Sustainability of Bui Resettlement Scheme in Ghana

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2015-02-24
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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 construction which displaced about 80,000 people living along the river. The same VRA had the opportunity to build the Kpong Dam and to resettle the displaced people around the Dam catchment area that will be inundated after the dam construction. These past resettlement experiences of the country were characterized by repeated failures and it is expected that the Bui Dam resettlement will be successful and sustainable. The research therefore seeks to find out how sustainable this particular resettlement is, given the planning process undertaken to implement this Resettlement Planning Framework and best international practices as well as the effect of the resettlement of persons in and around the Dam. To achieve these objectives, various literatures were reviewed which helped in the selection of variables such as health, education, population for sustainability assessment. Qualitative and quantitative approaches of data collection was designed and applied in conducting this study. The qualitative approach includes in depth interviews, focus group discussions and direct observation of operations, which are important to obtain unintended and unanticipated data on the subject under study. The quantitative approach helped to provide numerical results, which were reported in tables, graphs and charts stating the proportion and the trends of events and occurrences. The results of the findings indicate that, the people fully participated in the resettlement planning process but the ability to influences decision making concerning their own lives was weak. Though the resettlement initially adopted the participatory planning process, it was abandoned along the way and this posed a threat to the resettlement. For example monitoring and evaluation appears absent in the implementation of the resettlement Planning Process. The result of this has brought serious negative consequences on the resettled people. Some of these are compensation lands are of poor quality, new farmland preparation assistance insufficient, crop compensation has not been paid, host communities do not know how much of their lands have been acquired to know the compensation due them, LEP has not started, no optional ground for fishing and many more. However the resettlement appears to have learnt lessons from previous resettlement in the country such that the provision of v infrastructure and social amenities are satisfactory as compared to their old settlement. These positive effects stand the chances of been derailed because of the loss of livelihood. Some of the recommendation for sustainability of the resettlement is the immediate restoration of livelihood support programmes and well as community empowerment programs. Also effective monitoring and evaluation of the resettlement need to be undertaken by the Bui Power Authority.
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A thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in partial fulfilment of the requirement for the award of Master of Science degree in Development Policy and Planning.
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