Evaluation of Volta resettlement scheme: (A Comparative study of Akosombo and Kpong resettlement scheme)

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1984-05-08
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Abstract
Ghana has undertaken many resettlement schemes as a result of development projects; for example Weija, Asuofuah, Tema Manhean, Akosombo and Kpong resettlement schemes. The Akosombo resettlement was built in 1962 by the VRA as a result of the Akosombo dam which displaced about 80,000 people living along the river. The objective of the resettlement was to enhance the social, economic and physical conditions of the people by providing the people with improved housing condition and improved agricultural system. The government took the resettlement scheme as an opportunity to train people in new techniques of farming and other jobs to enable them contribute to the development of the nation as a whole. Unfortunately, the exercise was not successful as expected. Lack of time, finance, personnel and equipment affected the whole programme. Social and physical infrastructure could not be provided and the agricultural programme could not take off. Many settlers left the townships end lived somewhere. The same VRA had the opportunity to build the Kpong dam and to resettle the displaced people. It was therefore expected that the authorities would learn from their mistakes in the Akosombo scheme and take measures to make the settlers contribute to development. The objective of the study was to compare the Akosombo and Kpong resettlement schemes, find out the extent of the improvements in the pong scheme and to make suggestions to how best future resettlements can be undertaken and propose solutions to the problems identified in the Kpong resettlement scheme. The study limits itself to AKosombo and Kpong resettlement schemes. Information on Akosombo was basically from documentary sources while information on Kpong was both documentary sources and field surveys. From the study it was found t hat there was a marked improvement in the Kpong resettlement scheme as a whole. There were enough services and facilities and some attempt made at providing land for farming. Recommendation are made as a guide for future resettlement schemes and specifically for solving the problems identified in the Kpong resettlement scheme. some of the recommendations are that resettlement programmes should be gradual and should take place before the dam construction to enable the evacuees to undertake farming and other activities at the new sites, There should be little interference in the lifestyles of the people in order not to ma them feel alienated at the new site. Houses should be in the local materials so that the people can build upon that and services should be provided even if they were not found in the old communities. Enough land should be provided for the people to continue their farming activities agricultural facilities and services should also be provided.
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A thesis submitted to the Board of Postgraduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of the Degree of Master of Science in Regional Planning, 1984
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