THE SOCIO - ECONOMIC IMPACT OF BUI DAM ON RESETTLED COMMUNITIES; A CASE STUDY OF LUCENE AND AGBEGIKURO COMMUNITIES IN THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

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.