscioglu M.S., Anul M., Ekmekci F., Durmus N. (2004). International congress on river basin management. Basin Water Management. India. 759-769.
Kpodonu, T.A & Momade, F.Y., (2008). Heavy metals in the Libga, Bontanga, Golinga reservoirs. In: Abass, C., (2010). Stomach content of the catfish Clarias auguillaris in the Golinga Reservoir. Thesis submitted to the University for Development Studies. Faculty of Renewable Natural Resources.
Downloads
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
As a publisher of this Journal, the University for Development Studies reserves full copyright ownership of the Journal and all submissions published in it.