Assessing the effects of Volta River Authority resettlement programme on the socio-economic development of rural communities: a study of the Asuogyaman district.

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2016-10-04
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Large dams are constructed mainly for creation of waterways, flood control and provision of water for agricultural activities. In the case of Akosombo dam, it was constructed with the purpose to generate hydroelectricity. Despite the fact that a number of factors are advanced to justify the construction of large dams, experience has shown that the concerns emanating from their construction are sometimes irreversible and painful, for instance resettlement. The research was undertaken to assess the effects Volta River Authority Resettlement Programme (VRARP) on the socio-economic development of rural communities. The study assessed the various socio-economic activities for which the VRARP has been designed. It focused on health, education, agriculture, water and sanitation, housing and finance. The study also tried to find out how the resettlement communities have been integrated into the VRARP. Case study approach was adapted to assess the effects VRARP on the socio-economic development of five resettlement communities at Asuogyaman district in the Eastern region of Ghana. These resettlement communities are Nkwakubew, Apegusu, Mpakadan, Aadjina and new Senchi. These resettlement communities were selected because even though there are other resettlement communities in the area these are the communities under the Volta River Project. The study used eclectic approaches of personal observation, questionnaire survey and key informant interviews to obtain data. By way of quantitative and qualitative analyses, the study showed that there have been positive improvements in many facilities with the exception of sanitation and housing. The study revealed that, majority of the people were not adequately involved in the programme activities and as a result most of the people are not satisfied with the level of rehabilitation. The study concluded that resettlement schemes should receive serious attention in developing countries.
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A Thesis submitted to the School of Graduate Studies Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Development Policy and Planning November, 2015.
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