STAKEHOLDERS OF BUI POWER PROJECT ATTEND FORUM (PAGE 23, DEC 13, 2010)

A STAKEHOLDERS’ forum to deliberate on measures to achieve cultural integration among the resettled communities under the resettlement programme of the Bui Hydroelectric Project, has been held at Bui in the Tain District in Brong Ahafo Region.
The forum was organised by the Bui Power Authority (BPA) and Ghana Dams Dialogue, a capacity building body for the dam affected communities.
The participants of the forum discussed the various cultural practices of the resettled communities such as festivals, taboos, pouring of libation and other traditional protocols at the resettlement camps.
The stakeholders who attended the forum included chiefs, assembly members and other opinion leaders from the affected communities in Tain District and Bole-Bamboi in the Northern Region.
Speaking to the Daily Graphic, Dr Liqa Raschid –Sally, who led the Ghana Dams Dialogue team, said her outfit had tabled the discussion to provide tools for improved decision making on dam related issues for equitable, participatory and sustainable development of dams in the country.
She stated that the meeting was held not because the team foresaw crisis ahead of the resettlement, but discussed ways of sharing information and increased awareness about resettlement and dam related issues affecting the local communities in terms of capacity building.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Bui Power Authority (BPA), Mr Jabesh Amissah–Arthur who chaired the dialogue, said the meeting was a historic one since it was the first time chiefs and other opinion leaders in the two districts affected by the project had met.
He, therefore, urged the stakeholders to cooperate with BPA in making the Bui resettlement programme a success.
The chief of Bui, Nana Kwadwo Wuo II, commended BPA and Ghana Dams Dialogue for the capacity building workshop.
He said it would promote peaceful co-existence among the resettled communities and their host.
Giving updates on the resettlement, the Resettlement and Community Relations Officer of BPA, Mr Wumbilla Salifu, disclosed that construction of about 176 housing units to accommodate the three remaining communities — Bui village, Bator Akanyakrom and Dokokyina had been completed.
He expressed hope that those communities would be relocated in the first quarter of next year.