–

Environmental and Social 

Impact Assessment of the Bui 

Hydropower Project 

Final Report – Annex Volume 

Prepared by Environmental Resources Management, in 

association with SGS Environment 

January 207 

www.erm.com 

Delivering sustainable solutions in a more competitive world

FINAL REPORT 

Ministry of Energy/Bui Development Committee, Ghana 

Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study of the 

Bui Hydroelectric Power Project –Annex Volume 

January 2007 

ERM Reference 0042911 

For and on behalf of 

Environmental Resources Management 

Approved by: Eamonn Barrett 

Signed: 

Position: Partner 

Date: 31 January 2007 

This report has been prepared by Environmental Resources 

Management the trading name of Environmental Resources 

Management Limited, with all reasonable skill, care and diligence 

within the terms of the Contract with the client, incorporating our 

General Terms and Conditions of Business and taking account of the 

resources devoted to it by agreement with the client. 

We disclaim any responsibility to the client and others in respect of 

any matters outside the scope of the above. 

This report is confidential to the client and we accept no responsibility 

of whatsoever nature to third parties to whom this report, or any part 

thereof, is made known. Any such party relies on the report at their 

own risk.

CONTENTS 

ANNEX A 

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

ANNEX B 

IMPACT TABLES 

ANNEX C 

LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND TO THE BUI PROJECT 

ANNEX D 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

ANNEX E 

HYDROLOGICAL ANALYSIS 

ANNEX F 

HYDROGEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS 

ANNEX G 

ANNEX H 

ANNEX I 

ANNEX J 

ANNEX K 

ANNEX L 

ANNEX M 

ANNEX N 

ANNEX O 

ANNEX P 

ANNEX Q 

REPORT ON GEOMORPHOLOGY SOILS AND LAND USE STUDY 

ADDITIONAL BIOLOGICAL INFORMATION 

SOCIAL SURVEY TOOLS 

RESULTS OF SOCIAL SURVEY 

HEALTH BASELINE 

HYDROLOGICAL MODELLING 

ARCHAEOLOGY BASELINE 

MINUTES OF NATIONAL AND LOCAL CONSULTATION 

MITIGATION TABLES 

DAM SAFETY 

PHOTOGRAPHS

Annex A 

Terms of Reference

A1 

BACKGROUND TO TERMS OF REFERENCE 

This Annex contains the Terms of Reference (TOR) for the Bui Hydroelectric 

Power Project Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Study. The TOR 

are essentially the same as those attached to the contract issued to 

Environmental Resources Management (ERM) by the Ministry of Energy in 

December 2005. The TOR attached to ERM’s contract were those developed by 

BKS Acres and annexed to a Scoping report that was drafted in 2001, but 

never submitted to EPA to comply with Ghanaian EIA Regulations. In 

comparison with the TOR prepared by BKS Acres, the changes that have been 

made to the TOR presented here are either: 

 

 

minor modifications agreed with the Bui Development Committee to 

reflect changed circumstances; or 

removal of references to the BKS Acres Scoping Report that are now 

irrelevant, and potentially misleading. 

A1.1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 

The main deliverable of the ESIA mandate is an EIS for the Bui Hydroelectric 

Power Project, prepared in conformity with Ghana’s environmental legislation 

and EIA procedures as well as those of international financial institutions, in 

particular the World Bank (WB) and the International Financial Corporation 

(IFC). 

Other deliverables of the ESIA mandate include the following management 

plans: 

 

 

mitigation/management program for the Bui project; and 

environmental monitoring plan. 

The Executive Summary will provide the following information summarising 

the ESIA mandate for the Bui project: 

 

 

 

 

 

concise description of the proposed project; 

brief account of the significant biophysical and socio-cultural 

environments; 

an outline of the significant impacts and findings of the ESIA; 

the principal mitigation measures; and 

the principal elements of the environmental monitoring plan. 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT 

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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

A2 

TERMS OF REFERENCE 

A2.1 INTRODUCTION 

The introduction will present relevant information to establish the context for 

the Bui project, including the following components: 

A2.1.1 

Project Justification 

According to the demand forecasts of Coyne and Bellier (1995) the total 

annual energy production required in Ghana to meet increasing domestic and 

industrial loads will rise from 7,235 GWh in 1997 to 11,953 GWh in 2020. To 

meet the peak demand, the installed capacity of the generation system will 

need to increase from 1067 MW in 1997 to 1899 MW in 2020. The present 

installed capacity of the VRA system is: 

Akosombo (without retrofit) 912 MW 

Kpong 160 MW 

Takoradi 300 MW 

The ESIA will examine the most recent demand forecasts and system planning 

studies in order to assess the need for the Bui Hydroelectric Power Project. 

The Bui Gorge was first identified as a potential hydroelectric generation site 

in the 1920s. Unlike thermal generation of electricity where there is often 

significant flexibility in the siting of the plant hydroelectric facilities rely on 

natural features of the landscape for optimum siting. Thus there is limited 

opportunity to select an alternate site on the Black Volta for hydro generation. 

A2.1.2 

Regulatory and Administrative Requirements 

Environmental legislation, policies and guidelines of Ghana and of the major 

international lending agencies will be assessed as to their relevance to the 

current project. These legislation policies and guidelines will provide a 

framework environmental framework around which the ESIA and subsequent 

project implementation will be conducted. Any additional relevant legislation, 

policies and guidelines will be added as identified. 

A2.1.3 

Scope of the ESIA 

This section will summarise the Terms of Reference for the ESIA, as agreed 

with the BDS and as approved by the Ghana Environmental Protection 

Agency. 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

A2.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPOSED PROJECT 

The EIS will contain a detailed description of the project focusing on those 

aspects that could potentially have an impact on the physical, biological or 

social environment. The development scheme as proposed by Coyne and 

Bellier (1995) will form the initial basis for the project description. 

Modifications to the scheme, which become apparent during the ongoing 

planning and design of the project, will be incorporated into the description. 

The Project description will be presented using maps, figures, tables and other 

graphics as necessary. It will highlight the following: 

 

Pre-construction activities: relocation of villages that will be 

inundated, removed from the park territory or otherwise displaced 

by the project; 

 

Construction activities: land clearing and site preparation; 

construction of access routes; construction of dam structures and 

related facilities; construction of transmission lines. 

 

Post-construction or operational activities: impounding, filling and 

maintenance of reservoir; operation and maintenance of the 

hydroelectric generating plant; commissioning and maintenance of 

transmission line facilities. 

A2.3 DESCRIPTION OF THE BASELINE ENVIRONMENT 

This section will initially include the identification of the areas of potential 

project impact that need to be considered in the ESIA; the data collection and 

inventory methods; and descriptions of existing environmental conditions. 

A2.3.1 

Areas of Potential Project Impacts 

The ESIA will be conducted for two major study areas. The primary zone 

where the effects of the development will be most obvious includes: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the land and communities in the area that could be affected by the 

construction process or the presence of the dam, powerhouse and 

related facilities; 

the construction camp; 

the construction waste disposal area; 

aggregate borrow areas; 

lands to be flooded by the reservoir; 

the Black Volta for the dam site to Lake Volta and the lands and 

communities adjacent to it; 

the transmission line corridor from Bui through Teselima and on the 

to Sunyani and Kumasi; and 

the lands and communities where displaced people will be 

relocated/resettled. 


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The secondary impact zone includes: 

 

 

the area of the Bui National Park with will not be flooded and 

additional lands that may be added to the park to compensate for 

land lost to flooding; and 

the communities adjacent to or in the vicinity of Bui National Park. 

A2.3.2 

Data Collection and Methods for Inventory 

A description of the existing physical, biological and socioeconomic 

environmental conditions will be prepared for the EIS, based on published 

information, discussions with knowledgeable individuals and field surveys. 

All relevant reports and pertinent information will be collected catalogued 

and reviewed to evaluate the state of the existing environmental conditions 

within the project study areas. Sources of information may include: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

previous reconnaissance, pre-feasibility and feasibility level and 

specific studies undertaken for the project (i.e. Halcrow & Partners. 

Hydroproject, SMEC. C&B. etc); 

central and regional government resources agencies and personnel; 

studies carried out in the project region or for the park specifically. 

E.g. University of Aberdeen Studies; 

data bases maintained by universities and academia. E.g. 

archaeological work near Banda; 

national and international scientific journals and publications; 

local and national non-governmental organisations that specialise in 

studies of the natural environmental and/or impact assessment; and, 

previous power planning studies completed for Ghana, with 

particular emphasis on the most recent studies. 

As required, further documentary research and focused interviews with key 

informants will be undertaken at the national, regional and district levels. 

At the completion of the data gathering process, environmental and project 

specific information will be compiled and evaluated to assess the extent and 

quality of that data the extent of data gaps and any other uncertainties that 

may be identified. The goal of this step will be to determine and document 

the quality and quantity of existing information. This will form the basis for 

identifying the requirements for field investigations and studies to obtain the 

data necessary to complete the various components of the ESIA. The precise 

scope of the field program will be directly related to the information needed 

for the initial screening and analysis of project alternatives. 

A key aspect of the scope of work for the field programs will be to assess the 

seasonal limitations and timing of specific studies so as to take advantage of 

either local conditions or specific behavioural responses (wildlife studies 

during the dry season when animals are more concentrated with the river 

channel and forested riverbank; fisheries studies during the wet season when 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

fish are moving to spawning areas, etc). This exercise will document the 

programs required, the aerial extent and time lines associated with each 

program, and the logistics of implementation, as well as the program costs. 

Specific data requirements are discussed below. 

A2.3.3 

Physical Environment 

The description of the physical environment will include: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Geology 

Seismicity 

Soils 

Erosion and Sedimentation 

Landscape 

Topography 

Climate 

Hydrology 

Hydrogeology 

Water Quality 

Much of the description of the physical environment will be based on existing 

data. Included among these data are: 

 

 

 

 

geological mapping and reports prepared by the Geological Survey 

of Ghana and those prepared for the earlier feasibility studies for the 

project; 

climate data from the closest government weather station; 

recent air photography and topographical mapping prepared for 

VRA (and as modified based on a program of calibration and datum 

checking of the stream flow gauge being carried out by VRA); 

hydrological records compiled by VRA; and borehole records from 

nearby communities. 

Some field investigations will be required in the following areas. 

 

 

 

characterisation of the soils associated with ‘hippo turf’; 

assessment of the erosion potential of soils along the future shoreline 

of the reservoir and along the tributaries entering the reservoir; and 

water quality analysis of the Black Volta and some of its tributaries to 

include nutrients, major ions, selected metals and suspended solids. 

Other studies to be conducted include estimation of flows from tributary 

streams downstream of Bui based on watershed area and rainfall records. 

This information will assist in determination of compensation flow 

requirements. 

The recent mapping carried out by VRA is being analysed to determine more 

accurately the area/storage elevation curve for the reservoir as well as the 

specific areas flooded at different elevations. This data will be indexed to 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

satellite imagery where available to assist in determining loss of habitat and 

forest cover for various alternatives. 

A2.3.4 

Biological Environment 

Bui National Park primarily consists of Guinea savanna woodland and rich 

riparian gallery forest along the Black Volta River. Among the wildlife 

present in the park include hippopotami, buffalo, waterbuck, kob, oribi, 

dulkers, warthog, porcupine, four species of primates, serval, gent, civet and 

leopard. It also contains crocodiles, monitor lizards, turtles and a variety of 

snakes. 

The description of the existing biological environment will focus on the flora 

and fauna (mammals, migratory and resident birds, amphibians and reptiles) 

of the areas to be inundated and the along the new transmission line. In 

particular, field studies will focus on, but not be limited to, the riparian forests 

and hippopotami grazing areas (hippo turf) along the Black Volta in the 

reservoir are and upstream within the park. 

The studies will also focus on the aquatic ecology of the Black Volta in the 

park and downstream to Lake Volta. The design of aquatic field studies in 

dependent on the adequacy of existing data but will likely involve sampling of 

water quality, fish, invertebrates and aquatic vegetation and classification of 

critical aquatic habitats (e.g. fish spawning and nursery habitats). 

The most recent biological work in Bui National Park was conducted by 

Aberdeen University in the mid 1990s. The documentation will be reviewed 

and a field program developed to fill data gaps and expand our knowledge of 

the biological diversity of the National Park and Black Volta. The field 

program will consist of floral and faunal surveys and quantification of critical 

habitats. Satellite imagery and recent air photography will be used with 

sufficient ground truthing to characterise the habitats throughout the study 

area. 

The description of the biological environment will include an inventory of 

floral and faunal species, their conservation status and habitat requirements, 

measures of biodiversity and a quantification of critical habitats with will be 

lost due to construction and operation facility. In particular, the habitat loss 

will be assessed in the perspective of residual habitat left in the park (if any), 

and its ability to support the existing total population. 

A2.3.5 

Social Environment 

The general approach to the inventory of the social environment is based on 

rapid appraisal methods that seek to identify the critical social, economic and 

cultural conditions of the target groups that may be affected by the proposed 

project. These target groups include: 

 

communities or other groups that are affected directly by the project, 

for example, relocated villages and settlers, and communities 


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directly impacts by construction activities or the downstream 

impacts of dam operation; 

communities or other groups that may be indirectly affected, for 

example, by induced socio-economic activities or development; and 

vulnerable or special-interest groups among those directly or 

indirectly affected by the project, such as women, the poor and 

youth. 

The inventory will encompass an overview of conditions in the Brong Ahafo 

and Northern regions and the districts affected by the project. The inventory 

will also provide more detailed socio-economic profiles of the target 

beneficiary groups in communities in the immediate environs of the project 

site. Information will be included on present conditions and all anticipated 

changed before the project commences. Data collection on existing socioeconomic 

conditions will focus on the following themes; 

 

 

 

 

demographic characteristics, including total population densities and 

distribution, population dynamics and growth, household 

characteristics, educational achievement and literacy; 

social systems and structures, including ethnicity and religious 

affiliation; the origins of communities and their traditional social and 

cultural systems; gender roles in household, economic and 

community affairs; community structure and organisations; and 

social relations; 

land management and use, including traditional and legal systems of 

land tenure and allocation dominant regional land uses, settlement 

form and development community infrastructure; and 

livelihood and production systems, including agricultural livelihood 

systems; non-agricultural economic activities, employment and labor 

markets; and household income and expenditure patterns. 

The preparation of the inventory will combine community consultation and 

participatory appraisal techniques, with other sources of information. In the 

districts where the project is located and the villages in the immediate 

environs of the projects site where most direct and indirect impacts are 

anticipated, quantitative and qualitative data will be collected through a 

multi-phase program of consultations using semi-structured interviews, focus 

groups and other participatory techniques: 

 

 

District Assemblies (DA): in Wenchi and Bole Districts, initial and 

follow-up consultations will be carried out with the District Chief 

Executive (DCE). District Coordinating Director (DCD) other 

members of the DA offices and elected representatives, to gather 

information about existing and projected economic, social and 

physical development conditions in the districts as well as 

perceptions and concerns about the Bui project; 

traditional and village leadership; the leadership of villages and 

traditional councils will be consulted for communities that will be 

displaces, may serve as host communities and/or will be directly and 


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indirectly affected by the location and implementation of the project. 

These consultations will provide and/or validate information about 

demographic, social structures and relations, land use, settlement, 

livelihood and cultural conditions in these communities; attitudes 

about social change, use of environmental resources and economic 

development; as well as issues of concern regarding the proposed 

development; and 

community members: in these same villages that will be directly 

affected, targeted consultations will be carried out with different 

segments of the community, e.g. women, older people or youth, to 

obtain information and define issue that area particular to the needs, 

absorptive capacities and development objectives of different 

community groups. 

This consultation program forms part of a larger stakeholder consultation for 

the ESIA. As such, it will be developed to ensure that it is responsive to the 

needs of the affected communities, for instance, in terms of the timing of 

consultations in rural agricultural communities, linguistic and literacy 

conditions and appropriate feedback to communities. 

Baseline data will also be developed and social issues identified through a 

series of semi-structures interviews and meetings with key informants about 

socio-economic policies and programs, including various national and 

regional government representatives, domestic and international NGOs and 

other qualified experts. The most recent available census data and other 

information about socio-economic conditions in Ghana and the study area will 

be obtained from the appropriate government sources; and, all available, 

relevant policy documents, project reports and other analyses will be 

reviewed. A succinct text will be prepared describing the existing social 

environment, accompanied, as appropriate, by maps and other graphic 

presentations. 

A2.3.6 

Public Health Environment 

The inventory of the baseline conditions of the public health environment will 

focus on the following information: 

 

 

 

at national, regional and district levels, a review of the principal 

public health indicators, for example, life expectancy, crude birth and 

death rates, reproductive health, children’s health and the incidence 

of major health problems; 

at the district and local levels, a review of public health services and 

facilities, identifying the distribution of types and levels of services; 

the physical, financial and personnel resources of existing facilities; 

and, factors influencing the use of services and facilities, such as 

availability and attitudes; and 

at the district and local levels, particularly in the communities most 

directly affected by the project, a review of the existing public health 

conditions and the incidence of disease. The focus will be on existing 


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conditions related to water-related diseases, contagious diseases, STD 

and other public health issues that may be affected by the project, 

although the inventory will also include a summary of other public 

health issues in these communities. 

The same approach identified for the collection of baseline data on the social 

environment will be used to collect data on public health conditions, including 

target beneficiary groups and the use of rapid participatory appraisal 

methods. During community groups, special attention will be paid to 

gathering information about public health conditions, diseases and strategies 

used by local authorities and communities to address these issues. Semistructured 

interviews will be carried out with key informant from national 

and regional government, NGOs and other qualified experts and 

documentary sources reviewed, to provide information on public health 

statistics, polices and programmes and lessons learned from other 

development similar to the proposed project. 

A2.3.7 

Archaeology 

The study area is located just north of an historic trade route. Archaeological 

investigations in the study area have uncovered historical European artefacts 

dating to the 18 th century and prehistoric archaeological material dating as far 

back as 2000 BC. 

Work associated with preparing a description of the existing archaeological 

environment will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, now 

underway archaeological reports will be reviewed and a reconnaissance visit 

to the site conducted in order to identify locations in the park where 

archaeological materials might be found. In the second phase test pits will be 

dug at locations identified in the first phase to verify the presence of 

archaeological material. 

A2.4 ASSESSMENT OF PROJECT IMPACTS AND BENEFITS 

The overall impacts and benefits of the Bui project will be determined during 

this task for pre-construction, construction and post-construction phases of the 

project. The potential impacts and benefits include negative and positive 

effects, direct and indirect effects, immediate and long-term effects as well as 

those that are unavoidable, reversible or residual. In addition, any 

opportunities for multiple uses will be identifies as appropriate. 

As far as possible, all the identified impacts and benefits will be quantified 

and assessed for significance based on magnitude, extent, duration, 

reversibility, etc. From the assessment of impacts and benefits, the necessary 

mitigation and enhancement actions will be prescribed. Wherever possible, 

design or implementation of the project will be altered accordingly. 


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A2.4.1 

Physical impacts and Benefits 

Physical impacts of project implementation include the creation of a reservoir, 

which will alter the physical and chemical characteristics of the river waters as 

well as sediment transport processes within that reach of the Black Volta. 

River subject to inundation. It will also regulate the river flows and will 

change the hydrology and flow/sedimentation patterns in the river reach 

downstream to Lake Volta but would also provide a source of water for other 

uses. Creation of the reservoir would also result in local changes to 

groundwater and possibly the microclimate adjacent to the reservoir the 

stability of the reservoir banks and stress conditions at depth (i.e seismic 

conditions). The severity and extent of many of these impacts or benefits will 

depend on the physical and geologic conditions comprising the reservoir and 

surrounding area final water level elevation chosen for the reservoir and the 

operational strategy selected for the development. 

The assessment of impacts and benefits will utilise appropriate techniques and 

expert judgement to determine the significance of changes to the physical 

environment. Models will be employed as appropriate to provide predictions 

of future conditions, particularly with respect to seasonal and daily water 

level and flow fluctuations. The study team of international and local experts 

will assess the significance to predicted changes based on their previous 

experience with similar projects within Ghana and around the world. The 

upgraded mapping will provide the data needed to determine bank slopes, 

and the underwater bathymetry of the new reservoir which data will be 

directly useful for planning any prefilling reservoir work and for assessing 

lacustrine habitat. 

Bank stability will focus on any areas of substantial slope either in or above 

the reservoir, where soil conditions will be reviewed. Given the substantial 

fetch that will be available the wave climate will be checked to assess the 

potential for wind generated erosion along the banks. 

A2.4.2 

Biological Impacts and Benefits 

Biological impacts of the project arise primarily from the loss of the riverine 

forest ecosystem within the reservoir inundation area, with the accompanying 

loss of terrestrial, floodplain and aquatic habitat, and displacement of existing 

wildlife and aquatic communities. Potential benefits of the project include the 

provision of long-term funding to develop and implement and management 

plan for the park and the proposed buffer zones. 

The assessment of impacts and benefits will rely on the detailed information 

collected during the terrestrial and aquatic environment field programs, and 

will utilise currently recognised biodiversity and environmental quality 

indices to assess and evaluate that information. Again, the study team will 

utilise their technical knowledge and experience to formulate predictions of 

impact/benefit, and will evaluate and assess their significance on the 

terrestrial and aquatic environments of the study area. 


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Of particular importance during the evaluation of the effects of the project are 

the following: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

quantification of the loss of critical habitats, particularly riparian 

forest and ‘hippo turf’; 

potential changes in the fish community due to impoundment and 

the creation of a barrier to migration; 

productivity changes in the reservoir; 

creation of habitats favourable to disease vectors such as that of snails 

(an intermediate host for schistosoiasis); 

the potential of the unaffected areas of the park to absorb wildlife 

displaced by the reservoir; 

the potential for changes in vegetation/habitat in the areas 

immediately upstream of the reservoir as a result of sedimentation, 

and whether new desirable habitat can be encouraged; and 

the environmental effects of displaced/resettled communities on 

their new local environment (fishing, hunting, etc) 

A2.4.3 

Social Impacts and Benefits 

The anticipated social benefits and impacts of the Bui project are directly 

related to key economic social and cultural issues. The assessment of the 

effects for the Bui project on the social environment will encompass but may 

not be limited to the following these and issues: 

 

Population resettlement: Based on currently available information, 

previous assessments of the nature and extent of the resettlement 

impacts of the Bui project should be updated and validated. This 

includes confirmation of the population and household 

characteristics of the affected villages and other affected households; 

and quantitative and qualitative information on affected assets (land, 

building, etc.) land tenure, livelihood systems and social 

organisations of households and the community. 

 

Socio-economic development: direct, project-related employment and 

economic activity included employment and economic activity, 

impacts and benefits for the local economy, benefits in the provision 

of community infrastructure and pressures on their use: pressures on 

natural resource: and long-term sustainable development within the 

region; and 

 

Social and cultural change: impacts and benefits affecting family and 

village organisation, social integration, monetarisation of livelihood 

and production systems and social and cultural change among 

specific target groups. 


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A2.4.4 

Public Health 

The assessment of the public health impacts of the Bui project will encompass 

direct and indirect impacts related to the health and well-being of people 

living and working in the region of influence of the project. These impacts 

include: 

 

 

 

 

vector-borne, particularly, water-related diseases, including increases 

and declines in the incidence of existing water-related diseases and 

the introduction of new disease vectors; 

sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including increases and other 

changes in the incidence of HIV/AIDS and other STD; 

health conditions and well-being in local communities including the 

direst and indirect effects of the project on water and sanitation 

conditions as well as the physical and emotional well-being of 

people; and 

occupational health and safety; potential effects of the project 

construction and operation on the health and safety of workers. 

A2.4.5 

Archaeological and Cultural Resources 

Archaeological or cultural resources could be destroyed or lost due to flooding 

by the reservoir or by other construction activities. Based on the 

archaeological and cultural surveys any sites of significance that could be 

destroyed by the project will have been identified. The importance of the sites 

will be assessed and the need for moving or cataloguing will be determined. 

A2.4.6 

Cumulative Effects 

When an environmental component is impacts by a project bit is already or 

will be affected by past or reasonably probable future development or 

activities, these impacts are considered cumulative effects. During the ESIA, 

the study team will identify current, past and probable future development 

and activities that may impact on the environmental components of the study 

area and identify those impacts of the Bui Hydroelectric Power. 

A2.4.7 

International Effects 

Although the Black Volta River originates in Burkina Faso and forms the 

border between Ghana and Cote d’lvoire, these countries are upstream of the 

Bui area of influence at a FSL of 183m or less. Downstream of Bui, the Black 

Volta and Volta Rivers remain within the borders of Ghana. Consequently, 

impacts on Cote d’Ivoire or Burkina Fasa are not anticipated. One of the FSL 

options investigated by Coyne et Bellier (1995) was 197m FSL. This option was 

subsequently eliminated due in part to the inundation of territory in Cote 

d’Ivoire. 


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A2.5 ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVES 

A2.5.1 

Alternatives to the Project 

An initial screen and analysis of alternatives to the project will be undertaken 

using broad economic, environmental, and social indicators based on existing 

information (master plans, project feasibility studies, etc). Alternatives to be 

investigated will include: 

 

 

 

thermal power; 

alternative energy sources (e.g., wind, solar power, other 

hydropower and industrial cogeneration); and 

demand side management (implementation of conservation and 

efficiency measures). 

This evaluation will take into account the regional context, including the 

potential for import/export to adjacent countries and the sources of fuel (oil 

and gas) for thermal power plants, both existing and proposed. 

A2.5.2 

Alternative Project Developments 

These will include variations in the design of Bui including various full supply 

level (FSL) elevations and a run-of-river cascading scheme with two or three 

plants with small headponds. Only those schemes will be examined that have 

potential to be economically viable in the contexts of the Ghana system. 

The results of this process will be documented and summarised in tabular 

form. A rating system will be developed and applied to the environmental 

components to provide a means of directly comparing benefits or impacts 

associated with each alternative. 

This task will conclude with a reduced list of 2 or 3 preliminary preferred 

alternatives for the detailed impact assessment. These alternatives will then 

be re-screened (and possibly modified) as the study progresses to arrive at a 

final preferred alternative that is the preferred trade off between economic 

and environmental and social impacts. The ESIA will clearly indicate the 

reasons for the selection made. 

A2.6 MITIGATION AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN 

The environmental mitigation/management plan for the Bui Hydroelectric 

Power Project will identify the mitigation and enhancement measures that will 

most effectively address concerns associated with the project and provide the 

detail needed to implement the plan. Any residual impacts that cannot be 

mitigated will also be identified and a proposed course of action (i.e. 

compensation or other measure as appropriate) to deal with those impacts 

will be identified. It is anticipated that the plan will address such issues as: 

 

downstream compensation flows; 


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limitations on rates of drawdown, if warranted; 

reservoir rule curves; 

flow re-regulation downstream, if required; 

habitat replacement; 

wildlife rescue during reservoir filling; and 

improvement to local services. 

The plan will identify time lines and other details associated with its 

implementation and will identify the agencies (government, NGO and 

affected groups) that will be providing input or support to the plan. The plan 

will also identify personnel training requirements for the various 

environmental impacts that are being addressed. In addition, the plan will 

outline specific goals and review periods that will serve to refocus the 

direction of management and mitigation measures as required. Key features 

of the Mitigation and Environmental Management Plan would include the 

following: 

A2.6.1 

Resettlement Planning Framework 

Successful strategies for resettlement and restoration of livelihood systems 

require and integrated, participatory planning framework. Some of the 

critical issues include: 

compensation strategies for lost assets that take into account the 

nature and composition of households as well as the assets managed 

by different members of households (men, women, youth); 

social and cultural aspects of relocation, including appropriate 

strategies related to fetishes, sacred sites and burial grounds; 

strategies for restoration of livelihoods that take into account the 

subsistence and income generating activities of men, women and 

youth in affected households; 

strategies to integrate resettlers successfully into host communities, 

in terms of social, economic and cultural impacts; and 

development planning for resettlers and host communities that target 

training needs, economic development initiatives, access to credit, 

infrastructure and social service requirements. 

A planning framework for resettlement should also identify strategies for the 

participation of affected and host communities throughout the resettlement 

process requirements for pre-project interventions to strengthen the capacities 

of communities to participate and guidelines for resettlement monitoring and 

evaluation. 

A2.7 MONITORING PLAN 

Monitoring plans will be developed for three stages of the project i.e. preconstruction, 

construction and operation. 


A14 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Pre-construction 

A pre-construction monitoring plan typically includes measures to ensure the 

following: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EPA environmental approval of the project; 

completion of baseline monitoring (if not completed during the 

ESIA); 

environmental mitigation is incorporating into tender specifications 

as appropriate; 

wildlife have been relocated to suitable alternative habitat areas, as 

necessary; 

land acquisitions are completed; 

archaeological excavations (if required) have been completed; and 

a complete pre-construction photographic record is taken around 

construction site facilities prior to construction. 

Construction 

A construction monitoring program will be prepared that addresses tree 

clearing and other vegetation removal, blasting activities, erosion and 

sedimentation control, drainage, control of public access, waste disposal, 

control of hunting/poaching, fuel/oil storage, site rehabilitation, etc. 

Operation 

An operational monitoring plan will be developed that will allow an 

assessment of the effectiveness of mitigation measures and to verify 

predictions of the ESIA. The monitoring program will be developed though 

discussion with VRA and government agencies. 

A2.8 CONTINGENCY PLAN 

If during the construction or operation of the station, unforeseen impacts 

become apparent, there will need to be a plan that will initiate a response to 

address the issue. This contingency plan will identify procedures to be 

followed and management roles and responsibilities so that a quick response 

to the unforeseen event can be initiated. 

A2.9 STAKEHOLDER AND PUBLIC CONSULTATION 

Stakeholder and public consultation is an important component of the ESIA 

work. It is planned to meet further with directly affected people and other 

stakeholders in the Bui area and in Accra. These meetings will be both formal 

(e.g. workshops) and informal gatherings. The main intent of the consultation 

is to inform the interest groups of the project, to determine the issues that are 

of particular concern to them and to provide feedback on the findings of the 

ESIA. 


A15 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The consultation will include a multi-phase consultation program to be 

carried out with direct stakeholders in Wenchi and Bole districts. The 

objectives of this program are to obtain quantitative and qualitative data from 

stakeholders about existing environmental, socio-economic, cultural and 

health conditions in this region; and, to explore with district authorities and 

community representatives a range of issues related to current biophysical, 

social, economic, cultural and health conditions, as well as perceptions, 

concerns and issues related to the proposed development of the Bui 

hydroelectric project and Bui National Park. 

The direct stakeholders in Wenchi and Bole districts included in this 

consultation program include the following: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

representatives of the District Assemblies (DA) and DA offices; 

representatives of government departments, NGOs and other 

organisations that are actively working in the areas of conservation, 

socio-economic development, rural development, public health or 

other related areas; 

paramount chiefs for the principal indigenous ethnic groups in the 

region (Banda, Mo, Gonja); 

village leadership of communities to be resettled, or directly or 

indirectly impacted by the proposed project (13-14 villages); 

specific target groups (women, youth etc) in communities to be 

resettled and those communities that will be most directly affected 

during project construction (6-7 villages); and 

village leadership and target groups in those areas/communities 

preliminarily identified as potential areas for the 

relocation/resettlement of displaced communities. 

In general, the approach and methods used in the consultation program are 

based on semi-structural meetings with stakeholders. For meeting with 

traditional and village leadership, the chief will convene several members of 

the leadership with one person nominated as the principal spokesperson 

interacting with the study team, although many residents of the village may 

attend the meeting and contribute comments that are relayed by the 

spokesperson. The study team prepares meeting guides for these 

consultations in order to identify a range of issues and information being 

sought. However, the scope of discussions remains responsive to the issues 

and information raised by stakeholders during the course of the consultation. 

In some instances small focus groups or individual interviews may be carried 

with community representatives with knowledge and information on specific 

issues, in parallel with or following the consultation with the leadership. 

In the proposed consultations with specific target groups, the same general 

approach and methods will be adopted. In addition, a number of 

participatory rapid appraisal (PRA) methods will be employed to explore 

some issues in more detail. These methods include mapping and ranking 

exercises as well as preparation of seasonal calendars and other techniques. 


A16 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The range of issues to be addressed included the gender roles and 

responsibilities in household, agricultural and community activities; natural 

resource utilisation, orientations and aspirations of young people, in relation 

to the larger community, family and community management of public 

health, and material and social well being of the communities. 

Consultations with representatives of the DA, regional government agencies, 

NGOs and other organisations active in socio-economic and pubic health will 

generally take the form of individual semi-structured interviews and small 

focus groups. 

The first phase of this consultation was carried out in May 2001 and involved 

initial discussions with representatives of the DA offices in Wenchi and Bole, 

as well as the village leadership in three villages that will be resettled 

(Dokoyena, Bui and Battor Akame). During these consultations, permission 

was requested to return at a later date to pursue more detailed consultations. 

A second phase of consultations will be planned in consultation with 

stakeholders and carried out during the summer 2001. The purpose will be to 

continue the process of data collection, as well as exploration of community 

issues related to present socio-economic and public health conditions and the 

impact of the proposed project. It will include the traditional leadership in the 

region, village leadership in other villages within the study area and targeted 

consultations with specific community groups, and further consultations with 

DA and other regional representatives. The third phase of the consultation 

will provide feedback to the districts and communities and will entail the 

participation of representatives of the DA and traditional and village 

leadership in regional consultations to review the evaluation of impacts and 

proposals for mitigation and environmental management. These regional 

consultations will be carried out in Wenchi and Bole and will likely occur 

during the fall 2001. 

In parallel with the consultations in Wenchi and Bole Districts similar 

consultations will be occurring in Accra or other centres, as necessary, with 

key government and non-government organisations and other informed 

individuals (eg university staff) who have a specific interest or mandate 

within the study. 


A17 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Annex B 

Impact Tables

Table.1 

Construction Impacts 

Issue Potential Impacts Receptors Significance Mitigation measures 

Water availability Reservoir filling following construction will restrict 

downstream flow releases for an extended period. 

Water used in the construction process will likely be drawn 

from the river and/or local watercourses 

• Downstream surface 

water resources 

• Downstream 

riverine habitats 

• Downstream water 

users 

• As above Negligible to 

minor 

Major • Design of partially seasonal compensation release 

regime (if feasible) 

• Strict adherence to agreed compensation flow 

release regime 

• Regular (preferably continuous) flow monitoring 

downstream of dam 

• Careful selection of abstraction points 

• Consider using imported (tankered) supply 

during droughts 

Localised dewatering for foundation construction and/or water 

supply boreholes for construction camps may place temporary 

stress on local groundwater resources 

• Local groundwater 

resources 

• Local communities 

Negligible to 

minor 

• Careful siting of construction camp boreholes 

• Regular monitoring of borehole yields in any 

adjacent community wells 

Surface water quality 

Pollution risk from potential spillage of fuels, lubricants or 

chemicals at construction sites. Also, increased sediment load 

and turbidity as construction activities disturb soils and 

exacerbate erosion. 

Inadequate treatment and disposal of waste and wastewater 

from worker compounds could adversely affect water quality 

and aquatic and terrestrial flora and fauna 



• Terrestrial habitats, 

fauna and vegetation 

• Aquatic habitats, 



users 

Minor to 

moderate 

• Develop and implement construction site 

environmental management guidelines, to 

include on-site waste and wastewater 

management plans 

• Install wastewater treatment facilities for worker 

compounds and other construction facilities; 

• Install oil and grease separators in all surface 

drains before discharge to adjacent water courses 

• Regular training for construction workers in the 

use of guidelines 

• Utilize secondary containment measures in areas 

where POLs are used, and at consolidated POL 

storage sites 

• Install culverts where upgraded site access roads 

cross streams


Soil erosion and land 

Minor to 

degradation 

moderate 

Land take 

Disruption to local 

drainage patterns 

Construction activities on the river bed, sand excavation, and 

construction of the main dam will disturb soils and may lead to 

soil erosion and compaction and increased turbidity and 

sedimentation downstream. 

Permanent land-take for reservoir, dam and related structures 

and access roads, and temporary land-take for construction 

camps and borrow pits. 

Localised disruption to water users and riverine habitats as 

existing channel is re-routed around dam construction site. 

Riverine habitat alteration Construction of the dam will result in disturbance of instream 

aquatic habitat within the impounded reach. 

• Land resources 

• Terrestrial habitats 

• Aquatic habitats 

• Land resources 

• Terrestrial ecology 

• Local riverine 

habitats 

• Local water users 

Aquatic habitats, fauna 

and vegetation 

Major • 

Minor (in context 

of overall scale of 

works) 

• Develop and implement construction site 

environmental management guidelines, to 

include site erosion control measures 

• Installation, monitoring of, and regular emptying 

of sediment traps in surface drains in around 

roads and construction areas 

• Sand excavation from the riverbed should be 

limited to the dry season when flows are low to 

limit the amount of sedimentation downstream 

• Minimise removal or disturbance of the riverine 

forest at the dam site and in the reservoir area 

until inundation begins, and maintain vegetative 

buffer zones alongside river and drainage 

channels 

• Minimise soil disturbance and excavation during 

wet season 

• (Where necessary) facilitate access to re-routed 

channel for existing users 

-Major • Minimise footprint of riverbed and shoreline 

disturbance [incorporate into CMP]. 

Construction of the dam and diversion reach will result in 

disturbance of instream aquatic habitat downstream of the dam 

and diverted reach 



-Moderate 

As above 

Effects on vegetation 

Direct loss and/or disturbance of vegetation will occur as a 

result of : 

1) Equipment operations and clearing for storage areas and 

administrative space 

2) Construction of the four transmission lines 

3) Upgrading the site access roads 

4) Inundation of the reservoir 

Terrestrial habitats, 

fauna and vegetation; 

Aquatic habitats 

- Major • Minimise removal or disturbance of vegetation 

around construction areas 

• Replant native vegetation in disturbed areas 

immediately following construction 

• Implement education programmes for 

construction workers about minimising the 

footprint of construction camp and work areas 

• Minimise width of construction ROW 

• Purchase a suitable offset area and place under 

national protection


Sand mining/construction will create dust, which can build up 

on vegetation and stunt vegetative growth 

Terrestrial habitats and 

vegetation; 

Aquatic vegetation 

- Minor • Develop and implement dust management plan 

Effects on fauna - 

displacement 

Effects on fauna – direct 

mortality 

Construction-related noise and increased human activity (influx 

of workers), will result in temporary displacement of 

disturbance-sensitive fauna. 

The worker camps near the dam site will displace and disturb 

fauna in affected areas. 

Forested islands formed in the reservoir and floodplain during 

inundation will limit the movement of individual animals as 

well as individual/ population interactions. 

Inundation will displace territorial and gregarious animals, 

such as ungulates, which could cause disorganisation of the 

social structure of these herds. 

Inundation will displace animals from reservoir area into 

surrounding habitats, causing crowding (i.e., “Crowding of the 

Arc effect” 

The temporary diversion dam and main dam will block 

migration of potadromous fish species. 

Construction activities will cause direct mortality of less mobile 

wildlife through interaction with construction equipment or 

humans. 

Displaced animals could face increased hunting pressure from 

construction workers and villagers 

Upgraded site access roads could increase human access (in 

addition to construction workers) to the park, thereby 

increasing wildlife disturbance and hunting pressure. 

Inundation will result in displacement or drowning of animals. 


fauna 


fauna 


fauna 


fauna 


vegetation 

- Major • Develop and implement a Protected Area 

Management Plan (PAMP) for Bui National Park 

• Locate camp outside Bui National Park in 

already disturbed habitat if possible 

• Implement noise minimisation measures for 

construction 

• Develop and implement camp management plan 

- Major • Develop and implement a PAMP for Bui 

National Park [to include control of poaching and 

burning, wildlife awareness and education]. 

• Locate camp outside Bui National Park in 

already disturbed habitat if possible. 

- Moderate • Develop and implement wildlife 

rescue/management plan 

• Selective harvesting of tall trees prior to 

inundation 

- Minor • Purchase a suitable offset area and place under 

national protection 

- Moderate • Purchase a suitable offset area and place under 


• Develop and implement wildlife 

rescue/management plan 

Aquatic fauna - Minor • Implement fish passage facilities in dams. 

Terrestrial fauna 

Aquatic fauna 

- Minor • Implement wildlife awareness training 

programme for workers 

Terrestrial fauna - Major • Develop and implement a PAMP for Bui 

National Park [to include control of poaching and 

burning, wildlife awareness and education]. 



Aquatic fauna 


fauna; 

Aquatic fauna 

- Moderate • Prohibit development of spur roads off main 

access roads. 

• Develop and implement site access plan to 

prohibit public access on site access roads 

- Moderate • Develop and implement wildlife 

rescue/management plan [including rescue and 

fire management]


• Begin inundation after the dry season once 

hibernating have species have emerged 

Effects on fauna – 

fragmentation of habitats 

Secondary impacts from 

displacement of people 

Presence of the dam and reservoir will fragment and alter 

aquatic and terrestrial habitats in the vicinity of the project, 

resulting in reduced habitat quality and effectiveness for 

aquatic and terrestrial wildlife 

Resettlement (human movement and resettling) will result in 

loss of terrestrial habitats and mortality or displacement of 

wildlife species that are intolerant of human disturbance. 







- Moderate • Purchase a suitable offset area and place under 


- Moderate • Develop and implement a PAMP for Bui 

National Park 



• Incorporate environmental criteria into site 

selection criteria for resettlement areas.

Table1. 2 

Operation Impacts 


Changes in river flow 

regime 

Water levels in the 

reservoir 

Surface water quality 

Flow regulation will create an un-seasonal flow (and hence 

water level) regime in the river downstream, with generally 

increased low (base) flows and reduced flood flows. Rapid 

variation in flows and levels may also occur with sluice gate 

operation. 

Operation of the reservoir (magnitude and duration of water 

level fluctuations) will affect the species composition and 

density of vegetation communities in the littoral zone. 

In addition to being a navigation hazard, submerged vegetation 

may deplete reservoir oxygen levels and promote algal and 

weed growth, damaging fisheries and impairing dam operation 

and navigation. It could also result in hydrogen sulphide 

production, which may corrode turbines, harm aquatic 

organisms and produce noxious odours. 

Although the reservoir is not considered to be at risk of 

eutrophication under present conditions, it would capture 

nutrient runoff from any future uncontrolled agricultural 

development upstream, possibly promoting algal and weed 

growth (eg water hyacinth) in the future. There is also a risk of 

the bioaccumulation of pesticides within the reservoir if these 

are used extensively. 

Increased water temperature in the reservoir, particularly 

during the dry season when inputs are minimal, could decrease 

dissolved oxygen concentrations and impact the composition of 


surface water 

resources 




users (including 

floodplain 

agriculture) 


fauna and 

vegetation 


fauna and 

vegetation 

• Reservoir fisheries 

• Dam infrastructure 


aquatic habitats 




Aquatic habitats and 

fauna 

Moderate • Design of partially seasonal operational release 

regime (if feasible) 

• Avoid rapid fluctuations in downstream flow 

(e.g. through safety and awareness programme) 

• Regular (preferably continuous) flow monitoring 


• Replenish nutrients in floodplain agricultural 

areas with controlled application of fertilisers 

• Consider alternative livelihoods for floodplain 

farmers 

+ or – Moderate • Develop and implement operational plan that 

includes managing the reservoir drawdown to 

optimise native vegetative growth in littoral zone. 

• Planting of Setaria and other species in the littoral 

zone [at FSL] to increase fodder available for 

hippos and other wildlife 

Minor-moderate • Reduce the biomass that will be flooded by 

selective forest clearing and the commercial 

salvage of forest products 

• Detailed dam design to minimise release of 

anoxic bottom waters 

• Monitor nutrient (N & P) concentrations in 

reservoir 

Minor – 

moderate 

- Minor As above 

• Maintain and strengthen management of Bui 

National Park, to act as a nutrient buffer zone for 

reservoir 

• Monitor and promote improved land 

management practices in upper watershed 

(forestry conservation, prevention of overgrazing, 

fertiliser and pesticide misuse etc) 

• Include watershed management measures as part 

of the development of Bui PAMP 

• Above WQ monitoring to include pesticides 

• Include ‘nuisance’ plant monitoring programme 

as part of Bui PAMP


Sedimentation and 

erosion 

aquatic flora and fauna. 

Continued elevation of pollution concentrations from 

motorized vehicles could increase polluted runoff 

Increased human population will discharge new wastestreams 

to the reservoir. 

The reservoir will retain sediment that is transported from 

upstream tributaries, causing increased turbidity (reduced light 

penetration) in the water column and increased silt deposition 

on the bottom of the reservoir. 

Poor catchment management practices in upper watershed 

could increase soil erosion and sedimentation in the reservoir. 

Uncontrolled activities on reservoir margin could increase bank 

erosion, increasing sedimentation in the reservoir. 


fauna and 

vegetation 


fauna and 

vegetation 








(reservoir lifespan) 

- Minor • Include watershed management measures as part 


-Minor • Include watershed management measures as part 


- Moderate • Include watershed management measures as part 

of the development of Bui PAMP. 

Minor-moderate • Maintain and strengthen management of Bui 

National Park to act as a buffer zone for the 

reservoir; 

• Monitor and promote improved land management 

practices in upper watershed (forestry 

conservation, prevention of overgrazing etc.); 

• Initiate and maintain sustained sediment transport 

monitoring programme. 

• As above Minor–moderate • Prohibit anthropogenic activity around water’s 

edge. 

Groundwater quality and 

yield 

Sediment free releases from dam will change river morphology 

downstream, affecting turbidity and flow velocities, and 

reducing nutrient replenishment on floodplain. Depletion of 

coarse substrate due to reduced sediment load will also reduce 

fish spawning habitat and substrate for invertebrates. 

Raised water table around reservoir (and possibly 

downstream) could result in chemicals leaching into 

groundwater (and hence affected community supplies) from 

the soil, e.g. manganese, iron, calcium and sodium. 






users (including 

floodplain 

agriculture) 

• Local groundwater 

resources 


Moderate • Develop and implement plan to enhance 

downstream habitat measures downstream of the 

dam 

• Replenish nutrients in floodplain agricultural 

areas with controlled application of fertilisers; 

• Consider alternative livelihoods for floodplain 

agriculturalists 

Minor to 

moderate 

• Monitor groundwater chemistry in representative 

selection of community wells 

Raised water table may increase local borehole yields. • As above Minor (positive) • None 

Raised water table could result in soil salinisation and/or ironpan 

• Land resources Minor to • Relocation of affected farmers and/or promotion 

formation in low-lying areas around reservoir and 

moderate 

of good soil and water conservation 

techniques


downstream, degrading and reducing fertility of soils. • Agricultural soils and practices in affected areas. 

Ecological changes 

Presence of the reservoir will change habitat conditions from 

riverine to lacustrine, causing a reduction in numbers and 

diversity of riverine fish, algae, and macroinvertebrates and an 

increase the number and diversity of lacustrine species 

(phytoplankton, zooplankton, lacustrine fish and 

macroinvertebrates). 

The reservoir will increase the perimeter of the shoreline, 

thereby increasing littoral habitat. 







+ or – Moderate • Develop and implement long-term wildlife and 

vegetation monitoring programme as part of Bui 

PAMP. 

+Moderate • No mitigation measures necessary 

Effects on fauna 

The reservoir will provide habitat for aquatic vegetation and 

flood-tolerant plants, including non-native (and potentially 

invasive) aquatic species. 

Presence of the reservoir and enhanced (year-round) baseflow 

downstream of the dam will raise the water table and alter the 

micro-climate in the areas immediately surrounding the 

reservoir 

Presence of the reservoir could provide a breeding ground for 

insect disease vectors. 

Regulated flows downstream of the dam will alter species 

composition and density of aquatic and terrestrial fauna and 

vegetation. 

Alteration of the natural annual flood regime downstream of 

dam will alter input of organic material and coarse debris in the 

floodplain. 

Riparian wetlands could become uplands due to lack of 

flooding reducing the terrestrial and aquatic fauna that spawn, 

rear and/or breed in riparian wetlands. 

Soils will become more acidic downstream due to depleted 

organic matter, which could alter the vegetation species 

composition and density. 

The change in habitat condition from riverine to lacustrine will 

alter the aquatic and terrestrial habitat and species composition 

associated with the reservoir 

Aquatic vegetation + or – Moderate • Develop and implement operational plan that 

includes managing the reservoir drawdown to 

optimise native vegetative growth in littoral zone 

• Plant Setaria and other species in the littoral zone 

[at FSL] to increase fodder available for hippos 

and other wildlife 

• Include ‘nuisance’ plant monitoring programme 

as part of Bui PAMP 




















+ Minor • No mitigation measure necessary – collection of 

met. data to monitor any changes in microclimate. 

Minor • Regular monitoring and implementation of 

chemical control programme if necessary 

- Major • Adapt flow regimes to mimic the natural 

seasonal flooding regime 

• Apply continuous minimum downstream flow. 

- Moderate • Annually deposit nitrate rich fertiliser along 

floodplain downstream of dam 

- Minor - 

Moderate 

- Minor – 

Moderate 


national protection. 

• Develop and implement a PAMP for Bui 

National Park 

• Annually deposit nitrate rich fertiliser along 

floodplain downstream of dam. 

- or + Moderate • Develop and implement long-term wildlife and 

vegetation monitoring programme as part of Bui 

PAMP



Reduced land area within the park (due to inundation of 21% of Terrestrial habitats, - Moderate • Purchase a suitable offset area and place under 

the land area) will cause increased inter- and intra-specific fauna and vegetation 


competition in remaining habitats or displacement of wildlife 

outside of the park 


National Park 



and new land use 

practices 

Climate related impacts 

Transboundary issues 

Submerged tree trunks and other flooded vegetation in the 

reservoir could increase the habitat available for benthic 

macroinvertebrates and fish, and increase nutrients available to 

the aquatic fauna. 

The project will increase the amount of water in the river and 

associated tributaries immediately upstream of the reservoir, 

increasing the availability of aquatic habitats for aquatic and 

terrestrial wildlife. 

The reservoir and continuous flows downstream of dam will 

provide a year-round water source for aquatic and terrestrial 

wildlife. 

Resettled people and associated land uses (farming, hunting, 

fishing, burning, harvesting of forest product) will place 

increased pressure on natural resources in and round 

resettlement areas and Bui National Park 

Elevated year-round humidity will occur around the reservoir, 

creating a micro-climate that may affect local vegetation and 

create breeding ground for insect disease vectors. 

The emission of greenhouse gases from reservoirs due to 

rotting vegetation and carbon inflows from the catchment may 

be a significant source of global GHG emissions 

Changes in land-use in the upstream catchment above Ghana, 

such as large-scale agricultural development, unmanaged 

deforestation etc could exacerbate any water quality and/or 

sedimentation impacts discussed above. 

The construction of a future water supply dam upstream in 

Burkina Faso may reduce the viability of Bui at the current 

planned operating level. 



+Negligible- 

Minor 

• Although biomass should be reduced by selective 

forest clearing – a substantial amount of 

vegetation should be retained and flooded 





+ Minor • No mitigation measure necessary 

Terrestrial fauna + Moderate • No mitigation measure necessary 



Aquatic fauna 

-- Minor- 

Moderate 


National Park 


national protection. 

• Incorporate environmental criteria into site 

selection criteria for resettlement areas. 

• Local terrestrial 

ecology 


Minor • Environmental health monitoring 

• Global climate Minor • Consider selected clearance of vegetation prior to 

inundation 



Moderate • Promote and support improved land 

management practices in upper watershed (see 

above) including via the Water Authorities 

Commission for Ghana and Burkina Faso 

• Dam infrastructure Minor • Promote and support integrated water resources 

management and cooperation through above 

Commission

Social Impacts 

Ref Issue Potential Impacts Receptors Significance Mitigation measures 

CONSTRUCTION PHASE 

Major: (Bungasi, Gyama, 

Banda Nkwanta) 

Loss of land and 

natural resources 

from: 

• Construction of 

saddle dam, 

quarries and 

burrow pits 

• Upgrading of 

roads and 

construction of 

transmission line 

• Creation of 

presence of 

reservoir 

• Loss of income from 

forest products and 

hunting 

• Livelihood impacts 

from loss of farmland 

and grazing areas 

• Livelihood impacts 

from loss of standing 

crops 

• Health impacts of loss 

of medicinal plants 

• Increase in 

malnutrition 

• Construction of saddle 

dam, quarries and 

burrow pits: Bungasi and 

Banda Ahenkro: 

• Road: Bamboi , New 

Longoro, Carpenter, 

BandaNkwanta and 

Gyama 

• Transmission line: 

Gyama and Teselima 

• Creation of reservoir: 

Bungasi, Gyama, Banda 

Nwanta, Banda Ahenkro 

Banda Ahenkro, Gyama, 

Banda Nkwanta, Bongasi and 

other (i.e. communities not 

being resettled). 

Moderate: (Teselima) 

Minor: (Banda Ahenkro) 

Minor/Negligible: (Bamboi, 

New Longoro, Carpenter) 

• Identify alternative areas 

where forest product 

collection can be restored 

• Develop and implement a 

PAMP for Bui NP that 

includes collaborative buffer 

zone management with 

communities to manage 

forest resources. 

• Minimise removal or 

disturbance of vegetation 

along ROW, around 

construction camps, etc 

• Identify alternative farming 

and grazing areas that are 

accessible and of comparable 

productivity. Refer to the 

Resettlement Policy 

Framework. 

• Provide compensation for 

loss of crops. Refer to the 


Framework. 

• See measure above for loss of 

forest products. 

Moderate • Establishment of programme 

to support intensification of 

small-scale agriculture 

table


Loss of culturally 

significant sites 

(shrines, graves, 

archaeological areas) 

e.g. Banda ancestral 

village 

• Impacts to local 

communities sense of 

place, history and 

culture 

All villages to be relocated 

and those that will lose 

significant areas of farmland 

(Gyama, Banda Nkwanta and 

all Banda villages) 

Major • Excavate and relocate 

cemeteries/ cultural sites 

where possible or perform 

necessary rites before 

inundation. Refer to the 


Framework. 

Resettlement of 

villages due to the 

creation of the 

reservoir 

• Loss of natural 

resource dependent 

livelihoods (eg 

agriculture, fishing) 

Bui, Bator, Dam Site, 

Brewohodi, Dokokyina, 

Lucene, Agbegikro 

Major 

Refer to the Resettlement Policy 

Framework. 

Interaction of the 

community with the 

workforce and inmigration 

of casual 

• Loss of other 

livelihoods (eg 

trading) 

• Loss of household 

and community 

assets (schools, 

healthcare) 

• Disruption of social/ 

economic networks 

• Access to amenities 

(eg markets. 

healthcare) 

• Loss of cultural 

property (graveyards) 

• Impacts on host 

communities 

• Disruption of Social 

networks 


Banda Nkwanta, Bungasi and 


being resettled) 

Moderate 

Major 

Moderate to major 

Moderate 

See Section 9. 

Moderate 

Major • Local employment and 

sourcing policy to discourage 

in migration including no 

employment of casual

Ref Issue 

workers 

Potential Impacts Receptors 

Migrants 

Workforce 

Workforce Family 

Commercial Sex Workers 

Significance Mitigation measures 

migrants at the construction 

gate but rather in designated 

offices in local area, Accra 

and Sunyani 

• Communicate employment 

and procurement 

opportunities widely to 

minimise the influx of 

opportunity seekers. 

• Ensure that camp is managed 

(not open). Develop and 

enforce “Code of conduct” 

for camp workers containing 

regulations governing 

behaviour in the local 

communities. 

• Engage NGO to prepare 

community institutions for 

influx of migrants (e.g. 

developing by-laws and 

community policing systems 

for larger numbers of 

migrants). 

• Pressure on Social 

Infrastructure from 

influx of causal 

migrants 

• Pressure on Social 

Infrastructure from 

influx of workers 

Major • Provide electricity, build 

additional schools, water 

facilities, upgrade roads, bus 

services, etc, for communities 

absorbing itinerant migrants 

• Build adequate facilities at 

construction camp (schools, 

water facilities, electricity, 

recreation facilities etc for


workers and their families) 

• Changes to local 

livelihoods – 

increased economic 

opportunities 

• Changes to local 

livelihoods – pressure 

on natural resource 

based livelihoods 

Major • Engage NGO to build 

capacity of community 

groups to save and leverage 

increased income (e.g. 

through micro-credit and 

small businesses). 

Major • Develop and implement a 

PAMP for Bui NP that 

includes collaborative buffer 

zone management with 


forest resources. 

• Develop and enforce a Code 

of conduct for camp workers 

that include no hunting or 

buying of bush meat 

regulations. 

• Local price inflation Major • Ensure no employment of 

casual migrants at the 

construction gate but rather 

in offices in local area, Accra 

and Sunyani 

• Changes or 

introduction of new 

communicable 

diseases such as 

Acute Respiratory 

Infections, TB, 

HIV/AIDS and other 

STDs due to in 

Minor (ARIs) 

Major (STDs, TB, Avian 

Influenza etc) 

• Ensure pre employment 

screening for TB, malaria, flu 

etc 

• Enforce a strict code of 

worker conduct. 

• Conduct regular fitness and 

medical tests on the 

workforce.


migration, poverty, 

prostitution etc. 

• Poor housing and 

sanitation in 

unplanned 

settlements leading to 

increase in skin 

diseases and 

diarrhoea and 

increased pressure on 

the healthcare 

facilities 

Major 

• Ensure adequate housing 

and provision of adequate 

nutrition for the workforce. 

• Ensure workforce have 

access to free healthcare 

treatment and preventative 

treatments such as condoms 

and prophylactic drugs and 

impregnated mosquito nets. 

• Provide health awareness 

training to the workforce, in 

particular regarding the 

transmission of STDs. 

• Support Community Health 

education on the causes and 

spread of HIV/AIDS 

• Support local Voluntary 

Counselling and Testing 

(VCT) programmes 

• Cultural sensitisation to 

know how to handle and 

deal with visitors, etc so as to 

avoid infection 

• Long-term surveillance and 

control 

• Support local healthcare 

facilities ie training of local 

healthcare professionals, 

local authorities and existing 

local programmes such as 

mother and child, nutrition, 

HIV/AIDS awareness, 

hygiene and immunisation


Workforce healthcare 

requirements 

• Pressure on health 

infrastructure in the 

non resettled 

communities 

Increased traffic • Increase in traffic 

accidents 

• Banda Ahenkro, Gyama, 

Banda Nkwanta, Bongasi 

and other (i.e. 

communities not being 

resettled) 

• Workforce 

• Communities along 

roadside from Bamboi to 

Gyama New Longoro, 

Bamboi, Teselima, 

Carpenter, Banda 

Nkwanta, Gyama. 

• Other road users 

Minor (assuming project will 

provide its workforce with 

healthcare) 

Major 

• Provide workforce with 

access to healthcare on site. 

• Ensure healthcare 

professionals recruited do 

not deplete the existing local 

resources. 

• Strictly monitor/enforce 

road safety standards. 

• Promote road safety 

awareness within the 

workforce. 

• Support the local road 

agencies to promote to road 

safety awareness amongst 

the communities. 

• Improve quality of roads 

being used by the project. 

• Increased incidence of 

respiratory illnesses 

or allergies 

Moderate 

• Monitor dust emission close 

to settlements 

• Spray roads regularly with 

water to suppress the dust. 

• Minimise major construction 

or traffic routes close to 

settlements 

Construction related 

activities 

• Increased respiratory 

health incidence and 

eye infections 

All communities near dam 

site (Bongasi) and quarries 

Moderate • Spray construction areas 

regularly with water to 

suppress the dust. 

• Monitor dust emissions in


settlements close by to 

activities 

• Hearing impairment 

Moderate 

• Monitor decibel levels in 

close by settlements 

• Ensure loudest construction 

activities are conducted 

during working hours. 

• Ensure sound proof walls 

are built around blast sites 

etc 

• Accidents 

Moderate 

• Consult with the local 

communities to inform them 

of any major activities in 

advance. 

• Ensure construction activity 

best practice is followed, 

fencing off dangerous areas. 

• Increased incidence of 

malaria 

Major 

• Indoor spraying of 

insecticides in workforce 

areas 

• Personal protection measures 

for workforce 

• Larva control in local project 

area 

• Ensure construction activity 

best practice is followed, ie 

manage open /uncovered 

pits etc to mitigate mosquito 

breeding grounds increasing. 

• Prevent creation of stagnant


water or other breeding 

areas for mosquitoes 

Reduced availability 

of water for 

population near dam 

and downstream due 

to construction use 

Construction 

sediment entering 

river system 

downstream 

OPERATION 

Change in reservoir 

ecology upstream 

from dam 

Flow regime changes 

downstream and 

sediment load 

reduces 

• Decline in local 

standard of living due 

to reduced 

availability of water 

• Reduced quality of 

water downstream 

affecting community 

fishing and drinking. 

Increase in fishery 

productivity and fishing 

related incomes 

• Decrease in fishing 

and farming incomes 

• Lack of water for 

drinking, 

faming/fishing 

Downstream communities: 

Agbelikame South, 

Abofoakure/Ahomansia, 

Obaa Akurase, Agbelikame 

North, Alfred Village, 

Tainaboi, Mempeasem, 

Dodovi, Bamboi and others 

Future fishing communities if 

these are allowed to fish in 

new reservoir 

Downstream communities: 

Agbelikame South, 

Abofoakure/Ahomansia, 

Obaa Akurase, Agbelikame 

North, Alfred Village, 

Tainaboi, Mempeasem, 

Dodovi, Bamboi and others 

Moderate • Provide downstream 

communities with water 

boreholes. 

• Identify water sources that 

will not impact local water 

supply and ensure that 

construction processes 

minimises use of water. 

Moderate • Ensure that construction 

process minimise the entry of 

sediment into river system. 

• Provide downstream 


boreholes. 

Moderate • National Park and Reservoir 

management authorities 

should ensure that all fishing 

activity is controlled and 

sustainable. 

Major • Engage NGO to establish 

programme to support 

intensification of small-scale 

agriculture 

Major • Ensure that dam construction 

engineers allow adequate 

flow of water even when 

dam is filling. 

Changes in water • Increase in Bilharzia Banda Ahenkro, Gyama, Major Bilharzia


ecology upstream 

and disease vector 

populations 

• Increase in 

tryanosomias (sleeping 

sickness) 

• Increase in guinea 

worm and intestinal 

worms 

• Decrease ochocerciasis 

(river blindness) 



being resettled). 

Fishermen and other river 

/lake users 

Moderate (positive) 

• community health education 

• safe supply of drinking water 

• adequate healthcare facilities 

• suitable diagnosis and 

treatment 

• control of the intermediate 

hosts (freshwater snails) 

Trapanosomiasis 

• regular active surveillance, 

case detection and treatment 

• tsetse fly control 

• systematic screening of 

identified communities (in 

the form of mobile clinics or 

fixed screening centres) 

Intestinal and Guinea worm 

• Improved water supply in 

communities, 

• Improved personal hygiene 

and sanitation in the 

communities, 

o 

o 

Well organised solid waste 

collection services, 

Waste stabilisation ponds 

for liquid wastes treatment 

• Treatment of skin infections 

• Regular mass de-worming 

programmes in the 

communities, and 

• Community water 

purification education at 

household levels. 

• Support local health 

education and health 

authorities in screening and


awareness and programmes 

• Regular active disease 

surveillance 

• Support local health 

programmes eg Volta River 

Authority (VRA), WHO, 

GoG and others 

Termination of 

construction work 

Increased tourism in 

relation to the lake 

itself or rejuvenated 

National park 

In-migration of 

casual migrants due 

to year round 


from the dam 

Depression of local 

economy and out 

migration of workers and 

local population 

Long term positive impact 

on the local economy 

• Pressure on health 

infrastructure in non 

resettled communities 

• Changes/introduction 

of new communicable 

diseases such 

HIV/AIDS and others 

due to in migration. 

• Poor housing and 

sanitation leading to 

increase in infectious 

diseases. 

All project area communities Major • Engage NGO to prepare 

communities for outmigration 

of workers (e.g. by 

saving, helping businesses 

sell elsewhere). 

All project area communities Minor • Ensure the Bui NP PAMP 

includes working with 

communities to maximise 

tourism opportunities (e.g. 

selling goods and services). 




being resettled) 

Opportunity seekers 

Major • Support local healthcare 



supply of regular medical 

supplies and updated 

equipment? 

Major • Support local healthcare 

facilities ie local programmes 

such as mother and child, 

nutrition, HIV/AIDS 

awareness, hygiene and 

immunisation. 

• Promote health awareness 

within the settlements 

affected by in migration.

Annex C 

Legislative Background to 

the Bui Project

C1 

LEGISLATIVE BACKGROUND 

C1.1 OVERVIEW OF ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION IN GHANA 

Environmental legislation and guidelines, which are considered to be of relevance to 

the proposed development are listed below and discussed in detail in Sections 1.3.2 

and 1.3.3. 

C1.1.1 

Legislation 

 

The Environmental Protection Agency Act (1994), establishes the authority, 

functions, structure and funding of the EPA. 

Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999 (LII652, sets out the 

requirements for environmental permitting, Environmental Impact 

Assessment (EIA), the production of preliminary environmental reports 

(PERs) and subsequent Environmental Impact Statements (EISs), 

environmental certificates, Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) and 

reclamation bonding. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Explosive Regulations (1970) LI 666 sets out the requirements for conveyance 

after landing, storage and permit to purchase etc., explosives. 

Forestry Commission Act 571 (1999) confirms the constitutional position of the 

Forestry Commission and reaffirms it as the sole implementing agency of 

government policy in the forestry sector. 

Water Resources Commission Act (1996) establishes the Water Resources 

Commission (WRC) and provides for its composition and functions in the 

regulation and management of the utilization of water resources in Ghana, 

and for related matters. 

Wild Animals Preservation Act (1961) provides for the protection of selected 

animals through restrictions on export and hunting of scheduled species. It 

also provides for the creation of Wildlife Reserves. 

Wildlife Reserve Regulation (1971) L1710 establishes a toted of six wildlife 

Reserves in which animals must not be captured or killed. In addition fires, 

polluting of waters, littering and cultivation are also prohibited. Subsequent 

Amendments to the Regulations have designated a further 10 Reserves. 

Wildlife Conservation Regulations 1971 LI 685 provide schedules of animal 

species with varying degrees of legal protection. In addition, they provide 

restrictions for the granting of Game Licenses and Game and Trophy Export 

Permits. 

National Museums Decree, NLCD 387 (1969) which has provision that 

include: 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT GOVERNMENT OF GHANA 

C1

Permit to export, inspection, Permit to excavate, and Permission to remove 

artefacts in Ghana. 

Permit to Excavate. 

Authorisation of excavation or other similar operation search for any 

antiquity by a permit issued by the Board; 

Confirmation that the applicants for permits are competent by training and 

experience, and has the financial or other support of an institution of good 

repute to carry out the operations for which the permit is required. 

Controls on removal of any antiquity from its original site. 

Procedures for notification of discovery. 

C1.1.2 

Policy Documents 

 

 

Forest and Wildlife Policy (l994) provides the basis for development of a 

national forest estate giving the full range of benefits required by society, in a 

manner that is ecologically sustainable and conserves the environmental and 

cultural heritage of Ghana. 

National Land Policy (1999) provides land policy, a background to land 

administration and land delivery system in Ghana, problems and constraints 

of the land sector, the policy framework, guidelines, and actions. 

C1.1.3 

Guidelines 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Environmental Assessment in Ghana, A Guide (1996) produced by the EPA 

provides detailed guidance on the procedures to be adhered to when 

undertaking an EA. 

Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures (1995) produced by the EPA 

details the procedures to be adhered to when undertaking an EA. 

Environmental Quality Guidelines for Ambient Air (EPA) provides advice on 

maximum permissible levels of a variety of air pollutants. 

Environmental Quality Guidelines for Ambient Noise (EPA) provides advice 

on the maximum permissible noise levels. 

Ghana's Mining and Environmental Guidelines (1994) provides guidance on 

environmental factors that should be considered by mine operators. It 

includes guidance on EIA/EIS content, EMP production and the contents of a 

Reclamation and Decommissioning Plan. The Guidelines do not address 

mining in a Forest Reserve. 

Sector Specific Effluent .Quality Guidelines for Discharges into Natural Water 

Bodies (EPA) provides maximum permissible effluent discharge 

concentrations for a number of parameters. Two sets of guidelines exist, i.e. 

general and sector specific, the latter including specific milling and mineral 

processing discharge standards. 


C2

C1.2 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT IN GHANA 

Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in Ghana can be traced back to the 

establishment of the Environmental Protection Council (EPC), now the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 1974. The creation of the EPC brought 

together, for the first time in Ghana, all issues relating to the protection of the 

environment. The mandate of the EPC was to be advisory, coordinating, 

investigatory and educational in scope. 

Although legislation had not been passed, the EPC took the initiative to institute EIA 

with respect to industries, [n 1985, the EPC set up the EIA Committee, which was 

responsible EIA examining how EIA could be set up in the country and to develop 

guidelines. 

A government directive in 1989 stated that the EPC was to be consulted formally on 

all development proposals and issue a "Certificate of Clearance" stating either that no 

damaging environmental impact will result from the implication of the project or that 

"adequate provisions have been made in project proposals to contain potential 

adverse environmental impacts". In July 1989, the EPC published the first draft 

Guidelines for EIA. In December 1994, the Environmental Protection Act 490 was 

passed and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) replaced the EPC. The 

passing of this Act provided further support for the formalization of EIA in Ghana. 

In [994 Ghana's Mining and Environmental Guidelines were published, which provided 

guidance on environmental factors that should be considered by mine operators, 

including guidance on EIS content, EMP production and the contents of Reclamation 

and Decommissioning Plans. In June 1995, the EP A published Ghana's 

Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures, which was followed in 1996 by a 

guide providing further guidance on the process. Environmental Impact Assessment 

was finally formalized in Ghana in June 1999 by the implementation of LI 1652 

Environmental Assessment Regulations, 1999. 

An outline of the history of EIA in Ghana is sUlIul1arised in Table 1.2.1 below 

Table 1.2.1: Outline History of EIA in Ghana 

Year Event 

1974 Establishment of Environmental Protection Council (EPC) 

1985 EPC set up an internal EIA committee, tasked with setting up EIA in Ghana 

1988 Environmental issues feature in the annual budget of the Government of Ghana 

1988 First official attempt for EIA in Ghana 

Government directive issued, stating EPC to be formally consulted on all 

development proposals and that a "Certificate of Clearance" be provided stating 

that, my potential environmental impacts were considered to be acceptable. 

1989 EPC publish Draft Guidelines for EIA 

1991 - 2000 National Environmental Action Plan (1991 - 200) was implemented, requiring 

EIA to 

be undertaken for all new investments that could potentially impact on the 


C3

environment 

1994 The Environmental Protection Agency Act 490 (1994) was passed and the 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) replaced EPC 

1994 Ghana's Mining and Environmental Guideline. I' were published by the Minerals 

Commission and the EPC 

June 1995 EP A publishes Ghana's EIA Procedures 

December 

EP A publishes EIA in Ghana - A Guide 

1996 

24 June 1999 EIA legislation came into force in Ghana, 1652 Environmental Assessment 

Regulations 

Environmental Protection Agency (EIA) (December 1996) Environmental Assessment 

in Ghana - A Guide E.P.A, Accra, Ghana 

C1.2.1 

Environmental Impact Assessment Procedures in Ghana 

Environmental impact Assessment is legislated in Ghana through LI 1652 

Environmental Assessment Regulations. 1999 (see also Section 1.3.1). The legislation 

falls under the responsibility of the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology 

under whom the EPA are the regulatory body responsible for the implementation of 

EIA procedures in Ghana. 

Schedule I of the Regulations lists all undertakings that require EIA; with Section 5 

s6pulating mining as one such undertaking. This is applicable to all metal and nonmetal 

mines. Any undertaking listed in Schedule I, is required to be registered, an 

EIA submitted and approved, and an Environmental Permit issued by the EPA before 

the undertaking can commence. 

The standard process for obtaining an Environmental Permit in Ghana can be 

summarized as follows: 

(a) An application for an Environmental Permit must be formally submitted to the 

EPA, using either form EAI or EA2, dependent on the size and magnitude of the 

proposed development. Form EA2 is applicable to larger projects and those for 

mining projects where in almost all instances an EIA would be required. 

(b) On receipt of the application, the EPA screens the application and confirms 

whether the application is; approved, objected to, requires submission of 

Preliminary Environmental Report (PER), or requires the submission of an 

Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). The purpose of a PER is to provide the 

EPA with more information from which the need for an EIS would be evaluated. 

Where the EPA approves an application, an Environmental Permit would be 

issued. Where either a PER or EIS is required, this will be notified to the applicant 

within 25 days. 

(c) Where an EIS is required, the first undertaking is to produce a scoping report 

outlining the extent and terms of reference, including the essen6al issues to be 

addressed in the EIA. The scoping report is submitted to the EPA who in turn will 

notify the applicant, within 25 days, whether the report has been approved. 

Should the report not be approved, the applicant may revise and re-submit. 


C4

(d) Where the EPA accepts the scoping report, the applicant is required to: 

give notice of the proposed undertaking to the relevant Ministries, 

government department and organizations of relevance to the 

undertaking; 

advertise in at least one national paper; 

make the scoping report available for inspection by the public in the 

locality of the proposed undertaking. 

An EIS is also required based on this approved report. The EIS comprises the 

following sections: 

 

 

 

 

EA Report (the EIA); 

Environmental Management Plan (EMP); 

Reclamation Plan; 

Provisional Decommissioning Plan. 

(e) Twelve copies of the completed draft £IS should be submitted to the EPA, and 

other Agencies as directed by the EP A, for review. 

(f) On receipt of the draft ElS the EP A will, in accordance with Schedule 4 of LI 1652, 

publish notice of the report in the mass media. The cost is borne by the applicant. 

Where it is considered necessary by the EP A, a public hearing will also be held. 

(g) 

The draft E1S is then subject to review by the EP A, and recommendations 

arising from the public hearing would be considered. The applicant is notified 

whether the report is acceptable or whether it needs to be revised or additional 

surveys undertaken. Where the draft E1S is accepted, the Environmental Permit 

win be issued on receipt of electronic and eight hard cover copies of the 

approved E1S report. . 

(h) The period to determine an application for an Environmental Permit shall take 

no more than 90 days, except where a public hearing is held or a PER is required. 

The 90 days also excludes the time taken to prepare and submit the E1S. Also at 

this stage, for mining projects, the EPA requires a reclamation bond to be posted 

based on the Costed Reclamation Plan within the E1S. 

(i) 

Where an Environmental Permit is granted, it is valid for 18 months and failure 

to commence the operation of the undertaking within this time would render the 

permit invalid. For mining projects, operations are considered to be the 

commencement of the construction phase. 

(j) Where activities are initiated, an environmental certificate is required within 24 

months of the date of commencement of the operations. An environmental 

certificate requires the following to be submitted to the EPA: 

 

 

 

evidence of the commencement of operations; 

acquisition of other permits and approvals where appropriate; 

compliance with mitigation commitments stipulated in the E1S; 


C5

a certificate fee. 

(k) 

For mining project the EPA also required the following for the duration of the 

operations: 

 

 

 

monthly monitoring returns; 

an annual environmental report, initially every twelve months after the 

commencement of operations and thereafter, every calendar year; 

an EMP, eighteen months after the commencement of operations and 

thereafter every three years. 

(l) 

The EPA may suspend or revoke an environmental permit or certificate, if it is 

necessary. 


C6

C2 

REVIEW OF NATIONAL LEGISLATION, REGULATIONS, AND PROCEDURES 

PERTINENT TO LAND ACQUISITION, ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES, AND 

LAND TENURE 

C2.1 TYPES OF TENURE (LAND USE RIGHTS) 

C2.1.1 

Land Law and Land Use Rights 

C2.1.2 State Lands 

Land in Ghana may be owned by the State, a stool (or a skin), a clan, a family, 

an individual (including a corporate body) or a group of individuals. The 

stool (referred to as such among most of the Akan ethnic groups in southern 

Ghana) or skin (used among the ethnic groups in Northern Ghana) constitutes 

the sovereign authority of traditional areas in Ghana. Stool or skin lands were 

traditionally acquired by conquest of previously occupied lands or by original 

occupation or settlement of virgin land. Under the 1992 Constitution of 

Ghana 1 , "All Stool lands in Ghana shall vest in the appropriate Stool on behalf 

of and in trust for the subjects of the Stool”. Clans and families typically 

acquire land by occupation or by gift. Individuals usually acquire land by 

occupation as subjects of stools, members of clans or families, by purchase or 

by gifts while corporate bodies acquire land mostly by purchase and 

sometimes by way of gift. 

State (or public) lands are lands compulsorily acquired by the State for public 

purposes or in the public interest. Allocation of State lands is in the form of 

leaseholds and licences as follows: 

# Category Land Use type Maximum No. of 

years use allowed 

1 Ghanaian 

Residential development 

99 years 

Industrial/Commercial 

development 

50 years 

2 Non-Ghanaians 

Poultry rearing and cultivation of 

cereals 

Ranching or the cultivation of mixed 

or permanent crops 

All types of land uses 

Poultry rearing and cultivation of 

cereals 

Ranching or the cultivation of mixed 

or permanent crops 

10 years 

50 years 

50 year lease 

10 years 

50 years 

(1) 1 Article 267(1) 


C7

C2.1.3 Customary Lands 

The term ‘customary land’ is used in this report to represent all the different 

categories of rights and interests held within traditional systems and which 

includes stool lands, skin lands, clan lands, and family lands. These were 

traditionally acquired by conquest of previously occupied lands or by original 

occupation or settlement of virgin land. 

Customary land in Ghana is, in general, communally owned. The communities 

may be families or clans, or they may be represented by Stools or Skins as 

symbols of traditional authority. The occupier of a Stool or Skin is the sovereign of 

a political region or territory, the largest of such territories being usually referred 

to as paramouncy. There may be sub-stools or sub-skins occupied by sub-chiefs 

and in some cases family and clan Stools. 

C2.2 INTERESTS IN LAND AND LAND USE RIGHTS 

A complex series of rights and interests exist in Ghanaian lands. The Land Title 

Registration Act 1986 (PNDCL 152) 2 recognizes the following five interests in land 

as registrable for purposes of securing title to land: 

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

(e) 

allodial title; 

customary law freehold; 

freehold estate under common law; 

leasehold interest; and 

lesser interests in land (share-cropping or other customary tenancy 

arrangement). 

Land use rights in Ghana can therefore be divided into two broad categories 

namely, customary and common law rights often co-existing in the same piece of 

land and in a hierarchical order with the allodial right at the apex within the 

customary set up. In the case of customary law, specific arrangements governing 

land ownership and use differ from community to community. 

C2.2.1 

Common Law Land Rights 

Common law land rights recognized under Ghanaian law include: 

(i) Freehold acquired under common law 

This comprises the common law freehold estate, which is superior to a 

(2) 2 Section 17 


C8

leasehold interest and which is junior only to the allodial title. Under the 1992 

Constitution of Ghana, no freehold interest can be created in any stool land 3 . 

In respect of non-stool lands, non-Ghanaians cannot hold a freehold interest 4 . 

(ii) 

Leasehold 

A leasehold interest is an interest created under a lease on terms (duration, 

rent, etc) and conditions agreed by the parties. Under the 1992 Constitution of 

Ghana, non- Ghanaians cannot hold leasehold in land for more than 50 years 

at any one time 5 . Interests lesser than leaseholds such as sub-leases, licenses, 

and easements could be granted by a lessee to a third party within the limits 

of his leasehold rights and with the prior consent and concurrence of the 

lessor. 

C2.2.2 

Customary Rights and Interests 

Customary rights and interests comprise: 

(i) 

The allodial title 

The allodial title is the absolute title in land in Ghana whose holder has no restriction 

on his rights of user or obligations, other than any obligations or restrictions imposed 

by the laws of Ghana generally. The allodial title refers to the control over the use and 

occupation of land in a sense which is not secondary or derivative. It is held by stools 

or skins, families and clans, depending on the social and political organization of the 

community. 

(ii) 

Customary freehold 

Where lands are recognized as stool lands and the allodial title is vested in the stool, 

families or groups who are members of the group have an inherent right to occupy 

any portion of the land not already in occupation by any other person (without 

prejudice to the allodial title of the land-owning stool. Where development of a 

permanent nature, e.g. a building, is contemplated, they have to obtain formal 

authorization from the stool. Similarly, family or clan lands are accessible to their 

individual members. 

Title which the individual subject acquires under the traditional system is not 

allodial, but derivative in nature. Land so acquired is limited in size and is 

inheritable. The derivative title to which a subject is entitled as of right has 

accordingly to be distinguished from that which is enjoyed by non-subjects or nonmembers 

of the aboriginal group or community, often referred to as aliens or 

(3) 3 Article 267 (5) 

(4) 4 Article 266 (1) 

(5) 5 Article 266 (4) 

(6) 


C9

strangers. Customary freehold in land comprises rights to land subject only to such 

restrictions or obligations as may be imposed upon a subject of a stool/skin or a 

member of a family who has taken possession of land of which the stool or family is 

the allodial owner either without consideration or upon payment of a nominal 

consideration in the exercise of a right under customary law to the free use of that 

land. 

(iii) 

Share cropping 

The law also recognizes ‘lesser interests in land’ by virtue of any right under 

contractual or share-cropping or other customary tenancy arrangements. These also 

include alienation holdings – land acquired outright by a non-member of the land 

owning community usually for agricultural purposes, communal property rights – 

rights to secondary forest produce, rights to water, rights to common grazing 

grounds, etc, and other derived or secondary rights. 

In a typical sharecropping arrangement, the owner of land grants farming privileges 

to an individual for an agreed period of time on the understanding that crops 

produced will be divided between the landlord and the farmer on agreed principles. 

The two share cropping systems are known locally as abunu and abusa. Under the 

abunu tenancy, the proceeds from the harvest or the farm may be divided equally 

between the tenant and the landowner. Before this division, the harvest from cover 

crops such as plantain and cocoyam is shared equally, usually after sales, between the 

landowner and the farmer. During the division of the proceeds, the landowner has 

the first choice of the products as divided. 

In the case of the abusa arrangement, the ratio of the tenant farmer's land size to that 

of the landowner is two to one. As part of the agreement, the sharecropper is 

responsible for acquiring and planting the agreed tree crop. Prior to division of land, 

sharecroppers have use of all food crops harvested and generally do not split any 

proceeds generated from sale of food crops. In a food crop land tenancy growing, for 

example, maize and cassava, the agreement is usually renewed on a yearly basis. It is 

the landowner who has first choice, and in a large number of cases he takes care of 

the farm and harvests the crops himself. In some cases, however, the tenant farmer is 

employed to harvest the crop and take care of the farm for one-third of the harvest. In 

other cases, an entirely new person may be hired to take care of the farm under 

similar terms. An important feature of the share cropping agreement is the relative 

contributions of labour and capital by the tenant farmer and the landowner. In the 

case of abunu, the landowner is expected to contribute labour, capital, and seedlings. 

This varies, however, with individual agreements. In the case of abusa, however, the 

landowner contributes nothing apart from the tract of land; the share cropper is 

expected to use one-third of the harvested crop to finance the cost of operations on 

the farm and the other one-third as his personal remuneration, while the landowner 

receives one-third as his rent for the land. Under the share cropping tenancy, the 

tenant farmer is not free to cultivate any crop he likes without the consent of the 

landowner. 

A caretaker, in contrast, is someone who has been employed by either a landlord or 

sharecropper to take care of a particular field (e.g., a cocoa plantation). The caretaker 

usually resides on or near the field, and in exchange for cultivating the field, receives 

a share of the proceeds from the sale of crops, typically a one-third share. The three 

tenure types do not connote mutually exclusive groups. A given household may be a 

landlord of one field, a sharecropper of another and a caretaker of a third. 


C10

C2.3 CUSTOMARY LAND OWNERSHIP IN THE BUI DAM AREA 

The Bui Dam project area falls largely within the Brong Ahafo 6 and Northern Regions 

of Ghana. It falls within the Mo traditional area and includes skins such as Bamboi, 

Talisma, Carpenter, etc. The traditional arrangement is a confederation of 

autonomous traditional authorities. The Bamboi Kuoro is the President of the 

Traditional Council. 

Land ownership comprises predominantly skin lands with pockets of family lands as 

owners of the allodial title. Members of the land-owning skins and families have the 

customary freehold in the lands. Migrants and other non-members of the landowning 

skins and families access land through the various traditional methods such 

as renting, share cropping, etc. 

The Bui dam area lies mainly in the Bui National Park which was declared a reserve 

and vested in the State pursuant to the Wildlife Reserves Regulations of 1971 (L.I. 710 

of 1971) 7 . The constitution of the Bui National Park did not make any provision for 

the payment of compensation. When the dam is to be constructed however, the land 

has to be re-acquired under an instrument that makes provision for the prompt 

payment of compensation. If the land is acquired by the State then all subsisting 

interests will be extinguished and every user of the land, will have to obtain a lease or 

other interest from the State. If however, the land is not acquired by the State and the 

existing customary rights are to be formalised then subsisting rights and interests will 

have to be inventoried and documented in their current form or re-defined in the case 

of share cropping to increase the number of years available for cultivation. In each 

situation it is appropriate that plans (cadastral/site) are prepared for clear 

demarcation of the extent of land owned and which can then be registered. 

In order to avoid the situation that occurred with the Volta River Authority 

resettlement schemes in the Volta lake area where the occupiers were not granted any 

defined property rights, it is important that the Lands Commission is involved in the 

planning and development of the resettlement locations. The Commission can then 

grant proper titles to the occupiers which will then be registered. Again it is 

important that any resettlement plan should take into account the livelihoods of the 

people such that persons with interests in the land are not made worse off by the 

proposed project. 

6 Brong-Ahafo Region is nationally recognized to be Ghana’s “breadbasket”. The Region supplies about 

30% of the nation’s food. Within Brong-Ahafo Region, Asutifi District stands out for the predominance 

of agriculture in its economy. About 75% of the District’s employed population work in the agriculture 

sector. [Source: Newmont Ghana Gold Limited Validation Draft Agricultural Improvement and Land 

Access Program Ahafo South Project (April 2006) 

http://www.newmont.com/en/operations/projectpipeline/ahafo/docs/supdoc/Validation_Draft_Ag 

ricultural_Improvement_and_Land_Access_Program.pdf] 

(1) 

(2) 7 regulation 1 


C11

C2.3.1 

National Legislation on Eminent Domain 

The 1992 Constitution of Ghana guarantees private property ownership, free from 

interference from others. Under Article 18 (1) of the Constitution, “Every Person has 

the right to own property either alone or in association with others’. Under Article 18 

(2): 

“No person shall be subjected to interference with the privacy of his home, property, 

correspondence or communication except in accordance with law and as may be 

necessary in a free and democratic society for public safety or the economic well being of 

the country, for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others”. 

The State does not primarily own any land as of right. Every land needed for socioeconomic 

development by the State therefore has to be acquired from the customary 

authorities (stools, skins, clans), families or individuals by the exercise of the powers 

of eminent domain. The State may exercise powers of eminent domain over any 

private property in Ghana in the public interest or for a public purpose. There are two 

main approaches the State uses to exercise its right of eminent domain namely, 

expropriation of property rights in land in favour of the State, and vesting of 

customary land in the State. 

In Ghana, the terms ‘compulsory acquisition’ and ‘expropriation’ are commonly 

applied to the exercise of the power of eminent domain. Land so acquired is termed 

State or public land. The basic legal framework for the exercise of the power of 

eminent domain is the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana of which Article 20 

(1) through (3) are of particular relevance and significance in the case of the Bui Dam 

Project. Article 20 (1) provides that: 

‘no property of any description, or interest in or right over any property shall be 

compulsorily taken possession of or acquired by the State unless the following conditions 

are satisfied:- 

(i) the taking of possession or acquisition is necessary in the interest of defence, 

public safety, public order, public morality, public health, town and country 

planning or the development or utilization of property in such a manner as to 

promote the public benefit; and 

(ii) the necessity for the acquisition is clearly stated and is such as to provide 

reasonable justification for causing any hardship that may result to any person 

who has an interest in or right over the property.” 

Article 20 (2) states that compulsory acquisition of property by the State shall only be 

made under a law which makes provision for:- 

(i) 

(ii) 

the prompt payment of fair and adequate compensation; and 

a right of access to the High Court by any person who has an interest 

in or right over the property whether direct or on appeal from any 

other authority, for the determination of his interest or right and the 

amount of compensation to which he is entitled. 


C12

Article 20 (3) provides that where a compulsory acquisition or possession of land 

effected by the State in accordance with Article 20 (1) of this article involves 

displacement of any inhabitants, the State shall resettle the displaced inhabitants on 

suitable alternative land with due regard for their economic well-being and social and 

cultural values. The Constitution further provides that any property compulsorily 

taken possession of or acquired in the public interest or for a public purpose shall be 

used only in the public interest or for the public purpose for which it was acquired. 

Where the property is not used in the public interest or for the purpose for which it 

was acquired, the owner of the property immediately before the compulsory 

acquisition, shall be given the first option for acquiring the property and shall on such 

re-acquisition refund the whole or part of the compensation paid to him as provided 

for by law or such other amount as is commensurate with the value of the property at 

the time of the re-acquisition. 8 

In practice, the exercise of the powers of eminent domain is governed by four main 

pieces of legislation namely the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125), the Administration of 

Lands Act, 1962 (Act 123), the Land (Statutory Wayleaves) Act, 1963 (Act 186), and 

the Public Conveyancing Act, 1965 (Act 302). While all of the above enactments are 

used to compulsorily acquire private property, the principal enactment commonly 

used is the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125). 

(i) Acquisition under the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125) 

Act 125 empowers the President, where it appears to him to be in the public interest 

so to do, to declare any land so specified 9 to be required in the public interest. The 

President’s declaration is required to be made by Executive Instrument (EI) published 

in the Gazette. 

Upon the publication of the Executive Instrument the land becomes vested in the 

President in trust for all the people of Ghana free from all encumbrances and without 

any further assurances. All subsisting legal and equitable rights and interests in the 

land are extinguished and converted into rights eligible for compensation. A lumpsum 

compensation is payable when this instrument is used for compulsory acquisition. After 

the publication of an EI in this regard, it becomes lawful for any one acting on the 

authority of the EI to enter the land in question, subject to a month’s notice in writing, 

for any purpose incidental to the declaration so made 10 . The Lands Commission may 

also grant a lease or a licence in respect of any land acquired under this Act. 11 

(ii) Vested Lands under the Administration of Lands Act, 1962 (Act 123) 

(3) 8 Article 20 clauses 5 & 6. 

(4) 9 Excludes land subject to the Administration of Lands Act, 1962 (Act 123) unless under special circumstances 

(5) 10 Act 125, section 1(1) 

(6) 11 Act 125, section 5 


C13

The Administration of Lands Act, 1962 (Act 123) is used to exercise the power of 

eminent domain at relatively no cost to the State. Its use is restricted to the acquisition of 

stool and skin lands only. Under this Act, the President is entitled, where it appears 

to him to be in the public interest so to do, to declare by an Executive Instrument that 

land belonging to any stool is to be vested in him in trust for the stool and its subjects. 

Once the Executive Instrument is published, it becomes lawful for the President to 

execute any deed or do any thing in relation to the land in his capacity as trustee. 12 

Once land becomes vested in the President under this Act, the legal interest in the 

land is transferred to the State while the beneficial/equitable interest in the land 

remains in the Stool. The implication is that the relevant stool/skin continues to have 

a beneficial interest in revenues accruing from the land so vested. All revenues 

accruing as a result of the disposal of vested lands is required to be paid to the Mister 

with responsibility for lands who is in turn required to pay such moneys into a 

statutory account called the Stool Lands Account 13 . 10% of this amount is to be paid 

to the Office of the Administrator of Stool Lands to cover its administrative expenses. 

The balance of such revenues is to be is disbursed according to the statutory formula: 

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

25% of the remainder to the stool through the traditional authority for the 

maintenance of the stool in keeping with its status; 

20% to the traditional authority; and 

55% to the District Assembly, within the area of authority of which the stool 

lands are situated. 14 

The President may authorise the occupation and use of any stool/skin land for any 

purpose which, in his opinion, is conducive to the public welfare or the interest of the 

State 15 . The authorisation is required to be by a notice published in the Gazette, giving 

particulars of the land, the use to which it is intended to be put, and any payments 

which it is intended to make under this section in respect of that use of the land. 16 

The President may pay compensation into the appropriate account, moneys granted 

by vote of Parliament based on the President’s determination of what annual sums 

are appropriate having regard on the one hand to the value of the land and, on the 

other hand, to the benefits derived by the people of the area in which the land is 

situated from the use of the land. Disbursements are to be made in accordance with 

the statutory provisions cited above. 17 A person who suffers ‘special loss’ by reason of 

disturbance as the result of a President’s authorisation under this section, is entitled 

to be paid compensation out of moneys granted by Parliament as is determined by 

(7) 12 Act 123. Section 7 (1) 

(8) 13 13 Act 123. Section 7 (2), Section 18 

(9) 14 Article 267 (6) of the 1992 Constitution. Same has been reproduced in section 8 of the Office of the 

Administrator of Lands Act, 1994 (Act 481). 

(10) 15 Act 123, section 10 (1) 

(11) 16 Act 123, Sections 10 (2) 

(12) 17 Act 123, Section 10 (1) 


C14

the Minister with responsibility for lands or, on appeal, an appeal tribunal 18 . What is 

meant by ‘special loss’ is not defined. A person dissatisfied with the failure of the 

Minister to grant compensation or with the amount of such compensation may 

appeal to the appeal tribunal 19 . Appeals are lodged with the Minister for transmission 

to the tribunal within three months of publication of the President’s notice in the 

Gazette 20 . 

(iii) Acquisition under the State Property and Contracts Act, 1960 (CA 6) 

Under the State Property and Contracts Act, 1960 (CA 6), the President may acquire 

any property by notice in the Gazette where such property is required for the Public 

Service upon payment of consideration in money, or for some other property in 

exchange of the property so required 21 . Title in the property becomes vested in the 

President in trust for the Public Service of Ghana upon payment of such agreed 

compensation. A person with an interest or claim in the property has a period of three 

months from the date of the publication of the acquisition to inform the Chief Lands 

Officer in writing, of the extent or otherwise of his interest or claim in the property 22 . 

(iv) Acquisition under the Public Conveyancing Act, 1965 (Act 302) 

The Public Conveyancing Act, 1965 (Act 302) is also used to exercise the power of 

eminent domain. The President is allowed whenever he finds it in the public interest so to 

do, to declare by Executive Instrument, any area of state or stool land to be a selected 

area. Where the land has not previously been held in trust by the President under Act 

123, the declaration of the President under Act 302 vests the land in the President in 

trust for the respective stool or skin 23 . Lands declared as selected area under this Act 

can only be granted to the following specified persons 24 : 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Persons deprived of the use of land by reason of a natural catastrophe; 

Persons deprived of the use of land by reason of the application of the provisions 

of any other enactment; 

Persons deprived of the use of land in the town of Tema and resettled in the Tema 

acquisition area; 

Persons desirous of settling in a planned irrigation area; 

Persons deprived of the use of land by reason of a slum clearance scheme; 

Persons affected by re-adjustment of boundaries of land within an area under any 

enactment relating to town and country planning; 

(13) 18 Act 123, Section 9 empowers the President (after consultation with the Chief Justice) to appoint, by executive instrument, a 

tribunal to hear appeals under this Act. The tribunal is to consist of three members, each of whom shall be a Judge of the Supreme 

Court, the High Court or the Circuit Court or a lawyer of at least five years' standing. The decision of the tribunal on any appeal shall 

be final as to fact but the tribunal may reserve for the consideration of the Supreme Court any question of law. 

(14) 19 Act 123, Section 10 (4) 

(15) 20 Act 123, Section 10 (5) 

(16) 21 section 4 

(17) 22 Section 8 

(18) 23 Act 302, Section 1 

(19) 24 Act 302, Section 2(1) 


C15

Persons desirous of acquiring land within a planned housing area; 

Persons desirous of settling in a land reclamation area; and 

Persons desirous of carrying out husbandry, including animal husbandry in 

planned land area. 

(iv) Acquisition under the Land (Statutory Wayleaves) Act, 1963 (Act 186) 

The Land (Statutory Wayleaves) Act, 1963 (Act 186) is used to acquire land for the 

creation of statutory wayleave for the public interest. 25 A statutory wayleave creates a 

right of way over or right of entry into land and may be created for the purpose of 

work on any highway or on structures or works for the purpose of or in connection 

with any public utility service 26 . Where any person suffers loss or damage as a result 

of the operation of this Act, compensation is payable. 

Summary of Legal Regime on Eminent Domain and Legal Effect of the Exercise of Eminent 

Domain, with Particular Reference to Eminent Domain 

With the exception of lands vested in the President under the State Lands Act (Act 

123) and the Public Conveyancing Act, 1965 (Act 302), in all cases of the exercise of 

eminent domain, all subsisting interests in land including the allodial rights are 

extinguished and the legal and beneficial title in the land becomes vested in the State 

absolutely and free from all encumbrances. 

The 1992 Constitution frowns on the exercise of eminent domain without providing 

for the prompt payment of adequate compensation. The Bui dam lies mainly in the 

Bui National Park which is already vested in the State 27 . The constitution of the 

National Park did not make any provision for the payment of compensation. When 

the dam is to be constructed however, the land will have to be re-acquired under an 

instrument that makes provision for the prompt payment of compensation. Currently 

the only instrument that can be used for the acquisition of the land that meets the 

Constitutional provision is the State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125). In order to avoid the 

difficulties that were encountered with the acquisition of the land for the Volta River 

Project (dam construction at Akosombo) – where the lands were inundated with 

water before they could be valued for the payment of compensation – it is strongly 

recommended that the lands within the approximate limits of the lake to be created behind the 

dam be assessed for compensation, and all conflicting interests be resolved before the dam is 

constructed. 

(20) 25 Section 1 of Act 186 

(21) 26 For purposes of this Act, a public utility service is defined as service provided by the Republic, 

any local authority or statutory corporation for supplying electricity, water or gas, or for supplying 

sewerage, transport, or telecommunication facilities connected with the operation of any port, railway, 

tramway or airport. 

(22) 27 L.I. 710 of 1971 


C16

C2.4 LEGISLATION RELEVANT TO FOREST RESERVES AND NATIONAL PARKS, AS RELEVANT TO 

THE PRESENT PROJECT (E.G., PRESENT USE OF FOREST AND PARK RESOURCES) 

Areas of land established as reserves (forest or wildlife) and national parks in Ghana 

are covered by legislation. Legislation for forest and wildlife conservation are the 

Forestry Commission Act, 1999, (Act 453), the Timber Resources Management Act, 

1997 (Act 547) 28 , the Timber Resources Management Regulations 1998 (L.I. 1649), and 

the Wild Animals Preservation Act (1961) (Act 43) 29 . 

Activities within the Bui National Park as reserved under L.I. 710 are subject to 

restrictions. Particularly: 

 

 

 

 

 

entry into the park area is an offence unless authorized by the Chief Game and 

Wildlife Officer and subject to such conditions as he may determine 30 ; 

hunting, capture, or destruction of any animal or collection or destruction of any 

plant within the park area is not allowed, except with the written consent of the 

Chief Game and Wildlife Officer which consent is to be given only for 

conservation and management purposes 31 ; 

bringing into the park area any equipment or apparatus which may be used to 

hunt, capture or destroy any animal is prohibited 32 ; 

taking any animal or plant out of the park area without the written consent of the 

Chief Game and Wildlife Officer is prohibited 33 ; 

lighting or fire, polluting any water, abandoning any litter or unwanted articles or 

without the written consent of the Chief Game and Wildlife Officer, clear or 

cultivate any area within the park area is disallowed. 

Forestry activities within the national park are also subject to supervision by the 

Forestry Commission. The Commission is mandated to allocate Timber Utilisation 

Contracts for the harvesting of timber which is defined as the felling, cutting, 

collecting or otherwise disposing of timber from land which was previously subject to 

timber rights, which is unallocated public or stool land suitable for timber operations 

in timber production areas, or land acquired by a person through an outright sale of 

the land by the owner. Section 11 of the Wild Animals Preservation Act 1961 (Act 

43) 34 mandates the Minister on the advice of the Forestry Commission to make 

regulations for the administration of that Act and in particular for the: 

(23) 28 As amended by the Forestry Commission Act, 1999 (Act 571) and the Timber Resources 

Management (Amendment) Act, 2002 (Act 617) 

29 As amended by the Wild Animals Preservation (Amendment) Law, 1983 (PNDCL 55) and the Forestry 

Commission Act, 1999 (Act 571) 

(1) 

(2) 30 regulation 2 

(3) 31 regulation 3 (a) 

(4) 32 regulation 3 (b) 

(5) 33 regulation 3 (c) 

(6) 

(7) 


C17

(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

(d) 

establishment of close seasons with the view to facilitate the rearing of young 

animals; 

application of measures for preventing the transmission of contagious diseases 

from domestic to wild animals; 

destruction of the eggs of crocodiles, poisonous snakes, and pythons; 

prohibition of the hunting and destruction of the animals whose protection, 

whether owing to their rarity or threatened extermination, may be considered 

necessary 35 ; 

(e) prohibition of the hunting and destruction of certain young animals 36 ; 

(f) 

(g) 

(h) 

prohibition of the hunting and destruction of certain species when accompanied 

by their young 37 ; 

prohibition, to a certain extent, of the destruction of any females, when they can 

be recognised as such 38 ; 

prohibition of the hunting and destruction, except in limited numbers, over a 

limited area and for a limited period of time, of certain animals 39 ; 

35 Birds (birds used in the plumage trade, egrets, marabouts, owls, oxpeckers (buphagus), 

secretary-bird, crested or crowned cranes, whale-headed stork or shoe-bill, bald-headed ibis, 

white-breasted guinea fowl, bare-headed rock fowl (picathartes gymnocephalus), and 

mammals (Chimpanzee—PAN, colobid Monkeys—Colobus Procolobus, aardvaark— 

Orycteropus, Senegal Hartebeest—Damaliscus, Elephant—Loxodonta—with tusks below a 

total weight of 5 kilogrammes, Hippopotamus—Hippopotamus, Water Chevrotain— 

Hyemoschus, and Manatee—Trichechus) 

(1) 

36 All Bovoid Ungulates specifically mentioned above, and in addition Antelopes, Gazelles, 

Duikers, Buck and Buffalo, all Pholidont Pangolins of the genus Manis (= Uromanis. 

Phataginus), and all Cercopithecoid Monkeys with the exception of the Baboon - PAPIO. 

(1) 

37 Elephant—Loxodonta, all Bovoid Ungulates as specified above, all Pangolins as in above, all 

Cercopithecoid Monkeys with the exception of the Baboon - PAPIO as above 

(1) 

38 Rodents, lions, leopards, poisonous snakes, pythons (Python Sebae), crocodiles, hunting 

dog (Lycaon). any other animal whose numbers rise to a level sufficient to threaten 

agriculture or to constitute a danger to the human population, may be reduced in numbers at 

the discretion of the Game Warden. 

(1) 

39 1. Carnivora (Ratel or Honey Badger—Mellivora), Clawless Otter—Aonyx, Lynx—Caracal, 

Serval Cat—Leptailurus, Golden Cat—Profelis, Jackal—Thos, Cheetah—Acinonyx 

(=Cynaelurus) 


C18

(i) 

(j) 

(k) 

(l) 

(m) 

(n) 

(o) 

(p) 

(q) 

(r) 

prohibition of the hunting of wild animals by any persons except holders of 

licences issued by the competent Government authority on such terms as shall by 

the regulations be prescribed; 

restriction or prohibition of the use of nets, pits or enclosures, gins, traps or snares 

or of set guns and missiles containing explosives for hunting animals; 

application of measures for effecting the sufficient reduction of the numbers of 

certain species of animals (specified in (g) above; 

establishment of reserves within which it shall be unlawful to hunt, capture, or 

kill any bird or other wild animal except those which shall be specially exempted 

from protection; 

imposition of export duties, on, and the prohibition of the sale or exportation of, 

any trophy; 

prohibition of hunting or killing young elephants and the confiscation of all 

elephant tusks weighing less than twenty-five pounds; 

the protection and preservation of reserves and of the animals therein; 

prohibition of the use of dazzling lights, flares, poison or poisoned weapons for 

hunting animals; 

protection of eggs of such birds as may be specified in the regulations made 

under this section; and 

the imposition of penalties not exceeding ¢2million or imprisonment with or 

without hard labour for a term not exceeding twelve months or to both for breach 

of any regulation so made. 

2. Primates (Lorisiformes of the genera Galagoides. Galago—Bush Babies, Perodictucus— 

Potto, Monkeys of the Genera Cercopithecus — Diana, Spot-nosed, Mona. Green, etc., 

Erythrocebus—Patas, Cercocebus—Mangabey 

3. Pholidonta—Pangolins of the genus Manis (—Uromanis Phantagnus). 

4. Glives (Lagomorpha of the Genus Lepus—Togo Hare, Rodents of the Genera (i) 

Anomalurus—Flying Squirrel, Hystrix—Crested Porcupine, Atherura—Brush Tailed 

Porcupine. 

5. Ungulata (Paeungulata - Procavia Dendrohyrax—Tree Bear), Hyrax, Loxodonta—Elephant 

in which the tusks exceed 5 kilogrammes in weight, Paraxonia—Suiformes ( Phacocoerus— 

Wart Hog, Potamochoerus—Bush Pig, Hylochoerus—Forest Hog, Paraxonia—Ruminantia— 

Bovoidea (Strepsiceros (=Tragelaphus) Bush Buck, Taurotragus—Bongo, Syncerus—Bush 

Cow or Buffalo, Cephalophus—Black, Bay, Red Flank Duikers,etc, Sylvicapra—Crowned 

Duiker, Philatomba—Maxwell Duiker, Redunca—(=Ceruicapra)—Reedbuck, Hippotragus— 

Roan Antelope, Alcephalus—(=Bubalis)—Hartebeeste, Kobus—Waterbuck, Adenota—Kob, 

Ourebia—Oribi, Neotragus—Royal Antelope, Gazella—Gazelle. 

(1) 


C19

Wildlife Reserves Regulations, 1971 (L.I. 710): Schedule 

Bui National Park 

Boundary Description 

Boundary Pillar 1, the point of commencement lies on the west side of the Bamboi-Bole (N.T. 23) Road 

at a distance of 120 chains in a generally northwesterly direction from the junction of the Bamboi-Bole 

Road with the Halcrows Road from Banda-Nkwanta to Jema in the village of Banda-Nkwanta. 

Thence on a cut line on a bearing of 23° for a distance of 450 chains to B.P. 2. Thence on a cut line on a 

bearing of 245° for a distance of 420 chains to B.P. 3 which lies on the northern bank of the Black Volta 

River. Crossing the river to B.P. 4. Thence on a cut line on a bearing of 215° 45' for a distance of 170.25 

chains to B.P. 5,. Thence on a cut line on a bearing of: 

233° 45' for a distance of 195.60 chains to B.P. 6 



237° 30' for a distance of 65.00 cliains to B.P. 9 


232° 45' for a distance of 95.72 chains to B.P. I I 


Thence on a cut line on a bearing of— 











202° 30' for a distance 283.33 chains to B.P. 23 


Following the left bank of the River Chen up stream. Thence on a cut line on a bearing of: 







Following the boundary of the Frontier. Thence along the Ghana-Ivory Coast International Boundary 

for a distance of 2,545.50 chains to B.P. 31 on the southern bank of the Black Volta, west of the Seri- 

Black Volta confluence. Thence in a generally easterly direction for a distance of 118 chains following 

the southern bank of the Black Volta to the confluence of the Seri-Black Volta Rivers. Thence in a 

generally north-easterly direction following the southern bank of the Seri River for a distance of 576 

chains to the confluence of the Seri-Donjayiri Rivers. Thence a cut line on a bearing of 150° for a 

distance of 1.667 chains to B.P. 32. Thence on a cut line on a bearing of 149° for distance of 238 chains to 

B.P. 33. Thence along the west side of the Bamboi-Bole Road in a generally south-easterly direction for 

290 chains to B.P. 34. Thence a cut line on a bearing of 208° for a distance of 100 chains to B.P. 35. 

Thence a cut line on a bearing of 105° for a distance of 140 chains to B.P. 36. Thence along the west side 

of Bomboi-Bole Road in a generally south-westerly direction for a distance of 125 chains to B.P. 37. 

Thence a cut line on a bearing of 184° for a distance of 80 chains to B.P. 38. Thence a cut line on a 

bearing of 92° for a distance of 70 chains to B.P. 139. Thence along the west side of the Bamboi-Bole 

Road in a generally south-easterly direction for a distance of 310 chains to the point of commencement. 

All bearings are approximate and refer to True North. All distances are more or less. 

C20 

ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

C2.4.1 

Legal Requirement for an Offset if Part of a Park is Subsequently Taken for Other 

Purposes 

The designation of areas as national parks is the preserve of the Minister with 

responsibility for forestry matters (on the advice of the Forestry Commission) 

pursuant to section 11 of the Wild Animals Preservation Act, 1961 (Act 43) 40 . The 

designation of the Bui National Park under L.I. 710 was pursuant to Act 43. Neither 

Act 43 not L.I. 710 provide for a requirement to compensate for any part of a park 

taken away for other purposes. As indicated in section 1.3 of this Report, however, 

entry onto a national park or other reserve so designated by law may be restricted 

and is unlawful except with the consent of the Chief Game and Wildlife Officer on 

conditions he may determine. 

If part of a national park is acquired by the State under the powers of eminent 

domain, Article 20 (3) of the 1992 Constitution requires the resettlement of displaced 

inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard for their economic well-being 

and social and cultural values. 

C2.4.2 

Legal Guidance on the Agency that will Manage the Future Lake, i.e., BDS/VRA, 

Wildlife Department or Other) 

The Bui National Park was constituted in 1971 by Legislative Instrument No. 710. 

Government’s proposal to develop a dam in the area was to be coordinated by the 

Volta River Authority (VRA). In 2002, however, the Bui Development Committee 

(BDC) was established by the President to take over the management of and 

supervision of the proposed dam project. The BDC is not a statutory or corporate 

body. It currently operates with supervision of the Ministry of Energy. It is currently 

unclear whether the BDC will remain in place and if so in what form. It is also unclear 

what the future role of the BDC will be especially in relation to the future lake. 

Other agencies of government would appear to have some oversight in relation to the 

future lake. The Water Resources Commission was established under the Water 

Resources Commission Act, 1996 (Act 522) to regulate and manage the utilisation of 

water resources, and for the co-ordination of any policy in relation to them. 

Particularly, it is required to propose comprehensive plans for the utilisation, 

conservation, development and improvement of water resources, among other things. 

Furthermore, section 2 of the Forestry Commission Act, 1999 (Act 571) mandates the 

Forestry Commission to regulate the utilisation of forest and wildlife resources, the 

conservation and management of those resources, and the co-ordination of policies 

related to them 41 . The Commission is also required to manage the nation’s forest 

reserves and protected areas by among other things: 

40 As Amended by the Wild Animals Presevation (Amendment) Law, 1983 (PNDCL 55) and 

the Forestry Commission Act, 1999 (Act 571). 

(1) 41 The Forestry Services Division, the Timber Industry Development Division, and the 

[Department of Game and Wildlife/Wildlife Division] also have duties in relation to the 

management of forest resources and wildlife. 


C21

(i) 

(ii) 

(iii) 

(iv) 

(v) 

(vi) 

proper planning for the protection, harvesting and development of forest and 

wildlife resources in a sustainable manner; 

monitoring the condition and extent of the nation's forest and wildlife 

resources; 

controlling the harvesting of forest and wildlife products; 

making recommendations to the Minister on the grant of timber rights and 

wildlife licences; 

advising the Minister on forest and wildlife policy with particular regard to 

management practices that sustain resources and improve productivity; 

assist the private sector and the other bodies with the implementation of forest 

and wildlife policies by 

 

 

 

advising and the provision of technical services with regard to matters of 

resource protection, management and development and of market 

intelligence pertaining to the timber and wildlife industries; 

co-operating and liaising with national and international bodies and 

organisations on forestry and wildlife conservation and utilisation; 

supporting the development of forest plantations for the restoration of 

degraded forest reserves, the increased production of industrial timber 

and the expansion of the country’s protected forest cover. 

The dam as a resource will derive a lot of benefits from the National Park in the form 

of protection from farming and other land use activities that could potentially cause 

siltation of the dam. It is therefore necessary that the Wildlife Division of the Forestry 

Commission also benefit from the management of the Dam. 

The Minister of Agriculture also has power to make regulations for various purposes, 

including "requiring, regulating and controlling afforestation or reforestation of land, 

protection of slopes, banks of streams and rivers and of dams, construction, repair 

and maintenance of contour banks, ridges, terraces or other anti-erosion barriers, 

repairing of gullies and maintenance and repair of artificial dams, reservoirs or other 

water conservation devices." 42 

In conclusion, a few government agencies have supervisory responsibilities over 

parts of the dam project. It is unclear at this stage which agency would have the 

overall mandate to manage the dam project. The volta lake project is however 

instructive in that a separate agency, the Volta River Authority (VRA) was 

established as a statutory corporation to own and manage the project. The Volta River 

Development Act, 1961 (Act 46) provided for: 

(2) 42 Section 11 of Land Planning and Soil Conservation Ordinance, 1953 (No. 32 of 1953) as amended by the Land Planning and Soil 

Conservation (Amendment) Act, 1957 (Act 35) 


C22

“ the establishment of an Authority charged with the duties of generating 

electricity by means of the water power of the river Volta, and by other means, and 

of supplying electricity through a transmission system; for the construction of a 

dam and power station near Akosombo, and for the creation of a lake by the 

damming of the river; for giving the Authority power to administer certain lands 

liable to be inundated and lands adjacent thereto, and for dealing with the 

resettlement of people living in the lands to be inundated; for charging the 

Authority with certain incidental responsibilities; and for purposes connected 

with the matters aforesaid.” 

An agency should be established with powers similar to those of the VRA mandated 

to own and manage the project. Whatever agency is mandated to do this, it is 

important to clarify its role especially as it relates to the roles of other government 

agencies that might have powers in relation to the project. For instance, there must be 

strong collaboration between the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission and 

the management authority/agency. While the Wildlife Division need not be part of 

the management the Dam, the dam as a project should have an overall management 

plan for the national park so as to sustain the benefits the dam will derive from the 

park. This should be at the cost of the dam project. Furthermore, a policy for 

collaborative community-based wildlife management has also been formulated by the 

Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission. The policy recognises the importance 

of the involvement of local communities and local management structures in the 

sustainable management of wildlife resources. This should be reflected in the 

management arrangements for the future lake. 

C2.5 DETAILS OF THE LEGAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES INVOLVED IN 

EXPROPRIATION OF LAND,STRUCTURES AND OTHER IMMOVABLE ASSETS 

The legal and administrative procedures involved in expropriation of land, structures 

and other immovable assets have been outlined in the diagram below. The 1992 

Constitution provides that compulsory acquisition of property by the State shall only 

be made under a law which makes provision for the prompt payment of fair and 

adequate compensation. 43 The following broad principles laid down under the 1992 

Constitution apply to State acquisition of land and compensation: 

(i) prompt payment of fair and adequate compensation to those affected 44 ; 

(ii) a right of access to the High Court by any person who has an interest in or 

right over the property whether direct or on appeal from any other authority, 

for the determination of his interest or right and the amount of compensation 

to which he is entitled 45 ; 

(iii) where compulsory acquisition or possession of land effected by the State 

involves displacement of any inhabitants, the State shall resettle the displaced 

(3) 43 Article 20 clause 2 

(4) 44 Article 20 (1) 

(5) 45 Article 20 (1) 


C23

inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard for their economic 

well-being and social and cultural values 46 . 

The main legislation used for compulsory acquisition of land or expropriation is the 

State Lands Act, 1962 (Act 125). Act 125 provides for all the above principles. The 

process under this legislation is as shown in the flow diagram below: 

The acquisition process is coordinated by the Lands Commission, which serves as the 

Secretary to the Permanent Site Advisory Committee (PSAC) and the Site Advisory 

Committee (SAC). 47 What is clear from the membership of the Site Advisory 

Committee is that the land owners are not represented in the acquisition process. Up 

to the point where an Executive Instrument is signed, decision-making lies entirely 

with the political authority. Thereafter the Lands Commission and the Land 

Valuation Board (LVB) take over and handle the operational aspects of the process. 

The most important part of the acquisition process is the serving of notices of the 

acquisition. Copies of the Executive Instrument are required to be served as follows 48 : 

(i) personally on any person having an interest in the land; or 

(ii) left with any person in occupation of the land; and 

(iii) served on the traditional authority of the area of acquisition which shall request 

the chief to notify the people of the area concerned; and 

(iv) affixed at a convenient place on the land; and 

(v) published on three consecutive occasions in a newspaper circulating in the 

district where the land is situated and in such other manner as the minister 

may direct. 

It is only after the instrument has been published that the affected owners can submit 

claims for compensation. The entire process is long and winding and sometimes takes 

up to two years or more to complete. The various claims for which an expropriated 

owner may be compensated are: 

(i) market value of the land taken; or 

(ii) replacement value of the land taken; and 

(iii) cost of disturbance; and 

(iv) other damage (severance and injurious affection); or 

(v) grant land of equivalent value. 49 

(6) 46 Article 20 (3) 

(7) 47 Membership of the SAC include the District Chief Executive of the district in which the 

land is situated, representative each of the following ministries: Lands, Forestry and Mines, 

Health, Water Resources, Works and Housing, representative each of the Town and Country 

Planning Department, Ghana Water Company, Electricity Company of Ghana, the acquiring 

authority and the Lands Commission (Secretary). 

(8) 48 Section 2 of Act 125 as amended by AFRCD 62. 

(9) 49 State Lands Act, 1962 section 4. Item v. is alternative to items (i) to (iv) 


C24

Compulsory Land Aquisition Procedure (Act 125) 

Acquiring authority applies to Regional Minister/PSAC of the region 

where land is situated 

Regional Minister sets up and refers application to SAC to consider 

whether: 

a. sufficient funds are available to implement proposed use of 

SAC inspects site and makes recommendation to Regional Minister 

Regional Minister approves/disapproves application and refers 

application to LC 

LC prepares E.I. for acquisition and forwards same to Minister for MLFM for 

execution 

E.I. is signed and acquisition is publicised in Gazette and newspapers 

Notices of acquisition served 

in accordance with S. 2 of the 

Acquiring authority applies 

to LC for Lease or CoA 

Expropriated owners submit claims 

for compensation to LVB 

Lease/CoA prepared and 

LVB prepares proprietary plans for 

acquisition 

Compensatio 

n determined 

and paid 

Conflicting 

claims/ 

Claimant 

ti fi d 

Lands 

Tribunal 

High 

Court 

Claimant 

satisfied 

Conflicts resolved 

and compensation 

id 

C2.5.1 

Rights and Interests Eligible for Compensation 

The rights and interests in land that are currently eligible for compensation are the 

allodial interest vested in the head of the land-owning community, freeholds, and 

leaseholds. Freeholds and leaseholds usually present little or no compensation 


C25

problems as long as the affected holders are able to establish their interests (often 

with supporting documents). Compensation for communally-owned land is paid to 

the head of the land-owning community. Currently no compensation is paid directly 

to holders of customary rights such as the customary freehold. All such holders are 

expected to be compensated by the head of the land-owning community to whom the 

compensation for the allodial interest is paid. Compensation is largely paid in cash 

except in cases where land of equivalent value is given to the expropriate owner. The 

latter case usually happens where the expropriated owner is resettled, as is likely to 

happen under the Bui dam project. The process and procedures are long and winding 

and involves resettlement on either part of an already acquired land or land yet to be 

acquired for the purpose of resettlement of persons to be displaced. This will require 

going through the acquisition procedures all over again as outlined above. 

Informal occupancy and derived rights are currently not recognised by the existing 

law as being rights eligible for compensation. Owners of such rights therefore are not 

entitled to compensation as of right. However Ghana’s Development Partners (donor 

agencies) have insisted that such rights should be recognised and paid compensation 

any time such rights are lost through compulsory acquisition. Payments made will 

therefore be ex-gratia and not backed by any law. It is therefore difficult to have a 

basis for determination. 

In the case of the Bui Dam project, it is likely that those qualified to submit claims and 

receive compensation will be the allodial owners namely stools for the stool land 

portion and families for the family land portions. Farmers who have specific grants 

from the land owners and can support such grants with documents will also be 

entitled to compensation. However since farming activities are not allowed in a 

national park it is unlikely that there will be such claimants. If settlements are 

engulfed then there will have to be a resettlement package which will include 

alternative land that provides for both their accommodation and livelihood. This may 

be land already acquired by the State or yet to be acquired. 

C2.5.2 

Procedure for Claiming Compensation 

On the publication of the E.I. for an acquisition, any person claiming a right or having 

an interest in the land subject to the instrument or whose right or interest in any such 

land is affected in any manner, is entitled to submit a claim within six months from 

the date of the publication of the E.I. specifying the following: 

(i) particulars of claim or interest in the land; 

(ii) the manner in which the claim or interest has been affected; 

(iii) the extent of damage done; and 

(iv) the amount of compensation claimed and the basis of the calculation. 50 

The claims are usually prepared and submitted on behalf of the claimants by 

professional valuers. Claims must be submitted within six months of the publication 

(10) 50 State Lands Act, 1962 section 4 


C26

of the instrument of the acquisition. 51 The claims are submitted to the Land Valuation 

Board (LVB), the Agency that acts for government. 

Upon receipt of the claims, the LVB prepares a proprietary plan, which is a composite 

plan on which each claim submitted is plotted. By so doing, conflicting and 

overlapping claims as well as the extent of conflicts are ascertained. The LVB is 

required to make an assessment of fair and adequate compensation payable under 

the claim 52 . In so doing, the LVB is to have regard to the following principles: 

(a) 

the market or replacement value of the land; 

(b) the cost of disturbance or any other damage suffered thereby; 

(c) 

(d) 

the benefits to be derived by the people of the area in which the land is 

situated from the use for which the land is acquired; 

no account is to be taken of any improvement on the land made within two 

years prior to the date of publication of the EI unless the improvement was 

made in good faith and not made in contemplation of acquisition 53 . 

In practice, compensation tends to be based largely on the market value of the 

affected land i.e. the sum of money which the land might have been expected to 

realise if sold in the open market by a willing seller at the time of the declaration by 

EI. Where the property under compulsory acquisition is one that cannot easily be sold 

on the market, the replacement value may be used as the basis of valuation. This has 

been defined as the value of the land where there is no demand or market value for 

the land by reason of the situation or of the purpose for which the land was devoted 

at the time of the declaration made under section 1 of the State Lands Act, 1962, and 

is the amount required for the reasonable re-instatement equivalent to the condition 

of the land at the date of the said declaration. 54 Other principles underlying the 

valuation of land for compulsory acquisition are that the value to be assessed should 

be that accruing to the owner of the land and not the acquiring authority. The 

valuation cannot therefore take into account the intended benefits that the acquired 

land would bring to the acquiring authority. 

Where compensation for land is assessed but cannot be paid owing to a dispute, 

Government is required to lodge the accrued amount in an interest-yielding escrow 

account pending the final determination of the matter. The lodged amount plus 

interest thereon is payable to the person so entitled upon the final determination of 

the matter. 55 

(11) 51 State Lands (Amendment) Decree 1979 (AFRCD 62) 

(12) 52 State Lands Act, 1962 9Act 125) section 4 (2) 

(13) 

(14) 53 Act 125, section 4 (3), (5) and (6) 

(15) 54 Act 125, section 7 

(16) 55 Act 125, section 4 (6) 


C27

Where the acquisition involves displacement of any inhabitants, the LVB or other 

agency designated by the President will be required to settle the displaced 

inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard for the economic well-being and 

social and cultural values of the inhabitants concerned 56 . 

The State Property and Contracts Act, 1960 (CA 6) provides for rules to be followed in 

determining the amount of compensation to be awarded for property acquired under 

that Act. Compensation is to be awarded in respect of: 

(a) 

the market value of the property acquired which is deemed to be the amount 

which the property might have been expected to realize if sold in the open 

market by a willing seller at the date of the declaration of the acquired land; 

(b) 

any damage sustained at the time of and by reason of the acquisition by any 

person with an interest in the property acquired by reason of the severing of 

such property from any other property of such person; 

(c) 

any damage sustained at the time of and by reason of the acquisition by any 

person with an interest in the property acquired by reason of such acquisition 

injuriously affecting any other adjoining property in which such person has 

an interest; 

(d) 

(e) 

the reasonable expenses incidental to any changes of residence or place of 

business of any person with an interest in the property acquired made 

necessary by the acquisition; 

the reasonable expenses incurred in the employment of a person qualified in 

land valuation and costing of buildings. 

The court is also allowed to consider: 

 

 

that where the property is, and but for the acquisition would continue to be, 

devoted to a purpose of such a nature that there is no general demand or market 

for property for that purpose, the compensation may, if the Court is satisfied that 

reinstatement in some other place is bona fide intended, be assessed on the basis 

of the reasonable cost of equivalent reinstatement, and in every such case 

compensation is not to be awarded under the provisions of (a) or (d) above, but 

where the circumstances permit, under the provisions of (b) and (c) above; 

in determining the compensation to be awarded, the Court is not to take into 

consideration any increase in the market value of the property acquired, by 

reason of any improvements made to it within a period of two years immediately 

preceding the date of the declaration of the acquisition, unless it is proved that 

such improvement was made bona fide and not in contemplation of proceedings 

being taken for the acquisition of the property under the Act 57 . 

(17) 56 Act 125, section 4 (4) 

57 Section 11 

(1) 


C28

Under the State Lands Act (Act 125), compensation is payable in the event that there 

are no conflicts in the claim submitted and the amount claimed is acceptable to 

government, or after successful negotiation between the claimants and the 

government. Recent government directives require the LVB to submit details of 

claims and claimants to the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) for vetting and clearance 

before payment. This is to avoid payment of fraudulent claims. Payments are 

therefore made only when the SFO clears the claims, and the claimants. As already 

indicated earlier in this report, Article 20 (2) required that compensation for 

compulsory State acquisition of property should be prompt, fair and adequate. 

C2.5.3 

Procedure for Involuntary Resettlement 

As indicated above, where the acquisition involves displacement of any inhabitants, 

the LVB or other agency designated by the President will be required to settle the 

displaced inhabitants on suitable alternative land with due regard for the economic wellbeing 

and social and cultural values of the inhabitants concerned 58 . 

Under the Volta River Development Act, the Minister responsible for social welfare 

was charged with the duty of taking all reasonable measures to assist in the 

resettlement of the people inhabiting lands liable to be inundated and lands adjacent 

thereto which are needed by the Volta River Authority for the discharge of its 

functions. It was the responsibility of the Minister to ensure, so far as was practicable, 

that no person suffered undue hardship or is deprived of necessary public amenities, 

as a result of his resettlement. 

The Land Planning and Soil Conservation Ordinance, 1953 (No. 32 of 1953) 59 provides 

for the power of land planning committees where they were of the opinion that land 

within their planning areas could be used for other or more suitable purposes, 

recommend the transfer of any farmer occupying the land to any planning area 

within the designated area or to any other land within the planning area. A ‘farmer’ 

for purposes of this law means a person whose sole or principal occupation is the 

utilization of land for agriculture or animal husbandry and includes a farm worker 

and the dependents of a farmer. On approval by the Minister, any affected farmer 

could (with farmer’s consent) be transferred with any movable property belonging to 

him and be re-settled as a farmer within the designated area on any land made 

available for the purpose. The actual cost of any such transfer and re-settlement could 

be borne out of the Consolidated Fund upon recommendation of the planning 

committee. 

(2) 58 Act 125, section 4 (4) 

(3) 59 as amended by the Land Planning and Soil Conservation (Amendment) Act, 1957 (Act 35) Section7B 


C29

Annex D 

Bibliography

D1 

BIBLIOGRAPHY 

D1.1 MAIN STUDIES AND REPORTS 

Sir Willian Halcrow & Partners. Report to the Preparatory Commission, 1965 

S.J. Zhuk Hydropowerproject (Moscow). Bui Hydroelectric Station on the 

Black Volta River, Republic of Ghana. USSR State Committee on Power 

Engineering and Electrification, 1964. 

Snowy Mountains Engineering Corporation. Bui Hydroelectric Project, 

Feasibility Study, 1976. 

BKS Acres International Limited. Ghana Generation Planning Study, January 

1985. 

Coyne and Bellier. Bui Hydroelectric Development Feasibility Study Update, 

1995. 

BKS Acres, Bui Hydroelectric Power Project, Environmental Impact 

Assessment, Scoping Report, July 2001. 

D1.2 BIOLOGICAL -REFERENCES 

D1.2.1 

Baseline: 

Abedi-Lartey, M. Search for compensatory riverine forest outside Bui 

National Park. Forestry Commission, Ghana Wildlife Division, Biological 

Monitoring Unit. April 2005. 

Bennett, D. and B. Basuglo. 1998. Final Report of the Black Volta Expedition 

1997. 

Dowsett – Lemaire, F., Dowsett, R.J. 2005. Ornithological Surveys in Bui 

National Park. 

Gorden, C., J.K. Amatekpor, K. Koranteng, and T. Annang. 2003. Aquatic 

Ecology Component, Bui Hydroelectric Power Project 

Lawson, T.B. 2006. The Ghana Butterfly Fauna and its Contribution to the 

Objectives of the Protected Areas System 

Ofori-Amanfo, R. 2005. Hippopotamus Census in Bui National Park. Ghana 

Wildlife Division. 

Owusu, H.E., D.K. Attuquayefio, R. Kreremanteng, L. Enu-Kwesi, A. 

Asamoah, D.T. Daramani, and V. Vordzogbe. 2005. Baseline Terrestrial 

Ecological Survey of Bui National Park, Bui Hydroelectric Power Project. 


D1 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

D1.2.2 

Impact Assessment 

Bierregaard, R.O. T.E. Lovejoy, V. Kapos, A. dos Santos, and R.W. Hutchings. 

1992. The biological dynamics of tropical rain forest fragments. BioScience. 

42:859-866. 

Dowsett – Lemaire, F., Dowsett, R.J. 2005. Ornithological Surveys in Bui 

National Park. 

Drew, M.C. 1997. Oxygen deficiency and root metabolism: Injury and 

acclimation under hypoxia and anoxia, Annual review of Plant Physiology 48, 

223-250 

Estes, R.D. 1991. The behaviour guide to African mammals: including hoofed 

mammals, carnivores, and primates. University of California Press. 611 pp. 

Farmer, A.M. 1993. The effects of dust on vegetation – A review. 

Environmental Pollution. 79(1):63-75. 

Freeman, P.H. 1974. Environmental aspects of a large tropical reservoir: a case 

study of Volta Lake, Ghana. Office of International and Environmental 

Programmes, Smithsonian Institution, Washington 

Gorden, C., J.K. Amatekpor, K. Koranteng, and T. Annang. 2003. Aquatic 

Ecology Component, Bui Hydroelectric Power Project 

Harcourt, A.H., and D.A. Doherty. 2005. Species–area relationships of 

primates in tropical forest fragments: a global analysis. Journal of Applied 

Ecology. 42, 630–637. 

Harper, K.A., S.E. MacDonald, P.J. Burton, J. Chen, K.D. Brosofske, S.C. 

Saunders, E.S. Euskirchen, D. Roberts, M.S. Jaiteh, and P. Esseen. 2005. Edge 

Influence on Forest Structure and Composition in Fragmented Landscapes. 

Conservation Biology 768-782. 

Hill, J.L., and P.J. Curran. 2003. Area, shape and isolation of tropical forest 

fragments: effects on tree species diversity and implications for conservation. 

Journal of Biogeography, 30, 1391–1403. 

Jones, C.R. (1973) Health component in the Volta Lake research project. Report 

on project results, conclusions and recommendations, World Health 

Organisation. 

Le Maitre, D., Scott, D.F., Colvin, C. (1999) A review of information on 

interactions between vegetation and groundwater. Water SA, 25, No. 2, 137- 

152 


D2 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Lewison, R. & Carter, J. (2004) Exploring behaviour of an unusual 

megaherbivore: a spatially explicit foraging model of the hippopotamus. 

Ecological Modelling 171, 127 -138 

Maisels, F., E. Keming, M. Kemei and C. Toh. 2001. The extirpation of large 

mammals and implications for montane forest conservation: the case of the 

Kilum-Ijim Forest, North-west Province, Cameroon. Oryx 35 (4) 322-331. 

Mbora, D.N.M. and D.B. Meikle. 2004. Forest fragmentation and the 

distribution, abundance and conservation of the Tana river red colobus 

(Procolobus rufomitratus). Biological Conservation. 118, 67–77 

McNully, P. 2002. Flooding the Land, Warming the Earth: Greenhouse 

Emissions from Dams. International Rivers Network 

Monkeys (Colobus guereza) in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya. American Journal 

of Primatology 45, 281–290 

Naumberg, E. Mata-Gonzalez, R., Hunter, R.G., Mclendon, T. (2005) 

Environmental Management, 35, No. 6, 726-740 

New Zealand Ministry for the Environment (2001) Good practice guide for 

assessing and managing the environmental effects of dust emissions. ISBN 0- 

478-24038-4. 

Ofori-Amanfo, R. 2005. Hippopotamus Census in Bui National Park. Ghana 

Wildlife Division. 

Onderdonk, D.A., and C.A. Chapman. 2000.Coping with Forest 

Fragmentation: The Primates of Kibale National Park, Uganda International 

Journal of Primatology, 21 (4). 

Owusu, H.E., D.K. Attuquayefio, R. Kreremanteng, L. Enu-Kwesi, A. 

Asamoah, D.T. Daramani, and V. Vordzogbe. 2005. Baseline Terrestrial 

Ecological Survey of Bui National Park, Bui Hydroelectric Power Project. 

Pierce, P.C. (1971) Aquatic weed development. Impact and control at Volta 

Lake 1967 – 71. USAID Project 641-11-190-028 

Von Hippel, F.A (1998) Use of Sleeping Trees by Black and White Colobus 

(Colobus guereza) in the Kakamega Forest, Kenya. American Journal of 

Primatology 45:281–290 (1998) 


D3 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Annex E 

Hydrological Analysis

UNIHYDRO LIMITED 

P.O.BOX C.T. 1954 

CANTONMENTS 

ACCRA 

REPORT: 

HYDROGEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

AT BUI HYDROELECTRIC POWER 

SITE 

PREPARED BY: 

UNIHYDRO LIMITED 

APRIL 2006 

BUI EIA STUDY – HYDROLOGY. APRIL 2006 

I

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1.0 INTRODUCTION 4 

1.1 OBJECTIVES 4 

1.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE 4 

2.0 MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE WATER SECTOR 7 

2.1 THE MINISTRIES,DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (MDAS) 7 

2.1.1 Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing 7 

2.1.2 Ministry of Food and Agriculture 8 

2.1.3 The Other Key Ministries with Bearing on Water Resources 9 

2.2 Commissions 9 

2.2.1 Water Resources Commission 9 

2.2.2 Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission 11 

2.3 RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS 11 

2.4 WATER USE AGENCIES 11 

2.5 OTHER INSTITUTIONS 11 

2.6 NGOS 12 

3.0 WATER QUALITY AND SUSPENDED SEDIMENT LOAD ASSESSMENT 14 

3.1 WATER QUALITY 14 

3.2 SEDIMENT TRANSPORT 16 

4.0 ASSESSMENT OF DOWNSTREAM WATER LEVELS OF PROPOSED DAM 19 

5.0 REFERENCES 23 

ANNEXES 26 

List of Tables 

Table 1: Historical Water Quality Data for Selected Points Along the Black Volta, Volta Lake and Lower Volta 8 

Table 2: Water Quality Ranges of Selected Parameters in the Black Volta 8 

Table 3: Maximum and Minimum Suspended Sediment Concentration of the Black Volta at Lawra and Bamboi 9 

Table 4: Computed Sediment Load for Lawra and Bamboi 10 

Table 5: Hydroelectric Development Characteristics 11 

List of Figures 

Figure 1: Bui Monthly Flows (1954 – 2005) 11 

Figure 2: Bui Monthly Discharges(Various Scenarios) 12 


II


III

1.0 INTRODUCTION 

The Government of Ghana (GoG) through the Bui Development Secretariat (BDS) is implementing the Bui 

Hydroelectric Power Project. The project seeks to establish a 400MW hydroelectric generation plant at Bui 

located at about 400km north-west of Accra the Capital of Ghana and about 300km and 330km of the 

existing hydroelectric power generation plants at Akosombo and Akuse respectively. Bui is located in the 

Tain District of the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. 

The Bui Hydroelectric power project will require the damming of the Bui gorge on the Black Volta River, one 

of the major tributaries of the Volta Lake. The Black Volta River Basin is interstate and occurs in about four 

(4no) countries namely Ghana, Burkina Fasso, Cote d’Ivoire and Mali, with Ghana as the most downstream 

state with 24% of the catchment area. The river in Ghana stretches from the Jaman South District (Brong 

Ahafo Region) in the south to Lawra District (Upper West Region) in the north showing two distinct 

vegetative zones, the moist semi-deciduous forest and interior savanna respectively. The proposed Bui 

dam will have environmental as well as socio-economic consequences for Ghana and the other riparian 

countries. 

In line with the requirements of the Ghana Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1994, Act 490 and 

Environmental Assessment Regulation 1999, LI 1652 as well as to meet international financing 

requirements for the project, an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) Study is being carried 

out by Messrs ERM of UK and SGS Environment, Ghana. 

This report constitutes a rapid hydrological assessment study of the proposed Bui Hydroelectric Power 

Project as per the Terms of Reference (ToR) submitted to Messrs AY & A Consult Ltd. 

1.1 OBJECTIVES 

The main objective of the study is to assess the potential environmental and social impacts associated with 

the construction and operation of the Bui Hydroelectric Power Project. The specific objective of this 

assessment is to provide recent data on the upstream, downstream and the immediate catchment of the 

proposed dam for the purposes of preparing the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) 

Report. 

1.2 TERMS OF REFERENCE 

The scope of work as provided in the Terms of Reference (ToR) comprised: 

A description of the major players in the water resources management in Ghana and their relative roles 

and responsibilities, including but not limited to the Ministry of Water Resources , Works and Housing, 

the Volta River Authority, Water Resources Commission, Water Research Institute and the Hydrological 

Services Division, including an indication of which institution holds what relevant data and where the 

relevant data may be most expeditiously sourced from; 

Water quality data, including suspended sediment load, for the catchment upstream and downstream of 

the proposed Bui dam site; 

BUI EIA STUDY – HYDROLOGY. APRIL 2006 4

An assessment of how the new water quality data may influence the results of the original 

sedimentation transport studies as reported in the original Coyne and Bellier feasibility study; and 

An assessment of downstream water levels associated with the major discharge operations of power 

generation from the proposed dam and a comparison with typical natural dry and wet season flow 

regimes. 



2.0 MAJOR PLAYERS IN THE WATER SECTOR 

The Ghana Water Policy being developed by the Water Resources Commission (WRC) gives support to the 

use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to assist in the protection and conservation of water 

resources and encourages its application to all water usage. The document also projects the rational 

allocation of water resources through Water Demand Management (WDM), which offers the possibility of 

improving the efficiency and sustainability of the use of water resources, taking into account economic, 

social, environmental, national and regional considerations. 

The multipurpose nature of water resources and more so the Volta River System that includes fisheries, 

navigation, drinking water, irrigation and tourism uses has necessitated the expansion of the players in the 

sector although the role of some are very minimal. 

The relevant major players in the water sector of the country include the following Ministries, Departments 

and Agencies (MDAs) as well as some commissions, research institutions and non-governmental 

organizations (NGOs). 

Ministries including (1) Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWRWH), (2) Ministry of 

Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), (3) Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines 

(MLFM), Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) through the Ghana Education Service (GES), (4) 

Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA) and Ministry of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City. 

Commissions including (1) Water Resources Commission (WRC), and (2) Public Utility Regulatory 

Commission (PURC). 

Research and Scientific Institutions such as Water Research Institute (WRI) of the Council for Scientific 

and Industrial Research (CSIR) and Agriculture Research Stations (ARS); 

Water User Agencies including Volta River Authority (VRA), Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), 

Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) and Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA). 

Complementary Agencies with roles in information gathering and protection such as Meteorological 

Services Agency (MSA), Hydro Services Division (HSD) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). 

Others including NGOs and those with oversight responsibilities for the water shed and riparian area 

such as the District, Municipal and Metropolitan Assemblies. 

2.1 THE MINISTRIES,DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES (MDAS) 

2.1.1 Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing 

The Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing (until recently Ministry of Works and Housing) has as 

its main functions the formulation and co-ordination of policies and programmes for the systematic 

development of the country's infrastructure requirements in respect of Works, Housing, Water Supply and 

Sanitation, and Hydrology. The Ministry co-ordinates and supervises, by way of monitoring and evaluation 

of the performance of both public and private agencies responding to and participating in the realisation of 

the policy objectives established for the sector. 


The importance of water resources to the ministry and the current worldwide trend necessitated the 

inclusion of water resources in the original name. There has recently been established with DANIDA 

support a Water Directorate at the ministry to coordinate all activities in the sector. Among the agencies and 

departments that work under the directorate are Hydro Services Division (HSD), Ghana Water Company 

Limited (GWCL), and Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA). 

The ministry is the principal water sector ministry responsible for overall policy formulation, planning, 

coordination, collaboration, monitoring and evaluation of programmes for water supply and sanitation. The 

Water Directorate is the focal point for coordination of the water and water-related sanitation sector for 

policy harmonization, sector-wide monitoring and evaluation of Growth and Poverty Reduction (GPRS) 

outcomes and Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) targets as well as coordination for foreign /donor 

assistance. 

Ghana Water Company limited (GWCL) 

The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) formerly Ghana Water and Sewerage Corporation (GWSC) is 

responsible for overall planning, managing and implementation of urban water supply. Their roles, 

responsibilities and mandates are set in the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) establishment Act 

1999 (Act 461) ceding the sewerage functions to the district assemblies as part of the water sector reforms. 

By virtue of its functions of producing potable water for the nation in urban areas its Regional and Treatment 

Plant Laboratories have been collecting raw water quality information at its various intake points to facilitate 

its operations. 

Community Water and Sanitation Agency 

In 1994, the Government of Ghana formally launched the National Community Water and Sanitation 

Programme, and was followed in 1998 by an Act of Parliament, which enacted the Community Water and 

Sanitation Agency (CWSA) Act, Act 564. The Act set up the CWSA as an autonomous public institution 

responsible for the facilitation of safe water and related sanitation delivery to rural communities and small 

towns in Ghana. The CWSA has some rich data on groundwater resources of the country through its 

borehole development programmes. 

Hydro Services Division 

The Hydrology Division of the Architectural and Engineering Services Limited (AESL), which is a semiautonomous 

national consultancy body attached to the MWRWH has responsibility for Ghana’s hydrometric 

network and data collection. The department is responsible for programming and co-ordination of coastal 

protection and major drainage works and the monitoring and evaluation of surface water bodies in respect of 

floods. 

2.1.2 Ministry of Food and Agriculture 

Although the MOFA does not have direct oversight responsibility for water resources, there are some 

Agriculture Research Stations (ARS) and the Irrigation Development Agency (IDA) who are involved in 


meteorology data collection and use of water for farming purposes. The roles of some of these agencies 

are as follows: 

Agriculture Research Stations (ARS) 

The Agriculture Research Stations (ARS) involved in hydro data collection and assessment are mostly 

Agrometeorological Stations or Experimental Stations for supporting crop research such as the Cocoa 

Research Station at Tafo and Oil Palm Research Station at Kusi all in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Some 

of the AS in the Volta basin are located at Ejura, and Mampong in the Ashanti Region, and Bui in the Brong 

Ahafo region. 

Irrigation Development Authority (IDA) 

The IDA is responsible for the design, planning and development of irrigation projects in Ghana and 

therefore serves as a water use agency. Its functions involve a broad spectrum of interest including water 

resources development (often dams), land use planning and soil surveying as well as livestock improvement 

(through watering) and fish farming. It was created in 1977 as a semi autonomous body with emphasis on 

the development of large scale irrigation projects for the cultivation of rice to ensure self sufficiency and to 

avert the over dependence of rain fed agriculture in the country. 

2.1.3 The Other Key Ministries with Bearing on Water Resources 

Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development 

The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD) has among other oversight 

responsibilities for implementing the Environmental Sanitation Policy including management and regulation 

of solid and liquid wastes by local government bodies viz. Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies 

(MMDAs). 

The MMDAs are the basic unit of Government at the local level and is the statutory deliberative and 

legislative body for the determination of broad policy objective of the development process. District 

Assemblies are responsible for water supply and sanitation in rural and small towns not covered under the 

urban management arrangement. The detail functions and mandates of Metropolitan, Municipal and District 

Assemblies (MMDAs) are define in Local Government Act, 1993 (Act 462) and establishment instruments of 

the Assemblies (Legislative Instruments). 

Ministry of Lands, Forestry and Mines (MLFM), Ministry of Tourism and Modernisation of the Capital City 

and Ministry of Education and Sports (MoES) through the Ghana Education Service (GES) 

These three ministries though not major players in the sector continue to implement projects that have 

bearing on water conservation and sustainable development of Ghana’s water resources. 

2.2 Commissions 

2.2.1 Water Resources Commission 


The Water Resources Commission (WRC) Act 1996, Act 522 establishes and mandates the WRC as the 

sole agent responsible for the regulation and management of water resources and for the co-ordination of 

any policy in relation to them, and provides a focal point in fostering coordination and collaboration among 

the various actors involved in the water resources sector. The WRC does this through the granting of water 

rights to potential water users such as DAs/CWSA/Communities etc. 

As part of its mandate, water use regulations and procedures for the issuance of rights to water uses by 

means of permits was prepared by the WRC and passed by parliament in 2001 i.e. Water Use Regulation 

(WUR) 2001, LI 1692. Data and information on the country’s water resources is managed by specialized 

institutions i.e. WRI, HSD and MSA and coordinated by the WRC. 

The composition of the WRC is made up of technical representatives of all the main stakeholders involved in 

the development and utilization of water resources i.e., Hydrological Services, Water Supply, Irrigation 

Development, Water Research, Environmental Protection, Forestry, Minerals and other interest parties such 

as traditional rulers, NGOs and Women. 


2.2.2 Public Utilities and Regulatory Commission 

The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is an independent body established under the PURC 

Act 1997 (Act 538) to regulate and oversee the provision of utility services in Ghana. The mandate of the 

PURC covers regulation of the standard of service including the quality, reliability and accessibility of 

drinking water provided by the GWCL and also the tariff set by the company for urban water supply. Its 

functions include the following: 

to protect the interest of consumers and providers of utility services; 

to monitor standards of performance for provision of utility services; and 

to initiate and conduct investigations into standards of quality of services given to consumers. 

2.3 RESEARCH AND SCIENTIFIC INSTITUTIONS 

Water Research Institute (WRI) 

The Water Research Institute (WRI) is one of the 13 institutions of the Council for Scientific and Industrial 

Research (CSIR). It was formed in 1996 from the merger of the erstwhile Institute of Aquatic Biology (IAB) 

and the Water Resources Research Institute (WRRI), all of the CSIR. WRI has a mandate to conduct 

research into water and related resources. In pursuance of this mandate, WRI generates and provides 

scientific information, strategies and services towards the rational development, utilisation and management 

of the water resources of Ghana in support of the socio–economic advancement of the country, especially in 

the agriculture, health, industry, energy, transportation, education and tourism sectors. 

2.4 WATER USE AGENCIES 

Volta River Authority (VRA) 

The Volta River Authority (VRA) was established under the Volta River Development Act 1961, Act 46 and 

operates as power generation, transmission and distribution utility in the country and also to neighbouring 

countries such as Togo and Benin. The VRA now operates a total installed electricity generation capacity of 

1,322MW made up of two hydro power plants at Akosombo (912MW) and Kpong (160MW), a diesel plant at 

Tema (30MW) and a Thermal Plant at Aboadze near Takoradi (330MW). The hydro power plants installed 

capacity is 1072MW. 

Apart from power generation and transmission, VRA is also responsible for providing facilities and 

assistance for the socio-economic development of the Volta Basin with the establishment of the following 

subsidiaries (1) Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC), (2) Kpong Farms Limited (KFL), and (3) Akosombo 

Hotels Limited (AHL). These subsidiaries have transport, communications, tourism and agricultural 

functions. 

VRA also has oversight responsibilities in the management of the Akosombo and Akuse Townships. 

2.5 OTHER INSTITUTIONS 

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) 


The role of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) covers among others protection of water sources 

and regulation of activities within catchment areas including setting effluent standards among others. The 

functions of EPA are set out in the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1994 (Act 490) 

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Act 1994, Act 490 establishes and mandates the EPA to seek 

and request information on any undertaking that in the opinion of the Agency can have adverse 

environmental effects and to instruct the proponent to take measures to prevent any adverse impacts. The 

Environmental Assessment Regulations (EAR) 1999, LI 1652 list such activities for which an Environmental 

Assessment (EA) is mandatory. The Environmental Assessment (Amendment) Regulations 2002, LI 1703 

establishes the charges to be taken by EPA for review and issuance of a permit. 

The EPA works in close collaboration with the WRC on all water related issues. 

Meteorological Services Agency (MSA) 

The Ghana Meteorological Agency (GMA) formerly Meteorological Services Department (MSD) has now 

been transformed to operate as a self sustaining organization whilst meeting clearly focused national 

objectives. The GMA has the sole responsibility for Ghana’s climate and rainfall networks. A number of 

stations though have been installed for mining, hydrological assessment and agricultural purposes. 

2.6 NGOS 

Most of the NGOs under the water sector have formed an umbrella organization known as the Coalition of 

NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS). Apart from CONIWAS the major NGOs in the country 

operating in the water sector include Water Aid, Church of Christ, ISODEC, World Vision etc. So far 

CONIWAS membership is about 39. 



3.0 WATER QUALITY AND SUSPENDED SEDIMENT LOAD ASSESSMENT 

Water Quality and Suspended Sediment data on the Volta system and for that matter the Black Volta is very 

scanty and limited. Data acquisition over the years have been segmented and organized for particular 

projects and durations (Larmie & Annang, 1996). 

Impacts on water quality which often occur following the impoundment of water in reservoirs include thermal 

stratification, oxygen depletion of bottom water, generation of hydrogen sulphide and euthrophication, and 

will depend on (1) reservoir depth (2) retention time (3) decomposition of flooded vegetation (4) runoff of 

agriculture fields and other land uses. 

Pure water does not exist in nature since rain water collects impurities in the atmosphere and the resultant 

runoff also gets contaminated by land based activities such as agricultural fields and through industrial 

effluent and sewage discharges. 

3.1 WATER QUALITY 

As a major river basin in Ghana, the Volta River water quality is impacted by the geology, agriculture, 

industrial and other activities resulting from human settlements along its course. The relief, land uses and 

the minerals in the Daboya and Buipe Areas area i.e. Brine, Barite and Limestone as well as activities in the 

riparian areas have implications for the Volta River water quality. Historical data is available within the Volta 

Basin but they varied greatly in terms of period and time when they were studied. 

The major environmental concerns of the Volta River basin as far as water quality is concerned include: 

degradation of the quality of trans-boundary water resources through the introduction of toxic 

chemicals, nutrients, pathogens, oxygen-demanding wastes, sediment and solid waste; and 

explosive growth of waterweeds, manifestation of eutrophication which results from the excessive and 

improper use of chemical fertilizers as well as the inadequate treatment and disposal of domestic and 

animal waste that is discharged into the river. 

The water quality data for the Black Volta basin is largely based on the following studies of which extracts of 

the quality data for the upstream (Bamboi) and downstream (Buipe) portion of Bui as well as the Volta Lake 

at Kpong and downstream of the lake (Lower Volta at Amedeka) is provided in Table 1: 

Larmie and Annang (1996) in Water Resources Management Studies (Information Building Blocks) Vol 

II Information in the Volta Basin System; 

AY & A Consult (1998), Environmental Impact Assessment Study – Buipe Clinker/Cement Project for 

Messrs Savacem Ltd; and 

Kankam-Yeboah and Mensah (1997), NARP Rice Programme. 

The Ghana Raw Water Quality Criteria and Guidelines issued by the CSIR-WRI in 2003 has the following 

quality ranges for the entire Black Volta Basin as shown in Table 2. 


Table 1: Historical Water Quality Data for Selected Points Along the Black Volta, Volta Lake and Lower Volta 

Parameter 

Sampling Point (Black Volta Basin) 

Bamboi* Buipe** Volta Lake, Kpong*** Lower Volta, Amedeka* 

pH 

Alkalinity 

Turbidity, (NTU) 

Conductivity, (µS/cm) 

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) 

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) 

Dissolved Oxygen (DO) 

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 

Calcium 

Magnesium 

Iron 

Chloride 

Sulphate 

Bicarbonate 

Nitrate 

Phosphate 

Silica 

Total Hardness 

7.0 

53.8 

- 

201.0 

- 

- 

11.2 

3.8 

10.1 

8.3 

- 

7.0 

7.0 

- 

0.20 

0.6 

- 

44.1 

6.6 

38.0 

435.0 

70.6 

- 

354.0 

- 

- 

8.0 

3.9 

There is not much variation in the physico-chemical constituents of the Black Volta. Slightly acidic to slightly 

alkaline conditions exist in the Black Volta proper with values ranging from 6.7 to 7.5. The alkalinity values 

i.e. 27.0mg/l – 69.0mg/l with a mean value of 51.7 suggest that the waters of the Black Volta are buffered 

and thus not easily susceptible to changes in pH. 

Calcium, Magnesium, Chloride and Sulphate showed similar trend as conductivity with decreasing 

concentrations downstream. The pH in the basin showed slightly acidic to slightly alkaline conditions. 

The high conductivity value at Amedeka is confirmation of seawater intrusion which is a regular feature in 

the Lower Volta which results in high salinity levels. 

The high turbidity (435.0NTU) of the Black Volta at Buipe suggests transport of higher amounts of 

suspended matter during seasonal floods occasioned by high velocity flows as against 14.7NTU of the Volta 

Lake at Kpong. 

3.2 SEDIMENT TRANSPORT 

Sediment transport is a function of both river discharge and sediment concentration. The data on sediment 

transport have been accessed from studies conducted by Amisigo and Akrasi in 1996. The range of 

suspended sediment concentration computed for the Black Volta at Lawra and Bamboi upstream and 

downstream of Bui respectively is provided in Table 3, and studies conducted in 1964 by Hydroproject of 

USSR at Bui is also provided. It should be noted that the conditions at Bamboi about 30km south east of 

Bui is close enough to represent the Bui conditions. 

Table 3: Maximum and Minimum Suspended Sediment Concentration of the Black Volta at Lawra and Bamboi 

Station Minimum, mg/l Maximum, mg/l Rating Equation 

Lawra* 

Bamboi* 

Bui** 

34.0 

20.0 

4.4 

470.0 

568.0 

208.0 

Qs = 3.687Qw 1.191 

Qs = 0.484Qw 1.476 

- 

*…………. Amisigo & Akrasi, 1996 **………… Hydroproject, 1964 as in Amisigo and Akrasi (1996) 

Where: Qs = suspended sediment discharge in tones/day 

Qw = water discharge in m3/s 

Further studies carried out during the WRMS yielded similar rating equations for Lawra and Bamboi, and the 

computed Specific Annual Suspended Sediment Yield considering 10% contribution of Annual Bed Load are 

as shown in Table 4. 

Table 4: Computed Sediment Load for Lawra and Bamboi 

Station Catchment Area Gross Annual Suspended 

Sediment Yield, tonnes/yr 

Specific Annual Suspended 

Sediment Yield, tonnes/yr/km 2 

Rating Equation 


Lawra 

Bamboi 

8,9608 

127,268 

1,079,175.2 

1,018,029.9 

12.0 

8.0 

Qs = 3.687Qw 1.191 

Qs = 0.482Qw 1.477 

Source: Opoku-Ankomah, 1996 as in WRMS 

Amisigo and Akrasi (1993) confirmed the low suspended sediment concentrations for the lower Volta River 

except at Anyanui where there is a market with bare ground. This has been attributed to the dams at 

Akosombo and Kpong that serve as effective sediment traps for sediment carried by the Violta River 

upstream of the dams. Thus little of the sediment gets through the dams to contribute to sediment load 

downstream by (1) the regulated discharge (2) the overgrown short bushes and grass serving as traps in the 

plains of the banks of the lower Volta. 

Thus the reservoir operations at Akosombo and Kpong and the action of tides have regulated the flow of the 

water downstream of the dams and the amount of sediment carried by the flow is also being controlled by 

these reservoirs. 

The computed specific annual suspended sediment yield for lawra and Bamboi suggest that some of the 

suspended matter in the upper most portion of the river gets deposited in the river bed probably due to 

sluggish flow hence the reduced yield for Bamboi, which represents 67% of that for Lawra. 

Hydroproject (1964) and C & B (1993) estimated the annual suspended sediment yield at Bui to be 

800,000tonnes/yr and 760,000tonnes/yr respectively. Opoku-Ankomah (1996) had estimated for Bamboi 

with catchment area of 127,268km 2 to be 1,018,029.9tonnes/yr. Applying the area ratio method and 

assuming similar conditions exist for Bui and Bamboi, then the Bui sediment yield is expected to be about 

968,000tonnes/yr. 



4.0 ASSESSMENT OF DOWNSTREAM WATER LEVELS OF PROPOSED DAM 

The Hydroelectric development characteristics of the proposed Bui Dam and the two operating dams at 

Akosombo and Kpong have been assessed in the Water Resources Management Studies (WRMS) of 1996, 

and are as shown in Table 5. 

Table 5: Hydroelectric Development Characteristics 

Location 

Installed 

Capacity 

(MW) 

Gross 

Head 

(m) 

Full 

Supply 

Level 

(m) 

Reservoir 

Min 

Operating 

Level (m) 

Tail 

Water 

Level 

(m) 

Reservoir 

Area 

(km 2 ) 

Total 

Reservoir 

Volume 

(m 3 x10 6 ) 

Live 

Storage 

Volume 

(m 3 x10 6 ) 

Dam 

Height 

(m) 

Daily 

Average 

Discharge 

(m 3 /s) 

Bui 400 80 183 167 103 432 12,350 5,620 110 217 600 

Akosombo 912 69.81 84.73 73.15 14.92 8,482 154,000 59,800 112.78 1,200 265 

Kpong 148 11.75 14.75 14.25 3 12 194 25 18.25 1,160 385 

Rated 

Discharge 

(m 3 x10 6 ) 

The total reservoir volume at Bui will be only 8% that of Akosombo suggesting that the impact on 

downstream conditions will be minimal since about 80m 3 /s of regulated discharge will be allowed into the 

downstream portion of the river when impounded. 

The Bui monthly flows and the historic hydrograph for 1954 to 2005 have been provided in the Annex. The 

10-year mean annual discharges for 1956 – 1965, 1966 – 1975, 1976 – 1985, 1986 – 1995, 1996 – 2005 

are respectively 237.2m 3 /s, 201.5m 3 /s, 164.3m 3 /s, 193.2m 3 /s, 222.7m 3 /s which suggest that discharges for 

the past ten years have improved after the droughts of the early eighties. Monthly, September has the 

highest discharges whiles the least occurs in March depicting the peaks of the rainy and dry periods 

respectively showing a wide variation in riverflow that ranges from 8m 3 /s to 848m 3 /s. Nick van de Giesen et 

al, 2001 showed that there is a surprisingly strong correlation between yearly rainfall and riverflow in the 

Volta Basin. 

An assessment of the monthly discharges at Bui shows that 94% of the total discharges in a year occurs 

between June and November, peaking in September which is depicted in Figure 1. 


Figure 1: Bui Monthly Flows (1954 - 2005), m3/s 

900 

848 

800 

Flows, m3/s 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

28 13 8 10 

31 

88 

193 

430 

593 

171 

64 

0 

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 

Month 

Again, the yearly discharge data at Bui confirms that about 18% of annual inflows into the Volta Lake come 

from the Black Volta. It is expected that discharges from the proposed dam downstream will be constant at 

217m 3 /s when the powerhouse is operational and reduce to 80m 3 /s when not operational. The regulated 

flow will cause a reduction in sediment transport and eliminate the seasonal flooding associated with the 

Black Volta. 

The natural dry and wet weather flows of the Black Volta associated with the immediate catchment between 

Bui and Akosombo will also be eliminated at such constant flows when the dam is constructed (see Figure 

2). 


Figure 2: Bui Monthly Discharges - Various Scenarios 

900 

800 

Discharge, m3/s 

700 

600 

500 

400 

300 

200 

100 

0 

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC 

Month 

Current Situation When Pow erhouse is in Full Operation When Pow erhouse is not Operational 



5.0 REFERENCES 

ERM (2006), Baseline and Scoping Report – Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the Bui 

Hydropower Project. 

MWRWH (2005), National Water Policy (Draft for Discussion). 

CSIR-WRI (2003), Ghana Raw Water Quality Criteria and Guidelines – Raw Water Quality Data 

Assessment, Volta River System, 1 st Edition. 

AY & A Consult (1998), Environmental Impact Assessment Study – Buipe Clinker/Cement Project for 

Messrs Savacem Ltd. 

KanKam Yeboah K & Mensah F K (1997), NARP Rice Project: Improved Water Management Systm for 

Irrigated Rice – Current Water Management of the Kpong ARS, Water Resources Research Institute CSIR. 

Larmie & Annang (1996), Surface and Ground Water Quality as in Water Resources Management Study 

(WRMS): Information Building Blocks Vol II Information in the Volta Basin System by Nii Consult. 

Opoku Ankomah Y (1996), Surface Water Resources as in Water Resources Management Study (WRMS): 

Information Building Blocks Vol II Information in the Volta Basin System by Nii Consult. 

Amisigo B A & Akrasi S A (1996), Sediment Loads of the Volta River Basin, Water Resources Research 

Institute (CSIR). 

Coyne & Bellier (1995), Bui Hydroelectric Development Feasibility Study Part II – Hydrology. 

Amisigo B A & Akrasi S A (1993), Sediment Loads of the Lower Volta River, Water Resources Research 

Institute (CSIR). 

Freshwater 2004 – Ghana, obtained from the website: 

http//www.un.org/esa/agenda21/natlinfo/country/Ghana/waterghanao4f.pdf 

Nick van de Giesen, Marc Andreini, Annette van Edig & Paul Vlek (2001), Competition of Water Resources 

of the Volta Basin, obtained from the Website: 

http//www.glowa-volta.de/publications/printed/competition_in_the_volta_basin.pdf 

Annette van Edig, Stefan Engel, Wolfram Laube, (2003) Ghana’s Water Institutions in the Process of 

Reform: from the International to the Local Level, obtained from the website: 

http//www.glowa-volta.de/publications/printed/van_edig_etal_2003.pdf 

Ghana Government Website: www.ghana.gov.gh 




D1 

ANNEXES 


Annex F 

Hydrogeological Analysis

Table of Contents 

Section Heading Page 

1 Introduction 1 

2 Objectives 1 

3 Methodology 2 

4 Geology of Project Area 4 

4.1 The Regional Syncline 4 

4.2 Rock Weathering 5 

4.3 Faulting 7 

4.4 Jointing 8 

4.5 Overburden Formations 8 

5 Hydrogeology of Project Area 8 

5.1 Groundwater Occurrence & Flow 8 

5.2 Groundwater Quality 11 

5.3 Groundwater Usage 12 

5.4 Groundwater Monitoring 12 

6 Conclusions 13 

7 Recommendations 13

Unihydro LIimited Hydrogeological Survey at Bui Hydroelectric Power Plant site 

1.0 Introduction 

The government of Ghana has initiated the process to construct and operate a 

hydroelectric Power Dam at the Bui Gorge on the Black Volta River in the Brong 

Ahafo Region (figure 1). Various studies into the viability of such a project have 

been conducted since 1925. In a more recent study being carried out by ERM 

(Environmental Resource Management), it is required that an analysis of the 

current Hydrogeological conditions in the Black Volta River Catchment of the 

dam site be instituted. The anticipated useful data sources include 

Hydrogeological mapping, Geological Survey Department Reports and earlier 

feasibility reports. Unihydro Limited was engaged to conduct a Hydrogeological 

survey to address the above mentioned requirements. 

This report presents a preliminary assessment of the prevailing Hydrogeological 

environment and projections of the impact from Dam Construction. 

2.0 Objectives 

The objectives of the assignment as enumerated in the terms of reference are 

listed below. 

To provide a basic description of the hydrogeology of the area of interest. 

To describe current groundwater usage and yields in the area of interest, 

including uses for irrigation, drinking water, livestock watering etc. 

To describe and identify potential impact of the dam and impoundment on 

groundwater levels and groundwater quality within the area of interest; 

and 

To make recommendations for future data acquisition and analyses to 

update and supplement the data and analyses presented in Coyne & Bellier 

report and the existing EIA Scoping report. 

1 

REPORT PREPARED FOR SGS LABORATORIES GHANA LIMITED – ENVIRONMENT DIVISION


3.0 Methodology 

To address the above-mentioned objectives, a systematic approach was defined. 

Taking cognisance of the 13-day period allocated to the survey, all available 

reports were studied to design the field reconnaissance and ground-truthing of 

relevant reportage. 

The field visit was made in the period of April 4 th to April 8 th 2006. Within the 

period, rock outcrops were examined within the catchment, interviews were held 

with community members, existing boreholes identified and GPS coordinates 

recorded. These were done to help collate relevant data from executing agencies 

on these boreholes to fill data gaps and form a baseline databank. These were to 

be assessed on pre- and post- dam construction basis to clearly define direct 

impact of construction. 

Probable locations of additional monitoring boreholes were examined with a view 

of having full coverage of the catchment. 

In the discussions with community members, an attempt was made to understand 

their current perception of seasonal water quality and water level variations noted 

through taste changes or non-functioning boreholes during dry seasons. Locations 

of boreholes were also examined to determine the best sited ones for monitoring, 

e.g. on clear inferred lineaments where impacts would be earlier felt. 

It must be noted that the survey period was inadequate to remove handpumps, 

measure water levels and take samples for water quality analysis. This activity is 

to form the basis for designing an adequate monitoring network for groundwater 

level and quality. 

2 



Figure 1: Location map of project area in Ghana 

3 



4.0 Geology of Project Area 

A number of geological study reports have been compiled and the Coyne & 

Bellier report documents this chronological succession of these. There is a 

progressive support and confirmation of earlier works carried out. A cursory 

survey along transects in the catchment confirms earlier reports. A summary of 

that report is presented here as a backdrop to the Hydrogeological assessment; 

4.1 The Regional Syncline 

The Tarkwaian and the underlying Birrimian Sedimentary Formations that 

constitute the entire bedrock of the whole region are locally infolded in the 

vicinity of the project area, to form a deep synclinal trough. The Bui Gorge is 

located in the northern limb of this syncline. The axis of which is 5 km 

downstream of the proposed main dam alignment. The synclinal structure trends 

NE-SW and pitches slightly to the south-west 

The structural NE-SW direction of the strata generated a typical regional 

geomorphology with a succession of parallel ridges due to lithological 

differences. These form the Banda Hills. The highest ridges of Dakomiran Ridge 

and the Bui Ridge, occur in the area of Bui. 

The basal formation of the regional stratigraphical sequence is the Quartzophyllitic, 

of Birrimian origin and Tarkwaian quartzitic sandstones. 

The bedrock of the site is composed of alternated series of sandstones that vary 

from metric strata of fine-grained facies to beds of coarse-grained and 

conglomeratic type. 

4 



4.2 Rock Weathering 

The chemical weathering of the rock foundation has low development due to the 

high quartzitic content. Only some of the rock exposures may be very 

superficially friable. However sericite has developed from feldspar alteration. 

Non-negligible clay content may be locally present in the matrix composition. 

This phyllitic content is likely to be related to the decomposition of the micaceous 

minerals that are a usual fraction of sandstone composition. It occurs as a fringe at 

the surface of the rock exposures and along the different planes of discontinuities 

where rock is superficially weathered. Its colour is light brown due to the 

associated concentrations of iron oxides (limonite) that typically characterize the 

chemical weathering effects. 

Similar local concentrations of iron oxides have more deeply been encountered in 

the rock foundation as iron staining in joints. 

5 



Figure 2: Geological Map of Project Area 

6 



The mechanical weathering of the local bedrock is prominent as compared with 

the chemical weathering. It is influenced by the dense jointing sets, the planes of 

which are often open at the surface of the rock foundation. Opened fissuration is 

developed along cleavage joints and stratification planes. 

4.3 Faulting 

The ancient tectonic events that generated folded structures such as the regional 

Banda-Nkwanta Syncline also induced faulting. According to the field 

observations and photo-geological interpretation, this faulting is of medium 

importance and no faulted zone with mylonite and breccia was evidenced in the 

project area. The main directions of these tectonic discontinuities are either 

parallel or perpendicular to the strike of the syncline. 

The fault planes have most generally been evidenced as vertical or steep dipping. 

These discontinuities do not appear to have caused any great displacement either 

of outcrops or of the ridges. 

In the Project area, only a few faults were identified, the main one of which is 

thought to be aligned N-S, perpendicularly to the Bui Ridge, through the Bui 

Camp Saddle. 

There is no evidence of such a fault zone in conformity with the direction of the 

Bui Gorge. The strike gullies, are perpendicular to the river channel, that are 

located on both banks of the gorge, upstream and downstream of the proposed 

dam axis were evidenced as only intense tectonic jointing zones in connection 

with probable reverse strike faults. 

7 



4.4 Jointing 

The Tarkwaian sandstones are remarkably well jointed following several sets that 

are fairly constant and affect every facies of the local Tarkwaian sandstones. 

Open tectonic joints and stratification planes are both favourable to infiltration 

and development of weathering; they induce local weakness and high 

permeability. 

4.5 Overburden Formations 

Locally overlying bedrock is various types of loose deposits and accumulations 

that resulted from erosion effects on the upstream and local bedrock formations. 

The slopes are superficially covered by slope wash deposits (eluvium) that 

correspond to sandy-clayey soils with fragments and blocks of the underlying 

sandstones. The banks are generally characterised by Talus deposits and Alluvium 

Floodplain. 

5.0 Hydrogeology of Project Area 

5.1 Groundwater Occurrence & Flow 

The hydrogeology of the area is controlled primarily by the presence of fracture 

zones in the bedrock and a thick weathered zone along the river bank. Where 

there are well-developed fracture zones, the bedrock has a high secondary 

permeability. The boreholes in the catchment may have intercepted some of such 

fractured zones. The thick weathered zone (especially along the bank) represents 

the main storage capacity of the aquifer, as this is where the rocks have been 

leached by weathering processes, resulting in an enhanced porosity where 

infiltrating water can be stored. 

8 



The recharge to the aquifer is mainly by vertical infiltration from precipitation 

excess. Where the Volta River and associated streams are in hydraulic continuity 

with the aquifer, induced recharge can occur. Groundwater levels are generally a 

reduced replica of topography. This scenario seems to be the case, as it is reported 

by Coyne & Bellier that the data gathered by HYDROPROJECT indicates that 

waterlevels always rise away from the river. 

It is assumed that there will be significant contributions to the abstracted 

groundwater by induced recharge from the Black Volta and its adjacent tributaries 

due to reversed gradient. The recharge area lies within the Birrimian system and 

the upstream section drains the granites of the Bole District (figure 2). 

Groundwater flow is generally perpendicular to contours down gradient. An 

attempt has been made to define surface water inundation area and by extension 

groundwater impact zone post dam construction. The highest reservoir design 

level of 198m has been used to simulate catchment’s inundation area (figure 3). 

To define the groundwater impact zone the following assumptions have been 

made; 

This is a hardrock and multiple aquifer environment; and it will be 

simplistic to base reverse gradient flow direction only on measured 

static Water Levels. It is therefore assumed that aquifer water levels up 

to 60m (common target drilling depths) may be impacted (i.e. 

elevation of 243m). 

Density driven flow is not considered. 

Homogeneity and isotropism is assumed, as there is high density of 

jointing and fissuration. 

Conduit or Preferential fracture flow is ignored. 

9 



Figure 3: Map of inundation area & Groundwater impact zone. 

10 



5.2 Groundwater Quality 

The water quality data on boreholes identified in the field is yet to be acquired, 

even though acquisition procedures have been set in motion. Geology controls the 

natural distribution of chemicals in the environment; particular chemicals are 

associated with particular rock types and it may be possible to estimate the 

likelihood of occurrence of certain chemicals on the basis of underlying geology. 

From experience gathered in similar environments, the common quality problems 

associated with the Birrimian formation is elevated Iron, Manganese, low 

pH(aggressive groundwater) and turbidity levels. In the Granite areas it is 

normally Fluoride, Brackish water and low pH that are sources of concern. It 

should be noted that trace elements like Se, As, Cd, Ni, Cr, Pb and Al which are 

undesirable in excessive amounts (MacDonald et al 2005); are not routinely tested 

for in groundwater development projects thus data on these are lacking. 

In mini-discussions held with community members there is generally relative 

perception that certain boreholes are brackish in town. It would be interesting to 

compare the yields of these boreholes to determine whether the degree of flushing 

has had significant effect. It was noticed that communities located directly south 

of the saddles (e.g. Bungasi) perceived all borehole water to be fresh/sweet. The 

basic concept is that they are located on North-South trending lineaments and 

hence groundwater is easily flushed with the attendant lower residence times. 

Observed seepage phases show iron staining, which is expected with the presence 

of iron oxides. Surface water quality spot tested in Lawra and Buipe show 

increasing concentration of Iron from 0.3 to 1.6 mg/l (Coyne & Bellier). This is 

obviously due to longer residence and leaching time within the iron rich Birrimian 

formation. It is envisaged that with damming there will even be a longer residence 

time and inferredly impact groundwater quality with effluent flow. 

11 



Envisaged large area flooding of the game reserve upstream would invariably lead 

to biomass decomposition under anaerobic conditions which favours generation 

of hydrogen sulphide gas (Appello and Postma, 1993). Groundwater in such 

environment is very offensive (rotten egg smell). 

The downstream lowering of groundwater levels due to damming engenders 

larger cone of depression around boreholes, transition from aerobic to anaerobic 

conditions thus triggering further geochemical reactions which bring trace metals 

into solution. 

Illegal use of pesticides in fishing has been reported in the Black Volta. This 

lower quality water would also deteriorate groundwater quality with the expected 

reversed gradients and contaminant paths. 

5.3 Groundwater Yields and Usage 

Information gathered from field observation and community interaction indicates 

that the prime use of groundwater is for drinking and washing. Groundwater is not 

being used for irrigation in the project area. There is also no large scale livestock 

watering. Livestock are home fed from spilled water that collects in extended 

soak-away on concrete plinth. 

Borehole yields in the Birrimian and associated granite range from 0.41– 

29.8m 3 /hr averaging 10.5 m 3 /hr (Dapaah Siakwan and Gyau Boakye, 2000). 

5.4 Groundwater Monitoring 

The Coyne & Bellier report recommended collation of Hydrogeological baseline 

data on boreholes at Kwamikwesi, Banda Nkwanta, Bungasi, Banda and Bamboi. 

This is rather inadequate for full spatial coverage. It would be important to install 

monitoring wells in the western fringes of the inundation area (especially along 

12 



the extended groundwater impact zone) for early warning purposes. Uncontrolled 

cross border impact could lead to international dispute. The limitation to the 

design reservoir level is reported to be the surface water spillage into Ivory Coast. 

Groundwater impact zone was not considered. 

The biannual monitoring schedule as recommended in the Coyne & Bellier report 

is temporally inadequate. But for financial constraints, monthly measurements 

over one hydrological year would generate enough data to separate background 

effects and determine direct impact variations. 

6.0 Conclusions 

Having carried out the required assignment according to the defined scope of work in the 

terms of reference the following preliminary conclusions have been made; 

The groundwater quality and level will be affected by dam construction in 

both upstream and down stream sections. 

The extent of groundwater impact by dam construction would be significant in 

Ivory Coast. 

The most probable chemical parameters to be elevated are Iron, Manganese, 

low pH(aggressive groundwater), Fluoride, turbidity levels; and Brackish 

water. Offensive groundwater is also anticipated from biomass decomposition. 

Transition from aerobic to anaerobic conditions will trigger further 

geochemical reactions which may bring trace metals into solution. 

7.0 Recommendations 

Borehole siting should be conducted to determine suitable sites for 

constructing four monitoring wells along preferential directions of 

groundwater flow towards Ivory Coast. 

13 



Monthly groundwater levels and quality measurements should be instituted 

over one hydrological year pre and post dam construction. 

References 

Coyne and Bellier. (1995) Bui Hydroelectric Development Feasibility Study 

Update: Final Report. 

Dapaah Siakwan, S and P. Gyau-Boakye. 2000. “Hydrogeologic Framework and 

and Borehole yields in Ghana”. Hydrogeology Journal 8: 405-406 

Appello C.A.J., D. Postma (1993) Geochemistry, Groundwater and Pollution. 

Balkema, Rotterdam p261 

MacDonald A., Davies J., Calow R., and J. Chilton. 2005. “Developing 

Groundwater – A Guide for Rural Water Supply” p261. 

14 


Annex G 

Report on Geomorphology, 

Soils and Land Use Study

Land use 

The Bui Hydropower Project area fall within the Guinea Savanna woodland 

ecological zone under the influence of Sudanese climate characterized by 

pronounced wet and dry seasons. Such conditions dictate the land use pattern 

within the area. Majority of the people are farmers producing crop such as 

yam, maize, cassava, tobacco, groundnut, rice, legumes, millet, guinea corn, 

cotton, tiger nuts, vegetables and cashew nuts. 

The system of farming is predominantly shifting cultivation or land rotation 

cultivation on mostly subsistence basis. A piece of land is cultivated for 2 or 

3 years and then left under fallow to build-up soil fertility for up to 8 years. 

Most farm holdings are less than two hectares. Farms of five hectares or more 

are rare. There are two systems of cultivation, the permanent compound 

farming around houses and the shifting cultivation or land rotation away 

from the villages. The compound farming receive household refuse to 

maintain soil fertility. Millet and guinea corn and leafy vegetables are mostly 

grown. 

Animal husbandry is practiced throughout the area. Cattle, sheep and goat are 

kept in most villages. The cattle, mostly West Africa short horn and the 

N’dama breeds are herded by hired Fulanis or children of the cattle owners. 

There are no cultivated pastures but feed on free range basis. Cattle are 

seldom slaughtered for home consumption but are used as index of social 

status and for the payment of dowry. Lately, there have been influx of cattle, 

mostly Sokoto breeds, from Burkina Faso and even Mali and Niger by Fulani 

herdsmen into the area especially during the long dry season. 

Sheep and goats are kept by nearly every family within the project area and 

are often killed for home consumption or sold. 

The sparsely inhabited lands, the forest reserves and the Bui National Park as 

well as the riverain woodlands along the Black Volta and its tributary rivers 

and streams, harbour limited number of game where hunters visit especially 

in the nights to poach the games and prepare the carcases for sale in the local 

markets or those of big towns away from the project area. The available game 

hunted for includes, monkeys, buffalos, duikers, antelopes, birds reptiles etc. 

Fishing within the Black Volta is lucrative business by immigrant fishermen 

from southern Ghana mostly the Ewes from the Volta Region who settle along 

the river and operate along the navigable stretches of the Black Volta using 

dug-out canoes. Fishing nets, cord, twine and hooks are used. The fish are 

generally smoked or salted and sold at riverside markets from where they are 

sent to other consuming areas. 

Poultry, mostly guinea fowls, chickens, ducks and doves are kept in mainly 

homes for mostly home consumption. Large scale commercial poultry 

production is absent within the project area. 


G1 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The major plantation land use within the area is cashew nut plantation. This 

occur extensively within the Banda and Ntereso area. Plantation sizes of more 

than 30 hectares are common. Fruit trees such as mangoes, citrus and coconut 

are around settlements for local consumption. Production of charcoal and 

collection of fuelwood for household energy are practiced throughout the area 

mostly by women. Some of these are heaped in the villages by the major 

roads for sale. 

Trees like Anogeissus leiocarpus, Detarium microcarpum, Daniella oliveri, Afzelia 

Africana and Khaya senegalensis and even economic species like Parkia filicoidia 

and Butyrospermum parkii are used. These practices have caused extensive 

deforestation of the vegetation of the project area and have resulted in soil 

erosion, formation of ironapn in the subsoils and decline in soil fertility. 

Drainage 

The project area is drained into the Volta Lake by the Black Volta and its 

numerous tributaries of different sizes and lengths. The Black Volta entres the 

project area from Burkina Faso and forms the frontier between Ghana and 

Cote d’Ivoire near Ntereso. The Black Volta flows directly south until its 

reaches the Bui gorge (Dam site) where it forms a big loop north-eastwards to 

join the Volta Lake near Mpaha. The major tributaries are dendritic in pattern 

and feed the Black Volta from surrounding hills and ridges. These tributaries 

include the Tain, Chiridi, Jahol, Tombe Fanko Diapoli, Gbungbun, and Yoko. 

Apart from the Tain River, the tributaries dry out early in the dry season 

forming discontinuous pools along their courses. The volume of the Black 

Volta itself reduces drastically during this period, forming disconnected pools 

separated by dry stretches of sandy deposits and rock boulders along the river 

course. 

Sudden rise of water levels occur during the rainy season and the rivers and 

streams may overflow their banks, suggesting that there is considerable 

surface run off within the project area during heavy rainfall. 

Soil erosion 

Most parts of the area are susceptible to accelerated soil erosion and scars of 

erosion features are evident throughout the area. The erosion hazards are due 

to the light textured nature of the topsoils which ranges from loam, sandy 

loam, to pure sand, deforestation and overgrazing. The very steep-sided and 

precipitous Banda Hills complex and the inselbergs and ridges have 

experienced severe erosion resulting in total removal of the earthy materials 

leaving behind bare surface with rock boulders. The footslope deposits with 

slight concave tallus have slopes rangings from 12-25% and experiences very 

severe sheet and gully erosion. 


G2 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The sandy recent levees and terraces immediately adjacent to the Black Volta 

course are liable to severe gully erosion. This is evident in places along the 

rivers where the vegetation and the soils have been disturbed by both humans 

and livestock. These are mostly points of crossing, fetching of water from the 

river for household uses and livestock drinking where severe gully and sheet 

erosion are evidence. At Ntereso crossing point where the slope is 12% the 

sandy clay loam levee has been eroded severely by sheet and gully erosion. 

These conditions are true for almost all the crossing points and near 

settlements along the Black Volta and its major streams. 

At a point on the river near Batoo, 4 km from Bui valleys which form a 

crossing point for the Hippos, with 20% and sandy loam surface texture, 

severe sheet and gully erosion have taken place and wide gully channels exist. 

At a point on the river before the abandoned Kasa village, 23.5 km from Bui 

village where Hippos cross the riverbanks to feed in the plains, severe erosion 

features mark their tracks on the light textured river banks. Within the 

floodplains and depressional bottoms above the levees and terraces along the 

Black Volta, soil erosion is not prominent. Slight sheet and rill erosion 

features are witnessed. These sites have slopes of 1 to 2%. On the plains 

which are predominantly gently undulating with slopes mostly not exceeding 

5%, characteristics of the landscape of Guinea savanna woodlands, erosion is 

slight. Stream river banks and tracks may show moderate to severe gully 

erosion, so also are sides of few steep-sided ridges and inselbergs. In areas of 

intensive cultivation, deforestation and livestock grazing, as around 

settlements, severe sheet and gully erosion occurs exposing the subsoils which 

harden to form sheets or ironpan and boulders, as observed near Teselima, 

Bongasi, Banda Ahenkro and some settlements within the area. Such sites 

have the ironpan close to the soil surface or even exposed making the sites not 

suitable for crop production but are left for livestock grazing. 


G3 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

SOIL RESOURCES OF THE BUI HYDROPOWER 

PROJECT AREA 

By 

Dr. R.D Asiamah 

The Soil resources of the project Area have been formed through the 

interaction of the factors of soil formation including climate, parent materials, 

fauna and flora relief or topography, drainage conditions and time or age 

during which these factors have been in operation. The soils have been 

developed to their present states through the actions of climate mostly rainfall 

and temperature an existing geological materials with the active participation 

of flora and fauna on different relief and drainage conditions over various 

periods of time. 

The soils are similar in general appearance to those developed within much of 

the Guinea Savanna ecological zone. 

The upland soils are developed in-situ, often shallow, reddish or brownish in 

colour with relatively thin humous-stained topsoils. They often contain 

ironstone and quartz gravels and stone in the subsoils and overlie either 

undurated ironpan and/or weathered rock. Characteristically, the soils 

contain very little weathered minerals within the rooting zone. The organic 

matter contents are very low. The annual burning practices over large tracts 

of the area reduce the potential amount of plant nutrients. The subsoils are 

massive. 

The middle to lower slopes are occupied by colluvial soils which are 

moderately to imperfectly drained, with gray surface soils. The subsoils are 

pale or yellowish in colour with seepage concretions or pan. Colour mottlings 

increase with depth. The poorly drained soils occupy the lower slopes and 

bottom lands and are gray in colour with the subsoils being light gray and 

strongly mottled bright orange or yellowish brown. Th4 alluvial soils of the 

broad valleys are deep, gray, poorly drained and strongly mottled with 

shallow ground watertable. 

The soils of the project area have been developed over weathering products of 

a number of geological formations including Tarkwaian, Birimian, Voltaian, 

Granitic rocks and sediments of the Black Volta and its major tributaries. 


G4 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

SOIL DEVELOPED OVER TARKWAIAN ROCKS 

These soils occur extensively within the western and north western portions of 

the project are extending from the Banda Ahenkro and Bungare areas across 

the Black Volta into Jama, Banda Nkwanta and Teselima areas. The major soil 

associations of these formations are the Banda-Bungase and Laura Farmang or 

the Banda Hill Soil Associations. The associations consist of Banda, Bungase, 

Kanka, Laura Farmang, Gradow and Ngre soil series. 

The summits upper and middle slopes the hills have been subjected to severe 

erosion, leaving the sites bare of rocks. Shallow stony and gravelly soil 

materials occur at few places and within cracks and crevaces in between rock 

boulders (Lithic Leptosols). The footslopes of these steep-sided hills are 

covered by tallus of unconsolidated soil materials with creep rock boulders 

and stones (Regosols). 

The peneplain drift soils of these associations consists of Laura and Farmang 

series while the Gradau and Ngre series form the colluvial colluvio-alluvial 

drift soils. 

Banda series (Ferric Luvisol) 

The soil are deep, well drained concretionary and gravelly with many ironpan 

boulders. On undulating topography with slopes of 2-5%. They have 20-25 

cm humous, grayish brown loamy sand, friable, topsoils with frequent 

ironstone concretions and quartz gravels. The subsoils are thick, brown to 

yellowish brown in colour, sandy loam to clay loam, with quartz stones, 

gravels and boulders of ironpan and underlain by weathered quartzite. 

Bungase series (Ferric Luvisol) 

These are deep, well drained, gravelly soils on upper slopes of gently 

undulating topography with moderately thick (22-25 cm) humous, grayish 

brown, sandy loam topsoils containing frequent to abundant ironstone 

concretions, quartz gravels and stones with thick (140-150 cm) reddish brown 

to reddish yellow, clay loam subsoils with disintegrated ironpan fragments. 

Kanka series (Dystric Leptosol) 

These are shallow brashy soils on summits and upper slopes of steep-sided 

hills. They have 20-25 cm pinkish gray to brown, humous, sandy loam 

topsoils over thick (150 cm) reddish brown to reddish yellow sandy loam to 

sandy clay loam subsoils with abundant quartz gravels and boulders 

underlain by rocky brash. 


G5 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Laura series (Chromic Luvisol) 

The soils are deep, non-concretionary sandy loam, well drained red, piedmont 

drift on upper slopes. They are extensive and consist of 10-15 cm of dark to 

strong brown, humous, loamy sand topsoils with weak medium granular 

structure free of gravels and concretions underlain by thick (120-150 cm) 

yellowish red, mottled reddish, clay loam weak medium and coarse 

subangular blocky massive and firm subsoils which may have few ironstone 

and quartz gravels. 

Farmang series (Ferric Luvisol) 

They are deep, moderately well drained, soils on upper and middle slopes of 

gently undulating topography with moderately thick (12-18 cm) dark brown 

sandy loam, friable, weak fine granular topsoils over thick (100 cm) dark 

reddish brown to yellowish red, clay loam, weak medium subangular blocky 

structure subsoils with frequent quartz gravels and few ironstone concretions 

on disintegrated quartzite or ironpan. 

Gradaw series (Dystric Plinthosol) 

They are deep, moderately well to imperfectly drained, colluvial soils in lower 

slopes underlain by decomposed quartzite or plinthite. They consist of thin 

(10-15 cm), humous, dark gray to gray, loamy fine sand, weak fine granular, 

loose topsoils over very thick (180-200 cm) pale brown, to pale yellow, mottled 

olive gray and yellow fine sand to clay loam overlying pale brown mottled 

olive gray and yellowish plinthite. 

Ngre series (Dystric Plinthosol) 

There are shallow colluvial soils on lower slopes overlying sheet ironpan. 

They have thin (12-15 cm) grayish brown to light grayish brown, humous 

loamy fine sand, loose, weak fine granular, topsoils on thin (30 – 40 cm), 

pinkish gray, loamy fine sand subsoils with rare iron and manganese dioxide 

concretions, pieces of ironpan overlying sheet ironpan. 


G6 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

SOILS DEVELOPED OVER BIRIMIAN ROCKS 

The soils developed over weathered products of the Birimian rocks consist of 

two major soil associations. These are the sampa soil association and the 

Baulifoli, Bamkpama soil association. The sampa soil association occurs 

within the north western portions of the area mostly between the Black Volta 

and the Ghana cote d’Ivoire frontier. The Baulifoli-Bamkpama soil association 

covers the areas northwards from Bamboi to areas around Seripe and 

westwards from Bamboi-Bole main road to the Black Volta. 

The main soil series members of the sampa soil association are Duadaso, Mole, 

Sampa, Nsawkaw, Drobo and Debibi series. 

Duadaso series (Haplic Lixisol) 

The soils are very deep (150-200 cm) well drained, dark grey to yellowish 

brown peneplain soils on flat summits. The topsoils are moderately thick (15- 

20 cm), dark grayish brown, clay loam, weak fine granular non-sticky, non 

plastic, friable, loose topsoil underlain by thick (150-170 cm) dull brown to 

yellowish brown, clay loam, to clay, weak medium subangular blocky, sticky, 

plastic, firm, massive subsoils over gray mottles and ironpan at great depths. 

Morle series (Lithic Plinthosol) 

They are shallow (18 - 30 cm) well drained, gravelly brown to yellowish 

brown, clay loam, peneplain drift soils with sheet ironpan at shallow depths. 

Sampa series (Ferric Acrisol) 

The soils are deep (150- 160 cm), well drained, reddish brown, clay loam, 

peneplain drift soils on upper slopes of gently undulating topography. They 

have thick (20-25 cm), dark reddish brown humous clay loam, gravelly, weak 

medium granular, friable, loose topsoils on thick (145 – 160 cm) reddish 

brown, light clay, moderate medium subangular blocky, slightly sticky, 

slightly plastic, firm, hard subsoils with abundant quartz gravels and 

ironstone gravels and concretions. Indurated ironpan is at the base of the 

profile. 

Nsawkaw series (Ferric Acrisol) 

They are deep, (175 – 185), well drained, grayish brown, clay gravelly, 

peneplain drift soils on middle and lower slopes. They have moderately thick 

(20-25 cm), grayish brown, silty clay, humous, strong medium granular with 

frequent quartz and ironstone gravels sticky plastic topsoils over thick (170- 

185 cm) brown, mottled red, clay, massive firm subsoils with frequent quartz 

and ironstone gravels and ironpan at base of profile. 


G7 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Drobo series (Ferric Acrisol) 

The soils are deep (140-155 cm), well drained, clay reddish brown, gravelly 

soils on upper slopes of gently undulating topography with moderately thick 

(15-20 cm) dark brown to reddish brown, humous light clay, strong, medium 

granular, gravelly, slightly sticky, slightly plastic topsoils over thick (160-180 

cm) yellowish red to red, mottled yellowish, clay, sticky, plastic, firm, hard 

subsoils with strong medium subangular blocky and frequent ironstone 

quartz gravels and concretions. 

Debibi series (Ferric Acrisol) 

These soils are deep (170-190 cm), moderately well drained, orange brown, 

clay, gravelly sedentary soils on middle slopes of gently undulating 

topography. They have thin (12-15 cm), brown, humous, light clay, moderate 

medium granular slightly sticky, slightly plastic, friable gravelly topsoils on 

thick (170-190 cm) yellowish red, mottled brown, red and gray, clay loam, 

firm, massive moderate medium subangular blocky, sticky, plastic, subsoils 

with frequent quartz gravels and stones and ironstone gravels. They have no 

indurated layer. 

The soil series members of the Baulifoli - Bamkpama association and 

Dorimon, Baulifoli, Bamkpama, Bianya and Pale series 

Dorimon series (Plinthic Luvisol) 

The soils are moderately deep (50-80 cm), well drained reddish brown, 

gravelly, sandy clay on upper slopes of gently undulating peneplain drift, 

over sheet ironpan or plinthite at moderate depths. The topsoils are 

moderately thick (12-20 cm), brown to strong brown, humous, sandy loam to 

clay loam, weak medium granular friable, loose non-sticky, non-plastic, with 

frequent ironstone gravels over moderately thick (70-85 cm), reddish brown to 

yellowish red, clay, massive hard, strong medium subangular blocky, sticky 

and plastic subsoils with frequent ironstone and quartz stones and gravels. 

Balifoli and Bamkpaka series (Chromic Luvisol) 

These soils are very deep, (180-220 cm) well to moderately well drained, 

reddish brown to red, clay loam to sandy clay loam, piedmont drift soils at the 

foot of slopes. Balifoli series occur on upper slopes of relatively flat terrain 

while Bankpama occur on adjoining middle slopes. 

Bianya series (Eutric Plinthosol) 


G8 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The soils are moderately deep (65 – 75 cm) imperfectly drained, brownish 

yellow, sandy loam to clay colluvial soils on middle slopes on iron pan. 

They have moderately thick (15 – 20 cm), yellowish brown, slightly humous, 

fine sandy loam, friable, loose, non-sticky, non-plastic, weak medium granular 

topsoils overlying thin (45 – 55 cm), brownish yellow mottled, yellowish red, 

sandy loam, strong medium, subangular blocky, slightly sticky, slightly 

plastic, massive, hard, few to frequent ironstone concretions subsoils. 

Pale series (Eutric Gleysol) 

They are very deep (over 200 cm), poorly drained, cracking silty clay alluvial 

soils within valleys and depressional bottoms. They soils are dark gray to 

gray strongly mottled brown, yellow or orange. 

The topsoils are moderately thick (20 -25 cm) humous, dark gray mottled 

reddish yellow, clay moderate medium granular, sticky, plastic firm, with 

rusted root channels. The thick subsoils are light brownish gray, strongly 

mottled yellow, silty clay, sticky, plastic, firm, massive and structureless. 


G9 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

SOILS DEVELOPED OVER VOLTAIAN SEDIMENTARY ROCKS 

These soils have been developed over weathered products of sandstones, 

shales and mudstones. The sandstone soils within the area are Damongo, 

Murugu, Yaroyii, Techiman, Kintampo and Tanoso series. 

Damongo series (Ferric Lixisol) 

The soils are very deep (over 200 cm), red, well drained, medium textured, 

piedmont drift on upper slopes of gently undulating topography. They have 

moderately thick (18 – 20 cm), dark reddish brown, sandy loam, weak 

medium granular, friable, non-sticky, non-plastic, non-gravelly topsoils 

underlain by thick (160 – 200 cm), reddish brown to dark red, clay loam, weak 

medium subangular blocky, slightly sticky, slightly plastic, firm and nongravelly 

subsoils. 

Murugu series (Haplic Luvisol) 

They are very deep, (Over 200 cm) moderately well to imperfectly drained, 

brown to reddish brown, free sandy loam to clay loam, light textured, 

colluvial soils on middle and lower slopes of gently undulating topography. 

They consists of thin (8-15 cm) brown, sandy loam, friable, loose, non-sticky, 

non-plastic, gravel-free topsoils over thick (180-200 cm), reddish brown to 

bright reddish brown, sand loam to clay loam, weak to moderately medium 

subangualr blocky, slightly sticky, slightly plastic subsoil with few ironstone 

concretions. 

Yaroyili series (Eutric Gleysol) 

These soils are very deep (180-200 cm), poorly drained grayish brown, 

strongly mottled yellowish brown sandy loam soils within stream valley 

bottoms liable to seasonal flooding and waterlogging. They have thick (20-25 

cm) dark grayish brown to pale brown mottled yellowish brown, loamy fine 

sand, friable, loose, non-sticky, non-plastic, gravel free topsoils over thick (180 

– 200 cm), light yellowish brown strongly mottled yellow, sandy loam 

structureless subsoils free of concretions and gravels. 

Techiman series (Ferric Lixisol) 

The soils are moderately deep (80 – 120 cm), well drained gravelly and stony 

in-situ developed, reddish brown sedentary soils on upper slopes. The 

topsoils are moderately thick (18 – 20 cm), reddish brown, sandy loam, 

moderately medium granular, friable, loose, non-sticky, non-plastic, gravelly 

and stony, overlain by thick moderately thick (80 – 120 cm), reddish brown, 

compact, structureless, with abundant pieces of ferruginised sandstone and 

ironstone gravels. 


G10 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Kintampo series (Lithic Leptosol) 

These are shallow (25-30 cm), well drained, brown, sandy loam on moderately 

steep slopes on uplands. 

Tanoso series (Dystric Gleysol) 

The soils are deep (150 – 180 cm), poorly drained, gray to pinkish gray, 

strongly mottled, yellowish brown to brownish yellow, loamy sand alluvial 

sols free of gravels and liable to flooding and waterlogging. These soils have 

thick (30-60 cm), dark brown to light brown, loamy sand, weak medium 

granular, friable, loose, non-gravelly topsoils over thick 160-180 cm, light 

brown to pinkish gray mottled yellowish brown to brownish yellow, loamy 

sand, structureless, loose, non-sticky, non-plastic, non-gravelly subsoils. 


G11 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

SOILS DEVELOPED OVER VOLTAIAN SHALES AND MUDSTONES 

These are the soils developed within the almost flat groundwater laterites. 

They have plinthite and sheets of ironpan which impede drainage making the 

soils waterlogged during the wet season. 

The major soils are Kpelesawgu, Changnalili, Lima and Volta series. 

Kpelesawgu series (Dystric Plinthosol) 

These soils are shallow (25-30 cm), imperfectly drained, yellowish brown, 

mottled, sandy loam to silty clay, gravelly and stony, structureless with 

exposed ironstone boulders and plinthic materials on almost flat to very 

gently undulating, lower slope topography. They have thin (8-10 cm) dark 

grayish brown, humous, sandy loam, weak fine granular, non-sticky, nonplastic 

topsoils with frequent ironstone concretions. The subsoils are light 

yellowish brown to light gray, strongly mottled yellowish red, clay loam, 

structureless hard, sticky, plastic, tightly packed irregular-shaped ironstone 

concretions. 

Changnalili series (Lithic Plinthosol) 

The soils are moderately deep, poorly drained, colluvial groundwater laterite 

developed on lower slopes with exposed ironpan boulders. The topsoils are 

thin (8-15 cm), light brownish gray to pale brown, sandy loam, weak fine and 

medium granular, slightly hard, non-sticky, non-plastic, overlying moderately 

thick (60-70 cm), pale brown mottled yellowish brown, clay loam to clay, weak 

medium subangular blocky, very hard, slightly sticky, slightly plastic, subsoil 

with few to common soft ironstone concretions and gravels. They are liable to 

waterlogging during the wet season. 

Lima series (Dystric Planosol) 

The soils are deep (150-170 cm), poorly drained, light brownish gray to 

pinkish gray, sandy loam to silty clay, albic, liable to waterlogging during the 

wet season. They have thick (50 – 60 cm) brownish grey to pinkish gray, 

sandy loam to loamy sand, weak fine granular loose, on-sticky, non-plastic 

topsoils with frequent polished ironstone gravels and concretions. Overlying 

thick abruptly gray silty clay very thick (180-210 cm) subsoils which are 

compact, plastic and massive when wet with many polished ironstone gravels 

and concretions and large calcium carbonate nodules. 

Volta series (Eutric Fluvisols) 


G12 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

These are the major bottom soils. These alluvial soils are poorly drained and 

have simple profiles consisting of a thin (12 – 15 cm) grayish brown, slightly 

mottled yellowish, porous, silty clay, humous, massive, hard, sticky and 

plastic topsoils. They are liable to flooding and waterlogging during most of 

the year. 


G13 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Soils developed over Volta aluvium 

These hydromorphic soils occur along the immediate banks (levees) 

floodplains and the terraces of the Black Volta and lower reaches of the major 

tributaries. The levee soils are very deep, yellowish brown loose sand 

(Kunkwa series) above the river bed are gray mottle yellowish brown porous 

silty loam soils (Lagare series). On the floodplain are very deep, olive brown, 

silty clay soils (Siare series) with pockets of deep, dark gray to black silty clays 

(Pani series). The immediate terrace soils are very deep, moderately to well 

drained sandy to clay loam soils (Sirru series) and its brown, well drained 

equivalent (Lapliki series). 

The light terrace soils are remnants of the very old river terrace and consist of 

reddish brown, well drained, silty clays with many pebbles which may be 

cemented together to form conglomerate ironpan (Ntereso series) and its 

brown less well drained associate (Zaw series). 

Kunkwa series (Gleyic Arenosol) 

These are river levee soils occurring along the Black Volta and its tributaries. 

They are very deep over (200 cm), yellowish brown, loose fine sand, free, 

moderately well drained, structureless, friable, mottled at depth. They have 

thin (8-10 cm), very dark grayish brown, humous, loose fine sand weak fine 

granular, non-sticky, non-plastic topsoils over very thick (180-200 cm) 

yellowish brown, brown or reddish yellows, loose fine sand structureless with 

mottlings at depth. 

Dagare series (Eutric Fluvisol) 

These are alluvial soils formed by the periodic deposition of silt and clay 

materials when the river overflows its band and occur irregularly on the high 

banks or levees. Groundwater table is reached below 120 cm and are stratified 

with layers (lenses) of coarse sand of varying thickness. They are moderately 

well drained. 

The soils have very thick (35 – 41 cm) pale brown to light yellowish brown, 

sandy clay, strong medium granular, slightly sticky, slightly plastic topsoils 

with rusty root channels. The subsoils are very thick (over 200 cm), pale 

brown to brownish yellow strongly mottled light gray to yellowish brown, 

clay, strucutreless firm, hard with frequent manganese dioxide stains. 

Siare series (Vertic Fluvisol) 

These soils occur on almost flat floodplains. They are very deep (over 200 cm) 

poorly drained, heavy clay soils that have wide and deep cracks during the 

dry season. These soils have moderately thick (16-18 cm), dark grayish 


G14 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

own, humous, clay, strong medium granular, massive firm, hard, sticky and 

plastic topsoils over very thick (160-180 cm) light brownish brown to pale 

yellow strongly mottled light brownish gray and reddish yellow, clay, 

massive hard, sticky, plastic, structureless subsoils with frequent manganese 

dioxide stains. 

Pani series (Eutric Vertisol) 

These are poorly drained heavy clay alluvial soils within broad depressions 

between the levees and adjoining uplands and commonly within abandoned 

ox-bow sites. They crack wide and deep during the dry season. The topsoils 

are thick (40-45 cm), very dark gray, humous, silty clay, strong coarse 

granular, firm, hard, sticky, plastic topsoils with rusted root channels. The 

subsoils are thick (over 200 cm), dark gray, strongly mottled brown, silty clay 

massive firm hard, structureless, sticky, plastic, cracking into large blocks on 

drying. 

Sirru series (Dystric Fluvisol) 

The soils are moderately deep (160-180 cm), free, moderately well drained, 

Black Volta alluvium, light textured, on gently undulating terraces. They have 

thick (30-45 cm) brown to yellowish brown, fine sand, humous, weak fine 

granular, friable, loose, non-sticky, non-plastic topsoils underlain by thick (160 

– 180 cm) reddish yellow, mottled pale yellow and reddish yellow, loamy 

sand, friable, firm, non-sticky, non-plastic structureless subsoils. 

Lapliki series (Plinthic Fluvisol) 

These are terrace soils between the floodplains and the light terraces. They are 

moderately to well drained. They are very deep (180-200 cm), light gray to 

yellowish brown mottled red, loamy fine sand to sandy clay with plinthic 

materials. The topsoils are thick (30-35 cm), grayish brown to light gray, 

sandy loam, weak medium granular, friable, slightly loose, non-sticky, nonplastic, 

while the subsoils are thick (120-150 cm) yellowish red and reddish 

brown, clay loam, massive firm, slightly sticky, slightly plastic, with few soft 

iron-manganese concretions. 

Ntereso series (Dystric Leptosol) 

The soils are shallow (50-70 cm), well drained pebbly, old terrace soils on 

middle slopes of gently undulating topography. They have thin (8-10 cm) 

dark brown, slightly humous, sandy loam weak fine granular, slightly sticky, 

slightly plastic, friable topsoils full of quartz and ironstone gravels and 

concretions. The subsoils are moderately thick (50-60 cm), strongly brown, 

sandy loam, massive, firm full of frequent quartz and ironpans grand stones 

and conglomerates. The profile is underlain by massive compact ironpan. 


G15 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Zaw series (Dystric Leptosol) 

They occur on lower slopes of bench terraces with exposed rock. They are 

shallow (30-40 cm) brown, well drained, pebbly and severely eroded or 

dissected. 


G16 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

SOILS DEVELOPED OVER GRANITIC ROCKS 

Varempere series (Plinthic Luvisol) 

These soils are very deep (150-20 cm), well drained acidic, brownish yellow to 

yellowish red, light textured sandy clay loam to clay loam, developed in-situ 

on summits to upper slopes of gently undulating topography. The topsoils 

are moderately thick (12-16 cm), brown fine loamy sand, weak fine granular, 

non-sticky, non-plastic with few ironstone and manganese concretions and 

gravels overlying thick (140-200 cm), brownish yellow and yellowish red, 

mottled, sandy clays, sticky, plastic firm, few ironstone manganese and quartz 

gravels subsoils with massive plinthic horizon. 

Wenchi series (Lithic Plinthosol) 

These are very shallow soil with massive ironpan less than 30 cm from the soil 

surface or even exposed at the surface. The ironpan is hardened from 

plinthite when the soil is exposed to the atmosphere during the dry hot 

season. 

Hilum series (Plinthic Luvisol) 

The soils are very deep, well drained, reddish brown to red, sandy loam to 

clay loam, gravelly, fine weak granular to medium coarse subangular blocky 

developed on flat summits with thin (5 cm) dark brown, humous, sandy loam, 

weak fine granular, gravelly topsoils and thick (150 – 210 cm) red, clay loam, 

massive, structureless subsoils with abundant ironstone, quartz and 

manganese gravels in clay and plinthic matrix. 

Tafali series (Haplic Luvisol) 

These soils are deep (150-200 cm), imperfectly drained, light yellowish brown 

to brownish yellow, sandy loam to clay, massive, weak fine granular to weak 

medium subangular blocky, gravelly on middle slopes of very gently 

undulating topography. They have thick (25-40 cm) very dark gray to dark 

grayish brown, sandy loam, weak fine granular, friable, soft non-sticky, nonplastic, 

topsoils with few rounded ironstone and manganese concretions. 

Pusiga series (Haplic Leptosol) 

These soils are shallow (less than 30 cm), light olive brown to yellowish 

brown, well drained coarse sandy loam on gentle upper slopes and summits 

in low-lying topography, containing frequent quartz stones which also form 

stone pavement on the ground surface. The thin topsoils (10-12 cm) are light 

olive brown, humous, loamy coarse sand, granular, porous, friable with 


G17 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

frequent quartz and ironstone concretions over thin (10-15 cm), yellowish 

brown, sandy loam with frequent quartz gravels and decomposed rock. 

Pu series (Gleyic Leptosol) 

They are moderately shall (20-40 cm), imperfectly drained, brownish gray 

loamy sand to sandy loam liable to be eroded exposing weathered rocks and 

gravels near stream and valley edges. They usually consist of 30 cm of light 

brownish gray loamy coarse sand containing frequent quartz gravels, 

ironstone concretions and pieces of rock brash overlying highly feldspathic, 

clayey, incompletely weathered rock. They have thin (6-8 cm) light brownish 

gray, humous, loamy sand fine weak granular, non-sticky, non plastic topsoils 

full of angular quartz stones and gravels and feldspars on thin (15-30 cm) light 

brownish gray, strongly mottled, firm, structureless, subsoils with 

decomposing biotite granite. 

Puga series (Ferric Luvisol) 

The soils are deep (90 – 130 cm), moderately well drained, pale brown to pale 

yellow, sandy loam to clay, gravelly on low summits and upper slopes with 

thick (16-20 cm), humous pale brown, loamy fine sand, friable loose, soft 

gravelly topsoils over thick (90 – 150 cm), pale yellow, sandy loam to clay, 

massive, firm, weak medium subangular blocky sticky, plastic subsoils with 

frequent ironstone, quartz and manganese gravels and weathered granite. 

Kolingu series (Sodi-Eutric Planosol) 

They are extensive soils within the zone occurring on broad, almost flat 

summits and middle slopes of gently undulating topography. They are 

imperfectly to moderately well drained dark brown to yellowish brown soils 

with loamy sand and sandy loam topsoil abrupthy overlying sandy clay and 

clay subsoils with moderately high sodicity. The soils are used for sorghum, 

millet and groundnuts production. 

Pani series (Eutric Gleysol) 

These are very deep (160-200 cm), poorly drained, dark gray and gray 

strongly mottled, alluvial soils within sloughs and broad depressions and in 

silted ox-bows. The topsoils are moderately thick (10-12cm), very dark gray, 

silty clay, strong medium granular, firm, sticky, plastic underlain by thick 100 

– 120 cm, dark gray mottled brown, silty clay massive structureless subsoils 

that crack into 5-sided blocks on drying. The soils become seasonally flooded 

and remain waterlogged for a long time. Water table is usually reached at 120 

cm. Rice, vegetables and legumes are grown seasonally on these soils. 


G18 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Relief and Geomorphology 

The relief and geomorphology of the project area clearly indicate that the land 

has been uplifted and degraded several times in the past with the result that 

there are certain areas where the relief and soils have been inherited from 

previous cycles of erosion. These areas are believed to have once formed part 

of extensive peneplains which were later eroded away, leaving isolated 

remnants behind. The several hills of the area with almost bare and ironcapped 

summits are indicative of this process in the past. 

The major relief and geomorphological features are the high elongated Banda 

Hills, deep and wide valleys of the Black Volta River, few inselbergs and 

ridges and the gentle undulating topography of the interfluves and the 

piedmont drift slopes. 

The Banda Hills originate from near Banda Ahenkro in the Banda district of 

Brong Ahafo Regions and runs NE-SW direction to near Jama township in the 

Bole district in the Northern Region. The hills have been incised deep by the 

Black Volta between townships of Jama and Bui, forming deep gorge to be the 

site of the Dam. The Banda hills reaches heights of 250 m to 350 m above sea 

level in some places but drops steeply and precipitously to 250 m above sea 

level. At the foot of the hills are near convex tallus deposits from falling large 

rock boulders, stones, gravels with deep and unconsolidated earthy materials 

with slopes of 8 to 15%. Creeping of materials from the tops of the hills occurs 

frequently to the footslope especially during the rainy season. The Black 

Volta, with its striking deep and wide valley, meanders through central 

portions of the landscape of the project area from near Ntereso village close to 

the Ghana – Cote d’Ivoire border to the already formed Volta Lake near 

Mpaha at upstream of Buipe. Existing along both banks of the Black Volta are 

successive features of well developed terraces, levees and alluvial flats with 

variable widths. The heights of the river valley bottom above sea level ranges 

from nearly 200 m at Ntereso to 90 m at Babato. The major tributaries have 

deeply incised v-shaped valleys with steep slopes of 25-30%. In the northern 

western portions of the area, however, the tributaries have wide flat valley 

bottoms with very steep slopes. The north eastern parts of the project area 

have series of ridges and inselberges reaching up to 250 and 300m above sea 

level with usually very steep elongated slopes. The general terrain conditions 

made up of the interfluves and the piedmont drift from the uplands are 

generally gently undulating with few deeply incised stream valleys. 

Recommendations 

There is not much information on soils, and geomorphological features of the 

Project area. The few information available are scanty and scattered. The few 

reports available on the soil resources are at detailed reconnaissance level and 


G19 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

maps are at the scale of 1:250,000. Only soil association units are described. 

For a project of this nature, a detailed soil investigations are necessary for 

detailed description of the soil units at series level (pedons). Such 

investigations must include soil physical and chemical properties including 

soil reaction, fertility and contents of heavy metals. There is also the need to 

study the vegetation and land use pattern of the area in detail. Such studies 

will be ideal to map them separately. Soil, vegetation and land use maps must 

be produced at the scale of 1:100,000 or larger. The authentic boundaries of 

the project area need to be established. 


G20 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Annex H 

Additional Biological 

Information

H1 

ADDITIONAL BASELINE INFORMATION FOR BIOLOGICAL 

RESOURCES 

H1.1 AQUATIC RESOURCES 

H1.1.1 

Table H1.1 

Aquatic vegetation communities 

Surveys identified several small patches of Vallisneria sp. in the main river 

channel; few stands of Polygonum sp., Ludwigia sp., Brachiara sp., and Mimosa 

pigra along the fringes of the river; and small patches of Nymphaea sp. in the 

riparian zone outside the main river channel Table H1.1. 

Aquatic and Semi-Aquatic Vegetation Species Observed in the Study Area 

Growth Habit Species observed Comment 

Submerged Vallisneria sp. Vallinsneria sp is the second most dominant submerged 

macrophyte in the Volta system. 

Emergent Polygonum sp 

Ludwigia sp. 

Mimosa pigra 

Brachiara sp. 

Observed in patchy stands on fringes of the river in the 

rainy season. Ludwigia was absent during surveys 

conducted in the dry season. 

Floating Nymphaea sp. Observed in riparian zone outside the main river channel. 

Source: Gordon et al, 2003 

H1.2 TERRESTRIAL RESOURCES 

H1.2.1 

Insects 

Table H1.2 lists the total numbers of insects collected and the key families 

observed in each of these five orders during surveys undertaken in 2001 and 

2002. 

Table H1.2 Most Abundant Insect Orders Documented in the Study Area in 2001-2002 

Order 

Number of Insects Key Families 

Recorded 

August 2001 February 2002 

Hymenoptera 792 648 Formicidae, Scolebyhidae, Vespidae, 

Scelionidae, Halictidae, Braconidae, 

Ichneumonidae, Challididae, Spheadae, 

Gasteruptiidae 

Diptera 620 824 Simulidae, Tabanidae, Tipulidae, 

Chironomidae, Cecidemyiidae, Muscidae 

Coleoptera 146 164 Cupecidae, Tenebrionidae, Scarabaedae, 

Chrysomelidae, Carabeaidae, 

Coccinellidae, Cleridae 

Orthoptera 56 111 Pygomorphidae 

Lepidoptera 42 29 Papilionidae, Nymphalidae, Pieridae, 

Lycaenidae, Satyridae, Hespiradae 

Source: Kyeremanten et al. (2001, 2002) as presented in Owusu et al., 2005 

H1.2.2 

Birds 

Table H1.3 lists the little-known species observed in the Bui National Park by 

Dowsett and Dowsett (2005) that are not common elsewhere in Ghana. 


H1 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Table H1.3 

Bird Species of Interest Documented in Bui National Park 

Species observed 

White-backed Night Heron 

(Gorsachius leuconotus) 

African Barred Owlet 

(Glaucidium leuconotus) 

Fiery-necked (Blackshouldered) 

Nightjar 

(Caprimulgus pectoralis) 

Plain Nightjar 

(Caprimulgus pectoralis) 

Freckled (Rock) Nightjar 

(Caprimulgus tristigma) 

Red-billed Hornbill 

(Tockus erythrorhynchus) 

Golden-tailed Woodpecker 

(Campethera abingoni) 

Dorst’s Cisticola 

(Cisticola guinea) 

Puvel’s Illadopsis 

(Illadopsis puveli) 

Brown Sunbird 

(Anthreptes gabomicus) 

Greater Blue-eared Starling 

(Lamprotornis chalybaeus) 

Yellow-billed Oxpecker 

(Buphagus africanus) 

Source: Dowsett and Dowsett, 2005 

Comment on broader context in Ghana 

Resides in thick riparian forest, few recorded sightings in Ghana. 

Previously (2004) unrecorded in Ghana. In 2004 it was discovered 

at 7 sites during country-wide surveys; Bui is the eighth locality 

where the species has been observed. 

Previously (2004) unknown in Ghana – there are only two records 

of the species, in addition to the sighting at Bui. 

This species’ ecology is poorly known and there are no breeding 

records from Ghana. The vocal activity of the birds heard at Bui 

was indicative of breeding and breeding habitat appears to consist 

of open woodland with pebbly or rocky ground. 

Thought to be confined to the north of the country, this species 

was common on the escarpment in the southwest portion of Bui. 

Previously known only from the far north, an important 

population is present in Bui in the Accacia-dominated woodland. 

Bui is one of four new sites where the species has been found. The 

species is widespread in Bui, although in small numbers. 

Bui is a new locality for this Sudanian woodland endemic species. 

Poorly known species, widespread along the Volta. 

Finding this rare species at Bui is of particular interest because it 

was assumed to breed only in mangroves or coastal thickets. 

This species is the rarest of glossy starlings in Ghana, and is the 

only observation of this species in the country, apart from one 

sighting in Accra. 

Bui is one of the few locations in Ghana where this species is still 

recorded, albeit rarely. 


H2 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

H1.2.3 

Mammals 

Table H1.4 gives a summary of the hunting aspects of focus group sessions undertaken in April 2006 in Kwame kwesi, Gyama 

and Banda Nkwanta. 

Questions Focus Group 1 (Kwame Kwesi) Focus Group 2 (Gyama) Focus Group 3 (Banda Nkwanta) 

General Profile of Hunters 

1. How many serious hunters 

are there in this community? 

2. How much is self 

consumed and how much is 

for commercial sale? 

3. Which are the most 

commonly hunted animals? 

4. Which animals do you get 

the most income from? Do 

these vary from season to 

season? 

5. Besides hunting, how 

many of you do other 

activities to earn money or 

obtain things for household 

consumption? What are these 

activities? Do these change 

according to the season? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

No one in the community engaged in 

hunting as primary occupation. 

60% self consumed 

40% is sold. 

Grass cutter 

Squirrel 

Monkeys 

Antelopes 

Bush buck 

Partridge 

Rabbits 

Grass cutter (high demand) 

Wet season- not much from hunting 

(high growth of the grass, difficult to 

locate the animals). 

Dry season (September-April)- most 

game. 

All the hunters combine hunting with 

farming. 

15 serious hunters in the village- hunting 

(primary profession). 

20 men (primary profession). 

Most are Mo (10) some are Dagarti (5). 

- 20% self consumed 

80% is sold. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Grass cutter 

Small antelope 

Buffalo 

Large antelopes 

Bush pig 

Monitor lizard 

Monkeys 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Buffalo 

Water buck 

Antelopes 

Rabbit 

Squirrels 

Grasscutter 

Warthog 

Wild duck 

Bush turkey 

Rat 

Partridge, 

Harter beast 

Water birds 

Dry season- main hunting season. Porcupines 

Warthog (most sought after in community) 

Dry season- most prey. 

Wet season-rabbits, antelopes, buffalos, harter beast, 

water buck and Kob found. 

 

 

 

Most hunters also farm. 

Hunting contributes less and less income 

(national park and fewer animals than 

before). 

Dry season- main hunting. 

 

 

All hunters also farm. 

During the raining season when hunting is dormant. 

6. Are there any species that Python, Hippopotamus (found in the hunting area not

are not hunted because of 

traditions, customs, or 

beliefs? 

Hunting Locations, techniques and availability. 

1. Where do you typically 

hunt? 

2. Have you been compelled 

to change your hunting sites 

in the last several years? 

3. What methods do you use 

to hunt (and % of use) – dogs, 

guns, rope snares and traps, 

steel traps? 

4. Do hunting methods differ 

between wet and dry 

seasons? 

5. How much time is spent 

on a typical hunting 

expedition? 

 

 

 

Tortoise 

”Mampam” 

Endangered species 

Northern part of the community (Kui), a 

valley with a stream. 

15 miles away from community. 

 

 

All over. 

Best near the river where vegetation thickest. 

At Kui since time in memorial. Less in the park (hassle from the game and 

wildlife staff). 

 

Tools, weapons, clubs, guns and 

machetes. 

Dry season- all methods used. 

Wet season- club and machete. 

 

 

Serious hunters- guns and dogs. 

Farmers only use traps (wire snares). 

3 days and nights (6am to 12 pm) 4 days 

Travel 8 miles a day 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

hunted, endangered species, protected by the 

Wildlife Division, guns are not powerful enough). 

Crocodiles (belief they preserve water bodies from 

drying up). 

Eastern side of the Community (‘Yeride’). 

15 miles from the community. 

Used to hunt on western side of the Community 

(‘Lanka’), now the forest reserve. 

Hunting guns (single barrel) 

Cutlasses 

Dry season- clubs and dogs. 

Wet season- traps, dogs and guns. 

5-7 days 

6. Has the time you spend 

hunting changed in the last 

several years (more time, less 

time, same)? If so, what do 

you think has caused this 

change? 

7. Besides hunting, how 

many of you do other 

activities to earn money or 

obtain things for household 

consumption? What are these 

activities? Do these change 


Animal Hunted 

1. What have been the trends 

in animal populations -over 

last few years? 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More time spent hunting recently 

(decrease in the population of the game). 

Drastic increase in the number of 

hunters. 

Hunters from Banda Nkwanta, 

Bonbonte, Nuoyiri, Dikpa, Gbelimkpe, 

Wasipe and Tinga all hunt at Kui. 

All hunters combine hunting with 

farming. 

Farming mostly during the wet 

season(from May –August). 

Decreased, due to the increasing 

number of hunters. 

 

 

 

Still hunting as much as before- even if they 

catch less. 

Farm to supplement income. 

Farm more in the rainy season. 

 

Not significant change. 

Fewer animals than before. Fewer animals than before.

2. Where in the park is 

animal abundance the 

highest? Lowest? 

3. Have you seen the 

following species in the last 

five years? How do you 

know? 

Lion? 

Spotted hyena? 

Dwarf crocodile? 

Do not hunt in and around the park. Most abundant in the gallery forest close to 

the river in the park. 

 

 

 

 

Hyena, 

Buffalo 

Crocodile 

Elephant dung sighted 

Livelihood and Potential Effects of the Bui Dam Project on Hunting 

1. What are the key problems 

with hunting? 

2. Do you think that hunting 

of animals might 

significantly increase with inmigration 

construction 

workers and displacement of 

animals from the inundated 

area? 

Non Timber Forest Products 

1. List the main products that 

are collected from the land 

that is not farmed? 

 

 

 

Lion (direct sighting) 

Spotted hyena (direct sighting) 

Dwarf crocodiles (direct sighting) 

Overgrazing of the forest by cattle Game and wildlife hassle hunters. 

Decline in animal populations. 

 

Unsure, Bui dam will not negatively 

affect their hunting activities (usual 

hunting place is not close to the 

River/Reserve). 

 

No, hunters will be negatively affected by the 

dam since it will flood the best areas for 

hunting. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most abundant in the reserve (specific area cannot 

tell, not allowed to go there or hunt there). 

Lion (direct sighting) 

Spotted hyena 

Crocodiles 

Leopards 

Decline in animal populations. 

Overgrazing of the forest by cattle. 

Yes, the dam will impact positively on their 

livelihood (get jobs from the project and the 

community will also get electricity). 

Sheanuts 

Shea nut 

Dawadawa 

Blackberries 

“Mmaa Kube”. 

”Mangologo” 

”Nakpame” 

”Kantuame” 

”Kali” 

“Lucie”. 

2. From where is this 

Farm lands and the forest. Farm lands and the forest. 

collected – farmland or 

forest? 

3. Who collects this? Do Women Women and children. 

certain ethnic groups 

specialise in collecting certain 

products? 

4. Does this change from Dawadawa and Sheanut-seasonally. 

Most are seasonal. 

season to season? 

“Mmaa Kube” - throughout the year. 

NTFP- throughout the year. 

5. Which products are used Sheanut 

Sheanut 

for subsistence? 

Dawadawa 

Dawadawa 

6. Which products are sold in Sheanut Sheanut

the market? Dawadawa Dawadawa

H1.3 SPECIES OF CONSERVATION CONCERN RECORDED WITHIN THE STUDY AREA 

The species of conservation concern fall into three types of classification 

systems: 

1) World Conservation Union (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species 

(IUCN 2004); 

2) Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES); 

and 

3) Draft Ghana Wildlife Act (2005), which comprises a list of nationally 

protected species in Ghana. 

The following sections provide further details of these three classification 

systems. 

H1.3.1 

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species provides taxonomic, conservation 

status, and distribution information on taxa that have been globally evaluated 

using the IUCN Red List Categories and Criteria. This system is designed to 

determine the relative risk of extinction, and its main purpose is to identify 

those taxa that face a higher risk of global extinction (i.e., those listed as 

Critically Endangered, Endangered and Vulnerable). 

The IUCN Red List also includes information on taxa that are categorised as 

Extinct or Extinct in the Wild; on taxa that cannot be evaluated because of 

insufficient information (i.e. are Data Deficient); and on taxa that are either 

close to meeting the threatened thresholds or that would be threatened were it 

not for an ongoing taxon-specific conservation program. The IUCN categories 

and their definitions for the IUCN Red List 2005 are outlined in Box H1.1 

Box G1.1 IUCN Categories and Definitions (IUCN, 2000) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extinct (EX): No reasonable doubt that the last individual has died. 

Extinct in the wild (EW): Known only to survive in cultivation, in captivity or as a naturalized 

population (or populations) well outside the past range. 

Critically endangered (CR): Best available evidence indicates that it is facing an extremely high 

risk of extinction in the wild. 

Endangered: Best available evidence indicates that a species faces a very high risk of extinction 

in the wild. 

Vulnerable (VU): Best available evidence indicates that a species faces a high risk of extinction 

in the wild. 

Near threatened (NT): Species that do not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered or 

Vulnerable now, but are close to qualifying for or is likely to qualify for a threatened category 

in the near future. 

Least concern (LC): Species that do not qualify for Critically Endangered, Endangered, 

Vulnerable or Near Threatened. Widespread and abundant taxa are included in this category. 

Data deficient (DD): Inadequate information exists to make a direct, or indirect, assessment of 

the risk of extinction based on species distribution and/or population status. Not a category of 

threat. 


H5 

MINISTRY OF ENERGY,GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Box X lists the current IUCN Red List categories, which were developed in 

2000 and implemented in 2001 (IUCN, 2000). A number of species in the 

IUCN database have been classified using the old category system. Hence the 

following “old” criteria have been used to classify some of the species 

identified in the study area: 

 

Lower Risk (LR): Species that do not satisfy the criteria for any of the 

categories Critically Endangered, Endangered or Vulnerable. Taxa 

included in the Lower Risk category can be separated into three 

subcategories: 

Conservation Dependent (cd): Taxa that are the focus of a continuing 

taxon-specific or habitat-specific conservation program. 

Near Threatened (nt): Taxa that do not qualify for Conservation 

Dependent, but which are close to qualifying for Vulnerable. 

Least Concern (lc): Taxa that do not qualify for Conservation 

Dependent or Near Threatened. 

H1.3.2 

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) 

The ‘Washington’ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species 

of Wild Fauna and Flora, known as CITES, aims to protect certain plants and 

animals by regulating and monitoring their international trade to prevent 

them from reaching unsustainable levels. CITES regulates international trade 

in over 30,000 species, of which approximately 25,000 are plants. 

CITES categorizes species into three appendices: 

 

 

 

Appendix I: Species that may be threatened with extinction and which are 

or may be affected by international trade. 

Appendix II: Species that are not considered to be under the same threat as 

those in Appendix I, but which may become so if trade is not regulated. 

Appendix III: Species that are not threatened on a global level, but that are 

protected within individual states where that state has sought the help of 

CITES Parties to control international trade in that species. 

H1.3.3 

National Conservation Criteria (Schedule I-III of the Ghana Wildlife 

Regulation) 

Ghana’s wildlife laws (Ghana Wildlife Conservation Regulations, 1971; Ghana 

Wildlife Conservation (Amendment) Regulations, 1988, 1995; draft Wildlife 

Act, 2005) categorize animal species into Schedules based on the level of 

protection required for a particular species. The Schedules outlined in the 

most recent Ghanaian Wildlife law, the draft Wildlife Act (2005), categorize 

species as follows: 

 

 

Schedule I: Species completely protected throughout Ghana (i.e. their 

hunting, capture or destruction is absolutely prohibited at all times); 

Schedule II: Species considered exempt from this law and so are not 

protected, except where they occur in a designated protected area, 

Community Resource Management Area (CREMA) or on private lands. 


H6 


An exempt species may only be hunted, captured or destroyed by a 

Ghanaian citizen for use by himself or his dependents, and may not be 

traded except with a wildlife trade permit. 

The draft Wildlife Act (2005) also states that animals not listed in Schedules I 

and II are categorised as “partially protected” animals throughout Ghana. 

Table H1.5 

Species of Conservation Concern Recorded Within the Study Area 

Scientific Name Common Name Ghana IUCN CITES 

HERPETOFAUNA 

Varanus nilotocus Nile Monitor Schedule I Appendix II 

Varanus exanthematicus Savanna Monitor Appendix II 

Python regius Royal Python Appendix II 

Python sebae African Python Appendix II 

Crocodylus niloticus Nile Crocodile Schedule I VU 

Crocodylus cataphractus Slender-snouted Crocodile Schedule I DD 

Osteolaemus tetraspis Dwarf Crocodile Schedule I VU 

SMALL MAMMALS 

Thrynonomys 

Grasscutter Schedule II 

swinderianus 

Cricetomys gambianus Gambian Giant Rat Schedule II 

BIRDS 

Falco naumanni Lesser Kestrel Schedule I VU 

Cisticola guinea Dorst’s Cisticola DD 

Aviceda cuculoides African Cuckoo Hawk Schedule I 

Macheiramphus alcinus Bat Hawk Schedule I 

Polyboroides typus African Harrier Hawk Schedule I 

Gypohierax angolensis Palm-nut Vulture Schedule I 

Gyps africanus White-backed Vulture Schedule I 

Trigonoceps occipitalis White-headed Vulture Schedule I 

Circaetus cinereus Brown Snake Eagle Schedule I 

Aquila wahlbergi Wahlberg's Eagle Schedule I 

Hieraaetus spilogaster African Hawk Eagle Schedule I 

Polemaetus bellicosus Martial Eagle Schedule I 

Butastur rufipennis Grasshopper Buzzard Schedule I 

Kaupifalco 

Lizard Buzzard 

Schedule I 

monogrammicus 

Buteo auguralis Red-necked Buzzard Schedule I 

Falco alopex Fox Kestrel Schedule I 

Falco ardosiaceus Grey Kestrel Schedule I 

Tyto alba Barn Owl Schedule I 

Otus senegalensis African Scops Owl Schedule I 

Otus (Ptilopsis) leucotis N. White-faced Owl Schedule I 

Bubo africanus Spotted Eagle Owl 

Schedule I 

cinerascens 

Bubo lacteus Verreaux's Eagle Owl Schedule I 

Scotopelia peli Pel's Fishing Owl Schedule I 

Glaucidium perlatum Pearl-spotted Owlet Schedule I 

Glaucidium capense. Barred Owlet Schedule I 

Strix woodfordii Wood Owl Schedule I 

Bubulcus ibis. Cattle Egret Schedule I 

Egretta garzetta Little Egret Schedule I 

Nycticorax nycticorax Black-crowned Night Heron Schedule I 

Gorsachius leuconotus White-backed Night Heron Schedule I 

Ardeola ralloides Squacco Heron Schedule I 

Butorides striata Green-backed Heron Schedule I 


H7 


Scientific Name Common Name Ghana IUCN CITES 

Ardea cinerea Grey Heron Schedule I 

Scopus umbretta Hamerkop Schedule I 

Eupodotis melanogaster Black-bellied Bustard Schedule I 

Poicephalus robustus Brown-necked Parrot Schedule I 

Poicephalus senegalus Senegal Parrot Schedule I 

LARGE MAMMALS 

Colobus polykomos Black-white Colubus Schedule I LR/nt Appendix II 

Cercopithecus mona Mona Monkey Schedule I Appendix II 

Cercopithecus petaurista Spot-nosed Monkey Schedule I Appendix II 

Crcopithecuss aethiops Green Monkey Appendix II 

Erythrocebus patas Patas (Red) Monkey Appendix II 

Cercocebus torquatos White-crown Mangabey LR/nt Appendix II 

Papio cynocephalus Baboon Appendix II 

Galago senegalensis Senegal Galago/Bushbaby Schedule I Appendix II 

Galagoides demidoff Demidoff’s Galago Schedule I Appendix II 

Mellivora capensis Honey badger/ ratel Schedule I Appendix III 

Galerella Slender Mongoose Appendix III 

Crossarchus obscurus Cusimanse Appendix III 

Mungos gambianus Gambian Mongoose Appendix III 

Atilax paludinosus Marsh Mongoose Appendix III 

Civettictis civetta African Civet Appendix III 

Profelis aurata Golden Cat Schedule I VU Appendix II 

Panthera pardus Leopard Schedule I Appendix I 

Phataginus tricuspis Tree Pangolin Schedule I Appendix II 

Uromanis tetradactyla Long-tailed Pangolin Schedule I Appendix II 

Smutsia gigantean Giant Pangolin Schedule I Appendix II 

Orycteropus afer Aardvark Schedule I 

Hippopotamus amphibus Hippopotamus Schedule I Appendix II 

Syncercus caffer nanus African Buffulo Schedule I LR/cd 

Cephalophus dorsalis Bay Duiker Schedule I LR/nt Appendix II 

Cephalophus niger Black Duiker Schedule I LR/nt 

Cephalophus rufilatus Red-flanked Duiker LR/cd 

Cephalophus silvicultor Yellow-backed Duiker Schedule I LR/nt 

Alcelaphus buselaphus Hartebeest LR/cd 

Kobus kob Kob LR/cd 

Kobus ellipsiprymnus Waterbuck Schedule I LR/cd 

Redunca redunca Bohor Reedbuck Schedule I LR/cd 

Hippotragus equinus Roan Antelope Schedule I LR/cd 

Neotragus pygmaeus Royal Antelope LR/nt 

Ourebia ourebi Oribi Schedule I 


H8 


Annex I 

Social Survey Tools

I1 

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION WITH CHIEF AND VILLAGE 

ELDERS 

Note to team: Pls note down the following 

1. Date 

2. Name of village 

3. Names of Participants (and their occupation) 

4. Names of Team members conducting the discussion 

Introduce yourselves and the project and explain the purpose of the inquiry. Explain 

that you are carrying out a survey in the community as part of the plans for the Bui 

dam. 

I1.1 HISTORICAL PROFILE 

1.Where did you come from, when and why? 

2.How has the decision to build a dam here affected the community? 

I1.2 DEMOGRAPHY/GENERAL PROFILE 

1. How many people are there in the village?How many households are 

there? 

2. How many different ethnic groups are there in this village?Can you tell 

me what the main nationalities/ethnicities are? 

3. Which one of these was the group that founded the village? 

4. What proportion of the village are natives?What proportion of the village 

are settlers? 

5. What are the main religions in your community? 

6. Has the population of the village increased or decreased in the last 10 

years?Why? 

7. Has there been migration into the area?Where have these people come 

from and why? 


I1 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I1.3 ADMINISTRATION /LEADERSHIP 

1. Which Paramount chief do you report to?Do you report to another chief? 

Or do other chiefs come under you? 

2. Who represents the government administration at village level? 

3. Are there any groups, associations or cooperatives in the village?What are 

these?(e.g. women’s savings groups? Hunters association?Etc). What is 

the role of the chiefs in these groups? 

4. Are there any specific areas on your land that you regard as sacred? Probe 

for shrines, graves or sacred forests (according to traditional African religions) 

5. Does your district have a development plan that you know of?Have you 

been consulted about it? 

I1.4 LOCAL ECONOMY/LIVELIHOODS 

1. What are the main jobs that people in the community do?H erding, 

agriculture, fishing, trading. 

2. Do certain ethnic groups specialise in certain jobs?Which of the ethnic 

groups do certain jobs? 

3. How many people in the village are in formal employment with a salary? 

4. How many people in the village run a business (trader, hairdresser, 

tailor/seamstress, carpenter, etc)? 

I1.5 FOREST RESOURCES/LAND OWNERSHIP 

1. Do people in the village own land?Is this a formal or informal agreement 

and with whom? 

2. Can people inherit land? Does this vary according to which ethnic group 

you are from? 

3. How does this differ for settlers?Can se ttlers plant trees on the land they 

farm? 


I2 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

4. What happens if you don’t use your land for several years?Does the chief 

take it back? 

5. Do women have rights over land?What are these? 

6. Is land rented out to others?How is renting of land arranged?Are they 

formal or informal agreements?With whom? 

7. Are any farm labourers employed in village?Where are they from?How 

are they paid? 

I1.6 POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE BUI DAM PROJECT 

1. How will the Dam affect your village? Probe for expectations and 

concerns. 

I1.7 RESETTLEMENT (FOR COMMUNITIES TO BE RESETTLED ONLY) 

1. If your community has to move, where would you like to move to and 

why? 

2. What are your expectations and concerns about resettlement? 

I1.8 KEY SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES 

1. If you could have 4 things to develop in your community, which are 

the four things you would choose and in what order? 


I3 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


I4 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I2 

CHECKLIST FOR FGD WITH FARMERS (MEN AND WOMEN) 


5. Date 






dam. 

I2.1 PROFILE OF PEOPLE ENGAGED IN FARMING 

1. What percentage of the households in the village is engaged in farming as a 

primary source of income?(1/4?½?¾?) 

2. Besides farming, how many of you do other activities to earn money or obtain 

things for household consumption?What are these activities?Do these change 


3. Are some ethnic groups more engaged in farming more than others?Which 

ones are these? 

4. Which are the main crops? Do these change from season to season? 

5. Which is the main farming season? Take the farmers though a farming calendar 

starting in January through to December. 

6. What are the activities that women do in farming?What are the jobs that men 

do in farming? 

7. Do women have their own land?What proportion of women in the village 

have their own lands?Are these women married or single? 

8. Is the produce used for self consumption or selling in market?What portion? 

Does this differ from crop to crop? 

9. Where are the fields located? Indicate distance and radius from the village. 


I5 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I2.2 FARMING INPUTS 

1. What farming implements are used? 

2. How do farmers get water for their fields? 

3. Where do you get your seeds? 

4. Do you use any fertilisers or pesticides? Where do you get them from? 

5. If farmers need credit, is it possible for them to get this?Where do they go 

for this?What proportion of farmers use credit? 

6. Do farming extension workers come to train farmers in the village?If so, 

how often?What else do the extension workers help with? 

7. How many farmers in your village studied agriculture at school? 

8. Are there any farming associations in the village?What are the benefits of 

being a member of these associations? 

I2.3 FLOODING (ASK IN VILLAGES THAT ARE DOWNSTREAM FROM THE DAM) 

1. Are any farms flooded by the river during the rainy season? 

2. What proportion of the farms in your village benefit from flooding by the 

river? 

3. What are the different benefits of flooding? 

4. How does the value and productivity of land vary between floodplains 

and land away from the river? 

5. Are their any specific crops grown in floodplains?Which are these? 


I6 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I2.4 LAND TENURE &USE 

1. Do people in the village own land?Is this a formal or informal agreement 

for using land and with whom?How does this differ for settlers and 

natives? 

2. Can settlers plant tree crops?Do they need to make a payment for using 

the land?How often and to whom? 

3. What are the agreements between farmers regarding using land, rotation of 

fields etc?Is this formal or informal? 

4. Can people inherit land? Does this vary according to which ethnic group 

you are from? 

5. What happens if you don’t use your land for several years?Does the chief 

take it back? 

6. Do women have rights over land?What are these? 

7. What is the average land holding in the village? 

8. What is the minimum land size to support an average family size? 

9. Is there any sharecropping?Or renting of land for cultivation?How many 

such families?Does this vary depending on your ethnic group? 

10. How is renting of land arranged?Are they formal or informal agreements? 

With whom? 

11. Are any farm labourers employed in village?How are they paid? 


I7 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I2.5 LIVESTOCK 

1. Which are the main livestock in the village? (sheep, goats, chickens, etc) 

2. Where is grazing done? Identify distance and radius around the village. 

3. What proportion of families raise livestock? 

4. Are some ethnic groups more dependent on livestock than others? 

5. What other jobs do these groups do? 

6. Is livestock produce mainly for subsistence or for sale? 

I2.6 GATHERING OF NON-TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS 

1. List the main products that are collected for the land that is not farmed? 

2. From where is this collected – farmland or forest? Identify distance and 

radius around the village. 

3. Does this change from season to season? 

4. Which products are used for subsistence? 

5. Which products are sold in the market? 

I2.7 MARKETS/TRANSPORT/SUPPLY CHAIN 

1. What are the various crops/produce that farmers sell?(explore crops and 

livestock/animals) 

2. Where do they sell these?Why do you prefer this location? 

3. What kind of transport do they use to get these to the market (private or 

public transport?) 

4. Who is responsible for selling? (Probe for roles of men, women) 


I8 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

5. Is selling done in groups or by individuals. 

I2.8 CHALLENGES TO FARMING 

1.What are the main challenges facing all the activities we have discussed 

for the farmers in your village? 

I2.9 SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES 

2. If you could have 4 things to develop in your community, which are the 

four things you would choose and in what order? 


1. What affect with the Dam project have on your livelihood? Probe for 

positives and negatives. 

2. How do you think your livelihood will be affected by: Probe for the 

following. 

An increase in population in the area (due to in migration or 

resettlement of other village into this village) 

Better transportation links to other villages 

Loss of farmland (Only ask for these villages: Gyama, Banda Nkwanta, 

Bangasi, Bamboi) or fisheries (Only ask for these villages: all downstream 

communities) 


I9 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


I10 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I3 

CHECKLIST FOR FISHING COMMUNITY 


9. Date 






dam. 

I3.1 GENERAL PROFILE 

1. In the fishing carried out by the village – What are the responsibilities of 

the men?What are the responsibilities of the women? 

2. What proportion of people in the village are involved in fishing? 

(number of men, number of women) 

3. Is fishing carried out by specific ethnic groups in the community? Or a 

specific age group of people? 

4. Besides fishing, how many of you do other activities to earn money or 

obtain things for household consumption?What are these activities?Do 

these change according to the season? 


I11 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I3.2 LOCATION AND AVAILABILITY OF FISH 

1. Where do you typically fish? Depict primary fishing areas on map. 

2. Can anyone fish anywhere they like?If not, where are the boundaries 

of where the people from this village are allowed to fish? 

3. Do the places you fish change depending upon the season? 

4. Have you been compelled to change your primary fishing area in the 

last several years? If so, why? 

5. Are there alternative areas for fishing that you could go to if you were 

no longer able to fish here?Are these as productive? 

6. Has fish availability changed in the last ten years? 

7. Are there any fish species that were previously present in the River but 

no longer occur?If so, what sp ecies and why do you think they 

disappeared? 

8. Which fish varieties are currently available in the river? 

9. What size fish do you typically catch (need to define ranges for small, 

medium and large)? 

10. Has the size of that fish that you catch changed over the last ten years? 

11. How much does a fisherman catch in an average week?(weight) 

12. Are there any seasonal variations in the amount of catch? Take the 

fishermen though a fishing calendar starting in January through to December 

13. What proportion of an average catch is eaten by the fisherman’s family 

and how much of it is sold out?( assess to what extent fishing is 

subsistence versus for sale e.g. if you catch 100 kg how much would be sold? ) 

14. Weekly, how much money to the household comes from fishing? 

(name the amount in Cedis) 

15. What proportion of total household income is this in a week?(Half the 

money?¾of the money?) How much money comes from the other 

jobs that the household does? 


I12 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

16. Does this vary from season to season? 

I3.3 FISHING METHODS 

1. What are the fishing methods (nets, traps, hooks, other)?Where did you 

get these from? 

2. Do any fisherman in the area use chemicals to fish? 

3. Do fishing methods differ by season? 

4. Are there group fishing activities? Do you fish during dry-season 

spawning migrations? 

5. How much time is spent on a typical fishing expedition? Has this changed 

in the past ten years? 

I3.4 FISHING SUPPLY CHAIN 

1. Who in the household sells the fish?To whom and where? 

2. How is fish transported to the place where it is sold? 

3. Is fish preserved?What methods are used?Who does the preservation? 

4. What percentage is sold preserved?What percentage is sold fresh?Does 

this change from season to season? 

I3.5 CHALLENGES 

2. What are the key problems with fishing in your village? 


I13 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I3.6 LIVELIHOOD AND POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE BUI DAM PROJECT 

1. How will the Dam affect your fishing activities? 



why? 



3. If you could have 4 things to develop in your community, which are the four 

things you would choose and in what order? 


I14 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


I15 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I4 

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION WITH HUNTING COMMUNITY 


13. Date 






dam. 

I4.1 GENERAL PROFILE OF HUNTERS 

1. How many serious hunters are there in this community?(People for 

whom hunting is a primary occupation? (assess extent of dependence on 

hunting) 

2. How much is self consumed and how much is for commercial sale? 

3. Which are the most commonly hunted animals?Which animals do you 

get the most income from?Do these vary from season to season? 

4. Besides hunting, how many of you do other activities to earn money or 



5. Are there any species that are not hunted because of traditions, customs, 

or beliefs? 

I4.2 HUNTING LOCATION,TECHNIQUES, AND AVAILABILITY 

1. Where do you typically hunt?Do you hunt in different areas in the wet 

and dry seasons? Indicate distance from village. 

2. Have you been compelled to change your hunting sites in the last 

several years? Why? 

3. What methods do you use to hunt (and % of use) – dogs, guns, rope 

snares and traps, steel traps? Do hunting methods differ between wet 

and dry seasons? 

4. How much time is spent on a typical hunting expedition? 


I16 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

5. Has the time you spend hunting changed in the last several years (more 

time, less time, same)? If so, what do you think has caused this change? 

6. Besides hunting, how many of you do other activities to earn money or 



I4.3 ANIMALS HUNTED 

1. What are the most frequently hunted animals? 

2. How does seasonality affect the abundance of animals in your area? 

3. What have been the trends in animal populations -over last few years? 

Are there more animals now or less?Why? 

4. Where in the park is animal abundance the highest? Describe location eg 

near gallery forest along Bui river. 

5. Have you seen the following species in the last five years? 

o Lion?How do you know?( sighting, tracks, vocalization, 

scat/dung, nest, feeding sign, or reliable report) 

o Spotted hyena?How do you know?( sighting, tracks, 

vocalization, scat/dung, nest, feeding sign, or reliable report) 

o Dwarf crocodile?How do you know?( sighting, tracks, 

vocalization, scat/dung, nest, feeding sign or reliable report) 

I4.4 NON TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS 

1. List the main products that are collected for the land that is not farmed? 

2. From where is this collected – farmland or forest? Note approximate distance 

from the village. 

3. Who collects this?Do certain ethnic groups specialise in collecting certain 

products? 

4. Does this change from season to season? 



I17 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



3. What are the key problems with hunting in your village? 

4. How will the Dam affect your hunting fishing and farming activities?Do 

you think that hunting of animals might significantly increase with inmigration 

construction workers and displacement of animals from the 

inundated area? 





I18 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


I19 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I5 

FGD DISCUSSION WITH WOMEN (INCLUDING HEALTH) 


17. Date 






dam. 

I5.1 QUALITY OF LIFE 

1. Do you have a say in decisions at the household level?What kind of 

decisions?(say in case of marriag e, children, other family issues) 

2. What types of roles are acceptable for women willing to get involved in 

village level issues and politics?How do they compare with the 

aspirations of women folk? 

3. Is it acceptable for girls to access formal education?Till what level?How 

does it compare with boys? 

I5.2 OCCUPATION /LIVELIHOOD 

1. Which are the main economic activities undertaken by women? On the 

farm?Fishing?Hunting?Gathering of non-timber forest products?Please 

describe the special roles of women. 

2. What significant changes have taken place in women’s role since previous 

generations? Why?Will change again in the future?Why? 

3. What roughly is women’s contribution to family income? 

4. Are there any women headed households? 

5. Are there households where men or other family members who migrate 

seasonally or annually for work? 

6. What are their main problems faced by women/girls in general?Are they 

different in case of women headed households? 


I20 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I5.3 HEALTH 

I5.4 MORBIDITY 

1. What are the main health problems suffered by people in your 

community?A sk the group to prioritise the top three. Probe whether these are 

different for men, women and children. Eg blood in urine disease, 

malaria/fever, skin rash/itches, stomach/watery stool/diarrheoa, 

guineaworm 

2. Have there been any serious disease outbreaks in your community in the 

past year? 

I5.5 MORTALITY 

1. What are the main causes of death in your community?Why?what 

groups (men, women, children) and why they think this is?eg Road traffic 

accidents, malaria, measles, malnutrition . 

I5.6 LIFESTYLE 

1. Is smoking common within your community?If so, how many, on 

average per day?Is it mainly men?What age groups? 

2. Is drinking common within your community?If so, on what level?Is 

it mainly men?What age groups? 

I5.7 HEALTHCARE FACILITIES – QUALITY AND ACCESS 

1. Where do you access your healthcare? 

2. What type of facility is it? 

3. How far is it from the community? Indicate distance and time taken to travel. 

4. Are you satisfied with the levels of healthcare available to you and your 

family? Understand why or why not. 


I21 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

5. What do you think are the problems with the clinic or health facility you 

visit? There may be issues around distance to a good facility, long waiting lines, 

opening hours, condition of hospital or clinic, medical supplies, out of date 

equipment, language barriers with doctors. 

6. How could your health centre be improved? 

7. Can everyone in the community afford healthcare treatment? 

8. Are there some groups that cannot?Which groups are these? 

9. If not, who cannot? 

10. What do they do if they fall sick? 

11. Have you or your family received any vaccinations from the local 

healthcare facilities. If so, for what? 

12. Do you or a member of your family ever visit a traditional medicine 

practitioner? Is it common within your community? Who are the main users? 

For what particular ailments are traditional medicine used and for whom? 


5. How will the Dam affect your community? 



why? 






I22 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


I23 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I6 

SHORT TOOL FOR SMALL FISHING (& FARMING) VILLAGES: 

DISCUSSION WITH CHIEF AND RESIDENTS (MEN AND WOMEN) 


21. Date 






dam. 

I6.1 HISTORICAL PROFILE 

1. Where did you come from, when and why? 

I6.2 

2. What proportion of the village are natives?What proportion of the 

village are settlers? 

I6.3 

I6.4 DEMOGRAPHY/GENERAL PROFILE 

8. How many people are there in the village?How many households are 

there? 




11. Which neighbouring villages have close ties with your community? 

Whatkind of relationship is this? 



years?Why? 

14. Has there been migration into the area?Where have these people come 

from and why? 


I24 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I6.5 ADMINISTRATION /LEADERSHIP 

1. Which chief do you report to? 

2. Are you part of an association?What is it called?(e.g. women’s savings 

groups?Hunters association?etc). What are the benefits of being a 

member? 

3. Do you pay a rent to live here?To whom and how often? 

I6.6 LOCAL LIVELIHOODS 

5. What are the main jobs that people in the community do? Herding, farming, 

fishing, trading. List these in order of importance. 

6. Besides fishing, how many of you do other activities to earn money or obtain 

things for household consumption?What are these activities?Do these change 


7. What proportion of your income comes from fishing?What proportion of your 

income comes from farming?What prop ortion comes from other activities? 

[estimate over a year] Does this vary from season to season? 





I25 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I6.7 FISHING 

I6.8 FISHING PROFILE 

1. How many people in the village are involved in fishing? (number of men, 

number of women) 



3. What are the fishing methods (nets, traps, hooks, other)?Where do you get 

these from? 

4. Do fisherman in the area use chemicals to fish? 


6. Is fishing done in groups or individually? 

7. Do you fish during dry-season spawning migrations? 

8. How much time is spent on a typical fishing expedition? Has this changed in 

the past ten years? 

I6.9 LOCATION AND AVAILABILITY OF FISH 

17. Where do you typically fish? Describe and indicate approx distance upstream and 

downstream from the village. 

18. Can anyone fish anywhere they like?If not, where are the boundaries of where 

the people from this village are allowed to fish? 


20. Are there alternative areas for fishing that you could go to if you were no 

longer able to fish here?Are these as productive? 




I26 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


24. How much does a fisherman catch in an average week?(weight) 

25. Are there any seasonal variations in the amount of catch?Indicate lean and 

peak seasons for fishing activity throughout the year. Take the fishermen though 

a fishing calendar starting in January through to December. 

26. What proportion of an average catch is eaten by the fisherman’s family and 

how much of it is sold out?( assess to what extent fishing is subsistence versus for 

sale e.g. if you catch 100 kg how much would be sold? ) 

I6.10 FISHING SUPPLY CHAIN 

5. Who in the household sells the fish?To whom and where? 


7. Is fish preserved?What methods are used?Who does the preservation? 

8. What percentage is sold preserved?What percentage is sold fresh?Does 


I6.11 OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FARMING 

I6.12 FARMING 

1. What proportion of the community is involved in farming? 


3. Are some ethnic groups more engaged in farming than others?Which 


4. Is the produce used for home consumption or selling in market?What 

portion? Does this differ from crop to crop? 

I6.13 FLOODING (ASK IN VILLAGES THAT ARE DOWNSTREAM FROM THE DAM) 



I27 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


river? 




10. Are their any specific crops grown in floodplains?Which are these? 

11. If the farmlands were no longer to be flooded how would they affect your 

crops? 

I6.14 NON TIMBER FOREST PRODUCTS 

6. List the main non timber forest products that are collected for the land that 

is not farmed? 

7. From where is this collected – farmland or forest?How close is this to the 

river? Note approximate distance. 




6. What are the key problems with fishing and farming in your village? 

7. How will the Dam affect your fishing and farming activities? 



why? 



I28 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA





I29 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I7 

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION WITH TEACHERS 


25. Date 






dam. 

I7.1 DEMOGRAPHY 


me what the main nationalities/ethnicities are?Which are the main 

religions?(and population distribution) 


years?Why? 

3. What are the differences different the ethnic groups in terms of – 

The work they do 

How well off they are 

How well educated they are 

Who determines their access to forests, land or fishing resources 

Health issues 




2. Are their specific development issues affecting women? What are these? 

3. Are their specific development issues affecting specific ethnic groups in 

the village?What are these? 

4. Are there any groups, associations or cooperatives in the village?What 

are these?(e.g. women’s savings grou ps?Hunters association?Etc). What 

is the role of the chiefs in these groups? 


I30 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I7.3 STATUS OF EDUCATION 

1. What school do you teach at and where?How far is it from the village 

(km)? 

2. How many pupils attend your school? 

3. How many pupils are there per class room on average? 

4. How many other schools are in the local area?What types of facilities are 

they (primary, secondary, technical colleges, vocational training etc) 

5. How many go on to further education (rough percentage)? 

6. Are you satisfied with the quality of equipment available, school 

infrastructure, and teacher training (if any)? 

7. If you could improve anything in the school what would it be? 

8. What difficulties does the school face? 

9. Would you say that girls tend to leave school earlier than boys?If so, why 

is this? 

10. Would you say that there are people in your community who cannot read 

and write? Why is this? 

11. What proportion (male and female)? 

12. Who are these people?Mostly women/immigrants/other? 


I31 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I7.4 VILLAGE INFRASTRUCTURE/VILLAGE PROPERTY 

1. How does the community obtain water?E.g. piped 

water/well/pump/river?Is the water treated? 

2. What types of sanitation facilities does the community have?eg pit 

latrines. How many of the houses in the village have a pit latrine?(All? 

Half?None?) 

3. How/where does the community dispose of its rubbish? 

4. What proportion of houses in the village have electricity? 

5. What fuel do people use to cook? 

6. What recreational facilities are there in the village?List these - 

(playground, table tennis, football pitch, etc) 

7. How many communal water wells/boreholes are there in the village? 

8. How many churches and mosques does the village have? 

9. Is there a graveyard near the village? 

10. What form of public transportation exists? 

11. Does the village have a clinic or health centre?What type and how many? 


1. What affect with the Dam project have on the community?livelihood? 

Probe for positives and negatives. 

2. How do you think your livelihood will be affected by: 






communities) 


I32 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


I33 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I8 

KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEW WITH TRADERS 


29. Date 






dam. 


When did you start your business?What do they sell? Ask participants one by 

one. 

1 What proportion of the village trade as their main occupation and 

secondary occupation? 

2 What proportion comes from trading?Do es this vary through the year and 

why? 

3 What proportion of traders in the village are men and women? 

4 Are there some ethnic groups that focus on trading more than others? 

5 What proportion of traders in the community are permanent or temporary? 

6 What proportion of traders have a fixed place in the market?How is this 

decided? 

7 Are they members of an association?What are the benefits of being a 

member? 

I8.2 SUPPLY CHAIN 

1. Where do they get their goods from? 

2. Who do they sell to?People in the c ommunity only or also from outside the 

community?If outside the community – from where? 


I34 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

3. How do they transport their goods?Type of vehicle and whether public or 

private? 

I8.3 PRICING AND EXPENDITURE 

1. How do you price the goods? 

2. Do you pay a toll, how often and how much and to whom? 

3. How many people do you employ? 

4. What value of goods do you sell per week (turnover)? 

I8.4 COMPETITION 

1. Do you have a fixed set of customers or do these vary?Why do these 

vary? 

2. Do you sell the same things as may other traders? 

3. In your opinion do you sell more or less that other traders who sell the 

same goods?Why? 

4. How do you compare yourself to your colleague who sells the same 

goods? 

5. How much of your shop’s income do you save for reinvestment into 

the business? 

I8.5 CHALLENGES 

1. What are the key problems with trading in your village? 

I8.6 ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE DAM PROJECT 

1. What do think will be the positives and negatives of the Dam Project? 


I35 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

2. How do you think your business will be affected by: 

An increase in population in the area (due to in migration) 




communities) 



why? 






I36 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


I37 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I9 

KEY INFORMANT INTERVIEW WITH CHARCOAL BURNERS 


33. Date 






dam. 


1. For how long have you been doing this – no of years? Ask each participant 

one by one. 

2. How many people in the village are charcoal burners? 

3. In general is this their main occupation and secondary occupation? 

4. What other jobs do they do?How does this vary during the year? 

5. What proportion of charcoal burners in the village are men and women? 

6. What do men do?What do women do? 

7. Are there some ethnic groups that focus on charcoal burning more than 

others? 

8. What proportion of their household income comes from charcoal 

burning?Does this vary through the year and why? Take them through a 

seasonal calendar. 

9. How many bags do you produce in a week?What is the price per bag? 


I38 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I9.2 SOURCING AND MARKETS 

1. Where do you get the wood from? Household farmland, unallocated farmland, 

forest? 

2. How far do go to get the wood? 

3. How do you arrange to get it?Who do you have to pay? 

4. Do you pay money for the rights to practise their trade in the community?To 

whom?How often?How much? 

5. Who are your buyers?Are these regular customers or do your customers vary? 

6. How do you transport the charcoal and to where? 

7. Has the demand for charcoal increased or decreased in the past 15 years? 

Why? 

8. Are your buyers from within the village or outside? 

I9.3 AVAILABILITY OF RAW MATERIALS 

1. What type of trees do you cut? Are these from farmlands or from the 

forest? 

2. Has the availability of wood decreased or is it the same over the past 10 

years? 

3. If declined – what will they do in the future? 

4. Have some species disappeared or become rare?What are these and why? 

I9.4 ATTITUDE TOWARDS THE DAM PROJECT 

3. What do think will be the positives and negatives of the Dam Project? 

4. How do you think your business will be affected by: 

An increase in population in the area (due to in migration) 



I39 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Loss of farmland 





I40 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


I41 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I10 

GUIDE QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION WITH HERDSMAN (INCLUDING 

FULANI) 


37. Date 






dam. 


1. What are the types of herders that live in the village? Nomadic herders that 

bring that livestock OR resident caretakers of local livestock. Indicate any other 

types and estimate their numbers. 

I10.1.1 

For Nomadic Herders bringing their own livestock 

1. At what time of the year do nomadic herders come to the village, from 

where? 

2. How long do you stay in the village?( indicate average no of weeks, months, 

years PER trip) 

3. Do you always visit the same village? If not which are the other villages 

do you go to?How do you decide which place/ village to go to? 

4. How many such herders are there in the village?From which ethnic 

groups are they? 

5. Do the herders have a leader?What is his role? 

6. Are they members of an association?What are the benefits of being a 

member? 

7. Which types of livestock do they herd?(cattle, sheep, goats)? 

8. Where do the herders take their livestock for grazing? Indicate distance 

and radius around the village. 

9. How do you know where you can herd, are areas identified for you?By 

whom? 


I42 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

10. How long do they spend on an average grazing trip? 

11. Do you need to get permission to be in the village?Do you need to get 

permission to graze?From whom do you need to get permission? 

12. Do you have to pay to live in the village or graze your livestock?How 

much, how often and to whom? 

13. Has the availability of land for grazing changed over the past 15 years? 

Why? 

14. Are there any conflicts between your group and the people in the 

village?Why? Probe for any conflicts over use of land. 

I10.1.2 For Caretaker Herders taking care of the native population’s livestock 

1. How many caretaker herders are there in the village?Where are they from 

(native or settler)? 

2. Is this their main job? Describe their role. How cattle are managed. How many 

cows on average per heard?Who owns these cattle? 

3. Besides livestock herding do they do any other activities to earn money? 

What are these activities?Do thes e change according to the season? 

4. How are they paid?How often? 

5. Which types of livestock do they herd?(cattle, sheep, goats) 

6. Has the availability of land for grazing changed over the past 15 years? 

How?Why? 

7. Are there any conflicts between your group and the people in the village? 

Why? Probe for any conflicts over use of land. 

8. Do the herders have a leader?What is his/her role? 

9. Are they members of an association?What are the benefits of being a 

member? 


I43 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

I10.1.3 

Potential Effects of the Bui Dam Project 

1. What affect with the Dam project have on your livelihood? Probe for 

positives and negatives. 

2. How do you think your livelihood will be affected by: 





Bangasi, Bamboi) or fisheries (Only ask for those villages: all downstream 

communities) 

I10.2 KEY CHALLENGES 

1.What are the key problems with trading in your village? 

I10.3 SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES 




I44 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Annex J 

Results of Social Survey

J1 




1. Date:20/03/06 Start:9:30am 

2. Name of village:Tainaboi End:11:17am 

Names of Participants Occupation 

Aku Nuale Samabia(Acting Chief) Fisherman/Farmer/hunter/livestock 

keeper 

Kobla Emmanuel Fisherman/Farmer 

Dakonia Fish monger/Farmer 

Salomey samabia Fisherman/Farmer 

Adza Fisherman/Farmer 

Kwame Samabia Fisherman 

Emmanuel Samabia Fisherman/Petty trader/Piggery 

Eric Samabia Fisherman/Farmer 

Norvinyo Samabia Fish monger/Farmer 

Facilitator: Kofi Recorder: Mac-Donald 



dam. 

J1.1 HISTORICAL PROFILE 


The community was founded in 1962 at the time the Akosombo dam was 

being constructed. The dam project adversely affected their fishing activities 

especially at Sogakope and Manfi Adidome and as a result they relocated to 

the community to continue their fishing activities. 

2. What proportion of the village are natives? What proportion of the 


All the inhabitants in the community are settlers. 

J1.2 DEMOGRAPHY/GENERAL PROFILE 

1. How many people are there in the village? How many households are 

there? 

The total population of the village is 205. It is made up of 85 adults and 120 

children; all the children of school going age are at Bamboi attending school 

except 13 who are living with their parents in the community. There are 11 

households who are mostly relatives. 

2. How many different ethnic groups are there in this village? Can you tell 


J1 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


The community is made up of only Ewes. 


The Ewes founded the community. 


What kind of relationship is this? 

The people have social ties with Alfred andMempeasem villages. They 

usually fish, mobilise to undertake communal labour and have funeral rites 

together. They usually go home together every 2 years to celebrate 

Asafoatse festival. 


Christianity and Traditional religion are common in the community with 

Christianity (80%) being the dominant religion. 


years? Why? 

The population has decreased over the years because children of school 

going age have to leave the community to Bamboi to attend school; others 

have left because the fishing business is no longer lucrative. 

7. Has there been migration into the area? Where have these people come 

from and why? 

There has not been any migration into the community. 

J1.3 ADMINISTRATION /LEADERSHIP 


The chief in the community is under the Juboi chief. 

2. Are you part of an association? What is it called? (e.g. women’s savings 

groups? Hunters association? etc). What are the benefits of being a 

member? 

The community members are affiliated to an Ewe Community Association 

at Bamboi and this association assists its members in times of need thus in 

sickness, bereavement and also provide them with loan facility. 

3. Do you pay a rent to live here? To whom and how often? 

Nobody in the village pays rent. 

J1.4 LOCAL LIVELIHOODS 



The main occupations in the community are fishing and farming. 


J2 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


things for household consumption? What are these activities? Do these change 


All the adults combine fishing activities with farming. Fishing is actively done 

between January and march while April to December is devoted to farming. 

3. What proportion of your income comes from fishing? What proportion of your 

income comes from farming? What proportion comes from other activities? 


About 80% of their income comes from fishing while the rest (20%) is from 

farming and hunting. 


No one in the community is in formal employment. 



There is only one petty trader in the community. 

J1.5 FISHING 

J1.5.1 

Fishing Profile 



About 44 people are involved in fishing in the community. This comprises 33 

men and 11 women who sell the catch. 



All the fisher folks are Ewes. They are between the ages of 8 and 50. 

3. What are the fishing methods (nets, traps, hooks, other)? Where do you get 

these from? 

Fishing methods used in the community are nets, hooks and traps. These 

implements are procured from Kumasi and Accra. 


Fishermen in the community do not use chemicals in fishing. 


All the fishing methods thus nets, traps and hooks are used between January 

and March (Lean season) and the trap is used from April to December (peak 

season) 


Fishing in the community is done in groups. 





J3 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

During the lean season (January –March) fishing is done between 3pm and 8pm 

or 7pm and 10am, at the peak season, the fishermen set their traps around 3pm 

and go back to inspect them the following morning around 6am. 

More time is spent on fishing these days because the fish population has 

decreased. 

J1.5.2 

Location and Availability of Fish 



Fishing is done at both the upstream and downstream. At upstream they fish to 

about 30 miles and at the downstream they used to fish as far as Gbadago, which 

is about 50 miles from the community. 

2. Can anyone fish anywhere they like? If not, where are the boundaries of where 


At the upstream, beyond the 30 mile point is the reserve where they are not 

allowed to fish. At the downstream, the people of Gbadago have refused them 

entry because they do not want settlers to fish there. 


The fish in these places throughout the year. 


longer able to fish here? Are these as productive? 

The fishermen in the community do not have alternative areas to fish. 


The fish stock in the river has reduced. 


The varieties of fish caught in the river are; Labeo Cubie, Tilapia, Heterotus 

Niloticus, Distichodus Restratus, Cltharinus Citherus, Mud fish,Bagrus 

Docmac,Synidores Clarias,Alestes Nurse, Tiger Fish,Mymrusrume,Tilapia,Alestes 

Macroleepidotus,Auchenoglanis Ocidentalis,carotes latlceps,Hyperopisus 

Bebe,Mormyrus Deliciosus,Polyterus Senegalrus,Labeo Coubie,Electric 

Fish,Tetraodon Fahaka,clarias Lazera,Pelmantocromis Guintry,Heptexis Odoe 

andGnathonemus Tamandua 


The size of the fish has reduced as compared to the previous years. 

8. How much does a fisherman catch in an average week? (weight) 

An average catch per week is worth about 2,5million cedis during the peak season 

and about 100,000 cedis is realised during the lean season. 

9. Are there any seasonal variations in the amount of catch? Indicate lean and 



- 


how much of it is sold out? (assess to what extent fishing is subsistence versus for 


The family consumes about 10% of the catch and the rest (90%) is sold out. 


J4 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J1.5.3 

Fishing Supply Chain 

1. Who in the household sells the fish? To whom and where? 

The fishermen sell their catch to their wives who also sell it in the market. The 

women send the fish to the Bamboi market where other women from Kumasi, 

Sunyani, Wenchi, Sampa, Akim Oda and Techiman come to buy. 


Fish is transported from the community to the Market by canoe and in baskets 

3. Is fish preserved? What methods are used? Who does the preservation? 

The main method of preserving fish in the community is by smoking and this 

is done by the women. 

4. What percentage is sold preserved? What percentage is sold fresh? Does 


About 80% of the fish is sold smoked and the rest (20%) is sold fresh. 

J1.6 OTHER ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FARMING 

J1.6.1 

Farming 


All the adults in the 11 households in the community farm. 


The main crops cultivated are yam, cassava, maize, groundnut, pepper, 

Agushie, Okro, tomatoes, garden eggs and beans. The crops that are 

grown every season are yam, cassava and maize but the rest of the crops 

change from season to season. 

3. Are some ethnic groups more engaged in farming than others? Which 


- 

4. Is the produce used for home consumption or selling in market? What 


About 20% of the farm produce is consumed by the farmers and the rest is 

(80%) sold. 

J1.6.2 

Flooding (ask in villages that are downstream from the Dam) 


Vegetable farms, which are usually planted along the river bank, are 

destroyed every two years by the floods. 


river? 

About 40% of their farms (vegetable farms) benefit from the flooding. After the 

floods, the farm land becomes fertile and as a result has higher yields. 



J5 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

- 



The land in the community has equal value. The type of crop one wants to 

cultivate will determine the type of land to use. 

5. Are their any specific crops grown in floodplains? Which are these? 

- 


crops? 

According to the farmers, their farm land along the river banks will lose its 

fertility if the floods cease. 

J1.6.3 

Non Timber forest products 



Sheanut is the only non timber forest product collected in the community 

2. From where is this collected – farmland or forest? How close is this to the 


It is collected from both farmlands and the forest. The distance from the river to 

where the sheanut is collected ranges from less than a mile to 2 miles. 


Sheanut is processed into shea butter and used for both subsistence and 

commercial purposes. 


- 

J1.6.4 

Livelihood and Potential Effects of the Bui Dam Project 


Some fishermen around the community use chemicals in fishing which 

kills most of the fish stock in the river. Again the use of cast net by these 

fishermen also traps the fingerlings in the river and as result destroys their 

reproduction cycle. This invariably has reduced the fish stock in the river. 


According the fishermen, the construction of the dam will reduce the 

water flow downstream and as a result fishing activities will be affected. 

They explained that the higher the water level, the greater the population 

of fish in the river. 

Again the dam will deny them of the biannual flooding of their farmlands 

which fertilizers the land and increases their yields. 

J1.7 RESETTLEMENT (FOR COMMUNITIES TO BE RESETTLED ONLY) 


why? 


J6 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The people said they would like to be resettled in their various hometowns 

because as one of them put it “it is better to go through hardship of life at 

one’s own hometown rather than somewhere else, after all home sweet 

home”. 


1. Provision of accommodation 

2. Provision of capital to start life all over again 

J1.8 KEY SOCIAL PROBLEMS AND DEVELOPMENT ISSUES 



1. Construction of motorable road in the community 

2. Provision of credit facility to expand their fishing and 

farming activities 

3. Establishing basic school in the community 

4. Provision of clinic 


J7 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


J8 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J2 




3. Date:19/03/06 Start:9:56am 

4. Name of village:Agbegikro End:11:26am 


Kodjo Nyalor Fishing/Farming/Livestock rearing 

Emmanuel Torvon Fishing/Farming 

Lucy Dotse Fishmonger/Farming 

S.K.Tigua Herbalist/Farming 

Emmauel Torgbadza Carpenter/Fishing/Farming 

Diana Kale Fishmonger/Farming 

Joana Adza Fishmonger/Farming 

Lydia Adzarago Fishmonger/Farming 

Hanna Acheampong Petty trading/Farming 

Torgbeza Michael fishing /farming/Local gin distiller 




dam. 



The village was founded by one Agbegi from the Volta Region of Ghana in 

1962.He was working with the Volta River Authority (VRA) at Dam site and 

on his retirement settled down at the present day Agbegikro. 



The natives are about 5 % of the total population and the settlers make up 

the rest, 95%. 



there? 

The total population of the community is 190(90 adults and 100 children) 

with 16 households. 



There are two main ethnic groups in the community. These are the Mos 

who are the natives and the Ewes from the Volta Region. 


J9 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


The Ewes founded the village 



The Ewes in the community have social ties with the people at Dam site. 

They all come from the same places in the Volta Region (Adidome, 

Sogakope, Ho and Manfi-Zongo).They perform funeral rites together and 

see themselves as relatives. 


Christianity is the main religion in the community. The only church in the 

community is the Evangelical Church. 


years? Why? 

According to the people the population has increased over the years as a 

result of births and immigration into the community. 


from and why? 

Mostly people from the Volta Region especially, men migrate to the 

community for fishing activities. 



The community has a chief, an Ewe who is under the Gyama chief. 



member? 

There is a women’s association known as Groundnut Growers Association 

which comprises 10 women. Each member of the Association is provided 

with an amount of 200,000 cedis and a maxi bag of groundnuts to cultivate 

by the Northern Empowerment Association (NEA) from Carpenter. During 

harvest each member gives back to NEA three maxi bags of groundnuts of 

which one bag is kept as a seed for the next planting season. 


None of the community members pays rent. 




The major occupations in the Community are fishing and farming. 




Apart from fishing almost all the adults in the community are into farming. There 


J10 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

is only one herbalist and a carpenter who also combine their activities with 

farming. 




Generally, about 80% of income in the community comes from fishing, while the 

rest comes from farming activities. 


None of the community members is into formal employment 



There is a carpenter, a herbalist and a petty trader in the community 

J2.5 FISHING 

J2.5.1 




Fishing in the Community is predominantly a male occupation. About 40 

men, all Ewes are into fishing. 



The Ewes are predominantly fisher folks. The age at which the people start 

fishing ranges between 8 and 60+ years. 


these from? 

Fishing methods commonly used in the community are nets, hooks and traps. 

These implements are purchased from Kumasi. 


None of the fishermen use chemicals 


During the wet season, the trap (Joko) is usually used. All the methods are 

however, used during the dry season. 


Fishing in the community is done individually 


- 



The fishermen spend about 8 hours in a typical fishing expedition. Fishing is 

done both in the mornings and the evenings. In the morning fishing normally 

starts from 5am -1pm whereas in the evening it starts from 4pm to 11pm. 


J11 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

According to the fishermen less time is spent on fishing expeditions these days as 

compared to some time ago when they used to have bumper harvest. 

J2.5.2 




Fishing is done at both upstream and downstream. At both sides, the fish to 

about 5 miles away from the community, 



Beyond 5 miles upstream is the reserve where they are not allowed to fish. 


NO 



There is no alternative places of fishing available to the fishermen in the 

community. 


It was revealed that the stock of fish in the river has decreased due to the 

increased number of fishermen in and around the community. 


There are eleven varieties of fish currently available in the river and these are, 

Lates Nilticus, Mymrusrume,Mud fish,Syndores Clarias,Tilapia,Alestes nurse, 

Tiger Fish,Labeo Cubie,Distichodus Restratus,Carotes Laticeps and Bagrus 

Docmac 


There have not been changes in the sizes of the fish caught in the river over the 

years. 


An average catch per week during the peak season is estimated at 1.5 million 

cedis whereas about 50,000 cedis is realised during the lean season. 




The peak fishing season starts from August through to march annually 




The fishermen sell about 80% of their catch and the rest(20%) is self consumed 


J12 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J2.5.3 



The fishermen sell their catch to their wives who also sell it in the community. 

Women from Bongase, Gyama, Banda Ahenkro, Banda Nkwanta and Bui 

Camp come to buy from the community. 


The fish mongers at Agbegikro sell the fish in baskets .The women who come 

from the other communities to buy the fish come by public vehicles and with 

baskets. 


Smoking is the main method of fish preservation and is always done by the 

women(wives of fishermen) 



About 60% of the fish is sold fresh while the other 40% is sold 

preserved(smoked) 


J2.6.1 

Farming 


Almost all the adults in the community are farmers 


Main crops cultivated are yam, cassava, groundnuts, Agushie, pepper and 

cashew. 



The Mos are predominantly farmers as compared to the Ewes who 

combine farming with fishing. 



About 60% of the farm produce is consumed by the household. However, 

this varies between the crops. 20% of the cassava, agushie and groundnut 

are consumed at home respectively and all the cashew is sold. 

J2.6.2 



Vegetable farms which are mostly cultivated along the banks of the river are 

usually flooded and destroyed during the rainy season 


river? 

The people do not see any benefit from flooding, they rather see it as a 

nuisance. 


J13 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


- 



All the land in the community have the same value and its productivity 

depends on the type of crop one wants to cultivate for example vegetables 

such as pepper ,agushie and garden eggs are planted along the river bank 

while the yam and the cashew are planted on the farm lands. 


- 


crops? 

It will not negatively affect their crops. 

J2.6.3 




The main non timber forest products are shea nut and dawadawa 



They are collected from the forest about a mile away from the community. 


Sheanut nut is processed into sheabutter for both subsistence and commercial 

purposes. Although the dawadawa is also used as subsistence it is usually 

consumed by the Mos. 


Sheanut 

J2.7 LIVELIHOOD AND POTENTIAL EFFECTS OF THE BUI DAM PROJECT 


Fishing nets are not readily available in the community, they have to travel 

long distances to acquire them which are also expensive. 

Some fishermen outside the community use chemicals to fish and as result 

kill most of the fish in the river and deplete the fish stock. 

Again the use of cast net (“harrow”) draws the fingerlings in the river and 

depletes their stock. 

The farmers complained of insects destroying their vegetable farms. 


Construction of the dam will reduce the water flow at their end and this 

will affect their fishing activities. They were however of the view that the 

dam project will not affect their farming activities as most of their farm 

lands are not close to the river. 


J14 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



why? 

The people said that if they have to move from their present place of 

residence, they would like to resettle at Gyama, which is closer to the 

village in order to continue with their farming activities. 


The main concerns and expectations are that they should be provided with 

accommodation, potable water, toilet facilities and alternative livelihoods. 




1. Basic school 

2. Clinic 

3. Electricity 

4. Credit facility 

5. Potable water 


J15 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


J16 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J3 




5. Date:19/03/06 Start:2:25pm 

6. Name of village:Agbelekame North End:4:15pm 


Yaa Lopo Farming 

Mansah Fishmonger 

Sheitu Musa Chop bar operator 

Mariama Farming/Porridge seller 

Zakariah Abubakari Farming 

Abokana Maiga Farming 

Kasmel Bombiezu Farming 

Botse Alfred Fisherman 

Sasu Antere Farming 

Akua Botse Farming 

Akua Davi Botse Housewife 

Dormenya Boronyor Fisherman 

Akua Dogotse Farming 

Ama Lobi Farming 

Adjoa Nafa Farming 

Steven Botse(Chief) Fisherman/carpenter 




dam. 



The village was established by the Ewes in 1947.They came from Tefle in the 

Volta Region of Ghana for fishing activities. 



About 25% of the population are natives and the rest (75%) are settlers. 


J17 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



there? 

The total population of the community is 702 comprising 70 households. 



The major ethnic groups in the community are the Mos, the Ewes, 

Dargartis, Bandas (Pantra), Waala, Gonja, Lobis (From Ivory Coast), 

Zambarama and Wangara. 


The Ewes 



The Ewes in the community have close ties with their compatriots at 

Agbelekame South. They were all living together in the community but 

some of them left to establish Agbelekame South after a massive flood in 

the community. They organise funerals and church services together. 

Children from the community attend school at Agbelekame south. 


Christianity, Islam and traditional religion are the main religions in the 

community. There are few atheists. The Christians are in the majority 

followed by the Moslems 


years? Why? 

The population over the years has increased through immigration. 


from and why? 

The immigrants are mostly from the dominant ethic groups in the 

community. They relocate to the community for fishing and farming 

activities. 



The chief of the Community, an Ewe, is under the Gyama chief. 



member? 

There are two women groups in the community 1.Groundnut Growers 

Association which is made up of 10 members who are all women. Each 

member of the group receives an amount of 200,000 cedis and a maxi bag of 

groundnuts from the Northern Empowerment Association (NEA) to 

cultivate .At harvest, each group member gives back to NEA three maxi 

bags of groundnuts of which one bag is used as seed for the next farming 

season. 

2. The Christian Mothers Association which has 25 members provide 


J18 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

assistance to the sick, the poor and the needy in the community .They also 

assist their own members in times of need. 


No one in the community pays rent. 




The major occupations in the community are farming, fishing, animal rearing and 

trading. The farmers are in the majority followed by the fishermen. 




Almost all the fishermen as well as the traders are engaged in farming. 




More than 60% of the income in the community comes from farming, followed by 

fishing which used to be the major source of income in the community. 


None of the community members is in formal employment. 



Businesses in the community are; Trading (24people), Carpentry (8people), 

Hairdressing (3 people) and dressmaking (2 people). 

J3.5 FISHING 

J3.5.1 




Fishing is basically a male dominated occupation. In all about 53 men are 

into fishing. Out of this number the Ewes constitute the majority (37) and the 

other 16 are from the other ethnic groups engaged in fishing activities. 



Fishing is mostly done by the Ewes, followed by Wangaras, Zambaramas 

and Dargartis.The people start fishing from age 8 to 60+. 


these from? 


J19 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The fishing methods commonly used in the community are the line and cast nets, 

hooks and traps. The implements are mostly procured from Kumasi. 


According to the fishermen chemicals are not used in fishing. 


The nets and the hooks are mostly used from January through to March thus 

the lean season and the trap is used from June to January (peak season). 


Fishing is done on individual basis. 


- 



During the peak season, fishing is done from either 3am to 10 am or 4am to 

12pm.In the lean season, they normally fish throughout the night. According to 

the people, more time is spent on fishing these days as compared to the previous 

years because of the depletion of the fish stock in the river. This was confirmed 

by a fisherman who intimated that” when I was small(younger), My father told 

me that, they used fish to trap fish but now we do not have enough fish to eat let 

alone using it as a bait” 

J3.5.2 




Fishing is done at both upstream and down stream at all seasons. At down stream 

Bamboi is their fishing boundary while Akanyakrom, is their boundary upstream. 



Although the fishermen can fish any where within the boundaries stated, 60% fish 

upstream and the others downstream. Beyond Akayakrom is the reserve where 

they are not allowed to fish. 


No 



There are no alternative places of fishing for the fishermen in the community. 


The people acknowledge reduction of the fish stock in the river but cannot explain 

the reason for this. 


Some of the common varieties of fish available in the river are mud fish, Tiger 

fish, Distichodus Restractus, Cltharinus Citherus, Lates Niloticus, Bagrus Docmac, 

Synidores Clarias and Mymrusrume. 

27. Has the size of the fish that you catch changed over the last ten years? 


J20 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

They believe the size of fish they catch these days is not as big as those their 

parents were catching. According to them, although their parents used nets with 

bigger holes as compared to the nets they are using now, they were able to catch a 

lot of fish. Most of the fish caught these days escape from the nets. 


During the peak season a fisherman on the average makes about 2 million cedis a 

week and as low as 50,000 cedis in the lean season. 




The peak season starts from August through to march while the lean season is 

from April to July. 




About 60% of the catch is sold and 40% is consumed 

J3.5.3 



The fishermen sell their catch to their wives who also sell in the market to 

make profit. Women usually come from Berekum, Banda Nkwanta, Kumasi 

and Sunyani to buy from the community. The wives of the fishermen send the 

fish to Bamboi, Techiman, Banda Nkwanta and Sunyani market. 


The major means of transportation of the fish is by public transport (Taxis and 

Trotros). 


Smoking is the main method of preserving the fish which is usually done by 

the women. 



During the peak season, about 60% of the fish is sold smoked; however, 80% 

of the fish is sold fresh during the lean season. 


J3.6.1 

Farming 


Almost all the adults in the community are involved in farming. 


The main crops cultivated are cassava, groundnut, yam, sorghum bambara 

beans, beans, maize, millet and Agushie. 




J21 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The Dargartis are more into farming than all the other ethnic groups. They 

are followed by the Waalas and the Lobis. 



About 20% of all the farm produce is consumed while 80% is sold. 

J3.6.2 



The last time they had flood was in 1992, and majority of their farms were 

destroyed. 


river? 

They do not benefit from flooding 


- 



There is no variation in the value of the land in the community. The 

productivity of the land depends on the type of crop cultivated. 


Vegetables are normally grown along the banks of the river. 


crops? 

The intimated that if their farm lands were not flooded their crops would not 

be destroyed. 

J3.6.3 




The main non timber forest products collected in the community are shea nut 

dawadawa and “Kuka”. 



They are collected on both farms and forest. The distance between the river and 

where the non timber products are gathered is about a mile. 


All the three non-timber forest products are for subsistence 


About 80% of the sheanut is sold in the market. 




J22 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Fishing nets and0 canoes are not readily available and they have to travel 

long distances to Techiman and Kumasi before they can get these 

materials. 

On farming, lack of credit facilities to expand their farms is the major 

problem facing the farmers. 


The dam will reduce the water flow downstream which will invariably 

affect their fishing activities. As a result of this most of the people will 

leave the community. 



why? 

- 


- 




1. Providing the community with a basic school 

2. Clinic 

3. Credit facilitities 

4. Provision of both fishing and farming implements 


J23 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


J24 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J4 




7. Date:20/03/06 Start:12:21pm 

8. Name of village:Mempeasem End:1:45pm 


Kodjo Emmanuel Fishing/Farming 

Kofi Agbodzalo Fishing/Farming/Animal rearing 

Mary Agbodzalo Fishmonger/Farming 

Yaa Fishmonger/Farming 

Martin Pesiwa Farming 




dam. 



The people of Mempeasem are predominantly Ewes who founded the 

village in the early 1960s when the Akosombo Dam was being constructed. 

It adversely affected their fishing activities and they moved from Adidome 

in the Volta Region of Ghana to their present settlement. 



All the inhabitants in the community are settlers. 



there? 

The total population of the community is 25 with 4 households. There are 

14 adults and 11 children. Eight of the children attend school at Bamboi and 

visit their parents during the weekends. 



All the community members are Ewes except one Dargarti man who 

recently relocated to the community. 


The Ewes 


J25 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



They have social ties with the people of Bamboi and Tainaboi.They perform 

funeral rites and all other social activities at Bamboi which are always 

supported by the people of Tainaboi. 


There is no religious group in the community. 


years? Why? 

The population of the community has decreased due to the dwindling 

fortunes of the fishing industry and also most of the people who were 

displaced by the massive floods about 4 years ago have not returned to the 

community. 


from and why? 

Only one person from the Upper West Region has so far moved into the 

community to undertake farming activities. 



The community does not have a chief but a leader, he is however under the 

chief of Bamboi. 



member? 

The Ewes are affiliated to the Ewe Community Association at Bamboi.The 

association provides welfare support to its members. 


No one in the community pays rent 




Fishing, farming and hunting are the main occupations in the community. 




Besides fishing all the adults in the community are into farming. 





J26 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

About 60% of the community’s income comes from fishing and the rest (40%) is 

mostly from farming. 


None of the community members is in formal employment. 



None of the community members runs a business 

J4.5 FISHING 

J4.5.1 




There are 8 fishermen and 7 fishmongers(females) 



All the fisher folks are Ewes and between the ages of 25 and 50.At times their 

children help them in the fishing expeditions. 


these from? 

The main fishing methods used in the community are the hooks, traps and nets. 

These implements are purchased from Kumasi and Accra. 


The fishermen in the community do not use chemicals in fishing. 


During the peak season (rainy season), the trap is mostly used. All the other 

methods are used in the lean season (Dry season). 


Fishing in the community is done individually. 


- 



The fishermen usually cast their nets between 3pm and 7pm and go back to check 

the nets the following morning between 5am and 10am. Fishing is also done in 

the night from 7pm to 7am. Sometimes a typical fishing expedition takes them 

away from home for about 3 months. According to them, more time is spent on 

fishing these days because it takes them long time before they have a catch. 

J4.5.2 





J27 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Fishing is mostly done at the downstream because there are a lot of fishermen 

upstream. At downstream they fish up to Gbadago which is about 50 miles from 

the community .At the upstream Ahomansia which is about 15 miles from the 

community is their boundary. 



They are not allowed to fish beyond Gbadago which is the forest reserve. 


No 



There is no alternative place of fishing apart from these places. 


The population of the fish in the river has decreased as a result of the increased 

number of fishermen in the area. 


The varieties of fish commonly found in the river are; Tilapia, Tiger 

Fish,Distichodus Restrators,Hyperopisus Bebe,Cltharinus Citherus and Labeo 

Cubie 


It was revealed that the size of the fish has not changed but the big species caught 

previously are no longer available in the river. 


At the peak season, the fishermen are able to make an average of 2,000,000 cedis a 

week and about 100,000 cedis during the lean season. 




- 




About 20% of the catch is consumed by the fishermen while the rest (80%) is sold. 

J4.5.3 



The fishermen sell the fish to their wives on credit basis, who in turn sell it at 

the Bamboi market. Mostly, women from Kumasi, Wenchi and Sunyani come 

to buy the fish. 


Fish is put in baskets and transported in Canoes .Others also carry the fish on 

their heads in baskets and walk to Bamboi. 


Smoking is the main method of preserving fish and this is mostly done by the 

women. 


J28 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



About 80% of the fish is sold smoked especially during the peak season and at 

the lean season all the fish is sold fresh because they do not get enough fish to 

preserve. 


J4.6.1 

Farming 


All the 14 adults in the community are into farming. 


The main crops mostly cultivated by the men are yam, cassava and maize. 

The women grow groundnuts pepper and okro. 



Almost all the inhabitants in the community are Ewes and they are all into 

fishing and farming. 



About 40% of the farm produce is consumed at the household level and 

the rest (60%) is sold out. 

J4.6.2 



The annual flooding destroys crops such as maize, cassava, pepper and 

plantain which are usually planted along the river banks. 


river? 

About 20% of farms in the community benefit from flooding. 


The flooding according to the people fertilises and renews the farm land. 



All land in the comminty have equal value. But the type of crop one wants to 

cultivate determines where one has to farm. 


maize, cassava, pepper and plantain 


crops? 

The said “If there were no flooding, the farm lands would not be fertile, they 

would be depleted and could not sustain any farming activity.” 


J29 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J4.6.3 




Shea nut and dawadawa are the main non timber forest products in the 

community 



These products are collected on farm lands and the forest. The closest location of 

the products is about ½ a mile from the river and the farthest is about 3 miles. 


Both sheanut and dawadawa are for subsistence and commercial purposes. 


- 



The use of cast net and chemicals by a group of fishermen living outside 

the community depletes the fish stock in the river and has subsequently 

affected their fishing business. 

Poor rainfall pattern, according to the farmers, has adversely affected 

their productivity level in recent years. 


The dam project will reduce the water flow downstream as well as the fish 

population in the river, which will impinge negatively on their fishing 

industry. 

They also anticipate there will not be enough water for their crops along 

the river banks and the will also be denied the annual floods which 

fertilizes their land. 



why? 

In case of resettlement the people intimated that they would like to be 

resettled at Bamboi in order to engage in trading. They believe Bamboi 

will provide them access to market 


On their expectations and concerns they enumerated, housing, land to 

construct fish ponds and capital to start up businesses. 


J30 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




1. Tractor services for their farming activities 

2. Credit facility 

3. Motorable road 

4. Basic school in their community 

Note: The people revealed that during the Akosombo dam project, the 

parents were not covered in the resettlement programme hence they 

moved to their present settlement .They were a bit apprehensive and 

doubtful about being covered in any possible resettlement. 


J31 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


J32 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J5 




9. Date:21/03/06 Start:8:30am 

10. Name of village:Agbelekame South End:10:55am 


Thomas Amedza (Chief) 

Tomkpo Borkor Fishing/Farming 

Nyikpa Voado “ 

Lotami Raphael Teaching/Farming 

Dickson Afeke Fishing /Farming 

Boye Leku Farming 

Kwame Kubata Farming 

Akosua Kra Fishmonger/Farming 

Janet Ndekor “ 

Afia Amedza “ 

Ama Kpakpa “ 




dam. 



The people of Agbelekame South migrated from Agbelekame North in 1968 

as a result of a massive flood. 



The natives are about 3% of population and the rest (97%) are settlers. 



there? 

According to the people, the total population of the village is about 500 

with 70 households. 



Ethnic groups found in the community are the Bandas or Pantras (natives), 


J33 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Ewes, Dargartis, Gonjas, Lobis (Ivory Coast), Mos, Gurushies and 

Chumurus. 


The Ewes founded the community. 



The people have close ties with Abofour Akurase and Agbelekame North. 

They trade, have funerals and at times have church services together 

.Children from Agbelekame North attend school in the village. 


Christianity (60%) and traditional religion (20%) are the dominant religions 

in the community. The rest are Atheists. 


years? Why? 

There has been an increase in the population through high birth rate and 

immigration. 


from and why? 

Most of the migrants come from Volta Region for fishing activities and the 

others who migrate to the community for farming activities come from 

Banda Ahenkro, Bongase and Fawomang. Also, the Dargartis from upper 

West Region come to the community to farm. 



The chief in the community who is an Ewe, reports to the Bui chief. 



member? 

The people do not belong to any association. 


None of the community members pays rent. 




The man occupations in the community are farming, fishing, animal rearing, Gari 

processing and trading. 




Besides fishing, which is a male dominated occupation, almost all the people are 

engaged in farming activities. 


J34 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




About 60% of income in the community comes from fishing, the rest comes from 

farming, trading and the few small scale enterprises. 


There are only three people who are in formal employment with the Ghana 

Education Service as basic education teachers. 



Ten people run businesses in the community .Some of these people are into 

hairdressing, dressmaking and carpentry. The others are into food stuff, alcoholic 

beverages, provisions (grocery), Kerosene and cooked food businesses. 

J5.5 FISHING 

J5.5.1 




Fifty men are engaged in fishing. 



The Ewes are predominantly into fishing. Those into fishing are between the 

ages of nine and seventy years. 


these from? 

Fishing methods commonly used are traps, nets and hooks. These implements 

are procured from Kumasi and Accra except the trap which is locally made from 

Bamboo. 


The fishermen in the community do not use chemicals to fish. 


The trap is mainly used for fishing from June to October which is the peak 

season. The net (both line and throwing nets) and the hook are used between 

October and February (lean season). 


Fishing is done on individual basis. 


- 



Between June and October fishing is normally done between 6am and 10 am and 

from October to February the people fish from 4pm – 7am.More time is spent on 


J35 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

fishing these days because it is difficult to get fish. “It is difficult to get fish these 

days, we can even spend three days on the water without getting fish”, they 

intimated. 

J5.5.2 




Fishing is done at both upstream and down stream. At the upstream, they fish up 

to Akanyakrom which is about 9 miles from the community. The down stream 

has no boundary and at times they fish up to Bamboi which is quite a distance. 



At the upstream they are allowed to fish to Akanyakrom after which is the 

reserve. 


The identified places of fishing do not change from season to seasons. 



They at times go to Wa in the upper West Region and Bole in the Northern Region 

for fishing. They explained that though those places are far they are more 

productive because there are few fishermen there. 


The fish population has reduced in recent times. 


Varieties of fish stock usually found in the river are; Lates Niloticus, Distichodus 

Restratus, Mud fish, Tiger Fish, Begraus Docmac, Labeo Cubie and Tilapia. 


Though they claim the size of their catch has reduced these days, they could not 

assign any reason. They also revealed that some varieties which were commonly 

found in the river some years back are no longer available. 


During peak season, an average catch per week is estimated to cost two million 

cedis and at times fifty thousand cedis is realised during lean season. 




- 




About 80% of the catch is sold and the rest is consumed. At times the fishermen 

exchange fish for foodstuff from the farmers. 


J36 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J5.5.3 



The fishermen sell the fish to their wives on credit who then sell in the market. 

The women send the fish to Kintampo, Sampa, Wenchi, Dormaa Ahenkro and 

Sunyani to sell. Others also come from Bongase, Banda Ahenkro, Wenchi, 

Techiman and Kumasi to buy fish from the community. 


The fish mongers convey the fish in baskets and transport them in canoes to 

Bongase to pick public transport to the various market centres to sell. 


Smoking is the main method of fish preservation and it is mostly done by 

women.However, if the fishermen go on fishing expedition for more than nine 

days, they smoke the fish before they return to the community. 



About 60% of the fish is sold smoked and about 40% of the fish is sold fresh 

throughout the year. 


J5.6.1 

Farming 


Over 60% of the adult population is engaged in farming. 


The main crops cultivated by the men are yam, cassava, cashew, agushie 

and maize. The women also grow agusie, okro, pepper, beans, 

groundnuts, cassava, yam and cashew. These crops do not change from 

season to season. 



The Dargartis are mostly engaged in farming as compared to the other 

ethnic groups. 



In general, 60% of farm produce in the community is sold and 40% 

consumed.However, 80% of the groundnuts and all the cashew are sold. 

While 20% of the maize and the yam are consumed the same percentage of 

both crops is preserved as seed. 

J5.6.2 



Flooding is experienced in the community once a while. The last flood 

occurred in 1999. 


J37 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


river? 

The people said that they do not derive any benefits from flooding. About 60% 

of the farms along the river banks are destroyed by the floods. 


- 



All land in the community has equal value. 


Vegetables, Cassava and Maize are some of the crops planted along the river 

bank. 


crops? 

It will not negatively affect their crops. 

J5.6.3 




Sheanut, Dawadawa and Mango are the main non timber forest products 

collected in the community. 



The NTFPs are collected from both the farmlands and the forest, few are found 

in the community. The farthest distance from the river to where the products 

are collected is about two miles. 


The sheanut is used as both subsistence and for commercial purposes. The 

dawadawa is mostly used by the Dargartis as subsistence. 


The sheanut is processed into shea butter and sold. 



Nonavailability of fishing implements in the whole Region compels the 

fishermen to travel long distances to acquire them. 

According to the farmers, lack of capital to buy farm imputs is their major 

problem. 


The people believe that the dam project will not affect their livelihood 

negatively but expressed fear of the community including their farms 

being flooded any time the water at the dam site is opened. 


J38 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



why? 

In case of resettlement, the people said they would like to be resettled two 

miles south of the community because they do not want to leave the 

fishing territory. 


Expectations and concerns raised about resettlement are; provision of 

accommodation, potable water, school and paying compensation on their 

cashew farms if they are destroyed. 




1. Motorable road 

2. School building 


4. Health facility 


J39 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Village profile for [BATOR AKENYAKROM] 


J40 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Village GPS reading: 023 Elevation 416 ft N 08º 17.279’ W 02º 16.655’ 

Written By: Joseph Boateng Agyenim &Kofi Adusei 

Dated: 01:05:2006 

Section 1: Background 

Section 1A: Administration/leadership 

Traditionally the village is under the Banda Ahenkro Paramount Chief. The 

village is headed by a chief who reports directly to the Bui chief. The village’s 

Unit Committee represent the government administration at the village level. 

The village is under the Tain District which was established in 2004. The 

village is not aware of any development plan for the district and have not 

been consulted in the drafting of any in the past. 

Table 1 

Background Information 

1. Name of Chief Togbe Emmanuel Kpakpa Afbesi 

2. Name of District Assembly Member They could not tell the name 

3. Name of Unit Committee Member Mr. Agbalo Mathew 

4. Name and village of Paramount chief 

(state which village he lives in) 

Nana Kwadwo Sito I, Banda Ahenkro 

He lives in Banda Ahenkro 

Section 1B: Historical profile and how dam has affected community 

Their forefathers migrated from Tefle (near Sogakope) in the Volta Region and 

settled at Bator Akenyakrom in 1927 to engage in fishing in the Black Volta. 

Three generations have lived in the village since it was founded. They were 

made aware of the construction of the Bui Dam as far back as 1962. In 1972 a 

very great portion of the land around the village and beyond was demarcated 

as a forest reserve by the government. The decision to build the dam, 

according to the elders would greatly affect the community in three (3) ways: 

- Their main livelihood which is fishing would be disrupted. 

- Where they would be resettled may not be suitable for them in terms 

of their livelihoods. 

- How to start life all over again at new location: The replanting of tree 

crops – and the sustainability of the land for the cultivation of major 

crops like yam, okra, pepper, cassava etc. have engage their thoughts. 

Section 1C: Types of institutions or networks 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The fishermen in the village have an association called “Tosihabobo”. The 

chief mediates in any dispute which affects the “Tosihabobo” Fishermen 

Association. There are two (2) churches in the village namely Roman Catholic 

and Pentecost. It was the Roman Catholic Church which established the only 

school in the village. There are also the Akenyakrom Youth association as well 

as fish mongers associations. 

Section 2: Demographics 

Section 2A Demography/General profile 

There are 670 people in the village and there are about 45 households. The 

different ethnic groups are Ewe, Banda, and Grushie (who are just four). Out 

of these groups the Ewes founded the village. The languages spoken are Ewe, 

Nafaarna, Akan and Grushie. 

The population over the last 10 years has increased because of: 

- marriages from neighbouring villages 

- high birth rate 

- influx of people from Volta Region and Navrongo in the Northern 

Region to engage in fishing. 

Table 2 

Demographics 

5. Total village population 670 

6. Total number of households 45 

7. No of men (adults – above 16) 

8. No of women (adults – above 16) 

9. No of children – 16 and below 

10. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Ewe 79%, Grushie 1% , Banda 20% 

11. Religions (indicate proportions of Moslem, traditional religion 

and Christian) 

Christians 98% Traditionalists 

2% 

12. No of disabled people 9 

13. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? Ewes founded the village but the 

natives are the Banda 

Section 3: Livelihoods 

Section 3A: Overview - Local Economy/livelihoods 

The main jobs of the people are fishing, farming and petty trading but the 

Ewes are predominantly in fishing. There are ten formal employees in the 

village – two teachers and eight Game and Wild Life employees. The other 


J42 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

categories of workers in the village are carpenters, tailor, seamstress, 

hairdressers, masons, craftsmen, bicycle repairers, shoe repairer, and petty 

traders. The economic activities undertaken also include processing of cassava 

into gari and cassava dough, processing fish and non-timber forest products 

(e.g. shea nuts into oil for soap making). 

Table 3 

Primary occupations/ livelihoods 

14. Farming (indicate approx. no of people for whom 5% 

this is a primary occupation) 

15. Fishing (indicate approx. no of people for whom this 90% 

is a primary occupation) 

16. Hunting (indicate approx. no of people for whom 1% 


17. Trading (indicate approx. no of people for whom this 4% 

is a primary occupation ) 

18. Formal employment (government OR private) 

(indicate approx. no of people) 

Teacher 3 

Health worker 1 health volunteer 

Church worker 2 (1 for R.C and 1 for Pentecost 

church ) 

Other Government employee 3 game and wildlife staff 

Private company employee - 

19. Unemployed (no of people) 

20. No of people in village with following skills 

Carpentry 2 

 

Plumber 

Mechanic 1 

Electrician - 

Welder 2 

 

Typist 

Seamstress/tailor 6/1 

Other: hair dressers 2 

Barber 2 

Section 3B: Women 

Roles in the household, village politics 

Occupations and livelihoods/problems 

In the farm, the women do weeding, mulching and staking yam, planting of 

cassava, tomatoes, pepper, and carriage of farm produce to the house and 

preparing food for family and labour force if there is any. Other economic 

activities of woman include the processing of cassava into gari and cassava 

dough, processing (smoking, frying or salting) and marketing of fish, 

gathering of non-timber forest products such as shea nut and dawadawa, and 

the processing of shea nut into oil and for soap making. There have been 

significant changes in the role of women from previous generations. 


J43 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Formally, women mainly processed and marketed fish which was in 

abundance but when the forest reserve was created, entry into part of the river 

up-stream which had lots of fish was prohibited so women got into farming 

for subsistence. Women nowadays look to the future with the hope of 

educating the girl children in trades like, hairdressing, sewing and higher 

education for those who could aspire to that level. 

There are women leaders in the village because men are not opposed to 

women getting involved in politics. However, many women do not aspire to 

such positions as assembly members or unit committee members because of 

the fact that they are not able to cope with the accusations and the hustles that 

go with those positions from the community members. 

Women contribute about 40% to family income. There are eight women 

headed households in the village. 

Section 3D: Fishing 

 

General profile 

Fishing is the main activity carried out in the village. About 100 men and 

equal number of women are involved in fishing in the village. The 

responsibilities of the fishermen are casting of nets, mending of torn nets, 

making of fish traps with raffia palm branches, use of hooks to fish, mending 

damaged canoes, and using of line net to fish. The women in the village also 

complement the fishermen’ efforts with the following responsibilities: the 

carriage of fish from the river-side to the home, smoking, frying and salting, 

and packaging of fish for market. The Ewes are those who are seriously 

engaged in fishing. The fishing age is from 16 years and above. The oldest 

fisherman in the village is 80 years. 

 

Location/availability of fish 

Since there are no boundaries their fishing expeditions stretch downstream up 

to Bamboi. Their fishing areas change according to seasons. Sometimes sizes 

of fish caught are about 2 metres. They are sometimes compelled to change 

their fishing areas when messages are received from other fishing 

communities that a particular species of fish have surfaced there. They are 

also not allowed to fish at forest reserved areas upstream. 


J44 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

In fact, availability of fish has really decreased over the last ten years in both 

sizes and quantities. Sizes of fish that are caught have reduced about 5 times 

in comparison with what used to be ten years ago. Species which have 

disappeared are Shrimps (crayfish), “Abobo” komfo, “Gada”, “Kokote”, and 

“Kwesinapia”. The use of dangerous chemicals by some unscrupulous people 

has also contributed to the depletion of the above mentioned species. 

Varieties of fish currently available are “Yaha” (“Jeprapa” – Akan), “Avoo”, 

“Akaw” (Akan), “Akpa” (Tilapia), “Apetri”, “Adaw”, “Yarefo” (“oheneba” – 

Akan), and “Chichi” 

Crocodiles are sometimes caught when they accidentally get into their nets. 

They are not allowed to kill them intentionally. 

 

Fishing methods 

Methods of fishing differ from season to season: hooks are used all year 

round; traps are utilised most from August to November; the nets are mainly 

used from November to January. They use cast nets, traps, hooks and line 

nets. The different types of nets used are 2”, 3”, 4”, 5” and a ¼”. The fishermen 

obtain their inputs (nets and hooks) from Kumasi and Accra. The traps which 

are made from local materials are obtained from the locality 

It was established that none of the fishermen in the area use chemicals to fish. 

The fishing expedition has changed over the past 10 years. It is now between 

one to four days unlike formally when it could last days and up to a month. 

There was enough fish to keep them fishing and selling for days before 

returning to their village. 

 

Supply chain 

Often the fresh fish is sold to the wife who then processes it and sells it either 

in the village and nearby villages like Bui, Bongase and Banda Ahenkro 

during the lean season (when buyers come to village to purchase) or take it to 

any of the market centres in Wenchi (99km away), Techiman (128 km), 

Sampa, and Sunyani. The fish are packaged as head loads and carried to Bui 

camp to be transported in trucks. However, when there is abundant fish some 

buyers may go to the village in trucks to buy. 

They preserve fish by smoking, frying or salting. The preservation is done by 

the women. 

35% of fish caught is sold fresh and 65% is processed. In the lean season 

almost all fish caught (about 99.5%) is sold fresh and 0.5% is consumed 

 

Challenges 


J45 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Some of their challenges are outlined below: 

- Wooden boards for canoes are very expensive 

- Good quality tree species for making canoes are all extinct 

- Kumasi and Accra where they acquire fishing inputs are too far away. 

Drag net operators destroy their line fishing nets 

Section 3F: Gathering of Non-timber forest products and Forest Resources 

 


Non-timber forest products that collected by the villagers include shea nut, 

pestles, and thatch. Thatch and pestles are mainly collected by mails but shea 

nut is gathered primarily by females. Shea nuts are processed into oil and 

subsequently for soap making. Less than 1% of the people in the village do 

occasional hunting. Hunting is mainly for subsistence but because hunting in 

the national park is illegal many will not want to talk about what is hunted 

for, the methods/ techniques used location and availability. It appears the 

most hunted animal is the grass cutter. 

Section 4: Infrastructure and Assets 

Section 4A: Village Infrastructure/Village property 

The community has a borehole which is just a year old. Source of water, 

formally was direct from the Black Volta River. There are two pit latrines used 

by the community in addition to two toilets used by the school in the village. 

There is no electricity in the village. The only recreational facility, in the 

village is a football field. There is no health centre in the village but the people 

utilise the services of the clinic at Bui Camp (about six kilometres away). The 

community owns a large fish pond which provides additional source of fish to 

them. 

Public Infrastructure 

21. Health centre/ health post/ clinic/health volunteer/ traditional 

herbalist 

[indicate which one available in village OR if not name of village 

where they go instead] 

No clinic, health centre or health post. There 

are 6 herbalists, one TBA, one health 

volunteer. 

22. No of communal wells/ hand pumps No community well, one hand pump. They 

also use the Black Volta River. 

23. Mosque/ church/ other religious places No mosques, 2 churches (Roman Catholic and 

Pentecost) 

24. Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest areas) 2 graveyards: one for Christians and one for 

traditionalists 

25. Police station [indicate if in village OR if not name of village where 

they go instead] 

None, they utilize the services of Banda 

Ahenkro Police station 

26. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls specify one football field, one Summer hut for ludo 

and oware playing and for meetings 


J46 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

27. No of Village Restaurant/ road side food seller (places where food is 

prepared on the premises and sold fresh) 

No village restaurant. 20 road side food sellers 

(kenkey, bambara beans, ,fufu, porridge, and 

doughnuts) 

28. Town Hall/ Community centre No town hall. They meet at the “Akenyakrom 

tourist centre- a summer hut. 

29. Village shop [indicate what type of goods they sell] – places where 

food is sold that is packaged or prepared elsewhere. 

30. Does the village have a permanent market, no of stalls? 

Four village shops (rice, sugar, biscuits, 

canned tomatoes, gari) 

No market 

Do they have market days, which days, no of stalls? 

Which other markets do they go to – in which villages are these 

located? 

31. Bank [indicate if in village OR if not name of village where they go 

instead] 

32. Means of Public transportation 

Types of transport (bus, lorry, taxi, etc) State number of each 

vehicle that services the village. 

Wenchi (Thursdays) Teachiman (Friday) 

Banda Nkwanta (Mondays) 

None. They go to Wenchi 

One urvan bus, 3 Asian buses, long bus), one 

Benz bus (207) 

Regularity (how often?) One bus leaves at 5am and comes back at 6pm 

everyday except Sunday. 

Route (from village to where) Bui Camp – Bongase - Wenchi 

Cost to go to Wenchi ¢ 17,000 for Asian bus, ¢ 18,000 for urvan bus. 

33. List other community assets 

Eg agricultural processing equipment (cassava grater) – This does not 

include assets owned by individuals that they charge the community 

to use. 

Household Assets 

34. Type of livestock in the village 

Cows/Goats/Chickens/Pigs/Dicks 

35. Type and number of vehicles 

Car/ motor bike/ bicycle/ boats/ lorry/ bus/other 

Irrigation machine, a fish pound, Roman 

Catholic Primary (1-6), contributed money 

towards hand pumps. 

Constructed the road from Bongase to 

Akanyakrom ,2 long drop toilets 

Fowls, sheep, goats, ducks, guinea fowls 

Others 

Household Facilities - include assets owned by individuals that they 

charge the community to use. 

36. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come from? No 

37. Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ charcoal Fuel wood, charcoal 

No cars or motor bikes (80% of people in the 

village have bicycles) 

38. Source of water for cooking/ washing/ bathing: well/ hand pump/ 

river 

39. Type of toilets: flushing/ long drop/ open pit/ river/ other – are 

these for an individual household or community use? 

40. Means of garbage disposal 

Indicate if there this is done in designated location/s OR anywhere 

1 hand pump for drinking and cooking Black 

Volta for bathing and washing 

2 long drop toilets but about 50% also go to 

the bush (free range) 

2 designated places for garbage disposal 

Section 4B: Status of Education 

The name of the only school in the village is Akenyakrom Roman Catholic 

Primary School. It was established in 1951, on the western side of the village 

but the 1963 flood caused it to be relocated to its present location. The number 

of pupils in the school is 91. The school runs primary 1 – 6 but uses only three 

(3) class rooms. 

Primary Class No. of Pupil No. of Rm. Shared 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

1 

20 

1 

2 

17 

3 

14 

1 

4 

12 

5 

15 

1 

6 

13 

Total 91 3 

The nursery (K.G) which does not have an attendant and no registered 

number of pupils is attended to by any of the three teachers in the school. The 

teachers mentioned that almost 100% of all those who complete primary six 

continue their education at Bui Camp Junior Secondary School. 

The quality of equipment at the school needs urgent attention. The school 

building which was built with sticks, mud and bamboo is in a very deplorable 

state. The furniture is inadequate and there are no teaching aids. The 

enrolment is poor and no teachers are posted there. The girls have the zeal to 

continue their education. The boys even though go fishing with their parents 

and sometimes on their own, they still attend school. Those who cannot read 

and write are grown-ups who are above 45 years. The women are in the 

majority though. 

41. 

School 

Primary School [indicate if in village OR if not 

name of village where they go instead] How 

many class rooms? How many pupils? 

 

 

Junior Secondary School (JSS) [indicate if in 

village OR if not name of village where they go 

instead] How many class rooms? How many 

students? 

Senior Secondary School (SSS) [indicate if in 

village OR if not name of village where they go 

instead] How many class rooms? How many 

students? 

Bator Roman Catholic Primary school, 1 

kindergarten but the KG children join class 1 

and 2. There are three classrooms. The number 

of pupils in the school is 91. The school runs 

primary 1 – 6 but uses only three (3) class 

rooms. 

None. they go to Bui Camp Local Authority JSS 

1-3 

No SSS in village; they go to Wenchi, sunyani 

or Techiman 

Section 4C: Status of Health 

Morbidity 

The main health problems suffered by the people are: Malaria, stomach 

problems, diarrhoea, eye problems from black flies, hernia. Apart from the eye 

problems which affect the men most due to frequent contact with black flies 

when fishing all other sicknesses affect both sexes. There have not been any 

serious disease outbreaks in the community in the past year. 


J48 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Mortality 

The community has not realised a particular cause of death in the village. 

Lifestyle 

Smoking is basically the reserve of men in the community. There are no 

women smokers. On the average one out of every four men smokes but it 

is difficult to estimate the number of sticks per day. This is so because the 

men smoke often when they visit the toilet or when they are going on 

fishing expedition. Drinking is quite common among the men. Some 

women occasionally drink during funerals. Drinking is pronounced 

among the adult; just a few of the youth are involved 

 

Healthcare facilities – quality and access 

The people attend clinic at Bui Camp- about six kilometres from the 

community. The clinic is manned by health assistants. In severe cases sick 

people are referred to Wenchi hospital for treatment which is about 100 km 

away. The people are satisfied with the healthcare received because the staff 

give them prompt attention anytime they visit and there are no long waiting 

lines and no language barriers with the assistants because the assistants are 

indigenes. The only problem they encounter is when they are referred to 

Wenchi which is too far coupled with the poor nature of the road. Only a few, 

about six people in the village are said not to be able to pay for health service. 

Section 5: Potential Issues and Development Needs 

Section 5A: Potential effects of the dam on the community 

Attitudes 

Effects 

It is anticipated that the project will generate employment opportunities for 

the youth in the area. It is also expected that there will be the availability of 

electricity and improvement of road network which may improve the local 

economy. Better price for both fishing and farming produce are expected to 

increase the incomes of farmers and fishermen. 

Despite these it may bring about increase in social vices, increase in diseases 

like STDs and HIV/AIDS. There could be the disruption of social 

interrelationships which might have effect on productivity as well as 

maintenance of law and order. 

Section 5B: Resettlement issues 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The village would want to be settled between BONGASE and BANDA 

AHENKRO but closer to the Black Volta in other not to lose their livelihood. 

Their concerns include the fact that they could suffer a kind of food shortage 

in the early years of their resettlement. They are also concerned about the type 

of accommodation to be provided in terms of numbers and comfortabilty as 

well as the relocation of cemetery and reburial of their ancestors. 

Section 5C: Key social problems/development issues 

The communities can improve their lot with the provision of the following 

facilities and services: 

- Community Health Post to provide First Aid since the community has 

already trained a Health Volunteer and a Traditional Birth Attendant. 

- School Building to accommodate the pupils in their respective 

classrooms, and 

- Provision of Boreholes for potable drinking water. 


J50 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Village profile for [BONGASE] 

Village GPS reading: 021 Elevation 596ft N 08º 14.325’ W 02º 16.555’ 


Dated: 01:05:2006 



The village is headed by a chief who reports to the Banda Ahenkro paramount 

chief. The government is represented at the village level by an assembly 

member and a unit committee. The Gyasehene determines the one who gets 

access to land and where. Settlers, however, pay some token (30 tubers of 

yams and a cock to the chief during annual festival) for use of land. 

Table 1 


42. Name of Chief Nana Kwabena Alaboi 

43. Name of District Assembly Member Mr. Sampson Donkor 

44. Name of Unit Committee Member Mr. Emmanuel Billey 



Nana Kwadwo Sito I – Banda Ahenkro 


Section 1B: Historical profile and how dam has affected community 

The elders could not give any meaningful historical account of how the village 

was established. The community is earnestly looking forward to the building 

of the dam as soon as possible since they expect it to change the fortunes of 

the village 


There are several groups in the village. These include the 31 st December 

Women’s Movement (which has only four members), Dagarti Farmers 

Association, Sissala Charcoal Burners Association, Dagarti Youth 

Association, Cashew Farmers Co-operative Society, Yam Farmers 

Association, Cassava Farmers Group, Cattle Owners Group, and Parent 

Teachers Association 


J51 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


Section 2A Demography/General profile 

The different ethnic groups in the village are Dagarti, Grushie, Sissala, Fulani, 

Banda Ligbie, and Gonja. The Ligbie tribe is the wealthiest because they own 

all the means of transport (cars, lorries and buses) in the village, but 

surprisingly, they are the least educated. The Nafaanas (Banda) are the most 

well educated people in the village. 

There are three main religious groups namely: Christians, Moslems, and 

Traditionalists. The Christian denominations are Roman Catholic, 

Presbyterian, Pentecost, New Apostolic, and Community Church. The 

religious groups help the community by preaching against social vices. The 

population has increased over the past ten years because of the increase in 

birth rate and immigrants especially Fulani herdsmen. 

Table 2 

Demographics 



48. No of men (adults – above 16) 500 

49. No of women (adults – above 16) 700 

50. No of children – 16 and below 800 

51. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group 

(approx) 

52. Religions (indicate proportions of Moslem, 

traditional religion and Christian) 


54. What is the native ethnic group that founded Banda 

the village? 

Banda 60%, Ligbie 20%, Dagarti 10%, Sissala 

10%, Gonja 8%, Grushie 1.5% & Fulani 0.5% 

Christians 70%, Moslems 29%, Traditional 

worship 1% 


Section 3A: Overview - Local Economy/livelihoods 

The Fulani are cattle headers and the Sissala are noted for charcoal making. 

All the other ethnic groups are farmers. Other economic activities carried out 

in the village include the following hairdressing, dressmaking (by tailors & 

seamstress), carpentry, petty trading and masonry. 

Table 3 



J52 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

55. Farming (indicate approx. no of people for whom 


56. Fishing (indicate approx. no of people for whom this 

is a primary occupation) 

57. Hunting (indicate approx. no of people for whom 


58. Trading (indicate approx. no of people for whom this 

is a primary occupation ) 

59. 

77% 

No fisherman 

1% 

22% (includes charcoal makers 

and petty trader) 

Formal employment (government OR private) 


Teacher 7 (primary and kindergarten) 

Health worker 2 community based surveillance 

staff 

Church worker 5 (1 pastor each for 5 churches) 

 

Other Government employee 

Private company employee 7 drivers, 3 roadside food 

workers 

60. Unemployed (no of people) ? 


Carpentry 16 

Plumber - 

Mechanic 6 bicycle repairers, 1 motor bike 

repairer, 1 radio repairer 

Electrician - 

Welder - 

Typist - 

Seamstress/tailor 6/ 4 

Other: Masons 8 

Hair dressers 7 

Section 3B: Women 


Women in the village have a say in decisions at household level. These are 

issues pertaining to children’s education, hiring of labour to expand farm, 

undertaking economic ventures, and building a house. Women in the village 

have the aspiration and desire for village level issues and politics but they are 

handicapped by lack of education. They presume their girl children would 

change the tide through education. Girls are therefore encouraged to access 

formal education to the highest level as boys provided their parents have the 

finances. 

 


The main economic activities undertaken by women are “Chop bar” operation 

(roadside food vendors), kenkey production, hairdressing, sewing 

(seamstress), and gathering of non-timber forest products (dawadawa and 

shea nut) which they process and sell. In farming the activities include 


J53 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

mulching of yam mounds, harvesting of crops, cooking food and fetching 

water, conveyance of yam seeds to farm and harvested produce to the village. 

They also cultivate their on own tomato, okra, groundnut, egushie and/or 

pepper farms. 

The contribution of women to family income is high. Men provide about onethird 

of the daily housekeeping money leaving the woman to look for the bulk 

of their expenditure (two-thirds). The irresponsible nature of men in the 

village compels women to migrate to the urban areas to engage in all kinds of 

work. They leave their young children in the care of their older daughters or 

mothers. 

The main problems faced by women and girls in the community in general are 

that there are no role models to inspire and encourage young girls, forced 

marriages do not help the girls to unearth /utilise their potentials and the 

illiteracy of the older women put in a disadvantage position in the society. 

Section 3C: Farming 

 

Profile 

The main crops cultivated are yam, cassava, maize, millet, egushie, 

groundnut, beans, garden eggs, okra, tomatoes, calabash, cashew, and 

tobacco. Women cultivate crops like egushie, groundnut, tomatoes, pepper 

and garden eggs for subsistence and for sale. 

The men prepare the land, raise yam mounds, plant yam and stake yam, and 

uproot tree stumps and harvest of yam. 

 

Inputs 

Farming implements used by the farmers are cutlass, hoe, and earth chisel. 

The farmers rely mainly on rain water. A few who practise dry season 

vegetable farming, along the banks of the stream Lopo use watering cans to 

water their crops. 

With regards to inputs the farmers obtain their seeds from previous harvests 

and from the open market at Wenchi and Techiman. Chemical fertilizers are 

sparingly used. Pesticides are used on beans and cashew. 

Obtaining credits from the banks have been frustrating because procedures for 

obtaining them are too cumbersome. As such farmers are unable to meet their 

(banks) criteria. Some farmers are forced to resort to borrowing monies from 

women traders who come to the village to buy their produce, especially those 


J54 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

who purchase yam. But after harvest these women dictate prices for the 

indebted farmers. Agricultural extension officers do not pay regular visits due 

to transportation problems. Their last visit was over a year ago. 

 

Flooding issues 

No portion of farm land is flooded during the rainy season. However, there 

are crops like tomatoes, garden eggs, okra, pepper and maize which grow well 

in the valleys of river Lopo. 

Land Tenure 

All land in the area belongs to the Banda Ahenkro paramount chief. Nobody 

owns land in the village and nobody inherits land. Only crops can be 

inherited. Settlers consult their landlords who in turn see the chief for the 

release of land. Settlers only give gifts to the chief and are not allowed to 

plant tree crops like cashew and oil palm. Consequently the land is basically 

used for annuals. Shifting cultivation is practised but if land is left to fallow 

for a long time it reverts back to the chief and as such anybody could be 

allowed to farm on it. Land holding in the village is between one (1) to twenty 

(20) acres. The average land holding is about 4 acres. The minimum land size 

to support an average family size is between four (4) to five (5) acres. There is 

a “Nnoboa” group in the village which farmers use on rotational basis to weed 

their farms at a reduced rate. Women have equal rights for the use of land as 

men. 

Livestock 

The main and common livestock in the village are sheep, goats, cows and 

poultry. Groups of cattle owners in the community put their cows together in 

one kraal and employ a Fulani herdsman to send them for grazing within 

three (3) kilometres radius of the village. As part of their remuneration the 

herders keep the milk from the cows to themselves. There is a cattle owners 

association in the village which apart from seeing to the welfare of members, 

contribute to pay the Fulani herdsmen. Cattle are raised mainly for sale. 

 

Markets 

Crops that farmers sell are cassava, yam, groundnut, beans and egushie. They 

send them to Techiman and Kumasi because the prices there are attractive. 

The produce is transported by privately owned KIA trucks. Women normally 

send the farm produce to the market centres for sale. Generally, two-thirds 


J55 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

(2/3) of produce is consumed while one-third (1/3) is sold. However, cashew 

has got ready market in the village because buyers travel down to purchase 

them. British American Tobacco Company supports tobacco growers. They 

have built kilns for curing harvested leaves which they later purchase. 

Middlemen also come to the village to buy tobacco for resale. Farmers sell 

100% of all tobacco produced. 

Challenges 

The main challenge to farmers is how to access credit for farming activities 

and to find an alternative source of livelihoods during lean farming 

period/season. If the dam is built the other challenge will be how to increase 

productivity on the limited/reduced land area in order to support the higher 

population that will be in the area. 

Section 3F: Gathering of Non-timber forest products and Forest Resources 

 

Location/techniques and availability/Hunting Rights 

Products collected from land that is not cultivated by the farmers include shea 

nut, dawadawa, herbs, honey, “koka”, kapok (for pillow), thatch, chewing 

stick, and pestles for pounding fufu. Dawadawa and shea nut are both for 

subsistence and for sale when collected in large quantities. Shea nut is 

processed into oil which is subsequently used for soap making. 

 

Challenges 

All NTFPs are collected within one to one-and-half kilometres radius around 

the village. 

The challenges that may face the villages are how to make for incomes lost as 

a result of the loss of NFTP 

Section 3H: Charcoal Burners 

There are only 11 men who are engaged in charcoal burning as their principal 

occupation. These do not undertake any other business activity. All their 

income is from charcoal burning. The Sissala dominate the charcoal burning 

enterprise, followed by the Banda. Charcoal burning is done only by men. 

However, their wives assist them to package the charcoal into sacks for sale. 

They produce between 8 and 15 bags a week and a bag of charcoal in the 

community costs 25,000 cedis. 


J56 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Sourcing and markets 

Wood used in the charcoal burning is acquired from farm lands which are 

located between a mile and 5 miles. The charcoal burners arrange with farm 

owners and pay between 150,000 and 600,000 cedis per farm, depending on 

the size of the farm, to harvest wood for charcoal making. 

The burners pay 50,000 cedis per mini truck load and 150,000 cedis per big 

truck load of charcoal they produce in the community to the chief and his 

elders. 

The charcoal is transported to Kumasi and Accra to their customers and any 

other charcoal seller who may need them. Trucks are mostly used to transport 

the charcoal. Some quantity is sold within the village but not in large 

amounts. Many people are now into charcoal burning and therefore it appears 

it is in abundance. As a result charcoal burners think that the demand has 

gone down. 

 

Availability of raw materials 

The availability of wood used in producing charcoal has decreased over the 

years. Some of the species (in Sissala) in use are Kinde”, ”Horte”,” Kunlo”, 

”Besiko”, ”Busuamu”, ”Kou” and “Domangwe”. If the species of wood that is 

used is no longer available, their business will collapse yet they maintain that 

they will begin to think about what to do when that stage is with them. None 

of the species they use has disappeared yet. 

Section 3I: Herders/Fulani 


There are two main types of herders found in the community. These are the 

resident caretakers of local livestock and the nomadic herders who bring their 

livestock to graze in the community. 

The nomadic herders are usually about 50 in number who are nationals of 

Niger. They usually come to the community between January and April and 

stay in the community for two to three months. They have been visiting the 

village for about 12 years now, but they did not visit this year. The herders 

normally have a leader who negotiates with community leaders for grazing 

grounds for their animals (cattle and sheep). According to the “krontihene” 

(the sub-chief with the highest authority after the chief), the herders give them 

“drinks” as their tradition demands and they are allowed to graze their 

livestock. They usually graze along the Black Volta about 4 miles from the 

community. The grazing grounds are assigned them by the community 

leaders. They spend between three and seven days on an average grazing trip. 

There are no nomadic herders in the community. 

There are only two caretaker herders from Mali in the community. They take 

care of 85 cattle owned by individual inhabitants of the community. The main 

role of the herders is to send the cattle out to graze and make sure they do not 

destroy people’s property. They take care of 85 cattle owned by individual 

inhabitants of the community. At the end of the month each herder is paid 

2,000 cedis per cow he takes care of. 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

According to the cattle owners their grazing places have not changed over the 

years. During the rainy season, the cattle are allowed to graze on the fields in 

the community but in the dry season they graze around the Black Volta River. 

 

Challenges 

The main challenge is the conflicts that erupt between the herders and the 

farmers in the community especially when the cattle destroy their crops. In 

such instances the herders are made to pay for the cost of crops destroyed but 

there remains some tension between the members of the community and the 

herdsmen. 


Section 4A: Village Infrastructure/Village property 

The community has about 9 boreholes. Water from these boreholes is quite 

clean. This has reduced the incidence of guinea worm infestation than when 

they were drinking from the Black Volta. 

The community with a population of over 2000 has only one (1) toilet which 

serves both males and females. The school, however, has its own toilets. The 

community’s only recreational facility is a football field. There are also private 

transport owners within the community. 


62. Health centre/ health post/ clinic/health 

volunteer/ traditional herbalist 

[indicate which one available in village OR if not 

name of village where they go instead] 

2 health volunteers, 2 TBAs and 10 herbalists. 

No clinic in the community; they go to Bui Camp Clinic. 

63. No of communal wells/ hand pumps No communal well, 9 hand pumps (3 not functioning) 

64. Mosque/ church/ other religious places 2 mosques (1 yet to be completed), 5 churches – 

Presbyterian Church, New Apostolic church, Roman 

Catholic Church, Church of Pentecost, Community 

Church 

65. Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g. sacred forest 

areas) 

66. Police station [indicate if in village OR if not name 

of village where they go instead] 

67. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – 

pls specify 

68. No of Village Restaurant/ road side food seller 

(places where food is prepared on the premises and 

sold fresh) 

3 graveyards – 1 for Christians, 1 for Moslems, 1 for 

Traditional worshippers 

None, they utilize the services of the Banda Ahenkro 

police station 

2 football fields - 1 at primary school and 1 at the new 

clinic site 

1 village restaurant (fufu, porridge) 52 roadside food 

sellers (kenkey, fufu, banku, bread, rice, porridge) 

69. Town Hall/ Community centre None. They meet under a mango tree near the chief’s 

house 

70. Village shop [indicate what type of goods they sell] 

– places where food is sold that is packaged or 

prepared elsewhere. 

71. Does the village have a permanent market, no of 

stalls? 

2 drug (medicine) shops, 8 provision shops, and 4 

drinking bars 

No. 


J58 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Do they have market days, which days, no of stalls? They had one but surrounding villages don’t bring goods 

due to the nature of the road. 

Which other markets do they go to – in which Wenchi market and Techiman market 

villages are these located? 

72. Bank [indicate if in village OR if not name of village 


None, they go to Wenchi and/or Techiman 


Types of transport (bus, lorry, taxi, etc) State 3 “Asian” buses, 1 Benz bus, 1 urvan bus, 2 KIA pickups 

number of each vehicle that services the village. 

Regularity (how often?) The cars leave at 5am and come back at 6pm all days 

except Sundays 

Route (from village to where) Bongase to Banda Ahenkro to Wenchi toTechiman 

Cost to go to Wenchi 20,000 


3 long drop toilets, Bongase Primary school 

Eg agricultural processing equipment (cassava 

grater) – This does not include assets owned by 

individuals that they charge the community to use. 



Cows, goats, sheep, fowls, ducks. 




80% have bicycles, 4 motorbikes, 

1 urvan bus, 1 Benz bus (207) 

3 “Asian” buses, 2 KIA Pickups 

Others 

Household Facilities - include assets owned by 


77. Does the village have electricity? Where does this No, the village has no electricity 

come from? 

78. Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ They use charcoal, kerosene, and firewood 

charcoal 

79. Source of water for cooking/ washing/ bathing: 

well/ hand pump/ river 

80. Type of toilets: flushing/ long drop/ open pit/ 

river/ other – are these for an individual household 

or community use? 


Indicate if there this is done in designated 

location/s OR anywhere 

Hand pump and a stream, Lopo, which dries up in the 

dry season 

3 long drop toilets for the community 

6 long drop toilets for Bongase primary school 

40% of village defecate in the bush ( free range) 

5 designated place for garbage disposal 


The Bongase Primary School which was established in 1961 is located at the 

outskirts of the village. It has seven (7) teachers. The district assembly has put 

up a new building for the primary school. The nursery is however housed in 

a small shed with thatch. The population of the school is three hundred and 

thirty three (333) pupils with the breakdown indicated in the table below. 

Distribution of Pupils 

Primary Class 

No. of Pupils 

1 40 

2 39 


J59 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

3 25 

4 17 

5 21 

6 21 

Nursery 1 & 2 170 

Total 333 

The percentage of those who qualify to progress to Junior Secondary School 

(JSS), according to the teachers, is about 81% and these have to walk a distance 

of 1.6 kilometres daily to the Bui camp JSS. More of the girls continue to the 

JSS level than the boys because the boys prefer travelling to the cities (Kumasi, 

Accra) to work to buy personal effects like furniture and clothing to schooling. 

The parents on the other hand coerce the healthy boys to work on their farms 

and later encourage them to own their own farms rather than sending them to 

school. However, on the average, the females are less literate than the males 

because the dropout rate at the SSS level is very high for the females. 

The teachers were satisfied with the quality of equipment in the school, 

though they would wish to have more teaching aids, accommodation for 

teachers, school building for the Nursery (KG), more trained teachers and 

bicycles for the teachers. 

82. 

School 

Primary School [indicate if in village OR if not name 

of village where they go instead] How many class 

rooms? How many pupils? 

 

 

Junior Secondary School (JSS) [indicate if in village 

OR if not name of village where they go instead] 

How many class rooms? How many students? 

Senior Secondary School (SSS) [indicate if in village 



Bongase local Authority primary and 

kindergarten. The population of the 

school is three hundred and thirty 

three (333) pupils (including 170 

kindergarten 1&2 pupils). 

None. They go to Bui Camp 

None, they go to Wenchi or Techiman 

Section 4C: Status of Health 

Morbidity 

The main health problems suffered by people in the village are malaria, waist 

pain, diarrhoea, and skin rashes. There haven’t been any serious disease 

outbreaks in the community within the past year. 

Mortality 

The main cause of death in the community is ceasure “Asensen” which affects 

both men and women. 


J60 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Lifestyle 

Smoking is common among boys and men and they smoke on the average, 

about six (6) sticks of cigarettes a day. No woman smokes in the village. 

Alcohol is strongly abused by the men while the women drink occasionally 

during funerals. 

 


The community accesses health care at the Bui Camp Clinic. The distance from 

the village to Bui camp clinic is 1.6 kilometres away. The healthcare is 

considered quite satisfactory to the women because the staff sometimes treat 

them on credit. 

Some of the problems facing the clinic are lack of electricity and facilities to 

store some drugs. In addition there are inadequate staffs at the clinic (only 

three). Things that would improve the health centre are storage facility for 

drugs and electricity or generator. 

Majority of the inhabitants can afford healthcare treatment. The category of 

people the women referred to as the very poor in their community are those 

who cannot afford health care. Consequently they go for herbs themselves or 

they visit the traditional healers (Herbalists) in the community. There are two 

(2) Traditional Birth Attendants (TBA) and one herbalist in the village but 

their services are scarcely solicited. 

They cannot remember the last time any vaccination occurred in their village. 


Section 5A: Potential effects of the dam on the community 

Attitudes 

Effects 

The construction of the Dam is likely to promote economic activities in the 

area; bring about road network improvement; create ready market for farm 

produce; provide job opportunities for the youth and extend electricity to the 

village. 

It may bring about behavioural changes due to exposure to different cultures. 

This is likely to result in increase in social vices like prostitution (due to influx 

of people of all kinds to look for employment) and the incidence of diseases 

such as HIV/AIDS and STDs. The loss of and decrease in farm lands may lead 

to scarcity of food. 

Section 5B: Resettlement issues 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The community may lose some farmlands but no individual will have to be 

relocated. 

Section 5C: Key social problems/development issues 

From the various focus group discussions the community needs the under 

listed to develop: 

- improvement of road network 

- provision of boreholes (potable water) 

- provision of toilet facilities 

- provision of teachers quarters 

- improving facilities at the clinic 

- installation of communication network 

- provision of Vocational Training and 

- Development of markets 


J62 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Village profile for BUI 

Village GPS reading: 041 Elevation 428ft N 08º 16.527’ W 02º 1 5.765’ 


Dated: 01:04:2006 



(Type in information from Chief’s/short tool FGD & Teachers FGD) 

Enter a short summary describing any specific points about the village. Insert all data from 

Village profile sheet into the table below. 

The village reports to the Banda Ahenkro Paramount Chief. Chiefs of Bator 

Akenyakrom, Dam Site, Bui Camp and Agbelekame are all under the Bui 

chief. 

The village is under the newly created Tain district. The unit committee 

represents the government at the village level. The village does not know of 

the district’s Development Plan though they have been registered for the 

provision of a borehole. At the outskirt of the village is a sacred area which 

houses a god called POLOGYARE “downhill”. The other sacred area is a 

cemetery. 

There are no associations in the village. 

Table 1 


83. Name of Chief Nana Yaw Manu I 

84. Name of District Assembly Member Only at Bui Camp 

85. Name of Unit Committee Member Edward Koro 

86. Name and village of Paramount chief Nana Kodjo Sito I, Banda Ahenkro 


Section 1B: Historical profile and how dam has affected community (Type in 

information from Chief’s/short tool FGD) Enter a short summary. 

Bui people are Mos. They came from Loga. Mr. Lo Kwaina established the 

village but they could not tell or agree on the date he settled there. They 

settled to do hunting and farming. 

The community has been considering the effects of the project since they are 

aware that it will lead to their resettlement. They feel that though it may bring 

some benefits to the paramount area Bui in particular may suffer a lot of 

inconvenience. 


Type in information on all the groups present in the village: Church group/Farmers group/Fishermen’s 

group/NGO/ cooperatives, others, pls add on 


J63 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The only institutions in the community are the religious groups. These are 

Christians, Moslems and the Traditionalists. 


Section 2A Demography/General profile (Type in information from Chief’s/short 

tool/Teachers FGD) Enter a short summary describing any specific points about the village. 

Insert all demographic numbers into the table below. 

The main ethnic groups are the Mos and Bandas. The Mos are considered to 

be well off than the Banda. There are three hundred and fifty people and 40 

households in the village. The people of Bui have close ties with Bongase, 

Bator Akenyakrom and Brewohodi. The population of the village has 

increased over the last ten years due to: 

- Marriages outside the village 

- Birth rate increase 

Table 2 

Demographics 






92. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Banda 10% , Mo 90% 




95. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? Mo 

Christian 75%, Moslems 5% , 

Traditionalists 20% 


Section 3A: Overview - Local Economy/livelihoods (Type in information overview from 

Chiefs FGD/Short tool FGD) Enter a short summary describing any key livelihoods in the 

village and the balance between these. Also indicate any difference between different ethnic 

groups. 

Insert all numbers (where applicable and available) into the table below. 


J64 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The main jobs are farming, fishing, and trading. None of the two ethnic 

groups have specialised in any job. They all do all kinds of jobs but women are 

those who do most of the trading. There are five formal employees in the 

village. 

- Game and Wild Life Reserve - 3 

- NCCE - 1 

- Teacher - 1 

There is also a Health Volunteer and a Traditional Birth Attendant (TBA) in 

the village. 

Table 3 




97. Fishing (indicate approx. no of people for whom 




99. Trading (indicate approx. no of people for whom 

this is a primary occupation ) 


100% are farmers but each has a 

second job 

3 fishermen 

10 hunters 

6 traders 


Teacher 1 for kindergarten 

Health worker 1 nurse who works at Bui camp 

Church worker 1 

Other Government employee 3 game and wildlife staff, 1 nonformal 

supervisor 

Private company employee - 

101. Unemployed (no of people) - 


Carpentry 1 who lives in Techiman but 

comes over to work sometimes 

Plumber 

Mechanic 1 

Electrician - 

Welder 2 

 

Typist 

Seamstress/tailor 2 /no tailor 

Other: mason 

Driver 

Barber 

Hair dresser 3 

2 

2 

3 

Section 3B: Women (Type in information from women’s interview and farming, fishing 

FGDs) 



J65 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Women are involved in decision making at the household level. Some of the 

issues they are involved in deciding are; children’s education, marriage and 

their farming activities. However, the final decision rests with the men. At the 

extended family level they are involved in planning funeral rites. In the 

community, they are involved in issues that are of concern to the women such 

as provision of potable water in the community. 

The women have aspirations of becoming teachers, nurses, assembly members 

but their low level of education prevents them from realising these 

aspirations. Apart from the ascribed roles in the community especially 

traditional leadership, the women are allowed to play any role in the 

community issues or politics. The women believe that the men are superior to 

them. Women contribute about 40% to the household income. 

 


The main economic activities of the women are farming and trading. The 

crops mostly grown by women are groundnuts, agushie, sorgum, cassava, 

beans, okro, yam, millet, maize and cashew. Some of the women’s livelihoods 

have changed over time. According to the women, farming was a preserve of 

the men while the women stayed at home to spin cotton but now the women 

have stopped cotton spinning due to the influx of textile factories and have 

joined their male counterparts in farming. 

The women do not have any alternative livelihood apart from farming. 

According to the women, they do not have capital to engage in other 

economic activities. 

The women also revealed that, they walk long distances (1½ miles) to mill 

their food items at Bui Camp. 

Section 3C: Farming (where applicable) (Type in information from Chief’s interview/ FGD) 

Profile 

Three-quarters of people in the village are farmers and one-quarter are 

engaged in other businesses. Other activities besides farming are: fishing, 

trading, distilling of akpeteshie (local gin), brewing of pito (local fermented 

drink). The Mos are more engaged in farming than the Banda. Crops grown 

are, yam, cassava, egushie, maize, orange, bambara beans, okro, pepper, 

tomatoes and cashew. 

Major season for te various farming activities are: 

Yam - planting – December – February 

Cassava - “ - April – August 

Pepper - “ - May 

Maize - “ - April 

Minor season 

Maize – planting: August – September 

Inputs 

Implements used are hoes, cutlass, and earth chisel. Fertilizers are used on 

crops like maize, yam, tomatoes and calabash because soil fertility has 


J66 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

declined. Pesticides are used on tomatoes, garden eggs and pepper. Irrigation 

is not practiced, but some few farmers use water cans to irrigate their 

vegetables. 


Only those whose farms are close to the banks of the river get their crops like 

okro, tomatoes, and pepper flooded. After flooding has subsided, crops 

planted do well. 

Land Tenure (If this is similar across villages do not repeat – just indicate 

differences.) Summarise from Chiefs and farmers FGD) 

The chief owns all the land in the village. No one inherits land in Bui. Land is 

given out free to all natives. Settlers consult the chief for farmlands. They 

contribute thirty tubers of yam to the chief and ¢100,000.00 per annum to the 

stool lands administration. Anybody who leaves his land to fallow for a long 

time without any tree crops like cashew or oil palm on it loses it to any other 

potential farmer or the land is taken by the chief. 

Livestock 

The main livestock are goat, sheep, and ducks. The animals are kept on free 

range basis. Almost everybody keep some livestock for subsistence. For 

commercial purposes less than 1% are involved 

Markets 

Crops sent to the market centres are yam, cassava, egushie, maize, bambara 

beans, okra, pepper, groundnut, tomatoes, cashew, goat, sheep, and ducks. 

Buyers also come to the village to buy the produce or the women send them 

to, Banda Nkwanta, Techiman and Wenchi. This is because the prices are 

quite good and competitive there. Private transport owners transport these 

commodities. Farmers’ wives do the selling individually. 

Challenges (including those from the proposed dam) 

Credit is not easy to come by. Attempts by farming groups to obtain loan from 

banks have failed because they hardly meet banks’ criteria. Most farmers get 

credit from women buyers. Other challenges are the low prices of farm 

produce, bad transportation system, pests that destroy crops, the inability of 

agric extension officers to visit farmers and the fact that farmers may have to 

increase production on limited lands that will be available after the dam has 

taken over some lands. 

Section 3F: Gathering of Non-timber forest products and Forest Resources (where 

applicable) (Type in information from Chief’s interview and Hunting, other FGD) 


The main products collected from forest and/ or farmlands are shea nut, 

dawadawa, baobab, honey, mushroom, ropes for roofing, thatch, pestle for 

pounding fufu, chewing stick and ‘saah’ (green wild leaves for making soup). 

These products are mainly collected from January – March. 

Dawadawa –March 

Shea nut – April 

Ropes – any time 


J67 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Thatch – rainy season 

Location/techniques and availability 

These are collected from their farms and in the forest, less than 3.2 km 

away from the village. 

 


The communities will be deprived of these products and may find it difficult 

getting replacement. 


Section 4A: Village Infrastructure/Village property (Type up information from Teachers 

FGD and Village Profile) 



herbalist 



No clinic or health post they go to Bui 

camp 

1 health volunteer , 5 herbalists, 

2 TBA, 2 community based surveillance 

104. No of communal wells/ hand pumps No communal wells or hand pumps 

They use Black Volta 

105. Mosque/ church/ other religious places No mosque, Moslems pray at their homes 

1 Roman catholic church building 

106. Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest areas) 1 graveyard with separate sections for 

Christians ,Moslems and traditionalists 



None, they utilize the services of the 

Banda Ahenkro Police station 

108. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls specify 1 football field near the kindergarten 



No village restaurant 

9 roadside food sellers (porridge, banku 

and pito) 

110. Town Hall/ Community centre None, they meet under a mango tree near 

the chief’s house 






located? 


instead] 




1 petty shop (gari, sugar, milk, matches, 

canned tomatoes) 

No 

Techiman market, Banda Nkwanta 

market and Wenchi market 

None, they go to Wenchi or Nsokor 

Urvan / “Asia” buses 

Regularity (how often?) 4am -4pm everyday except Sundays 

Route (from village to where) Bui-Camp–Wenchi (they walk to Bui 

camp) 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Cost to go to Wenchi ¢ 20,000 


1 kindergarten 



to use. 



Fowls, goats, sheep, guinea fowls 



3 canoes, 1 motor bike, 13 bicycles 


Others 



118. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come from? None 

119. Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ charcoal Firewood 

120. Source of water for cooking/ washing/ bathing: well/ hand pump/ Black Volta 

river 



2 long drop toilet – 1 for men and 1 for 

women 


1 designated place for garbage disposal 



Type in information summary description from Teachers FGD and Village profile and insert 

relevant data into the table 

The village has a preschool called Bui KG. It has 26 pupils. The primary 

school is at Bui camp and is called Bui National LA primary. Below is the 

enrolment 

Class Boys Girls Total 

1 15 10 25 

2 20 10 30 

3 19 11 30 

4 ` 12 06 18 

5 09 10 19 

6 06 08 14 

Total 81 55 136 

Facilities in the school are textbooks, furniture, cupboards, containers for 

water, football field. Pupils continue senior secondary school at Wenchi when 

they complete the junior secondary school. About 40% are able to further 

their education. The school has only one trained teacher. Improvement of the 

school can be brought about through the supply of adequate numbers of 

textbooks, trained teachers, water basins, and first aid boxes. 


J69 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The difficulties they face in the school are inadequate teachers, leaking roofs; 

lack of recreational facilities and equipment for sports. The dropout rate for 

girls is higher than that for boys because of teenage pregnancy and poverty. 

About 3/5 men and 2/5 women cannot read and write. 

123. 

School 







 




1 Bui local Authority Kindergarten - 1 

classroom with 26 Pupils 

None, they go to Bui Camp 

None, they go to Wenchi or Bole 

Section 4C: Status of Health (Type information from women’s FGD) 

Morbidity 

The main health problems prevalent in the community are head ache, fever, 

epilepsy, chicken pox especially among children and waist pains. The 

community experienced an outbreak of chicken pox 10 years ago. 

Mortality 

The main cause of death in the community is swollen stomach. 

Lifestyle 

According to the women, smoking is not common in the community. The 

most common alcoholic drinks in the community are “pito” and “Akpeteshie” 

(local gin). It was noted that the women drink more alcohol than the men. 

Women start drinking from 18years while the men start at 20 years. In general, 

40% of the population drink alcohol. 

 


The people access health care at Bui Camp Clinic. The clinic is 1½ miles from 

the community. Generally, the community members are satisfied with the 

services provided by the clinic because they are able to treat them of their 

ailments. 

The women are of the view that the clinic is not equipped to handle 

emergencies that require surgery. They believe the clinic can be improved if a 

theatre is provided. 

Generally the cost of health care is affordable. There are no specific groups 

which cannot afford healthcare in the community. However, there are times 

when people do not have enough money to pay the full cost of medical care or 

do not have money to attend the clinic at all. In the case of the former they are 

given time to settle the bill by instalments. 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


Section 5A: Potential effects of the dam on the community (Type overall summary 

from all the FGDs including Teachers FGD) 

Attitudes 

Effects 

- Road network will be improved 

- A better equipped clinic may be obtained 

- Electricity for other development activities 

- Employment creation for the youth 

- Prices of foodstuff would rise. 

- Scarcity of food due to increase in population 

- Increase in social vices like crime and prostitution and diseases – 

HIV/AIDS, STDs 

- Migration to other places to farm 

- Livestock may not have the free range opportunities it used to have 

Section 5B: Resettlement issues (Type overall summary from the Chiefs, fishing, women, 

short tool, traders, FGDs) 

The people of Bui want to be resettled beyond Brewohodi, towards 

Agbelikame because it is part of their land and flooding of the river may not 

affect them. 

Their expectations are that: 

- Good accommodation will be provided 

- Good road network will be maintained 

- Better educational facilities will be provided 

- Hygienic toilets will be made available at the new settlement 

- Will be settled where land to produce the same quantity of food as 

they get now. 

Their concerns for resettlements are: 

- That their expectations may not materialise 

- It may take a long time before they reorganise themselves in their new 

environment 

Section 5C: Key social problems/development issues (Type overall summary from all 

the FGDs) 

- School 

- Upgrading of Bui Camp Clinic 


J71 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

- Potable water (boreholes) 

- Modernise Agriculture. 


J72 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Village profile for Dokokyina 

Village GPS reading: 

Written By: Joseph Boateng Agyenim & Kofi Adusei 

Dated: 08: 05: 2006 






The chief at the village reports to the Paramount Chief at Banda Ahenkro. 

There is a small hamlet called Kordior consisting of one family (one man with 

his wife and 2 children) who are Dagarti and lives 18 km away from 

Dokokyina, right on the border with Cote d’Ivoire. They were sent to live 

there by our Chief to stop people from Cote d’Ivoire settling on the land. 

At the village level the government is represented by the Unit Committee 

member. 

Table 1 


124. Name of Chief Nana Kofi Ansah II 

25 Name of District Assembly Member Alex Kwame Krah 

26 Name of Unit Committee Member 



Nana Kwadwo Sito I, Banda Ahenkro 




They are Mo. They cannot exactly tell where they came from since it is a long 

time ago, but there have been more that 6 chiefs since the village was 

established. They have been here for more than 200 years. They were 

wondering all over the place for many years due to war before they finally 

settled at Dokokyina. 

The decision to build the dam has not affected the community in any way up 

until now. 




There are three associations in the village viz: 

- Roman Catholic Labour Group 


J73 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

- Roman Catholic Christian Mothers Association 

- Moslem Labour Group 





There are no settlers in the village. Everyone is a Mo. The Fulani cattle herders 

pass through once a year but they never settle because the villagers chase 

them and their cattle away. People come from Cote D’Ivoire (Lobi’s) and 

Sampa (large Banda town/market to the south of Bui National Park) to buy 

agricultural produce (yam, cassava, melon seeds) and to work on their farms 

for a few weeks but not to settle. 

Table 2 

Demographics 


27 Total number of households 45 

28 No of men (adults – above 16) 

29 No of women (adults – above 16) 

30 No of children – 16 and below 

127. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Mo 348, Banda 1, Lobi 1 



129. No of disabled people - 

130. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? Banda 

Christians 60%, Moslems 25%, 

Traditionalists 15% 





groups. 


The main jobs in the village are Farming, hunting and trading (small shops). 

There are no charcoal burners and no fishing since the village is over 10 km 

from the river. Main farming crops grown are: yam, maize, cassava, egushie, 

groundnut, pepper, okro and cashew 

Table 3 


131. Farming (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a primary 

occupation) 

31 Fishing (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a primary 

occupation) 

132. Hunting (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a primary 

occupation) 

99% 

No fisherman 

< 1% 


J74 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

133. Trading (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a primary

Finance has always been a problem. Some farmers are pre-financed by market 

women who are their customers but these tend to dictate prices of produce to 

the disadvantage of the farmers. 


No flooding experienced because village is about 10km from the river. 



The land belongs to the Banda Ahenkro paramount chief. Shifting cultivation 

is not practised due to the target of farmers to get cashew farms 

Average land holding was difficult to obtain but farmers agree that more than 

one-third of farm land available have been used. There is no formal 

agreement with the chief of Banda but during his yam festival celebration the 

village send a sheep to him. 

 

Livestock 

This is not on commercial basis. Only a few sheep, goats and fowls can be 

found in the village. There are no cattle there. 

Markets 

Buyers come to the village to purchase all types of produce. Women 

sometimes send their produce to markets at Techiman, Sampa, Subinso, 

Wenchi, to sell at prevailing market price. Goods are transported in cargo 

trucks by the men to selling centres. Sometimes there is mutual agreement 

and one person is delegated to go and sell the products on behalf of other 

farmers. 


Agriculture in the village depends on erratic rainfall pattern 

Finance is a problem 

Very, very poor road through forest reserve to village 

Labour is virtually difficult to come by 

No agriculture extension officer has ever visited Dokokyina. 

Section 3D: Fishing (where applicable) (Type in information from Chief’s interview/ FGD) 


No fishing is done in the village since the village is far from the river. 

Section 3E: Hunting (where applicable) (Type in information from Chief’s interview/ FGD) 



Hunting Rights/ land useage (If this is similar across villages do not repeat – just 

indicate differences.) Summarise from Chiefs and Hunting FGD) 

Animals hunted 



J76 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



 


Products collected are Sheanut, dawadawa, baobab seed, sticks for building, 

and thatch. None of these collected forest products are sold. They are 

processed and used in the homes. 

 


They are collected in the farmlands as well as in the forest. They are all 

seasonal except the collection of sticks. 



Since the village is right in the protected area they are forbidden to hunt but 

some sort of illegal hunting goes on. 


They will be deprived of those products they could have collected free. 

Section 3G: Traders (where applicable) (Type in information from Chief’s interview/ FGD) 


Only two inhabitants are involved in petty trading. 

Section 3H: Charcoal Burners (where applicable) (Type in information from Chief’s 

interview/ FGD) 


There are no charcoal burners in the community. 


General profile (Resident herders) 

No herders. 




There are two (2) toilets in the village but some go free range. The community 

through self help has bought a generator. The only recreational centre is a 

football field. The village has a mosque and a cemetery which has been 

demarcated for the three (3) religious groups. 



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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

137. Health centre/ health post/ clinic/health volunteer/ traditional herbalist 

[indicate which one available in village OR if not name of village where they go 

instead] 

1 health volunteer, 1 TBA , 1 

herbalist 

No health centre they go to 

Gyama or Bui camp 

32 No of communal wells/ hand pumps Two communal wells. No hand 

pumps they use river Mua 

33 Mosque/ church/ other religious places 1 mosque, 2 churches –Roman 

catholic and Living Water 

church 

34 Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest areas) 1 graveyard for the community 

35 Police station [indicate if in village OR if not name of village where they go 

instead] 

138. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls specify 1 football field 

139. No of Village Restaurant/ road side food seller (places where food is prepared 

on the premises and sold fresh) 

140. Town Hall/ Community centre None 

141. Village shop [indicate what type of goods they sell] – places where food is sold 

that is packaged or prepared elsewhere. 

No police station, they utilize the 

services of that of Banda 

Ahenkro 

No village restaurant or roadside 

food seller 

2 village shops. One sells 

medicines the other sells gari, 

sugar, milk, canned tomatoes, 

and matches 

No 



No market days 

Which other markets do they go to – in which villages are these located? They go to Sampa market 

(Mondays), Wenchi (Saturdays), 

Subinso and Techiman on 

Fridays 

143. Bank [indicate if in village OR if not name of village where they go instead] No bank, they save with banks 

in Wenchi 


Types of transport (bus, lorry, taxi, etc) State number of each vehicle that Bicycles and KIA trucks 

services the village. 

4 Regularity (how often?) Once a while the KIA trucks 

come to the village 

Route (from village to where) Dokokyina – Wenchi - Subinso 



Eg agricultural processing equipment (cassava grater) – This does not include 

assets owned by individuals that they charge the community to use. 






Dokokyina primary School, 1 

generator 

Sheet, goats, fowls, pigs 

One motor bicycle, 95% of 

people in the village own 

bicycles 

Others 

Household Facilities - include assets owned by individuals that they charge 

the community to use. 

148. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come from? No 

36 Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ charcoal Kerosene and firewood 

37 Source of water for cooking/ washing/ bathing: well/ hand pump/ river River Mua (which has dried up 

so they have dug wells 


J78 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

149. Type of toilets: flushing/ long drop/ open pit/ river/ other – are these for an 

individual household or community use? 



2 long drop toilets for men. 

Women go to the bush (free 

range) 

3 designated places for garbage 

disposal 




The only school in the village is Dokokyina Local Authority Primary with a 

population of 50 pupils- 15 girls and 35 boys 

Class 1 - 29 

Class 2 - 9 

Class 3 - 7 

Class 4 - 4 

Total - 50 

The school was established ten (10) years ago – 1996 and as such the illiteracy 

rate in the village is over 80%. 

The facilities in the school are 3 chairs, 3 tables and 23 desks. Some pupils go 

to school with their own chairs whiles others sit on the bare floor. Quality of 

equipments in the school is very poor. Those who want to continue their 

education travel to lodge with other people at Gyama, Bator Akenyakrom or 

Bui Camp. Many girls drop out of school due to difficulties encountered at 

such places. 

151. 

School 




 




One in Dokokyina – Dokoyina local 

Authority Primary School 1-4 with 50 

pupils 

They continue JSS at Gyama or at Bui 

camp 

 




They go to secondary school at 

Wenchi, Techiman or Sunyani 


Morbidity 

Mortality 

Lifestyle 



J79 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




Attitudes 

Effects 

They have not had time to think about the effects of the dam since they have 

no idea where it will be. They have no idea where the water will come to and 

queried if it will get to their cashew plantations. 



They are worried about their cashew plantations since the water (flooding) 

may destroy them. However they think that the dam may bring them lots of 

jobs and also the possibility of enjoying electricity in their new village after 

they have been resettled. 

They have not decided where to be resettled but they are ready to move to 

anywhere the Banda paramount chief agrees to send them on condition that 

there will be enough land for their farming activities. 


the FGDs) 

The main problems they have are: 

Water – there is no water here in the dry season. All the streams dry up and 

they have no borehole. 

Clinic – there is no clinic in the village. Even if you are ill, you have to walk to 

Bui Camp for treatment. 

Road – The road to the village is very bad and no vehicles goes there. No one 

in the village has a car or even a motorbike. They have to ride a bicycle to 

Adadiem (18 miles away via Cote d’Ivoire) and then take a taxi to Sampa. 

School – They have started building a school and have stacked up some 

blocks but they have no water for the cement. They are not sure if they 

should build the school now since they may be asked to leave. 

Electricity – They need power supply. 


J80 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Village profile for Bamboi 

Village GPS reading: ? 



J81 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Dated: 25:04:2006 






The paramount chief lives in Bamboi – do not believe that they come under 

the Bole Paramount. 

Politically, there is a district assembly member and unit committee members 

who represent the government at the local level 

Table 1 


152. Name of Chief Nana Dapaah represented by Nana Adamah 

Salia. 

153. Name of District Assembly Member 

154. Name of Unit Committee Member George Lamptey 



Nana Dapaah of Bamboi. 

(Resides in USA) 



Not available 




1. There is a women traders’ association whose members contribute money to 

support themselves when the need arises. 

2. Groundnut Farmers Association, a women’s group supported by an NGO 

called Northern Empowerment Association (NEA). They provide the women 

with an amount of 200,000 Cedis and a maxi bag of groundnut seeds to 

cultivate. The farmers after harvest give back three maxi bags of groundnut to 

the NGO of which a bag is reserved as a seed for the next planting season. 

3. Real Kids Africa supports parents to send their wards to school. The parents 

make monthly contributions depending on how much they can afford. 

Parents go for the money when they need money to support their children’s 

education. 

4. Gari processing group comprising women. 


J82 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

5. Farming Associations include: 

Cashew Farmers Association. They have obtained credit from 

government. Teak growers are still expecting help from 

government 

Teak Growers Association 

Yam Growers Association. The yam growers practice the 

“Nnoboa” system (Farmers receive assistance in a form of 

labour from the group members on rotational basis). 





There are sixteen ethnic groups in the town. These include Fulanis, Sissalas, 

Gonjas, Lobis, Mos, Dagartis, Waalas, Ewes, Kokombas, Krobos and Akans. 

The foreigners among the ethnic groups are the Moshi (Burkina Faso), Ewes 

from Togo, Dutch from Holland and Nigerians. There are three main 

religions, Christianity, Islam and traditionalist. The Christians consist of the 

Roman Catholics, Pentecostals, Methodists, Presbyterians, and Anglicans etc. 

Moslems also consists of Ahmadiyas and the orthodox. 

There has been an increase in population over the past 10 years as a result of 

child birth, marriages and immigration for trading, fishing and farming 

activities. 

The Ewes are noted for fishing, Fulanis for herding, Mos and Dagartis for 

farming and trading. The Sissalas are the charcoal burners, Zamramas are 

traders, the Ewes from Togo are the illegal gold miners (Galamsey) and the 

Kokombas are also into yam farming. 

The Ewes are the wealthiest because they own a lot of properties such as 

cattle, fishing equipment and big shops. They are followed by the Mos who 

also own cars and houses. The Dagartis brew Pito (locally made alcoholic 

beverage), cultivate yam and guinea corn. 

The Mos, Dagartis and the Ewes are the most educated groups because they 

have interest and can afford it. 


J83 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Table 2 

Demographics 

156. Total village population 13,000?? (2679 in 2000 census) 

157. Total number of households 




161. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Dagarti 10% Ewe 50%, Mo 20%, 

Ssisala 10% , Malians 10% 



Christians 60% Moslems 30% 

Traditional worship10% 


164. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? The Mos founded the village 





groups. 


Farming, fishing, and trading are the main jobs. People undertake a 

combination of livelihood activities: only farming, farming & fishing, farming 

and trading. The Dagarti are noted for farming only. Other ethnic groups 

undertake combination of activities farming/ fishing and trading. 

Very few people in the community are in formal employment. These are 

teachers and doctors who are themselves natives 

Table 3 


165. Farming (indicate approx. no of people for 

whom this is a primary occupation) 



167. Hunting (indicate approx. no of people for 






Teacher 

90% 

4% 

2% 

4% 

20 (12 for kindergarten and primary 

school and 8 for junior school) 

Health worker 8 - 4 (nurses 1 medical assistant, 1 

guinea worm officer, 1 records 

Assistant and 1 securing man for the 

clinic 



J84 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Other Government employee 34 

Private company employee 7 

170. Unemployed (no of people) 0 


Carpentry 8 

 

Plumber 

Mechanic 2 

 

 

Electrician 

Welder 

Typist 1 


Other 4 hair dressers, 

1 cobbler 

1 straw mattress maker 


FGDs) 

 


About 60% of the women are involved in decision making on issues such as 

child welfare, marriage and resource allocation in the household. In most 

cases, the final decision rests with the men. 

The women aspire to be involved in local issues and politics such as District 

Assembly membership, Unit committee membership and sanitary health 

inspection in the community, but their low level of education deters them 

from participating in those activities. It is however acceptable in the 

community for women to occupy those positions provided they have some 

level of education to champion the cause of the community members. 


The major activities the women engage in are; farming, fish mongering and 

trading. In farming, women mostly cultivate groundnuts and bambara beans. 

They prepare the farm land through to the harvesting of the crops. 

Dawadawa and sheanut are gathered and processed by the women for both 

subsistence and commercial purposes. 

There have been significant changes in the roles of women over the period. In 

the past cotton spinning and pottery were the main economic activities of the 

women. The advent of factories especially those that produce textiles and 

cooking utensils have rendered those activities unprofitable. The women are 

now engaged in farming activities. 

It is the expectation of the women to have money to hire labourers to work for 

them on their farms so they will have time to engage in other economic 

activities. 


J85 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

They also anticipate a situation where their husbands will assist them in the 

household chores. 

The women contribute about 60% of the household income. Most of them 

provide children’s school fees, health care needs, feeding and clothing. In 

general they take care of their children’s welfare and themselves. 

About 80% of the households are headed by women because their husbands 

are old and cannot work. Those who work are mostly farmers and the 

frequent poor harvest as a result of poor rainfall pattern has greatly affected 

their income. 

There are some forms of seasonal migration by the young women to Kumasi 

to undertake menial jobs after the planting season and return during the 

harvesting of crops. 

The main problem the women face is lack of capital to enter into income 

generating activities and also to expand their businesses to earn more income. 

The women had ‘’tie and dye’’, soap making and gari processing groups but 

due to the break down of their machines and lack of capital, they have all 

collapsed. 


Profile 

80% of the population in the town engage in farming as their main source of 

income 

The dominant farming groups are the Mos and Dagartis. 

The main crops grown are, yam, rice, cassava, groundnut, millet, cashew, 

maize, teak, pigeon pea, garden eggs, okro, water melon, agushie, pepper and 

onion. 

YAM: Land preparation starts from November and planting is done in 

November - December. Weeding is done three times between March and 

August. 

The farmers have two harvesting seasons for their yam 

The main harvest is in October 

The minor harvest is from July – August. 

MILLET: Planting –July. Harvesting - November 

GROUNDNUT: Planting – April. Harvesting - August 

CASSAVA: Planting - July. Harvesting - June 

The farms are located from 0.8km to 9.6km away from the community. 

 

Inputs 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Farming implements used are, cutlass, Willington-boots, hoe and earth chisel. 

Irrigation is not prominent however, those who plant water melon, pepper 

and garden eggs use watering cans to water their crops. 

Apart from maize which is bought from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture 

(MOFA) for planting, all other seeds for planting are from previous harvest or 

bought at the open market. 

Farmers in the community do not apply chemical fertilizers because they can 

not afford it. 

Credit has not been easy because farmers cannot meet collateral security 

required by banks. Credit from money lenders and market women are 

secured at exorbitant interest rates. 

Agriculture Extension Officers do not visit farmers’ farms. Most farmers also 

do not request t assistance from the Agric Extension Officers. 

Six farmers studied Agriculture at an agriculture institute. 

 


Vegetable farms cultivated along the bank of the river get flooded. Rice farms 

in general benefit from the floods. Flooded lands become fertile for farming 

activities. Vegetable growers and rice farmers get better yields for their crops 

at the flooded plains. 

 



Land belongs to the paramount chief and cannot be inherited by individuals. 

Settlers are not allowed to plant tree crops. No rent is paid for land usage but 

one is expected to donate 20 tubers of yam and a cock to the chief at the 

annual yam festival if one is a settler. 

Just as their male counterparts, women have the right to cultivate their own 

farms. 

The largest farm size is a 30 acre teak plantation. The smallest farm size in the 

community is one acre. The minimum land size to sustain an average family 

size is 5 to 6 acres. 

Sharecropping is not practised in the community. 

The terms of payment for labourers vary from daily wage to contract basis. 

Payment is by cash or in kind (using farm produce). 

 

Livestock 

The main livestock in the village are, cattle, goat, sheep, fowls, pigs and grass 

cutter rearing. About 10% of the population own livestock. The Ewes lead in 


J87 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

cattle rearing and fishing. Livestock is mainly for sale. Others also engaged in 

bee keeping. 

Grazing is done on free range lands which are between one to two kilometres 

radius around the community. 

 

Markets 

Crops such as, yam, rice, cassava, groundnut, millet, cashew, maize, teak, 

pigeon pea, okro, watermelon, agushie, pepper and the following animals 

cattle, goat, and sheep are usually cultivated and raised respectively for 

commercial purposes. These farm produce are sent to market towns like, 

Kintampo, Techiman and Subinso where prices are attractive and ready 

market exist for them. 

To maximize profit farmers group themselves in twos and threes and hire 

trucks to convey their produce to the market. Mostly, selling of these produce 

are done by the women on individual basis. 

 


The main challenges faced by the farmers are: 

Erratic rainfall pattern, 

Financial constraints, 

Lack of storage facilities and 

Poor road network to convey their produce from the farm to the 

market. 




Kapok (from Ceiba pendentra), dawadawa, sheanut, baobab fruit and 

mushroom are the main NTFPs. 

 


They are seasonal and gathered around June and July from both farmlands 

and the forest. Mushrooms are mainly for consumption. Baobab and kapok 

seeds are processed and used as spices while the Sheanut is processed into 

sheabutter for commercial purpose. 



About 5% and 15% of the people trade as their main and secondary 

occupations respectively. For those who trade as main occupation, over 90% of 

their incomes come from trading. The traders are made up of 70% women and 


J88 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

30% men. The Mos and Bators are the dominant groups in trading. 40% of 

traders reside at Bamboi town, while 60% come from neighbouring villages on 

the market day – Saturday. 

Very few traders have fixed places in the market where they sell; only 30% 

have market stalls. 

All the traders belong to associations: 

- Hairdressers Association 

- Seamstress and Tailors Association 

- Yam Sellers Association 

- Drug sellers association (Chemical shop operators). 

The associations have bye-laws which govern their operations. They assist 

their members to access credit. 

 

Supply chain 

Foodstuff like yam, beans, and cassava sellers get their supplies from 

neighbouring cottages and hamlets. The drug sellers and hair dressers obtain 

their supplies from Sunyani, Wenchi, Techiman and Kumasi. Non-alcoholic 

and alcoholic beverages are obtained from Kumasi, Techiman and Sunyani. 

The foodstuff like are sold to people in the community as well as those from 

outside the community (Techiman and Subinso). All others are sold mainly to 

people in the community and the surrounding villages. 

The traders convey their goods in cargo trucks. 

 

Pricing and Expenditure 

Charges from tailors are, 

- Trousers - ¢15,000.00 

- Shorts - ¢10,000.00 

- Long sleeve shirt - ¢15,000.00 

- Short sleeve shirt - ¢10,000.00 

The yam sellers as well as the other traders regulate the prices of their goods 

and services as a group. 

The traders pay market toll to the District Assembly. Tailors however, pay 

quarterly income tax of ¢50,000.00 to Internal Revenue Service. Drug sellers 

also pay income tax. 

Artisans like tailors, hairdressers, masons do not employ people but engage 

them as apprentices. The drug seller employs only one person. A’ chop bar 

operator’ (eatery) employs 3 or 4 people at a time but on daily basis. 


J89 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Turnover 

-The tailors and seamstress - ¢400,000.00 per week during festive 

occasions like Christmas and Easter periods and as low as ¢50,000.00 when 

work declines. 

-Hairdressers - ¢500,000.00/ week – peak season 

¢30,000.00/ week – low sales 

-Yam Seller - 500 tubers of yam/ week – peak season 

200 tubers of yam / week – low sales 

-Groundnut - 10 bags/week sales at Techiman 

- 2 bags/week at Bamboi 

-Beans - 10 – 15 bags/week in Techiman 

- ½ bag/week in Bamboi 

 

Competition 

Most foodstuff sellers do not have fixed customers because they sell along the 

highway and depend on passengers who ply the road. Seamstress/tailors, 

hairdressers tend to deal often with fixed customers with occasional new ones. 

Chemical sellers do not have fixed customers but vary according to the people 

who fall sick in the community though some households may be buying from 

a particular chemical shop. 

Traders in the same association often sell the same goods and services. 

One selling more than one’s competitor depends on: 

- patience for customers 

- good customer care 

- quality of goods 

- ability to keep secrets (confidentiality) in the case of the chemical 

sellers. 

For the yam sellers, truthfulness is of utmost importance in the selection of 

yam for customers. 

Cooked food sellers’ neatness attracts more customers. 

Investments in businesses 

Tailors: 60% of profit is reinvested in business 

Hairdressers & Drug store operators- 50% reinvestment in business 


J90 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Seamstress do not reinvest in their business because they depend on the 

customers for the materials for their work. 

Yam sellers reinvest about 80% of their income in their business. 

 

Challenges 

- Inadequate credit to expand business. 

- No electricity to operate hair dryer so customers send hair rollers away 

and most of them get missing. 

- Selling by roadside has a lot of health and safety risks. 




The village has potable water, pit latrines, refuse containers to dispose off 

garbage, Mosques and Chapels. The recreational facilities in the community 

are community centre and a football pitch. 



herbalist 



1 clinic and 2 herbalists in the 

community. 

173. No of communal wells/ hand pumps 4 communal wells and 4 hand pumps 

174. Mosque/ church/ other religious places 2 mosques, 4 churches (Roman Catholic 

,Presbyterian ,Seventh day Adventist 

and Christ Apostolic churches) 

175. Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest areas) 3 graveyards – 1 for the Dagartis 

1 for the Ewes and a public cemetery. 

176. Police station [indicate if in village OR if not name of village where 1 Police station. 


177. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls specify 3 Football fields (for the primary, the JSS 

and the Bamboi football team). 



179. Town Hall/ Community centre 1 community centre 



30 roadside food sellers (tea sellers ,fried 

yam sellers, egg sellers ,fried fish sellers) 

18 village shops (grocery, pub and 

cosmetics.) 

181. Does the village have a permanent market, no of stalls? 1permanent market and 50 stalls 


J91 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Do they have market days, which days, no of stalls? Saturdays are market days in the 

community. 

Which other markets do they go to – in which villages are these Tinga ,Techiman and Kintampo markets 

located? 

182. Bank [indicate if in village OR if not name of village where they go N/A 

instead] 


3 pickup trucks, 4 mini buses, 1 Benz bus 



Regularity (how often?) Leave at 5am and comes back at 6am 

every day except Sundays 

Route (from village to where) From Bamboi to Techiman, Tinga, 

Kintampo and Wenchi. 

Cost to go to Wenchi ¢ 18.000 




to use. 






1 primary school, 1 junior secondary 

school, 4 long drop toilets, 1 market 

Cows, goats, sheep, fowls, ducks, pigs, 

3 KIA mini trucks, 4 mini buses 

4 buses. 

6 motor bicycles 

80 canoes 

Uncountable number of bicycles 

Others 



187. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come from? No electricity. (They have a generator but 

has broken down.) 

188. Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ charcoal Fuel wood ,charcoal 

189. Source of water for cooking/ washing/ bathing: well/ hand pump/ 4 boreholes and the Black Volta(river) 

river 

190. Type of toilets: flushing/ long drop/ open pit/ river/ other – are 4 long drop toilets 



4 designated locations and 4 big 

Indicate if there this is done in designated location/s OR anywhere containers provided by the District 

Assembly. 




There are three Early Childhood Development Centres, three primary schools 

(two public and one private) and one JSS and a vocational school. The average 

total enrolment of each of the primary school is 368, 187 girls and 181 boys. 

The JSS has 144 boys and 106 girls. 

About 40% are able to further their education to senior secondary school or 

vocational training. 


J92 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The teachers are satisfied with the teaching/learning materials in the schools 

but the inadequate textbooks and furniture situation. To improve their schools 

teachers would like to have adequate textbooks for pupils, accommodation for 

teachers and encourage parents to support their wards. 

Generally, pupils go to school late because of difficulty in getting water and 

child labour. 

More girls dropout from school than boys especially at the JSS level. This is the 

situation because of teenage pregnancy and lack of parental care. About 40% of 

the men and 60% of the women of people in the community cannot read and 

write. 

192. 

School 







1 Kindergarten (1&2) 

1primary school (Primary1-6) 

1 Junior School (1-3) 

 




N/A. They go to Wenchi and Bole 


Morbidity 

The main health problems in the community are eye diseases, malaria, fever, 

asthma and waist pains. These diseases affect all categories of people in the 

community. 

Cerebrum Spinal Meningitis (C.S.M.) epidemic is very common. There was an 

outbreak of C.S.M last year. 

 

Mortality 

Stomach diseases and measles (among children) are the two main causes of 

death in the community. 

 

Lifestyle 

About 60% of the men from 30 years and above smoke cigarette and 80% of 

the population drink alcohol. Girls in the community start drinking at age 12 

and the boys start around 14 years. Most of the women take alcohol during 

funeral rites. 

 



J93 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The people access health care service at the Health Centre in the community. 

They expressed general satisfaction with the services provided by the health 

centre. 

The main problem of the health centre is its inability to provide all the drugs 

(medication) the patients need. Patients at times buy medication with 

prescription from the local chemists’ shops. They believe provision of medical 

laboratory services and surgical theatre at the centre will improve the services 

provided. 

Generally, the cost of treatment at the centre is affordable but in few cases, 

patients are not able to afford medical services at the centre. There are no 

specific groups in the community who cannot afford the cost of health 

services. Patients who are not able to pay for the full cost of medical care are 

given some time to pay the balance by instalments. 

However, there are others who cannot afford the cost of medical services at 

the centre and therefore buy medication from chemists or seek herbal 

treatment. 

The children in the community are vaccinated against childhood killer 

diseases yearly. 

Most of the people visit Traditional herbal practitioners with problems such 

as fractures and boils. 




 

Attitudes 

Positives 

- Electricity would be extended to the town. 

- Industries or factories of different kinds would emerge 

- Migration to cities like Kumasi and Sunyani would cease or reduce 

- Government would generate more revenue for development 

- Road network will improve 

- Security will be improve 

- Higher demand for goods services leading to more income 

Negatives 

- Increase in social vices e.g. Prostitution, teenage pregnancy, crime, 

Stealing. 

- Diseases – HIV/AIDS, STDs 

- High cost of living. 


J94 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Effects 

1. The construction of the dam will deny the people their main source of 

water. Though the Community has boreholes most of the people prefer 

water from the Black Volta because it tastes better than the water from the 

boreholes which they claim is hard water. 

2. The dam project will reduce food production in the community. 

Farmlands for cultivating Crops such as water melon, pepper, cassava and 

maize along the banks of the river will be lost. 

3. Availability of fish in the river will decrease and the fishermen will lose 

their livelihood. 


the FGDs) 

5. Electricity for cottage industries and preservation of their fish 

6. Credit facility to be able establish or expand their businesses 

7. Provision of potable water 

8. Alternative livelihood for the men in the community 

9. Senior Secondary School in the Community 

6. Improved road network 

7. Hospital 

8. Police station 

9. Irrigation facility 

Village profile for Banda Nkwanta 

Village GPS reading: Way point 025 Elevation 721ft 

N 08 0 21.116' W 02 0 08.173' 


Dated: 25:04:2006 


J95 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA






The Bole Wura (Chief of Bole) is the Paramount Chief. Although there is an 

over all chief in the community, all the other ethnic groups have their chiefs. 

Both the District Assembly member and the Unit Committee member 

represent the government at the village level. 

The community is consulted in drafting of the District Assembly’s 

development plan 

Table 1 


193. Name of Chief DUA Wura Joseph Kali Sakara 

194. Name of District Assembly Member Mbema Yakubu 

195. Name of Unit Committee Member Dawuda Yakubu 



Gbeyadese (Bole Wura) 

He lives in Bole. 



Banda Nkwanta was formerly called DUA. The first settler was a Sissala man 

who was driven down by war in the north and was later joined by a Dagarti 

friend. They decided to settle to do farming and hunting. The exact date the 

community was established is not known but speculated to be before the 

Second World War. 

The name DUA was changed to ‘Nkwanta’ (meaning junction in Akan) 

because it became a trading junction where cattle were bought and sold. It was 

a junction to Banda. 

The decision to build the dam has affected the expectation of the community 

because: 

They expect employment opportunities for their youth 

The elders of the community wish to see its commencement before 

they die because it is long over due. 



J96 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



Cashew Farmers Association, Justice Parliament Association, Ghana United 

Nations,Association,Badzawudi Moslem Youth Association, Banda Nkwanta 

Farmers’ Association, Yam sellers Association, Roman catholic Youth 

Association, Dagaaba Youth Association, Groundnut Women Growers 

Society. 





There are 15 ethnic groups in the village. These are Fulani, Sissala, Gonja, 

Lobis, Moh, Pantrah(Banda), Dagati/Waala, , Wangara, Moshi, Dagomba, 

Kagala, Zamramba, Grushi, Defi and Akans. There are also other nationalities 

who are from La Cote D’Ivoire. Three religions exist in the community. These 

are Islam, Christianity and traditional. 

There has been an increase in population over the last ten years. This is as a 

result of immigration mostly by the Fulani herdsmen, Zamrama from Niger, 

Lobis and Dagartis as well as high birth rate. 

The difference in the different ethnic groups in terms of the work they do is 

that the Fulanis are the herdsmen, Zamrama are the “shoulder” traders (these 

are petty traders dealing in garments/fabrics), the Sissalas are the charcoal 

burners and the other ethnic groups are the farmers and the petty traders. The 

Fulanis are better off because of their cattle. The next well off ethnic group is 

the Sissalas. The last in terms of wealth is the yam sellers who are from all the 

other ethnic groups. 

The ethnic group that goes to school most is the Dagarti followed by the Lobis, 

Sissala, Pantrah and the Gonja. The Gonjas are the custodians of the land. 


J97 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Table 2 

Demographics 

197. Total village population 2,096 





202. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Gonja dagarti Sissala 

Mo Moshi Wangara 

Ligbie Pantara Vagla 

Fulani Ashanti Lobi 

Zamarama waala Nafaana 



Christian - 25% Moslems – 56% 

Traditionalist - 19% 


205. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? Sissala and Dagarti Settlers 





groups. 


The main occupations in the community are, farming, trading and hunting. 

There is no special job for any particular ethnic group,however the Sissalas 

are dominant in charcoal burning. 

The total number of people in formal employment is 120, made up of 

Teachers, Nurses, National Commission for Civic Education Staff (NCCE) and 

National Disaster Management Organization Staff (NADMO). 

Those running businesses in the informal sector are: 

Carpenters - 3 

Blacksmith - 2 

Tailors - 7 

Seamstress - 6 

Hairdressers - 5 

Barbers - 5 

Welders - 1 

Vulcanizers - 2 

Corn mill operators - 9 

Wireless repairers - 3 

Butchers - 5 


J98 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Soap makers - 10 

Auto mechanics - 3 

Drivers - 6 

Masons - 5 

Electricians - 2 

‘Chop-bar’ operators - 20 

Table 3 












Teacher 

70% 

10% 

15% 

5% 

11 teachers 

( 3 for Raman catholic 

Kindergarten, 

5 in Primary, 

3 in JSS. 

Health worker 3 health volunteers, 5 Community 

based surveillance workers 

Church 

2 (1 for roman catholic, 1 for 

Seventh Day Adventist) 

Other Government employee 1 National Disaster management 

staff 

1 non-formal education staff. 

100 people employed in 

government forestation project 

 

Private company employee 

6 ‘Chop-bar’ workers and 

8 commercial vehicle drivers. 


212. No of people in village with following skills 1 

Carpentry 2 

Plumber - 

Mechanic 1 

Electrician - 

Welder 1 

Typist - 


Other 3 hair dressers 

6 bicycle repairers 

3 radio repairers 

1 vulcaniser 


FGDs) 


J99 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


The women are involved in decision making at household level especially on 

issues like marriage of their children and their children’s education, but the 

final decision rests with their husbands. It is only in few cases that women’s 

views contrary to their husbands prevail. 

On the extended family level women are involved in decision making 

especially on issues such as planning of funeral rites which they are expected 

to play a crucial role. 

Women are not represented at village level politics. They perceive education 

as the means of getting involved in local politics but because majority of them 

do not have formal education they see themselves as not qualified. 

Although there is a Queen in the traditional politics, her role is limited to 

organising the women for communal activities. 

It is acceptable for girls in the community to have formal education to any 

level that can offer them sustainable incomes, yet majority of the girls are not 

able to achieve this due to teenage pregnancy and child betrothal which is a 

common practice in the area. 

 


Majority of the women are groundnut farmers. While their husbands 

prepare the land to cultivate yam, the women plant their groundnuts on 

their husband’s farms and help them to harvest the crops. 

Women also gather non timber forest products like shea nut, dawadawa, 

and black berries. Some of these products are processed for both domestic 

and commercial purposes. The most common non-timber forest product is 

shea nut which is processed into shea butter. 

The women’s role has not changed significantly over the years except in 

few areas that the advent of technology has reduced the time and energy 

spent in undertaking them. They used to pound dry cassava cakes into 

cassava flour but now grinding mill is used to process cassava and maize 

into flour and corn dough respectively. 

Sometime ago, they woke up early (wee hours of the morning) and 

walked long distances to fetch water but the construction of boreholes in 

the community has relieved them of that ‘arduous’ task. 

They believe some of the traditional roles of women will change significantly 

if their daughters have formal education. 

The contribution of women to the household income is significant in the 

community. Although the quantum of their contribution vary depending 

on the age, income status and the health condition of their husbands, on 

the average, they contribute more than 60% of the house hold income. 


J100 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

About 57% of the households in the community are headed by females. They 

provide food, health care, children’s education and the general up keep of the 

home. 

Unavailability of job opportunities in the community has made some of 

the young men and women emigrate to Techiman and Kumasi to look for 

work and return to celebrate Ramadan (Muslim festival).Some of these 

emigrants come back home with capital to farm in the community whilst 

the others go back to the towns and cities after the Ramadan. 

The main problems faced by the women are: lack of job opportunities, 

market for their goods as a result of poor road network which prevents 

people from plying the road, credit facilities and teenage pregnancy. 

Banda Nkwanta has water problem which affects women. They have to stand 

in long queues. It is a contributing factor to pupils’ lateness to school. The 

absence of electricity also affects women because it retards growth in their 

small scale businesses. 


Profile 

About 90% of the population engage in farming as their main source of 

income. 

. The Dagartis are the dominant group in farming activities. 

The main crops grown are: yam, maize, cassava, beans, cashew, teak, 

groundnut, rice, pepper, agushie and tomatoes. 

The farming calendar is as follows: 

January -Feb - raising of mounds 

March- April - planting of cereals 

May - harvesting of bambara beans 

June - first weeding 

July - second weeding 

August - Oct. - weeding and burning 

November – Dec. - harvesting of millet 

Yam is an annual crop so its activities span from November to December the 

following year. Those who harvest yam in June are said to be facing financial 

difficulties. Millet takes five months to mature. Cassava is harvested all year 

round. 

About 20% of both married and unmarried women own farm lands. 

Sixty percent of harvested yam is consumed while 40% is sold, but in the case 

of the Dagartis they consume 30% of their produce and rest sold. This may be 

because of their large farm sizes, some of the proportion of produced 

consumed or sold are provided below: 

Cassava - 20% self consumed 

- 80% sold. 


J101 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Groundnut - 1% self consumed and preserved as seed for planting. 

- 99% sold. 

Some farms can be located within half kilometre from the community. 

 

Inputs 

Implements used are hoe, cutlass, Willington-boots and earth chisel. 

Farmers depend solely on rain fed agriculture. Irrigation is not practised. 

Seeds for planting are usually from the produce of their previous harvest. 

Fertilizer usage is not common among the farmers because they claim the 

land is still fertile. Pesticides are used on beans. Inputs are bought from the 

open market in Wenchi. 

Credit availability is a great challenge to the farmers. Only 10% get credit from 

financial institutions. Only two groups have benefited from Agric 

Development Bank credit facility because the defaulting rate in loan 

repayment among farmers is high. 

Agric Extension Officers visit those farmers who contact them for advice. 

. No farmer had any formal training in agriculture. 

 


No farm is close to the water. They are separated from the river by the 

reserve. 

 



Individuals do not own land and therefore, land is not inherited. The chief 

collect seven bowls of millet each year from settlers. Natives are not obliged 

to give such contributions. 

Settlers inform the chief before tree crops like cashew is planted. No payment 

is made for using the land. 

They pay an annual contribution of 30 tubers and a cock (fowl) during 

festivals to the chief. If land is left unused it is taken back by the chief. 

Women have the right to make their own farms but the Dargati and Lobi 

women do not have that right because of their custom. 

The largest farm size is 30 acres and the smallest is less than half of an acre. 

Farm size to support an average family is six acres. No sharecropping 

practised 

Farm labourers are available and they are paid in cash. 


J102 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Building plot cost ¢25,000.00. 

 

Livestock 

The main livestock are: guinea fowl, cattle, goats and sheep. 

In the case of cattle, all the cattle in the community are put in one kraal and 

taken care of by a Fulani herdsman. 

During the dry season the cattle graze as far as five kilometres away from the 

village. In rainy season they graze within less than a kilometre away. 

About 70% of the people have livestock in the community. 

The Fulani herders’ only occupation is cattle herding. 

Apart from the cattle, all the other livestock are mainly for subsistence 

 

Markets 

Foodstuff and livestock sold include, Yam, maize, cassava, beans, cashew, 

groundnut, rice, pepper, agushie, tomatoes, goats and cattle. 

The market outlets are, Wenchi, Bole, Techiman and Kumasi. Those places 

have ready market and better prices for their goods. 

Commercial trucks, buses and cars convey the people and the goods to the 

market centres. 

Mostly selling is done by the women on individual basis. 

 


Lack of credit, poor rainfall pattern, lack of ready market for produce (and at 

reasonable prices). 

Section 3E: Hunting (where applicable) (Type in information from Chief’s interview/ 

FGD) 


There are 20 men whose primary occupation is hunting, however, almost all 

the men in the community know how to hunt and for that matter hunt in one 

way or the other. 

About 80% of the game is sold to the public and the rest (20%) is self 

consumed 


J103 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The hunters get more income from the buffalos followed by the antelopes, 

water buck, Harter beast and warthog. The most sought after animals are 

porcupines and Warthog in the community. 

Apart from hunting all the hunters in the community are into farming. This is 

mostly carried out during the raining season when hunting is dormant. Most 

of the animals are found during the dry season but in the wet season, only 

rabbits, antelopes, buffalos, hater beasts, water buck and Korb are mostly 

found. 

Hippopotamus are commonly found in the hunting areas but they are not 

hunted, they are endangered species and protected by the Wildlife Division. 

On the other hand, the hunting guns used by the hunters are not powerful 

enough to hunt them. 

Crocodiles are not frequently hunted in the community because they have the 

belief that they preserve water bodies from drying up. 

 


The hunters hunt on the eastern side of the Community (‘Yeride’) which is 

about 15 miles away. 

They used to hunt on the western side (‘Lanka’) but the site has been 

converted into forest reserve. 

The commonly used methods of hunting in the community during dry season 

are, hunting guns (single barrel), cutlasses, clubs and dogs. Traps, dogs and 

guns are mostly used in the wet season. The most commonly used weapon is 

the gun. 

A typical hunting expedition varies between 5-7 days especially during the 

dry season. There has not been any significant change in the time of hunting 

over the years. 

 


Animals commonly hunted in the community are buffalo, water buck, 

Antelopes, Rabbits, Squirrels, Grasscutter, Warthog, Wild duck, Bush turkey, 

Rat, Patriarch, Harter beast and water birds. 

The population of the animals has decreased significantly due to the 

destruction of the habitat of the animals by human activities and overgrazing 

by the cattle of the Fulani herders. This has made the game (animals) run into 

the Mole park 

When asked about the specific place in the park where animals are in 

abundance the hunters replied that they know that the animals are more 

abundant in the reserve but as to the specific area they cannot tell because 

they are not allowed to go there let alone hunt there. 

The hunters have sighted a Lion at ‘Yeride’ (eastern part). They believe that 

the Lions come from the Mole Park. The lions are not hunted because there is 

the understanding between themselves, “a hunter does not hunt a hunter”, 


J104 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

which means they regard the lion as a hunter in the animal kingdom and for 

that matter should not be hunted. 

Other animals sighted by the hunters are spotted hyena found at both 

‘Yeride’ and ‘Lanka’. Crocodiles are sighted at both areas. Leopards have also 

been sighted at ‘lanka’. 

The hunters once trapped a wolf that was hunting their cattle in the 

community. 

 


The decreased population of the animals in the community has made 

hunting not profitable in recent times. They unanimously showed their 

displeasure at the rate at which the cattle of the Fulani herdsmen are 

destroying the vegetation. This “wanton destruction” of the vegetation 

has made their prey run into the mole park. 




The main non timber forest products collected in the community are Shea nut, 

Black berries, Mushroom, dawadawa and honey. The non timber forest 

products are mostly collected by women and children from all the ethnic 

groups in the community. 

 

 

Sheanut is collected from April to May. 

Honey (seasonal) - February and March 

 


The NTFPs are collected from the community, farm lands and the forest. The 

farthest one can find them is about 2 miles away from the community. 

Although most of them are seasonal, one can get NTFP in the community 

throughout the year. 

Shea nut (which is processed into shea butter), dawadawa, mushroom and 

edible leaves are used for subsistence in the community. 

The honey and sheanut are mainly for sale. 




J105 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

About 30% of the adult population are into trading as their main occupation 

and about 10% trade as their secondary occupation. 

Trading activities bring in about 75% of the traders’ total income. In the dry 

season the economy of the community booms due to the mining activities 

(gallamsey). This increases the sales of goods and services in the community. 

There are more women in trading than the men. The ratio is 10 is to 1 

All the ethnic groups are engaged in trading. 

About 90% of the traders have fixed places of selling their goods. Such places 

are identified and chosen /selected by the traders themselves. 

 

Supply chain 

The grocery shop owners purchase their goods from Techiman and Kumasi. 

The fuel sellers get their stock from Wenchi and Techiman and the chemical 

sellers get their supplies from Techiman. The yam sellers get their stock from 

the community and the nearby cottages and hamlets. 

The traders sell to both the inhabitants and outsiders. 

Goods are transported in public vehicles (Trucks, Buses and Taxis). 

 


The prices of the goods are determined by the cost of the goods, the expenses 

made on them such as transportation and a small profit margin is added. 

Some of the traders pay toll to the District Assembly. Although the actual 

amount paid varies depending on the type of goods sold, it ranges between 

10,000 and 25,000 Cedis per annum. 

The traders employ 1-2 people to help them in their businesses. 

The grocery shops make about four million Cedis, yam sellers- one million 

Cedis, fuel sellers- seven million Cedis and the chemical sellers also make 

three million Cedis as gross sales per week respectively. 

 

Competition 

Some of the traders have fixed customers. Any one buys from them provided 

they have what the buyers need. 

Most of the traders in similar business sell almost the same goods. 

The yam seller explained that she sells more than her colleagues because she 

has been in the business for 30 years and has a lot of customers. According to 

the chemical seller most of his time is devoted to the business so his shop is 


J106 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

always opened as compared to his competitor who normally closes the shop 

for farming activities. 

The grocery shop owner as well as yam seller reinvests about 60% of their 

income in their business and the chemical shop owners as well as fuel 

operator reinvest 50% of their income in their business. 

 

Challenges 

Key challenges of trading are low sales especially during the rainy season 

when most people concentrate all their resources on their farming activities. 

The high cost of transportation reduces their profit margins and finally they 

lack credit facility to expand their businesses. 






herbalist 



1 (Community-based Health Planning 

Service) 

1 community health nurse with 3 

students on practicals. 2 health 

volunteers. 1 TBA, 5 herblists 

214. No of communal wells/ hand pumps 

215. Mosque/ church/ other religious places 9 Mosque - 2 churches – Roman catholic 

and seventh Day 

Adventist church 

216. Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest areas) 1 grave yard – 2 separate sections, 1 for 

Moslem and Christians and the other 

section for traditionalist 



218. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls specify 4 football fields 



N/A. They go to Bamboi or Bole police 

station 

12 roadside food sellers (fufu, rice 

,porridge, kenkey, 2 tea sellers) 

220. Town Hall/ Community centre N/A. They meet in the chiefs house 



7 grocery shops (tinned tomatoes soap, 

tooth paste, sugar, milk, gari etc.) 


Yes, 106 stalls 


Every Monday,106 stalls 


J107 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


located? 


instead] 




Techiman market on Wednesdays and 

,Thursdays 

N/A. They go to Bole, Wenchi ,Techiman 

1 KIA mini truck, mini bus, 

3 Benz(medium) buses,1 big DAF bus (‘’S 

T C’’) . 

2 taxis 

Regularity (how often?) 9am – 5pm everyday 

except Sundays 

Route (from village to where) Techiman ,Wenchi, Bamboi 

Tinga, Gyama, Bole 





to use. 






Others 

6 hand pumps, 1 kindergarten 

1 primary and I JSS. 

Goat, cows, fowls, pigs, sheep, turkey, 

ducks 

3 Benz buses, I KIA mini truck, 1 DAF 

bus, 2 taxis. 



228. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come from? No electricity. 

I generator owned by an individual. 

229. Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ charcoal Charcoal, firewood, kerosene 

230. Source of water for cooking/ washing/ bathing: well/ hand pump/ 6 hand pumps, 2 wells(dried up) and 

river 

Banda Nkwanta dam which dries up in 

the day season 





2 long drop toilets for the community (1 

out of order). 

5 Designated containers for 

garbage disposal. 




Primary JSS 

Class Boys Girls Total Class Boys Girls Total 

1 36 24 60 1 24 3 27 

2 35 22 57 2 31 3 34 

3 16 14 30 3 13 3 16 

4 17 10 27 77 

5 20 5 25 

6 31 11 42 


J108 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

248 

Students continue their education at Damango, Bole or Wa. Those who do not 

qualify go to Kumasi as traders. The pupils who qualify to senior secondary 

are about 48%. 

The teachers are not satisfied with the teaching/learning materials and the 

facilities. They do not have chalkboards, charts and recreational ground. 

Provision of furniture, textbooks, and other teaching and learning materials 

will improve the facility situation at the school. 

Poor school attendance and academic performance are the major problems 

faced by the school. 

Girls’ dropout is due to teenage pregnancy, perception of parents about girls’ 

education and early marriage. 

About 80% of the population is illiterate because they have no interest in 

education. In all, 95% of the illiterates are women and 5% are men. 

233. 

School 




1 primary (1-6) with 3 classroom and 

170 pupils 

 

 







1 kindergarten -248 children 

1 Junior Secondary School (1 -3) with 3 

classrooms and 77 pupils 

N/A. they go to Bole Wa, Techiman, 

Kumasi and Sunyani. 


Morbidity 

The five major health problems prevalent in the community are: Malaria, 

measles (which affects children), headache and cerebrum Spinal Meningitis 

(CSM). 

 

Mortality 

Jaundice is the main cause of death in the community. 

 

Lifestyle 

About 40% of the men who are 20 years and above smoke cigarette. 

Alcoholism is not a major problem in the community because it is 

predominantly a Muslim community. However, about 20% of the 

population (especially the males) drink alcohol. 

 



J109 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The people access health care in the community. Community Health Planning 

Services (CHPS) 

There is general satisfaction of the health care services provided at the facility 

because the staffs are able to diagnose and prescribe appropriate medication 

to meet their health needs. A participant said “I tried the drug store (chemist) 

and the traditional healer when my child was sick but they did not work, it 

was the hospital (CHPS) that helped me.” 

Some of the problems of the facility include, lack of ward facilities and 

enough space to accommodate large numbers of patients. 

The general belief is that if the facility is expanded and ward facilities 

provided it will go a long way to improve the health care services. 

Health care services are generally affordable but patients who do not have 

adequate money to settle their bills are treated and given time to settle the 

remaining bill by instalments 

There is no specific group that normally cannot afford health care services at 

the CHPS. 

In instances where people are not able to afford the cost of medical services, 

they resort to herbs especially in treating fever. 

Twice in a year, children in the community are vaccinated against childhood 

killer diseases. 




Attitudes 

There will be job opportunities for the young men and women. They do not 

envisage any negative effects of the dam. 

The traders believe the influx of people into the community will increase 

their market share and invariably their sales. They also believe better 

transportation links to other villages will open up their community to 

other communities and create market for their goods. The yam sellers will 

also have easy access to the communities to buy their goods. 

There would not be any loss of farm land because the farms are not near 

the river. 

 

Effects 

The construction of the dam will not negatively affect their livelihood in any 

way because the river (Black Volta) is closer to the reserve in the western side 

of the community where they are not allowed to hunt or work. 


J110 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

They however believe that the Dam Project will impact positively on their 

livelihood because most of them will get jobs from the project and the 

community will also get electricity. 


the FGDs) 


11. Upgrading of the CHPS to a health post 

12. Provision of a senior secondary school 


14. Tarring of the main road in the Community. 

15. Access to credit facility. 

16. School building. 

Village profile for Kwame Kwesi ( Kaman Kpesi) 

Village GPS reading: 026 Clew 54 8ft 

N 08% 28 .317.w02% 10.607ft 


Dated: 25:04:2006 


J111 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA






The BoleWura is the paramount chief. All chiefs under his jurisdiction reports 

to him 

The unit committee member represents the village in government. 

The community is not consulted on the Development Plans of the District. 

Table 1 


234. Name of Chief Alidu Gonja 

235. Name of District Assembly Member 

236. Name of Unit Committee Member Fabian Bole 


(state which village he lives in) Bolewura-Gwedses, Bole 



The actual name of the village is Kaman Kpesi – (meaning there is “hunger 

here” in Moshi language). Over the years those who could not pronounce 

Kaman Kpesi adulterated it to sound as Kwame Kwesi. 

The first settlers were Moshi man and his Banda friend. They arrived at the 

village around 1930 to do farming. 

The decision to build the dam has rather brought joy to the community 

because they expect that when the dam is constructed they would no longer 

have the water problems they now face. 





J112 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The only association in the village is the Christian Women Association. They 

contribute money and brew Pito to sell and use the proceeds to help each 

other in times of need. 

The men also have an association called Sonta. They also help their members 

to harvest their produce at no cost but non members pay a reduced fee as 

compared to labour cost in the community. 

Catholic Youth Organisation (CYO) is a youth group in the Catholic Church. 

There is a community based organisation (CBO) called EQUALLS which is 

involved in non formal education. They teach children who are about to enrol 

in formal school the Dagarti language and also provide adult education in the 

evening to the adults. 





There are 351 people in the village. Below is the breakdown 

Adult (men) - 74 

Adult (female) - 80 

Children (male) - 88 

Children (female) - 109 

Total - 351 

There are 40 households in the village. 

There are five ethnic groups in Kaman Kpesi namely; Dargati, Gonja, Sissala, 

Fulani (recently arrived), Fanti. They are all Ghanaians except the Fulani who 

are Malians 

A Moshi and a Banda founded the community. 

The Gonja people are the natives. Their population stands at 15 (4.3%). 

There are two religious groups in the village; Moslems (30%), Christians 

(70%). 

The population of the village over the last 10 years has been decreasing 

gradually because farm land is becoming scarce; people have started moving 

out in search of farm lands. 

Apart from the Fulani herdsmen from Mali, there are no other migrants. They 

are not regarded as settlers because of their nomadic attitude. 


J113 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Table 2 

Demographics 






243. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Gonja 4% Dagati 90% Sisala 3% 

Fulani 2% fanti 1% 


and Christian) Christians 70% Moslems 30% 


246. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? Gonja 





groups. 


The main livelihoods are farming. Crops grown are: Yam, cassava, maize, 

beans, cashew, rice, and millet. 

The Fulanis specialise in cattle rearing and the Dagartis in yam production. 

10 people are in formal employment; three teachers and seven Game and 

Wild Life workers. 

Other business activities are, tailoring -1, seamstress -2, driving -1. 

Table 3 


247. Farming (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a primary 95% 

occupation) 

248. Fishing (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a primary No fisherman 

occupation) 

249. Hunting (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a primary 15% 

occupation) 

250. Trading (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a primary 5% 

occupation ) 

251. Formal employment (government OR private) (indicate approx. no of 3 teachers 

people) 

Teacher 

Health worker 1 health 

volunteer 

Church worker 1 (roman 

catholic church) 

Other Government employee 7(Game and 

wildlife staff) 


J114 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Private company employee 1(driver) 


253. No of people in village with following skills - 

Carpentry - 

Plumber - 

Mechanic 1 

Electrician - 

Welder - 

Typist - 

Seamstress/tailor 3 tailors 

Other 1 


FGDs) 


As part of Dargarti tradition, women are not involved in decision making 

at household and community levels. Men normally take decisions. 

Although the women aspire to be part of the community leadership, they 

are not able to do so because as their custom demands they assist their 

husbands in their occupation. They are therefore always found working 

for their husbands especially on the farm at the expense of their other 

activities and aspirations. 


The major occupation of the women is farming. While the women 

cultivate their own farms from land preparation stage to the harvesting of 

the crops, they also help their husbands to mulch their yam farms. 

The crops the women cultivate include groundnuts, vegetables, beans and 

Bambara beans. 

The women also gather and process non timber forest products like 

sheanut and 

Dawadawa for subsistence and commercial purposes. 

Some of the major problems faced by the women in the community are 

lack of adequate sources of potable water, health care facilities and 

capital to expand their businesses and farms. 

There is only one borehole that supplies the entire community with 

water. The women then have to queue for long hours before they get 

water. 

The nearest health care facility is at Tinga which is about 9 miles away, 

the women always walk or ride bicycles to send their children for medical 

care any time they fall sick. 

The female headed households have additional burden of providing food 

stuff to feed their families. 


Profile 


J115 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

95% of the population engaged in farming as their primary source of income. 

The Dargatis are more into farming than the others. 

Crops grown are: Millet, maize, bambara beans, yam, groundnut, rice, 

cassava. 

The main farming seasons are: 

January - preparation of land for yam 

February –April - land preparation and planting of cassava and maize 

May – June - weeding 

July – August - harvesting of groundnut 

September - harvesting of maize 

October - no serious farming activity 

November - harvesting of millet 

December - harvesting of yam 

The farm produce are for both self consumption and sale. Consumption and 

sales rate for the various crops differ from crop to crop. 

Millet: 70% sales, 30% consumption; Yam: 70% sales, 30% consumption; 

Beans: 90% sales, 10% consumption; Groundnut: 90% sales, 10% consumption 

The farm fields are located between 3.2km to 12.8km away from the village. 

 

Inputs 

Farming implements mainly used are hoes and cutlasses. They depend on 

rainfall for their farming activities. 

Seeds are got from previous farm produce or obtain from neighbours or 

market. 

Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are not used in the community. 

The farmers do not benefit from any form of credit nor services from the 

Agriculture Extension Officers. 

None of the farmers has studied agriculture at any institution. 

 


The community does not experience floods. 

 



The land belongs to the Gonjas. No formal agreement is made for use of farm 

land. The informal arrangement is that after harvest one bowl of millet, 

groundnut, maize etc. are presented to the land owner (the chief) who in turn 

sends part to the Bole Wura. Natives are however, not bound by the 

arrangement. 

The planting of tree crop such as cashew has just been introduced and settlers 

are also allowed to plant tree crops. 


J116 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

If land is left fallow for a long time the chief takes back the land. 

The irony of the condition of farming in the community is that nobody inherits 

land. Land left to fallow automatically reverts to the chief and anybody can 

have access to it. 

Women in the community do not own their own farms (yam farms). They 

however have vegetable farms. 

Farm size in the village ranges from two acres to fifteen acres. The minimum 

farm size that can sustain an average family size is about five acres. No share 

cropping is practised and nobody rents land. 

Labourers who are employed in the village collect a daily wage of ¢15,000.00 

apart from feeding. 

 

Livestock 

The main livestock in the village are: Cows, pigs, goats and sheep. 

Gazing is done about 3.2km to 11.2km away from the village. All the 

households in the village keep some form of livestock; but if a woman owns a 

livestock it belongs to her husband. 

The Fulanis who recently settled in the community depend on livestock as the 

only livelihood. 

Livestock are kept both for consumption and for sale. 

 

Markets 

The farmers send their produce individually to Techiman where there is ready 

market and better prices for them in privately owned (hired) cargo trucks. The 

women mostly sell the farm produce and it is done on individual basis. 

 


Challenges facing farmers are: 

Destruction of farms by goats, sheep and cattle. 

Insects like termites destroy crops 

Non-availability of farm inputs 

Invasion of Black flies from July to September. Most people relocate 

during this period and return after September. 



There is no one in the community who is engaged in hunting as primary 

occupation. 

Out of the total game they hunt 60% is self consumed and the rest is sold. 

. 


J117 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

All the hunters in the community combine hunting with farming, because of 

the continuous decrease in the animal population in the area. 

Python and tortoise are not hunted in the community because they want to 

preserve them for posterity (endangered species). 

 


Hunting is done at the Northern part of the community (Kui). It is about 15 

miles away from the community. They have been hunting at Kui since time 

immemorial. 

Weapons mostly used are clubs, hunting guns and machetes. The club is 

mostly used because they usually hunt small animals. During the dry season 

all the methods are used but in the wet season the club and the machete are 

mostly used. 

Hunting is done early in the morning from 6am to 12 pm; at times a typical 

hunting expedition takes 3 days and nights. More time is spent on hunting in 

recent times as compared to the past because of a decrease in the population 

of the game. There has been a drastic increase in the number of hunters in and 

around the community who hunt at the same place, hunters from Banda 

Nkwanta, Bonbonte, Nuoyiri, Dikpa, Gbelimkpe, Wasipe and Tinga all hunt at 

Kui. 

Hunting Rights/ land usage (If this is similar across villages do not repeat – 

just indicate differences.) Summarise from Chiefs and Hunting FGD) 

The hunters have the liberty to hunt at the northern parts of the community. They are 

not allowed to farm at the reserved sites. 

 


The most commonly hunted animals in the community are Grasscutter, 

Squirrel, Monkeys, Antelopes, Bush buck, Patriarch and Rabbits. The grass 

cutter fetches more income than the rest because it is on high demand. 

In the wet season not much is got from hunting because of the high growth of 

the grass and the rains which makes it difficult to locate the animals. 

However, the most commonly hunted animals in the wet season are the 

rabbits and the patriarchs. There is more game during the dry season 

(September-April). 

 


The major problem faced by the hunters is the overgrazing of the forest by 

cattle of the Fulani herdsmen which has made the game (animals) to run to the 

Mole Park (restricted area). 

The hunters believe that the Bui Dam project will not negatively affect their 

hunting activities, because Kui, their usual hunting place is not close to the 

River/Reserve and for that matter will not disturb the ecology of the place. 


J118 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




The common non timber forest products in the community are sheanut and 

Dawadawa . 

Both the Sheanut, which is processed into sheabutter and the Dawadawa are 

for subsistence and commercial purposes. 

 


These products are collected in the community, farm lands and the forest. 

Some are collected as far as a mile away from the community. 

Women usually collect the non timber forest products. They are collected 

seasonally, especially, in the dry season. 





254. Health centre/ health post/ clinic/health volunteer/ traditional N/A. They go to Tinga Health Centre. 

herbalist 



255. No of communal wells/ hand pumps 1 hand pump 

256. Mosque/ church/ other religious places No mosque, I Church (Roman Catholic 

Church). 

257. Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest areas) I graveyard for Moslems Christians and 

traditionalists 

258. Police station [indicate if in village OR if not name of village where N/A. They go to Bole police station 


259. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls specify I football field 



No village restaurants. 2 road side food 

sellers.(They sell cooked rice ‘turban’, 

‘Kose’, ‘Banku’) 

261. Town Hall/ Community centre N/A. They meet under a tree near the 

chief’s house. 



3 grocery shops 

(soap,sugar,cigarette,gari, milks etc ) 


No 


No 


J119 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


located? 

They go to Banda Nkwanta to (Mondays) 

ting Fridays)markets 


instead] 

N/A. They go to Bole. 




1 KIA mini truck 

Regularity (how often?) 9am-5pm everyday except Sundays 

Route (from village to where) Kwame Kwesi – Techiman ,Wa 

Cost to go to Wenchi ¢19,000 




to use. 

I hand pump,kindargaten and primary 

school 



Cows, goats, fowls, pigs, ducks, sheep 



1 KIA mini truck. 


Others 



269. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come from? N/A 

270. Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ charcoal Firewood, charcoal, kerosene 

271. Source of water for cooking/ washing/ bathing: well/ hand pump/ I hand pump 

river 

272. Type of toilets: flushing/ long drop/ open pit/ river/ other – are 5 long drop toilets for game and wildlife 


staff only. The community members do 

not have toilet facility. 


Indiscriminate disposal of garbage 





Kwame Kwesi Roman Catholic primary 

Class Boys Girls Total 

KG 26 38 64 

1 27 28 55 

2 09 16 25 

3 08 07 15 

4 ` 06 07 13 

5 06 02 08 

6 04 03 07 

Total 86 101 198 


J120 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

EQUALLS (Non-formal education) 

Children - 65 Adults - 25 

About 5% of the children are able to further their education. 

The facilities they have in the school are cardboards, furniture, pencils, rule, 

and textbooks. The teachers are satisfied with the teaching/learning aids, 

equipment and school infrastructure. 

To improve the school the teachers will like to have good drinking water and 

accommodation for teachers. 

The teachers are not trained (professional) teachers. 

Girl dropout rate is about 20% and the cause is poverty and peer pressure. 

They leave the village for big towns for greener pastures. 

People in the village who cannot read and write are mainly the Gonjas and 

Sissalas. The ratio of men to women is about 2:3. 

274. 

School 







1 ( Roman Catholic primary (1-6) with 

KG) 6 classrooms and 187 pupils 

N/A. They go to Ayripa, Wa, 

Nadowle, Bole 

 




N/A 


Morbidity 

The main health problems in the community are malaria, fever, stomach pains 

and skin diseases (as a result of the black fly bites). Children are mostly 

affected by skin diseases. There has not been any outbreak of disease in the 

community in the past years. 

Mortality 

There is very low rate of mortality in the community .Among the very few 

cases, the cause of death is not known. 

Lifestyle 

About 60% of the men from 25 years and above smoke cigarette and the same 

Percentage (60%) of men, from 20 years and above take alcohol on moderate 

levels. During festive occasions most of the men really get drunk. 


J121 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


The people access health care service from Tinga Health Centre which is about 

9miles from the community. Occasionally, they visit the Bamboos Health 

Centre. 

Generally, they are satisfied with the health care services provided by the 

centre because they get treatment any time they visit. They at times do not get 

medication from the centre which they have to buy from chemical sellers with 

prescription. They sometimes wait in queues for long periods before they are 

attended to. 

They are of the view that, if the Centre could be furnished with drugs 

(medication) it will help them to get health care service at one point instead of 

paying medical bills at the centre and buying medication from chemical stores 

Health care services are generally affordable. There are no specific groups that 

cannot afford the cost of health care services in the community but in some 

cases, people may fall ill but might not have money to visit the health centre. 

Those who do not have money to visit the health centre when they fall sick 

either borrow money from relatives / neighbours or buy medication from the 

chemical seller in the community .Some also use herbal medicine. 

Vaccination is always provided for the children against the childhood killer 

diseases yearly. 




Attitudes 

Effects 

They believe that the construction of the dam will not negatively affect 

their livelihood because their farm lands and hunting site are far away 

from the river. The land around the river is the reserve which they are not 

allowed to work there. 

They anticipate that the dam project will rather bring along alternative sources 

of income to them as more people will come to the area which will expand 

their market share and also give the men jobs. 

Other include, 

- Irrigation for continuous all year round farming 

- Employment opportunities for the youth 

- Better prices for farm produce 

- Electricity for lighting and for economic activities 

- Improved road network for easy movement of people and goods 

Concerns 


J122 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

- Theft cases would increase with increase in population 

- crime rate and social vices might be introduced in the area 

- cost of living will be high because the concentration of jobs will be 

around the dam at the expense of farming. 


the FGDs) 

17. Provision of potable water 

18. Clinic 

19. Access to credit facility to expand farms and businesses 

20. Supplementary feeding for their school going children. Parents 

normally leave home early to their farms and return late in the 

evening, so there is no one in the community to cook for the 

children who stay at home to attend school. 

21. Tarred Road 

22. Electricity. 

7. Place of convenience (toilet). 

Village profile for [Banda Ahenkro] 

Village GPS reading: 043 Elevation 917ft N 08º 9.7961’’ W 02º 21.392’’ 

Written By: Joseph Boateng Agyenim & Kofi Adusei 

Dated: 24: 05: 2006 


J123 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA






Table 1 


1. Name of Chief Nana Kwadwo Sito I 

38 Name of District Assembly Member Mr. Ishmael Gabriel 

39 Name of Unit Committee Member Kofi Manu (secretary), Yaw Kuma (chairman ) 

2. Name and village of Paramount chief Nana Kwadwo Sito I He lives at Banda Ahenkro 







The organised groups in the village are Cashew Farmers Association, Brodi 

Credit Union, Local Council of Churches Association, and Banda Coop 

Distillers & Retailers Society. The various Christian organisations in the 

community are Catholics, Methodists, Presbyterians, Seventh Day Adventists 

(S.D.A), New Apostolic, African Faith Tabernacle, Apostolic Church Ghana, 

Pentecost, Community Church. 

There are two Moslem groups in the community namely; the Asunas and the 

Tijanis 






J124 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The main ethnic groups in the village are Dagarti, Bandas (Nafaanra), Sissila, 

Brongs (Akans), Ewes. 

Table 2 

Demographics 

3. Total village population 4,000 

40 Total number of households 

41 No of men (adults – above 16) 1,300 

42 No of women (adults – above 16) 1,6000 

43 No of children – 16 and below 2,100 

44 Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Banda 98% Dagarti, Ewe, lobi, 

Ashanti, and Waala- all these ethnic 

groups make up 2% 




6. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? Banda (Na 

Christians 75% Moslems 13% 

Traditionalist 12% 





groups. 


About 95% of the populations do farming as their main job and 5% do other 

jobs like, teaching, trading, masonry, bicycle repairs, and farm labourers. 

When rains are favorable, income from farming is about 75% of total 

household income. But in poor weather, only 20% of income comes from 

farming. In such situation men migrate to neighboring villages and towns to 

do menial jobs. 

Table 3 




45 Fishing (indicate approx. no of people for 


46 Hunting (indicate approx. no of people for 


47 Trading (indicate approx. no of people for 

whom this is a primary occupation ) 

48 Formal employment (government OR private) 


a. Teacher 

95% 

No fishermen 

< 1% 

4% 

34 teachers (9 teachers for Roman Catholic 

Primary and 3 nursery teachers 1 for 

African faith preparatory school, 1 private 

school (Lander) has 2 teachers for KG and 

primary, 6 for Banda Local Authority 

junior secondary school, 8 for Presby 

primary, 4 for RC JSS, 2 for Banda SSS 


J125 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Health worker 1 senior ward assistant 1 health volunteer 

and a security 



Private company employee 6 drivers employed by individual car 

owners 

8. 

9. 

Unemployed (no of people) 

No of people in village with following skills 

Carpentry 8 

Plumber - 

Mechanic 

Welder 1 

Typist 1 

Seamstress/tailor 

Other 

3 radio repairers 

6/8 

1 bicycle repairer 

25 hair dressers and barbers 


FGDs) 



Women have equal rights to land as men. About 45% of women (married and 

single) in the community own farms. They also plant cashew. 

Problems like complications during pregnancy and delivery and lateness to 

school due to water problem are the issues affecting women and girls. These 

problems affect all the ethnic groups. 


Profile 

The main crops grown are yam, cashew, calabash, agushie, maize, cassava, 

beans, and tobacco. Women in the village depend on groundnut, pepper, 

okro, tomatoes and garden eggs for subsistence and for income. The activities 

that women do on the farm are planting of cash crops, conveyance of yam 

seeds, to the farm for planting, mulching yam mounds to protect the seed 

from direct sunlight, harvesting of cassava, conveyance of produce from farm 

to the house, and preparing food for husband and labourers (if any) on the 

farm. 

The men do the preparation of land for planting, planting, initial weeding of 

farm, weeding of old farm, raising yam mounds, threshing of harvested millet, 

harvesting yam, and cashew. 

 

Inputs 


J126 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Implements used are hoe, cutlass, and earth chisel. Fertilizers are used on 

crops like maize, yam, tomatoes and calabash because soil fertility has 

declined. About 35% of farmers use fertilizer which is bought from the open 

market at Wenchi and Techiman. 

Tobacco farmers get their fertilizers from British American Tobacco Company. 

Pesticides are used on tomatoes, garden eggs and pepper. 

Irrigation is not practiced, but some few farmers use water cans to irrigate 

their vegetables. 

Yam and calabash seeds are got from previous farm. Cashew (modern variety) 

seed is supplied by Agric Development Bank at ¢28,000.00 per kilo. 

Credit is not easy to come by. Attempts at forming groups to obtain loan from 

banks have failed because they hardly meet banks’ criteria. Most farmers get 

credit from women buyers. 


Flooding is not an issue in this community since it is far away from any river. 

 



All land in the village belongs to the Banda Ahenkro Paramount Chief: Nana 

Sito. Settlers consult the town planning committee for land for building 

purposes. They also settle all land disputes. But settlers are not allowed to 

plant tree crops like cashew or any permanent crops. Settlers who rear cattle 

have to consult the chief. 

Shifting cultivation is practised. Land is normally left to fallow after 

intercropping. The problem with land now is the increase in population. 

Farmers are now getting interested in tree crops but land is getting too far 

away from the village. 

 

Livestock 

Sheep, goats, fowls are mainly kept but not on commercial scale. Cattle 

owners have grouped their cattle together in one kraal and given to one Fulani 


J127 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

herdsman to take care of. The herdsmen extract the milk free, and in addition 

paid and fed. 

 

Markets 

Crops sent to the market centres (Techiman, Sampa, Wenchi) are yam, 

groundnut, agushie. Market women also come to the village to purchase yam 

direct from farmers. Private transport owners transport these commodities. 

Farmers’ wives do the selling individually. 

 




Nobody does fishing in the community. 











Products gathered are: sheanut, dawadawa, wild honey, mushroom, pestle for 

pounding fufu, sticks for building houses, thatch, and edible herbs. 

Women normally collect the sheanut and dawadawa. The men go for honey 

harvesting. Irrespective of ethnicity, everybody have access to these products. 



Supply chain 


Competition 

Challenges 


J128 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Section 3H: Charcoal Burners (where applicable) (Type in information from Chief’s 

interview/ FGD) 


Sourcing and markets 

Availability of raw materials 


General profile (Resident herders) 

General profile (Fulani) 

Challenges 




Even though there is a Water and Sanitation Committee, it is not functioning. 

The community has three toilets. Only five households have their own toilets. 

Facility Type No. in use No. out of 

Total 

use 

Water 

Borehole 

4 

6 

10 

Toilet 

Pit-latrine 

3 

- 

3 

Only one-third (1/3) of houses in the town enjoy electricity. The community 

has a cultural Centre and three (3) football fields, a Police Station, a Clinic 

(which is manned by one medical assistant and one Ward Assistant). There 

are three (3) cemeteries; one each for Christians, Moslems and the 

traditionalists. 


10. Health centre/ health post/ clinic/health volunteer/ 

traditional herbalist 

[indicate which one available in village OR if not name 

of village where they go instead] 

1 clinic, 1 senior ward assistance, 1 health volunteer, 3 TBA, 

10 herbalists 

49 No of communal wells/ hand pumps No communal wells, 9 hand pumps (4 not working) 


J129 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

50 Mosque/ church/ other religious places 4 mosques (2 for individuals and 

2 Public ones under construction), 7 churches (Roman 

Catholics, Presbyterian, Methodist African Faith 

Tabernacle, New Apostolic, Seven Day Adventist, 

Pentecost, The Apostolic Church of Ghana and Community 

Church 

51 Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest 3 graveyards, 1 for each religion 

areas) 

11. Police station [indicate if in village OR if not name of 1- Banda Ahenkro Police station 

village where they go instead] 

12. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls 

specify 

13. No of Village Restaurant/ road side food seller (places 

where food is prepared on the premises and sold fresh) 

3 football fields- 1 for Roman Catholic primary, 1 for 

presby primary, 1 for the Junior Secondary school 

No villages restaurants, 7 road side food sellers 

(porridge, kenkey beans ,rice ,fried yam) 

52 Town Hall/ Community centre No town hall. there is one community Centre – Banda 

Ahenkro cultural center 

53 Village shop [indicate what type of goods they sell] – 

places where food is sold that is packaged or prepared 

elsewhere. 



Which other markets do they go to – in which villages 

are these located? 

15. Bank [indicate if in village OR if not name of village 



Types of transport (bus, lorry, taxi, etc) State 

number of each vehicle that services the village. 

6 village shops – provision shops (sugar ,gari ,milk 

,biscuits) 

2 medical shops 

Yes. 2 stalls and 2 large tables 

Tuesdays 

Wenchi on Thursdays and Techiman on Fridays 

No bank they save with Wenchi banks 

2 urvan buses, 4 KIA buses 

Regularity (how often?) The buses leave at 5 am and come back at 3pm except 

Sundays. 

Route (from village to where) Banda Ahenkro – Wenhi- Techiman, Sampa , or Kumasi 



Eg agricultural processing equipment (cassava grater) – 

This does not include assets owned by individuals that 

they charge the community to use. 


54 Type of livestock in the village 


55 Type and number of vehicles 


Others 

Household Facilities - include assets owned by 


18. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come 

from? 

56 Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ 

charcoal 

57 Source of water for cooking/ washing/ bathing: well/ 

hand pump/ river 

58 Type of toilets: flushing/ long drop/ open pit/ river/ 

other – are these for an individual household or 

community use? 


Indicate if there this is done in designated location/s OR 

anywhere 

Roman catholic primary and junior secondary school 

5 hand pumps 

Data Collected 

Goats, sheep, fowls, cows, guinea fowls 

8 motor bikes, 80% own bicycles Approximately 20 cars for 

tico, KIA pickups, urvan buses 

Yes. National grid 

Charcoal, fuel wood, kerosene 

1 lady uses gas 

Hand pump but they also use river Fini sometimes 

4 long drop toilets for men 

4 long drop toilet for women 

Some individual have toilets at home. 

3 designated places for garbage disposal 


J130 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




There are seven schools in the community. All the schools are located in the 

village except, the Senior Secondary School (S.S.S.) which is 1.5 kilometres 

away. 

No. School No. of Teachers Population 

1 

Local Authority JSS 

6 

130 

2 

Roman Catholic JSS 

4 

98 

3 

Presbyterian Primary 

8 

274 

4 

Roman Catholic Primary & KG 

9 

427 

5 

Lander Preparatory School 

2 

25 

6 

African Faith Prep. 

1 

54 

7 

Bandaman Sen. Sec. 

2 

25 

Total 32 1.033 

The oldest school in the village is the Presbyterian Primary. It was established 

in 1943. 

Furniture in the schools is inadequate. There is also the problem of 

understaffing of teachers in the various schools. All the schools have sufficient 

textbooks for each pupil. 

30 – 37% of pupils go beyond JSS and 20 – 25% goes beyond SSS level. The 

community Senior Secondary School – Bandaman Senior Secondary School 

which collapsed has been reopened. The dropout rate for girls is high due to 

weak parental control. Literacy of parents is another contributory factor 

because most parents do not appreciate the need for education. 

There are no workshops to train pupils in trades of their choice. Workshop 

tools have disappeared or stolen. There is no electricity in any of the 

classrooms. 

Mobility is a problem for the teachers. Allowances are not paid to teachers 

who use their personal bicycles. 

Toilet facilities are not available. 


J131 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

20. 

School 







 




1 Roman catholic Kindergarten 

1 African faith kindergarten 

1 private school (Lander preparatory 

1 Roman catholic primary 

1 Roman catholic Junior Secondary School 

1 Banda Ahenkro local Authority Junio 

school 

1 Bandaman Senior Secondary school 


Morbidity 

Mortality 

Lifestyle 





Attitudes 

Effects 

The positive effects are that: 

Road network would be improved 

Employment avenues would be created 

Better prices for produce may be available 

Migration would reduce 

The negative effects would be 

- High cost of living 

- Social vices (eg stealing and prostitution) may increase 

- Diseases like STDs, HIV/AIDS and T.B. may also spread 



Not applicable 


the FGDs) 

The four (4) things the community chose for development are 

- Good drinking water, 

- Toilet facilities 


J132 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

- Improved road network 

- Increase in transportation system 

Village profile for Gyama 

Village GPS reading: ?? 


Dated: 25:04:2006 



J133 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA





They are under the Bamboi paramount chief. Under them are several settler 

communities including 

Agbelikame north – (Ewe, Malians and Mo) 

Agbegikurom – Ewe and Mo 

Lucene/Loga – Dagarti and 

Demienu. 

They have a Unit Committee member and a district assembly member who 

represent the government at the village. 

Table 1 


21. Name of Chief Nana Kodjo Pambo II 

22. Name of District Assembly Member Jabi K Robert 

23. Name of Unit Committee Member Thomas Kwame Addae 





Not available. 




There are many associations in the community. These include: 

Cashew farmers Association 

Groundnut growers Association (mostly made up of women) 

Afforestation Committee 

Cooperative farmers group 

Dancing Group 

Older Women’s cultural Group 

There are also two “Susu” (money saving) Groups 

Christian Mothers Association 

Moslem Youth Association 

Pana Dancing Group for Men (traditional religion Group) 

Any group that wants to meet has to beat the village gong-gong to call for a 

meeting and therefore must inform the chief about the meeting and its 

purpose before they are allowed to use the gong-gong. 

The groups have carried out several community projects inn the village 

including construction of: 

The primary school and the Junior Secondary School (JSS) 


J134 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The village road 

A clinic (the chief donated his house to be converted into the clinic). It 

was equipped and upgraded by the Northern Empowerment 

Association which is a local NGO. 

A water borehole (paid for by household contributions) 

The community library – this is the latest village project underway. 





Demographics 






30. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Asantes, Gonjas, Mos Valaga 

Malians Bandas Dagartis, and 

Ewes 



Christians- 60% Moslems- 30% 

Traditionalists- 10% 


33. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? Mos 

Table 2 





groups. 



J135 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Main jobs in order of priority are: Farming, Trading, Hunting and Fishing. 

Hunting has declined because of the National Park’s regulations. Fishing is 

mostly done by the Malians and the Ewes. 

There are 15 teachers in the village and one health worker. There are many 

small businesses (small shops) 

Table 3 






36. Hunting (indicate approx. no of people for 






Teacher 

92% 

N/A 

7% 

1% 

15 (8 for Kindergarten and primary 

school and 7 for junior secondary 

school ) 

Health worker 2 (1 nurse, 1 health volunteer who is 

also the records keeper and 

community based surveillance 

Church worker 4 pastors (I for each church) 


Private company employee 2 drivers 



Carpentry 4 

Plumber 

Mechanic 3 

 

 

 

Electrician 

Welder 

Typist 

Seamstress/tailor 2 seamtresses/2. tailors 

Other 2 hairdressers 


FGDs) 


The women are consulted before a major decision is taken but the final 

decision rests with the men. At the household level the women are consulted 

on issues relating to children’s education and farming activities. 

The women believe that village level issues and politics are the preserve of the 

men. 

The Queen mother is consulted when there is an issue concerning women or 

when the chief returns from a trip and has something to share with her. 

 



J136 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The activities/tasks undertaken by the women on the farm include 

planting and harvesting. In fishing activities they go to Agbelekame and 

Agbegikuro to buy fish and sell in the community. 

The women gather and process non timber forest products such as shea 

nut and wild pepper. 

There has not been any significant change in the role of women in the 

community except in few households where the men do the cooking 

when their wives were to fall sick or when the husbands return home 

earlier from the farms and are hungry. 

It is not the expectation of the women to see any significant change in 

their role in the near future because those roles are assigned by society. 

The women contribute about 33% of the family income which is mainly 

used for feeding, payment of children’s education, health and clothing. 

About 20% of the households are headed by women as a result of death of 

husband or divorce. 

The women do not have alternative livelihoods apart from farming which 

is seasonal and also done on small scale (peasant farming). They are not 

economically active in most parts of the year and are more prone to 

poverty. 


Profile 

The main crops grown are: Yam, cassava, egushie, groundnut, maize 

guinea corn, beans, cashew, teak tree, pepper, oil palm, and millet. The 

activities of the women include hiring labourers, conveyance of yam 

seedlings for planting, mulching of yam mounds, cooking, searching for 

firewood, and planting of groundnut and egushie. The men do the land 

preparation, planting, weeding, making mounds and harvesting. 

Women do not have joint farms with their husbands. It is accepted that the 

entire yam belongs to the man. The women own the groundnut farms 

which they harvest and use to help pay school fees of children. All 

produce are used both for self consumption and for sale. 

 

Inputs 

Farming implements used are hoe, cutlass, axe and earth chisel. They depend 

on rainfall for their agricultural activities. 

Seeds from the previous harvest are preserved and used for the next farming 

season. Those entering farming for the first time obtain their seeds from 

neighbours or purchase them from the market. 

The use of chemical fertilisers is not common. 

Credit facility is not available in the community. Market women however, 

offer some credit facility to farmers but this is tied up with purchasing their 

farm produce at ridiculously low price at harvest. 


J137 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Agric extension services are not available to the farmers. One person has been 

trained by the Ministry of Agriculture to administer drugs to his birds. 

 


No flooding is experienced at Gyama because their farm lands are far away 

from the Black Volta. 

 



The Gyama lands belong to the chief of Gyama. Settlers consult the chief with 

drinks (Schnapps) for release of land. They pay between ¢45,000.00 to 

¢50,000.00 per annum for use of land and in addition give 20 tubers of yam 

and one cock(fowl) to the chief during yam festival. . 

Tree crops are deemed as property of the farmer but not the land. Land is 

now not allowed to fallow for 10 years or more. If land is not used for several 

years it reverts to the chief. 

The minimum land size to support an average family size is 4-5acres. 

Farm labourers work on daily basis or on contract basis and are paid by cash. 

 

Livestock 

Animals such as sheep, goats, fowls, pigs, and cattle are kept by the 

inhabitants of the village. There is free range grazing within just a kilometre 

radius around the settlement. During the dry season cattle rearers go as far as 

3km away from the community to graze their animals. Almost everybody 

raises livestock but majority are for self consumption. 

 

Markets 

Farm produce are sent to Techiman, Wenchi, Bamboi, Bole, Banda Nkwanta, 

and Tinga markets by the women because they obtain relatively better prices. 

The marketing is done on individual basis. 

The farm produce are transported in cargo trucks. Owners of these trucks 

come from Teselima about six kilometres away. The table below shows the 

proportion of crops produced that are sold 

Crop % Sold % Consumed 

Groundnut 

Cassava 

Maize 

Beans 

Millet 

Guinea corn 

Agushie 

98 

95 

80 

80 

80 

90 

90 

2 

5 

20 

20 

20 

10 

10 


J138 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Yam 30 70 

 


Challenges faced by the farmers are, unavailability of credit facility, 

irregular rainfall pattern and lack of ready market for their produce. 



Fishing is done by a few Malians and Ewes. 

Location/availability of fish 

Fishing rights (If this is similar across villages do not repeat – just indicate 

differences.) Summarise from Chiefs and Fishing FGD) 

Fishing methods 

Supply chain 

Challenges 



There are 15 serious hunters in the village who consider hunting their primary 

profession. Most of the hunters are Mo (10 people) though some are Dagarti (5 

people). 

Professional settler hunters MUST get permission from the chief before they 

set out to hunt and must give the chief a portion of anything they catch no 

matter how small. 

Most hunters also farm. Hunting contributes less and less income these days 

because of the national park and the fact that there are fewer animals than 

before. Even for a serious hunter, farming now gives him about a third of his 

total income (30%). 

 


They hunt all over the area but the best hunting is done near the river where 

the vegetation is thickest i.e. inside the park. Outside the park one can only 

find grass cutters. Sometimes they even cross the river onto Banda land inside 

the park. They are hunting less and less in the park because of the hassle from 

the game and wildlife staff. 

The dry season is the main hunting season. Then it is easier to hunt near water 

courses where the animals go to drink. 

There are fewer animals than before. This is because of the population 

increase, more land being farmed and more and more hunters moving to the 

area (there are more hunters in Banda Nkwanta and Teselima). Animals are 

most abundant in the gallery forest close to the river in the park. 

Serious hunters use guns and dogs. Farmers only use traps (wire snares) on 

their farms. 


J139 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Hunters travel as much as 8 miles in a day and may go on a 4 day hunting 

expedition. They will travel in groups of 5 with extra labourers to carry the 

game. 

They have all seen lion (direct sighting), spotted hyena (direct sighting) and 

dwarf crocodiles (direct sighting) in the last five years. They don’t know of 

any large bat colonies. 

 



All hunters whether indigenes or not, must give the village chief a portion of 

their hunt if they catch certain large animals (antelope or larger). Indigenes 

don’t need permission to hunt. Settlers don’t need permission for animals they 

catch incidentally, but must still give the chief a portion of their larger kills 

even if they are incidental. 

 


Mostly grass cutter and small antelope but sometimes buffalo, large antelopes, 

bush pig, monitor lizard and monkeys are the target of hunting. 

 

Challenges (including those from the proposed dam 



 


The NTFPs collected are: sheanut and dawadawa. 

 


They are collected from the farms and the forest. Although they grow in the 

wild, they are seasonal products. Dawadawa and the sheanut, which is 

processed into sheabutter, are for both subsistence and commercial purposes. 



Supply chain 


Competition 

Challenges 



J140 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA





herbalist 



1 clinic 

1 health volunteer 

2 TBA 

2 Herbalists 

42. No of communal wells/ hand pumps No communal wells 

7 hand pumps 

43. Mosque/ church/ other religious places 2 mosques 1 under construction 

4 churches (Roman catholic, Christ 

Apostolic, Methodist and Presbyterian 

church) 

44. Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest areas) 1 graveyard with separate sections for 

Christians Moslems and traditionalists 



None. They utilize the services of the 

Bamboi Police Stations 

46. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls specify 1 football field at the primary school 

compound. No playground. 



3 wayside food sellers (who sell banku, 

kenkey and porridge) 

48. Town Hall/ Community centre N/A. They meet under a mango tree near 

the chief’s house. 



50. 

Does the village have a permanent market, no of stalls? 



located? 


instead] 




1 kerosene shop, 1 chemical (drug) shop, 

1 drinking bar (pub), 8 provision 

(grocery) shops. 

N/A 

N/A 

Banda Nkwanta (Mondays), Techiman 

(Thursdays, Wednesdays), Bamboi 

(Saturdays) 

N/A. They go to Wenchi or Bole 

1 Benz bus and a KIA mini truck. 

Regularity (how often?) The vehicles set off at 5am and return at 

6pm everyday except Sundays. 

Route (from village to where) Gyama- Banda Nkwanta- Techiman 



1 battery for generating solar energy 



to use. 



Pigs, goats fowls, cows, ducks 



1 KIA mini truck, 1 Benz bus, 5 motor 


bicycles and 90 bicycles 

Others 


J141 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



56. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come from? Solar energy powered by batteries. 

57. Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ charcoal Fuels wood, kerosene 


river 





6 hand pumps 

3 long drop toilets for the community 

6 places designated for garbage disposal 




61. 

School 







1 Primary School (primary 1 – 6) and a 

Kindergarten. 

1 Junior secondary school (J.S.S 1 – 3) 

 




N/A. They go to Bole, Techiman or 

Sunyani. 


Morbidity 

Cholera outbreak is frequently experienced in the community especially 

in August, during the rainy season. 

 

Mortality 

The main causes of death in the community are fever and convulsion 

(among the children). 

 

Lifestyle 

Smoking is not a common phenomenon in the community. About 40 men, 

from age 25 and above smoke cigarette. 

About 80% of the population, from 25 years and above drink alcohol. Some 

of the adolescents however, take alcohol during funeral rites. Others 

habitually take alcohol before meals. 

 



J142 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The community has a Health Post with maternity services. 

Although they patronise the facility, they are not satisfied with the services 

provided there because there is no doctor or Medical Assistant at the Post, 

lack of essential drugs and lack of refrigerators to store some of the essential 

drugs. 

Generally, the cost of health care services is affordable in the community. 

Majority of the people are able to afford health care services at the health post. 

There is no specific group that cannot afford health care services. 

Occasionally, those who cannot afford heath care services at the health post 

buy drugs from the chemist or resort to herbal medicine. 

From time to time health workers visit the community to vaccinate the 

children against childhood killer diseases. 




Attitudes 

Expectations about the dam are high. This is demonstrated by the following 

statements from the community members: People will get lots of 

employment; roads will be tarred; Farmers will get better markets for their 

foodstuff; Many people will come to buy and sell and this will improve the 

economy. On the other hand, land will be lost and much disease will come, 

but the benefits outweigh the negatives. They know they will loose some land 

but they think it will not be too much. The chief thinks most of it will be his 

own family land. 

“When will the project happen? We have been waiting for a long time”. 

 

Effects 

Construction of the dam has both positive and negative effects on their 

livelihood. The dam when constructed will give them access to electricity but 

on the other hand, some members of the community will lose their farm lands. 



In terms of where they would like people to move to, they have not yet 

decided where the settlers will be moved to but they have some ideas. They 

don’t think it will be problematic since the settlers are not many. The 

Lucene/Loga people will be resettled next to other Dagarti people already 

living in Gyama. The Ewe’s will be moved together to another location 

elsewhere on the river (downstream?). The Mos will come back to Gyama. 


J143 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


the FGDs) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Electricity 

Support for farming – The youth no longer want to farm because it 

involves too much labour. Mechanisation would make farming more 

attractive. 

Road improvement – their road is bad. 

Poverty alleviation fund – to help people enlarge their farms 

Health clinic staff – at the moment it has no staff and is a white elephant. 

Repair broken down bridge that leads to the village 

Provision of credit facilities to farmers 

Provision of potable water 

Village profile for Wasipe 

Village GPS reading: Way point 030 Elevation 657ft 

N 08 0 32.562' 

W 02 0 12.437' 


Dated: 25:04:2006 



J144 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA





The chief of Wasipe reports to the Bole Na (Paramount chief of Bole).Wasipe 

chief does not have sub chiefs because he does not have the power to enskin a 

chief. 

The Tinga Assembly member represents the community (Wasipe) at the 

District Assembly (Bole-Bamboi District).There is however, a unit committee 

member in the community. 

The chief is consulted on the District development plans or projects. 

Table 1 


62. Name of Chief Mahama Langa 

63. Name of District Assembly Member - 

64. Name of Unit Committee Member William Daplah 

65. Name and village of Paramount chief Bole Naa, Bole 




The Wasipe land belongs to the Gonjas.The Dargartis settled on the land 

around 1945 from Jirapa for farming activities. 

The dam project will not negatively affect livelihoods because the people do 

not work around the river. 




The Catholic Christian Mother’s Association and the Christ Apostolic 

Women’s Fellowship are the main groups in the community. 





The total population of Wasipe is 300 with 20 households. 

There are four main ethnic groups comprising; 


J145 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Gonjas-7(It is only the chief and his household who are the Gonjas in the 

community) 

Dargartis-243 

Lobis (from the Ivory Coast)-30 

Fulanis (from Burkina Faso)-20 

The village was established by the Gonjas but they left to Daboya and the 

Dargartis settled there after the World War II. Only 2.3% of the population of 

the community are natives. The rest (97.7%) are settlers. 

The three major religions in the community are; Christianity, Islam and 

Traditional religion. Christianity has over 100 followers followed by the 

Islam (27) and the traditionalists (20). 

The population has decreased over the years because the inhabitants are 

migrants who keep on moving from place to place for farming activities. 

The Fulani herdsmen from Niger occasionally come to the community in 

search of grazing grounds for their cattle and spend some few months. 

Table 2 

Demographics 






71. Ethnic groups, number of people in each group (approx) Gonja – 7 Dagarti -243 



73. No of disabled people - 

74. What is the native ethnic group that founded the village? Gonja 

Lobi - 30 Fulani -20 

Christians (84%) Traditional religion 

(9%) and Moslems (6.6%) 





groups. 



J146 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Farming and herding of cattle are the main occupations in the community. 

The Dargartis dominate in the farming activities although few of them have 

cattle. The Fulanis are mostly cattle herders. 

Table 3 


75. Farming (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is 98% 

a primary occupation) 

76. Fishing (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is a N/A 

primary occupation) 

77. Hunting (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is 1% 

a primary occupation) 

78. Trading (indicate approx. no of people for whom this is 1% 

a primary occupation ) 

79. Formal employment (government OR private) (indicate 6(primary school teachers) 

approx. no of people) 

Teacher 

Health worker I health volunteer 

Church worker 2 ( 1 for Roman catholic and 

1 for Christ Apostolic church) 


Private company employee 1 (commercial vehicle driver) 



N/A 

Carpentry N/A 

Plumber N/A 

Mechanic N/A 

Electrician N/A 

Welder N/A 

Typist N/A 

Seamstress/tailor 1 tailor 

Other 1 hairdresser and 2 barbers. 


 

Profile 

All lands in the community belong to the Bole Na and the Wasipe chief is the 

custodian. Land is not sold in the community to either the natives or the 

settlers. There is an informal agreement on the use of land between Wasipe 

chief and the land users. At the end of the year the land users give a certain 

quantity of their proceeds or produce to the chief as an appreciation for the 

use of the land. 





J147 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



herbalist 



N/A. 

They go to Tinga health centre 

1 health volunteer 

83. No of communal wells/ hand pumps 1 hand pump ( has broken down so they 

use stream, ‘Yerede’) 

84. Mosque/ church/ other religious places No mosque. 2 churches (A Roman 

Catholic and Christ apostolic churches) 

85. Graveyard/other sacred locations (e.g sacred forest areas) 3 graveyards. 



N/A. They go to the Bamboi Police 

station. 

87. Football field/ play ground/ other playing area – pls specify 1 football field and 1 playground near the 

chief’s house. 



No village restaurant. 5 road side food 

sellers. 

89. Town Hall/ Community centre No town hall/community centre 

They meet at the chief’s house or the 

school. 



91. 

Does the village have a permanent market, no of stalls? 



located? 


instead] 




3 grocery shops (they sell detergents, 

stationery, provisions, batteries, 

cigarettes etc.) 

Yes with 3 Stalls. 

Monday and Fridays 3 stalls 

They also got to Tinga market (Fridays) 

and Techiman (Tuesday to Fridays) 

markets. 

N/A. They save with Bole bank and the 

Roman Catholic Credit Union at Tinga 

1 (Datsun) mini bus 

Regularity (how often?) 8am-5pm everyday except Sundays 

Route (from village to where) Wasipi – Tinga 





to use. 






Others 

3 bedroom teachers quarters, chief’s 

palace, 1 hand pump. 

Cows, goats, sheep, pigs, fowls, guinea 

fowl, ducks, 

1 Datsun mini bus, 1 motor bike. 99% of 

villagers have bicycles 



97. Does the village have electricity? Where does this come from? No electricity. They sometimes use solar 

light. 

98. Type of cooking fuel: gas/ kerosene/ fuel wood/ charcoal Firewood kerosene ,charcoal 


J148 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


river 



1 hand pump (broken down). They use 

stream water for cooking, drinking, 

washing and bathing . 

No toilet facility in the community. 1 

long drop toilet for the school. 



Garbage is disposed off anywhere 

available. 




102. 

School 







1 primary School (P1 –P6), 3 

classrooms, no kindergarten. 

No Junior School. They go to Tinga 

Junior Secondary School. 

 




No Senior Secondary School. They go 

to Bole 




 

Effects 

They do not expect any negative effects on their livelihoods because all their 

farm lands are not close to the river. The land around the river is a forest 

reserve where they are not allowed to encroach. 

They however anticipate that the dam project will bring along a lot of people 

to the area which invariably will open up the place for rapid development. 


the FGDs) 

Some of the key issues the people enumerated which could speed up the 

development of the community are; 

23. Provision of Potable water: lack of potable water in the 

community deprives them of teaching staff at the basic school 

because none of the teachers wants to live in a community 

where there is no water. This affects their children’s education. 


J149 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The only stream in the community dries up during the dry 

season and the women and children always have to dig the 

water way to scoop water from the ground. 

24. Construction of dam for irrigation. The rainfall pattern in the 

area is generally poor and to be able to cultivate large areas of 

the land all year round, they need a dam. 


26. Farm implements(Tractors and spraying machines) 


J150 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J6 




Date: March 21, 2006 

1. Name of village: Abofoakura/Ahomansia 

Names of Participants: Osei Yaw – Chief, Fatawo Sisala, Nana Kwabena 

Yeboah , Kofi Woduzo, Alewu Dasiamo, Kodjoe Samabia, Bob Sedi, 

Yaw Datoo, George Napadel, ethus Saanazaa, Kwaku Siama, Kojo 

Peryere, Bilbi Tokoliya, Kwaku John (operator), Effia Dagati, Afia 

Comfort, Mumuni Sissala, Djanabu Abu, Kwame Abodjese, Kojo 

Kyereme, Akusua Maanu. 

Names of Team members conducting the discussion: J. Boateng Agyenim & J. 

K. E. Kowfie 



dam. 



The village was founded by Kwabina Bofoah, a Banda who came from 

Banda Ahenkro in 1978. He was a hunter and a farmer. He settled there 

primarily to do hunting hence the name of the village Abofoakura (the 

village of hunters).The two villages were treated as one because they have 

the same chief and they consider themselves as one community. The fisher 

folks use 6” nets when the river is at high tide, that is why the place is 

referred to as “Ahomansia”. 

J6.2 



J6.3 

About one third (1/3) 32% of the population are natives and two-thirds 

(2/3) are settlers. 



there? 


J151 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

The population of the village is 115. There are twenty-eight households. 

These are 

- Banda - 7 

- Ewe - 5 

- Dagarti - 13 

- Sissala - 3 

Total Households 28 



There are four different ethnic groups in the village (Banda, Ewe, Sissala 

and Dagarti). They are all Ghanaians. 


Banda founded the village 



The village has close ties with the people of Fawoman. For some it is just 

because of proximity; for others it is because of family relations. 


Religion: Moslem -10%; Christians -80% (Roman Catholics-50% and 

African Faith Tabernacle- 30%); Traditionalists - 10% 


years? Why? 

The population of the village has increased over the last ten years due to 

- Influx of Dagarti relatives 

- Increase in birth rate 


from and why? 

Dagarti relatives have come from the North to farm there. 



They report to Nana Sito I – Chief of Banda Ahenkro (the paramount chief 

of Banda). 

17. Are you part of an association? What is it called? (E.g. women’s savings 

groups? Hunters association? Etc). What are the benefits of being a 

member? 

The association in the village is a Pito Brewers group. There are only three 

members in the association. They are able to fix the price of their product 

like a cartel. 


J152 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


Natives pay contribution as citizens of Banda and settlers pay rent to the 

Lands Department. Settlers also donate thirty (30) tubers of yam and one 

cock during yam festivals. 




The main jobs of the people are farming, fishing, charcoal burning, and trading 




Besides farming and fishing other activities are: 

- Traders - 14 

- Hairdressers - 1 

- Seamstress - 1 

- Tailor - 1 

- Bicycle repairer - 1 

- Chain saw operator 1 




For fishermen they get 60% of their income from fishing while the farmers have 

90% of their income from farming. 

How many people in the village are in formal employment with a salary? 

There is no one in formal employment in the village 



Traders - 14 

Hairdressers - 1 


Tailor - 1 

Bicycle repairer - 1 

Chain saw operator 1 


J153 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J6.7 FISHING 

J6.7.1 




There are ten (10) fishermen in the village. Livestock in the village are goats, 

sheep and pigs. 



One specific group do the fishing. These are Ewes. 


these from? 

They use line and cast net. They use traps to fish around August to November. 

Hooks are used all year round. 

Sizes of nets are 2” and 3”. When the river is at high tide they use a 6” net that is 

why they got the name “Ahomansia” for the village. Fishing 

inputs are bought at Kumasi. 


Fishermen here do not use chemicals 


They use traps to fish around August to November. Hooks are used all year 

round. 


Every canoe has about three (3) people. They also fish with their children. There 

is also one-man-fisherman. 


On a smaller scale 



Fishermen fish overnight. Formerly the fishing expedition could last more than 

week. 

J6.7.2 




Downstream, they fish up to Bamboi and upstream up to Bator Akenyakrom 



They fish anywhere except in the protected park 


J154 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


Dry season fishing is limited to where the river is deep enough for easy 

movement of their canoe or else traps are mainly use. 



There are no alternatives to where they arefishing. 


The catch of fish has reduced drastically over the last ten (10) years by half of what 

was caught. 


Varieties of fish caught are: akaw, brukusu, electric fish, odo, pitre, eduakokor, 

abadie, abongo, apatre, obro, crocodile, kokochidhi. 

The fishermen sometimes consume all their catch during lean season 


Now the fishes caught are smaller in sizes than it was 10 years ago. 


Peak season for catching fish is from January – February. About ¢8,000,000.00 per 

week could be the catch during this period. 

In March to May lean season about ¢300,000.00 per week may be the income. 




Peak season for catching fish is from January – February. About ¢8,000,000.00 per 

week could be the catch during this period. 

In March to May lean season about ¢300,000.00 per week may be the income. 




The fishermen sometimes consume all their catch during lean season but during 

the peak season the family may consume one-fifth of catch 

J6.7.3 Fishing Supply Chain 


The women resell the catch after having bought the fish from their husbands. 

They send them to markets in Bamboi on Saturday, Subinso, Wenchi and 

Fawoman on Wednesdays. 


Smoked fish is transported in trucks to the marketing centres but this must be 

conveyed by head loads or bicycles to Fawoman before finding a truck to 

transport it to the centres 


J155 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


The women normally smoke and fry the fish. Spoilt ones are usually salted. 




J6.8.1 

Farming 


75% of the people engage in farming as the primary source of their income. 

25% depend on other livelihood support system (LSS). All the tribes 

engage in farming. The Sissalas are charcoal burners and the Ewes are 

noted for fishing. 


Crops grown include yam, maize, pepper, okra, egushie and cassava 



Dagarti are more involved in farming than the others. 



For both consumption and for selling: yam-40% for consumption and 60% 

for sale; 30% of maize for consumption and 70% for selling; 10% of pepper 

for consumption and 90% for selling. Cassava and okra are mainly for 

consumption but 80% of egushie is sold 

J6.8.2 



Flooding normally affect crops which are near the banks of the river. 


river? 

Average farm land affected by flood is two-thirds (2/3). 


Even though floods destroy crops when it subsides, crops planted there have 

higher yields than those planted uplands. 


J156 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




Maize, okra and pepper 


crops? 

The production of such crops will go down and even the productivity will be 

negatively affected 

J6.8.3 




Shea nut, dawadawa, honey and thatch 



From farmlands and forest about 2km from the river 


Portion of shea nut, dawadawa and thatch are for subsistence 


Honey and portion of shea nut 



- No credit to purchase fishing inputs and farming inputs. 

- Poor access roads 


Positives 

- market for produce 

- electricity for commercial activities 

- school 

- road network improvement 

- borehole 

Negatives 

- Thieves would frequent the communities 

- Diseases like HIV/AIDS, STDs will be on the increase 


J157 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



why? 

NA 


NA 




- Road 

- School 

- Borehole 

- Clinic 


J158 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J7 




11. Date: March 20, 2006 

12. Name of village: Brewohodi 

Names of Participants : Nana Kobina Tawiah, Victor Kotonu, Senyor 

Dogon, Effia Dagarti, Theresa Dagarti, Ugen Kundor, Philip Kundor, 

13. Names of Team members conducting the discussion: J. Boateng Agyenim 

& J. K. E. Kowfie 



dam. 



J7.2 THEY CAME FROM BUI TO SETTLE AND DO FARMING OVER 65 YEARS AGO 

(AROUND 1941). 



J7.3 ONLY ONE PERSON (A BANDA) IS A NATIVE;63(EWES AND DAGARTIS) ARE 

SETTLERS 



there? 

There are sixty-four (64) people in the village and fifteen (15) households 



The ethnic groups are: Ewe, Banda, and Dagarti. They are all Ghanaians. 


The Bandas founded the village 



They have close ties with Bui, Bongase, Bator Akenyakrom, and 

Agbelekame South. Some have family ties and others have married from 

there. They celebrate festivals together and are also involved in doing 

funerals together 


There are 95% Christians [Roman Catholics and Anglicans] and 5% idol 


J159 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Worshippers 


years? Why? 

The population has increased due to marriages and immigration by people 

looking for farm lands. 


from and why? 

People have come from Bui Akenyakrom and Agbelekame south to farm 



The people of Brewohodi report to the Bui Chief, Nana Yaw Manu IV 



member? 



They pay rent of ¢100,000.00 per annum to the Lands department and also 

contribute thirty (30) tubers of yam and a cock to Bui Chief, during annual 

festivals 




The people of Brewohodi are both farmers and fishermen. Crops grown are: Yam, 

cassava, garden egg, okro, egushie, groundnut and beans. 




They engage in farming, petty trading, distilling of “akpeteshie” (local gin), and 

do masonry. These are carried out often during the lean season for fishing. 




For the Ewes who do fishing 80% of their income comes from fishing and 20% 

from farming. The others do not receive anything from fishing but receive 100% of 

their income from farming. 


There are no formal employees in the village. 


J160 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



Only two women engage in trading 

J7.7 FISHING 

J7.7.1 




Three men are engaged in fishing 



The Ewes are the fishermen. They fish up to Agbelekame down stream and Bator 

Akenyakrom up stream 


these from? 

Fishing methods used are: nets (2”, 3” ¼ “, 4” & 5”), hooks, traps, and line nets 


No chemical are used in fishing 


From November – January, line nets are used. From May hooks and traps are 

used 


Fishing is done individually ( at times with their children). 


Fishing is done but not on a scale as large as those done in rainy season 



This can last between one day and three days. In the past it could even last for a 

week or ten days. 

J7.7.2 




They fish up to Agbelekame down stream and Bator Akenyakrom up stream. 



They can fish anywhere except in the protected areas i.e. upstream where the 

reserved park is. 


During rainy season there is no change but in the dry season it is limited to areas 

where there is enough water in the river. 


J161 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



No other area unless we are settled close to Tain river but the catch could be less 

than what could have been caught in the Black Volta 


The influx of more fishermen has decreased the stock of fish. Again other ethnic 

groups who did not formally fish are now engaged in the fishing business. 

The use of small wire mesh size is also responsible for depleting the fish stock. 


pitre, gearbox (kokochichi), akweibi, electric fish, yerefo, dod, akaw, akosombo, 

abadiea. 


They are now catching smaller sizes of fish 


In the peak season from November – March the catch per week could be 

¢2,000,000.00. In the lean season from April – August the catch per week could be 

¢200,000.00 




Same as above 




The fishermen consume 40% of their catch and sell 60%. 

J7.7.3 



The fishermen sell their catch direct to buyers from Sunyani, Wenchi, 

Techiman and Banda Ahenkro. Sometimes the men sell the fish to their wives 

who in turn send the fish to the market centres to look for better prices 


It is transported in KIA pick up cars from the village to the market centres 


Fish is preserved by smoking. This is done by both men and women.They only 

salt fish when it is going bad. 



In the lean season all is sold fresh but in the peak season greater portion is 

smoked. 


J7.8.1 

Farming 



J162 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

About fifteen people (23.4%) are seriously involved in farming. Livestock 

are not reared in the village. 


Yam, cassava, garden egg, okro, egushie, groundnut and beans. 



The Dagartis are more engaged in farming than the Ewes and Banda 



Produce % Consumption % Sales 

Yam 

Groundnut 

Cassava 

Pepper 

Egushie 

Okro 

33 ½ 

40 

40 

10 

15 

100 

67 

60 

60 

80 

85 

0 

J7.8.2 



Flooding does not affect their farms although some of the lands get flooded 

during the rainy season. Such lands are cultivated after the floods. 


river? 





J7.8.3 

Crops like okro, pepper do well near the river (the floodplains after the 

floods). 


crops? 

The yield of the crops grown there will go down. 




Products gathered are: sheanut, dawadawa, honey, mushroom, wild gardeneggs.These 

products can be collected by anybody provided those are not picked 


J163 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

from somebody’s farm. 



Both forest and farmlands 


Sheanut: - 10% is consumed; 90% is sold 

Dawadawa - 30% is consumed; 70% is sold 

Honey - 60% is sold; 40% consumed 


See above 



Problems of Fishing 

- torrents capsize canoes often 

- use of chemicals by non-fishermen to catch fish 

- illegal miners pollute the river which affect fish catch 

Problems of Farming 

- 


- There would be influx of people which would bring value to farm 

produce 

- Easy access to the other side of the river 

- Employment opportunities for the youth. 

- Stealing 

- Prices of foodstuff would rise 



why? 

The people of Brewohodi want to be resettled at Bongase which is just 1.6 

km away from where they are now. This is to enable them engaged in both 

farming and fishing 


Starting life all over again at a different location is not a welcomed news 

Provision of accommodation may not be as expected (timeliness) 

New relationships to be created at the new environment may not be easy. 


J164 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




- Farming and fishing equipments should be available 

- Chemicals to control crop pests 

- Borehole (potable water) 

- Road network 


J165 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J8 




2. Date : March 20, 2006 

3. Name of village: Dam Site 

Names of Participants: Felecia Nyaayor , Grace Tobogye, Mansa Dodovi, 

Charity Nyaayor, Kodjoe Adoble ,Kofi Nyaayor 

4. Names of Team members conducting the discussion: J. Boateng Agyenim 

& J. K. E. Kowfie 



dam. 



They migrated from Bope near the reserve about 60 years ago (around 1946). 

They came to do fishing but they now do subsistence farming. 

J8.2 



J8.3 

They are all settlers 



there? 

There are forty-two (42) people in the village comprising five (5) 

households. 



One ethnic group- all Ewes 


The Ewes founded the village. 



They have close ties with neighbouring villages like Bui – who are their 


J166 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

landlords; Agbegikuro – their relatives and Brewohodi who are their closest 

neighbours (about 0.4km away). They have cordial relationship because 

they socialise together. 


The inhabitants are all Christians but there is no church building there. tho 

Their denominations are: 

Presbyterians (they fellowship at Bui Camp) 

Apostolic (they fellowship at Agbegikuro) 


years? Why? 

Their population has decreased because most have left for their home town 


from and why? 

There have not been any migrations into the area. 



They report to Nana Kojo Nyaayor of Agbegikuro but their landlord is 

the Bui Chief (Banda). 



member? 

They have two (2) associations in the village: Fishermen Association and 

Groundnut Growers Association 


They do not pay rent to the Bui Chief but the lands department collect 

¢100,000.00 per annum from them 




They mainly fishermen but do subsistence farming 





J167 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Besides fishing the do petty trading, process cassava into gari, kenkey making, 

seam stressing. 




Two-thirds (2/3) of their income come from fishing and one-third (1/3) from 

farming. In the lean season of fishing, though the catch goes down the proportion 

of income does not change because they don’t sell most of their produce. 


There is no formal employee in the village, but a lady has been casually engaged 

by Meteorological Service to read their rain-gauge instrument. 



Other businesses engaged in are: 

- Hairdresser - 1 

- Seamstress - 1 

J8.7 FISHING 

J8.7.1 




There are three (3) men including their wives and three (3) children who are 

involved in fishing. 



They are all Ewes and all do fishing 


these from? 

Fishing methods used are: line net, cast net, hooks, traps. 


No chemical is used to fish in the village. 


From May – June traps are normally used in fishing, when the river volume 

has increased. When the river subsides they use line net. 


Fishing is done individually and not in groups. 


J168 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




Maximum time spent on fishing expedition is about five (5) days. This is shorter 

than it used to be. When there was abundant fish they could go on fishing for 

two weeks or more ,stay in a nearby village fish and sell the catch before 

returning to their village 

J8.7.2 




They fish down stream up to Bamboi and upstream up to Bator Akenyakrom. 

They do not go beyond Bator because of the forest reserve. 



Anyone can fish anywhere except in the protected park 


During rainy season they fish anywhere. But during the dry season the river cuts 

into ponds so fishing is limited to where the volume of water in the river is 

enough for the easy movement of their canoe. They sometimes go where there are 

big fishes and spend about three (3) days. 



We may be able to fish near Bamboi downstream. But we will limited because we 

may not have the option of moving from Bamboi when the catch is not enough. 



Species of fishes currently available are: akeavi, yerefo (nsomuhene), akew ‘avoo’, 

odo, agbesene, takra, ekuaadjoa. 


Sizes have reduced but the fishermen could not really explain why sizes of fishes 

have decreased over the last ten years. 


Peak season – catch per week - ¢10,000,000 (Nov – Feb.) 

Lean season – catch per week - ¢100,000.00 (March – July) 


J169 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




See above 




The fishermen and their families consume one-third (1/3) and sell two-thirds (2/3) 

of their catch and sometimes (during lean season) they consume all depending on 

the catch. 

J8.7.3 



If the catch is brought home from a fishing expedition it is sold to the wife 

who sells it fresh or processes it, transports it and sell at market centre. In 

some cases the men sell the catch before they return from the expedition. The 

women either make profits & losses. If profit is made it is used to support 

family upkeep. 


It is transported by trucks from the village to the market centres like Wenchi 

and Sampa. 


Fish is preserved by smoking or salting. This is often done by the women. 



In the lean season almost all are sold fresh but in the peak season a greater 

portion is smoked 


J8.8.1 

Farming 


They are all involved in subsistence farming. 


Crops grown are maize, cassava, groundnut, yam, okra and tomatoes. 



All are Ewes 



They do not sell any of these products except groundnuts which about 


J170 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

90% are sold 

J8.8.2 



Flooding, when it does occur, destroys their crops during rainy season. But 

they do not farm very close to the river so flooding farms is minimal 


river? 


The land gets enough water so even in the dry season some farming can still 

go on in the floodplain 





crops? 

J8.8.3 




Products collected are: sheanut, dawadawa 



These are collected from farmlands about 3.2 km – 4.8km away from the 

settlement. 


They are used purely for subsistence. 




- Some portion of the river is really rough which poses a serious 

threat to life 


J171 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

- Hippopotamus threaten fishermen 

- Crocodiles destroy fishing nets 


- More fish would be caught 

- Farmlands would be destroyed 



why? 

The people of Dam Site would want to be resettled close to Agbegikuro 

due to the family ties between them. 


Their expectations are that 

- Transportation problem facing them would ease 

- Employment avenues would be created 

- Better educational facilities provided 

- But relocation itself is painful. 




- Borehole (potable water) 

- School 


J172 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J9 




Date: March 19, 2006 

5. Name of village: Loga (Lucena) 

Names of Participants: Kwaku Mwinbong, Dikunmeni Tingabong, 

Nebasibg beyuwo, Marcellius kampopare, Madamasori zu, 

Tanselie ba 

Names of Team members conducting the discussion: J. Boateng Agyenim & J. 

K. E. Kowfie 



dam. 



J9.2 

They are all settlers who came from Jirapa about 20 years ago (around 1986). 

The real name of the village is Loga. The first man who came to settle there 

is called Lucena who is over 80 years old and still alive. He has now moved 

to Tinga. The most elderly person in the village now is Tanselie Bayo who is 

over 75 years old. They came purposely for farming. 



J9.3 

They are all settlers 



there? 

There are forty three (43) people in the village with six (6) households. 



The only ethnic group is the Dagarti. 


Dagarti 


J173 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA



They have close ties with the people of Gyama (Jama) who are their 

landlords. 


The inhabitants are all Christians – Roman Catholics. 


years? Why? 

The population has decreased over the last ten (10) years because people in 

the village have migrated due to decreasing farming lands. 


from and why? 

No 



The people of Lucena (Loga) report to the Gyama chief 



member? 



The initial rent they were paying was c 10,000.00 per annum but this amount 

has increased over the years to the present annual rate of c60, 000.00. There 

is the anticipation of a further increase. Additionally, they give twenty (20) 

tubers of yam and a cock to the chief of Gyama during his annual yam 

festival. 




The main job is farming; other jobs are hunting, pito brewing, and shea butter 

extraction. Five (5) people do temporary hunting. 




See above 


J174 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA





There are no formal employees in the village. 



Other businesses are; 

Hairdresser - 1 


These people come to work in the village during occasions like Christmas and 

Easter and Yam festivals. 

J9.7 FISHING 

J9.7.1 




No fisherman in this community 



NA 


these from? 


NA 


NA 


NA 


NA 



NA 


J175 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J9.7.2 




NA 
















J9.7.3 



NA 






J176 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


J9.8.1 

Farming 


The entire community is engaged in farming. 


Crops grown are; yam, cassava, maize, millet, beans, groundnut, egushie, 

rice and cashew. These crops are planted every year. 



They are all Dagarti 



Maize - 30% consumption, 70% for selling 

yam - 50% consumption, 50% for selling 

cashew -100% for selling 

It differs from crop to crop. 

J9.8.2 



The village is flooded during the rainy season and most houses are destroyed. 

When flooding does not occur in a particular year, crops really do well. 

Examples, millet, maize, egushie and tomatoes. 

Rice in particular does well during flooding. 


river? 

If flooding occurs almost all farms are flooded 


It gives high yields. 




Millet, maize, rice, egushie and tomatoes. 


crops? 

The production of these four crops will be negatively affected but the other 

crops (yam, cassava, beans, groundnut and cashew) are going to be better and 

yields will improve 


J177 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J9.8.3 




The main products are, dawadawa, shea nut, and thatch 

These products are not sent outside the village for sale. 



These are collected from farms within about three (3) kilometre radius of the 

village. 


Dawadawa and shea nut are for both subsistence and for selling. Thatch is for 

subsistence. 


Which one gets to the market depends on the yield in a particular year. If much 

is gathered then some are sold. In such situations buyers come to the village to 

buy them. 



The key problem facing farmers in the village is the erratic rainfall pattern 


There will be ready market for farm products. 

If irrigation is included in the project then there could be all year round 

farming 

Access roads improvement 

Better treated drinking water 

Employment opportunities for the youth 

Electricity for other productive activities in the area to reduce poverty 

levels 



why? 

The people of Lucena are prepared to be resettled anywhere they can still 

do their farming. 


Lost of all cashew which will take a lot years to establish again 

Provision of appropriate accommodation at the right time should be given 

priority. 

It will be hard resettling in a new environment to establish new 

relationships 


J178 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA




Potable water (borehole) 

Access road. 


J179 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

J10 




6. Date : March 21, 2006 

7. Name of village: Obaah Akurase 

8. Names of Participants: Eta Dagarti, Jato Dagarti , Kwabena Krah, Ekua 

Dagarti 

Names of Team members conducting the discussion: J. Boateng Agyenim & 

J.K.E. Kwofie 



dam. 



J10.2 ONE MR. OBAAH ESTABLISHED THE VILLAGE TO ENGAGE IN FARMING ABOUT 

40 YEARS AGO – 1966. HE CAME FROM BANDA AHENKRO AND WAS LATER JOINED 

BY OTHER BANDAS. 



J10.3 THERE ARE 44.1% (15) NATIVES AND 55.9% (19) SETTLERS. 



there? 

There are thirty-four (34) people in the village with seven (7) households, 



There are three (3) ethnic groups namely: 

- Banda - 15 (male :4 fe: 4 chn: 7 ) 

- Dagarti - 18 (m: 3 f: 2 chn: 13) 

- Sissala - 1 (m: 1 f: 0 chn: 0) 


The Bandas founded the village 



They have close ties with Bongase and Banda Ahenkro. Some have relatives 

and others married from those communities. They celebrate funerals and 

festivals with them 


J180 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA


All the inhabitants are traditionalists. 


years? Why? 

The population has decreased over the last ten (10) years due to high death 

rate and the departure of other inhabitants to their home towns as a result 

of disturbances from floods. 


from and why? 

There has been emigration due to disturbances from floods 



Obaah Akurase is under the paramount chief of Banda Ahenkro – Nana 

Sito II. 



member? 



The settlers pay rent of c20, 000.00 to the lands department per annum. 




The main job in the village is farming 




Besides farming two (2) women brew pito and one man is an electrician but 

does not practise it. Even though they are just 100m away from the black volta 

they do not fish. 




About 98% of income is from farming and 2% from pito brewing 



J181 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Nobody in the village is in formal employment 



One bicycle repairer and one pit brewer 

J10.7 FISHING 

J10.7.1 




NA 




these from? 







J10.7.2 











J182 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA










J10.7.3 








J10.8.1 

Farming 


The entire community is involved in farming 


Crops grown are: Groundnut, Bambara beans, Millet, Maize, Yam, 

Cassava, Egushie, Cashew, Beans, Pepper, Okra. 

Main crops are yam, cassava and egushie 



Farming is the major for every group there. 



Crops grown are for consumption and for sale. 

Yam: two-thirds for sale; One-third for consumption 


J183 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Maize: two-thirds for sale; One-third for consumption 

Egushie: 100% sale 

J10.8.2 



Yes, Flooding made them leave the previous settlement for the present place 

when their houses were totally destroyed. 


river? 

During flooding one –third of maize and vegetable farms are taken over by 

water 


When the floods subsides crops grow better on the floodplains 



Maize and egushie output from the floodplains are higher than land away 

from the river. 


Yes, maize, egushie and vegetables (okra and pepper) 


crops? 

Yam, cassava, groundnut, okra, and cashew may do better but the yields of 

pepper, maize and egushie may go down drastically 

J10.8.3 




Products collected are: sheanut, honey, mushroom, pestles for pounding 

fufu, thatch and snails. 



From both farmlands and from the forest about 3km radius 


Mushroom, thatch, snails 


Sheanut and honey 

J10.8.4 

Livelihood and Potential Effects of the Bui Dam Project 


Problems with farming are: Pest infestation which affect beans and 

egushie, Poor prices for produce due to remoteness of the village and 


J184 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

inadequate credit. 


Good pricing for farm produce anticipated 

Employment avenues will be created 

Linkage of road to other villages may lead to higher production 

J10.8.5 

Resettlement (for communities to be resettled ONLY) 


why? 

To be close to Bongase or Banda Ahenkro. That will be sendig us to our 

roots and for some us just to enable us have access to land for our farming 

activities. 


Moving away from old familiar place is not easy. Going to restart life in a 

different environment can be destabilising. 

But we expect that proper provision for accommodation will be provided 

The project may open up the place for other development projects 

J10.8.6 

Key Social Problems and Development Issues 



Road 

Water (borehole) 

Farm inputs 


J185 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Annex K 

Health Baseline

K1.1 DISEASE DESCRIPTIONS 

K1.1.1 

Malaria 

Malaria is the leading cause of morbidity among the riparian communities to 

be affected by the proposed dam project. Caused by a parasite Plasmodium 

falciparum, malaria is transmitted from person to person by the female of the 

Anopheles which breeds in clear standing pools of water. 

K1.1.2 

Schistosomiasis (bilharzias) 

Schistosomiasis is caused by digenetic blood trematodes. The three main 

species infecting humans are Schistosoma haematobium, S. japonicum, and S. 

mansoni. Two other species, more localized geographically, are S. mekongi and 

S. intercalatum. The geographic distribution and pathophysiology of 

schistosomiasis reflect the unique life cycle of these parasites. Schistosomes 

infect particular species of susceptible freshwater snails in endemic areas. The 

infected snails release cercariae, which are fork-tailed free-swimming larvae 

approximately 1 mm in length. The cercariae survive in freshwater up to 48 

hours, during which time they must attach to human skin or to that of another 

susceptible host mammal or die. 

K1.1.3 

Onchocerciasis (River Blindness) 

Onchocerciasis is a parasitic disease transmitted by the bite of small black flies 

that breed in rapidly flowing streams and rivers; hence the common name of 

the disease, "river blindness." The parasites, which are small thread-like 

worms, cause intense itching, skin discoloration, rashes, and eye disease. 

Many bites are needed for infection to occur. 

Infected people harbour larva in their blood, which develop into adult worms, 

which produce thousands of offspring called microfilaria. The female black fly 

bites in search of a blood meal needed for the production of her eggs, and in 

the process she sucks microfilaria from the skin of an infected person. While in 

the fly, the microfilariae develop into infective larva, which are introduced to 

the next victim during the fly's next blood meal. 

K1.1.4 

Trypanosomiasis (Sleeping sickness) 

The parasite that causes sleeping sickness is called the trypanosome. It is 

transmitted to humans through the bite of a tsetse fly of the genus Glossina. 

Human trypanosomiasis is therefore a vector-borne parasitic disease. The 

vector is found only in Africa, between the fifteenth parallels north and south. 

Its favoured habitat is the vegetation along watercourses and lakes, forest 

edges and gallery forests, extending to vast areas of scrub savannah. 

The tsetse fly feeds on the blood of animals and humans. Once inoculated by 

an infected fly, the trypanosomes proliferate and gradually invade all the 


K2 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

organs of the host. Most of the parasites are effectively destroyed by the host's 

natural defences, but some trypanosomes manage to evade the immune 

system by modifying their surface membrane, a process known as antigenic 

variation. The trypanosome can express thousands of variants, multiplying 

with each new surface change. 

. 

K1.1.5 

Skin Diseases 

Water-washed disease occurs when water is not available for washing and 

personal hygiene. Without enough water, skin and eye infections are easily 

spread. 

K1.1.6 

Guinea-worm and Intestinal worms 

Guinea worn disease or dracunculiasis is by a parasite known as (Dracunculus 

medinensis). Humans are infected when they drink water containing infected 

copepods. Human intestinal parasitic worms infect the air, food, water, etc., 

and cause constipation, stomach bloating, disease health problems. Other 

symptoms include anaemia, asthma, diarrhoea, digestive disorders, fatigue, 

low immune system, nervousness and skin rash. 

K1.1.7 

Malnutrition 

Malnutrition can occur because of the lack of a single vitamin in the diet, or it 

can be because the person isn't getting enough food. Starvation is a form of 

malnutrition. Malnutrition can also occur when nutrients are adequately 

consumed in the diet, but one or more nutrients are not digested or absorbed 

properly. Malnutrition may be mild enough to show no symptoms or so 

severe that the damage it has done is irreversible even though the individual 

may be kept alive. 

K1.2 NATIONAL LEVEL 

K1.2.1 

Health status 

Health indicators 

According to recent WHO figures, life expectancy in Ghana (58.0 years) is high 

compared to Nigeria (45.0 years) and South Africa (49.0 years). One could 

assume that Ghana’s as a whole is among the relatively healthier ones in the 

developing world, with lower mortality rates than those of South Africa and 

Nigeria. Table K1.1 provides more detail on selected national health indicators 

for the three countries. 

Table K1.1 National Health Indicators (1) 

Indicator\Country Ghana Nigeria South Africa 

Total life expectancy at birth (years) 58.0 45.0 49.0 

(1) WHO Country profiles, 2003 


K3 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Male life expectancy at birth (years) 57.0 45.0 48.0 

Female life expectancy at birth (years) 60.0 46.0 50.0 

Male child mortality (per 1,000)* 99 200 70 

Female child mortality (per 1,000) 92 197 61 

Male adult mortality (per 1,000)** 352 511 642 

Female adult mortality (per 1,000) 295 470 579 

* Probability of dying under five years of age 

** Probability of dying between 15 and 59 years of age 

Despite life expectancies in men and women improving during the last 

decade, national health statistics show morbidity levels are still high (1) . 

In 2003 the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS) reported 111 

deaths per 1,000 live births between 1999 and 2003, implying one in every nine 

child born in Ghana died before reaching their fifth birthday. 

Communicable Diseases 

As detailed in Table K1.2, the incidence of these five diseases has increased 

from 1995 to 2001. Communicable diseases are still widespread throughout 

Ghana, the most common ones reported in both in and outpatient 

departments in 2001 include (2) : 

1. malaria (3,044,844 cases); 

2. skin diseases (308,535 cases); 

3. diarrhoeal diseases (283,961 cases); 

4. intestinal worms (184,065 cases); and 

5. measles (75,339 cases). 

As detailed in Table K1.2, the incidence of these five diseases has increased 

from 1995 to 2001. 

Table K1.2 The Burden of Communicable/Infectious Diseases in Ghana (3) 

DISEASE\YEAR 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 

Malaria 1,710,401 2,020,267 2,001,378 2,259,027 2,570,234 3,044,844 

Skin Diseases 274,233 242,571 241,921 266,491 312,729 308,535 

Diarrhoeal Diseases 199,422 211,188 221,718 250,728 249,265 283,961 

Intestinal Worms 120,740 111,818 121,323 131,372 158,468 184,065 

Measles 38,826 44,934 46,864 57,336 67,395 75,339 

Chicken Pox 23,781 24,419 17,561 17,106 20,538 20,687 

Typhoid Fever 11,261 14,688 12,520 13,653 14,891 14,635 

Bilharzia 9,178 8,905 8,197 9,101 7,338 8,623 

Tuberculosis 8,388 8,127 7,890 7,877 6,905 8,495 

Yaws 6,980 7,930 7,672 7,191 6,595 8,412 

Onchocerciasis 5,631 6,490 6,437 6,584 5,041 3,876 

Whooping Cough 1,946 5,947 2,593 2,494 4,899 3,611 

Mumps 1,770 3,576 2,154 1,218 1,721 2,056 

Guinea Worm 1,301 3,015 1,038 1,164 982 988 

Meningitis 1,054 1,474 1,021 1,061 937 746 

Leprosy 577 622 346 999 533 529 

(1) Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS) 4, 2000 

(2) Centre for health statistics, KTH, Accra, 2006 



K4 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Overall, malaria remains the number one cause of ill health in Ghana with 

3,044,844 cases treated in 2001 (1) almost double of that in 1995. From Table K1.2 

it is clear that malaria is the main cause of morbidity and mortality, 

accounting for the majority of childhood hospital admissions and 22 percent 

of childhood mortality (2) . 

Guinea worm disease is another serious public health problem in Ghana. As 

the season coincides with peak farming, this often results in significant 

suffering and reductions in food production to the poor. The majority of 

guinea worm disease cases come from 15 districts within three regions 

(Northern, Brong Ahafo and Volta). 

TB is also major public health problem, with 8,495 cases detected nationally in 

2001. This is primarily due to the WHO DOTs program (Directly Observed 

Treatment) not being implemented in certain districts. 

Skin and diarrhoeal disease figures are also high. In fact, in 2001, these 

constituted the second and third most common diseases nationally, with 

308,535 and 283,961 cases respectively. These figures suggest food and water 

contamination still threatens the public system. 

The HIV/AIDS epidemic in Ghana is progressing slowly, the Government of 

Ghana estimating the number of adults and children living with HIV (as of 

2004) at 404,000 (3) . The prevalence is generally higher in urban areas, mining 

and border towns, and along main transportation routes. The infection levels 

are highest in middle income and educational groups, with the poor and 

unemployed less affected. High risk populations include sex workers, 

transport workers, prisoners, sexual partners of people living with HIV/AIDS, 

and men who have sex with men and their female sexual partners. 

Non Communicable Diseases 

Key non communicable issues reported in 2001 include: 

1. respiratory infections (529,888 cases); 

2. accidents (248,169 cases); 

3. gynaecological issues (166,690 cases); 

4. eye infections (161,400 cases); and 

5. hypertension (136,286 cases). 

Road traffic injuries and fatalities are also increasing in Ghana; they are 

responsible for approximately 1,300 deaths and 10,000 injuries annually (4) . 

The majority of the fatalities and injuries occurring on roads in rural areas. 

Furthermore, pedestrians constitute the majority of deaths among road users; 

primarily in urban areas in the southern half of the country (5) 


(2) http://www.who.int/countries/en/cooperation_strategy_gha_en.pdf 

(3) USAID Ghana health profile, http://www.usaid.gov/our_work/global_health/aids/Countries/africa/ghana_05.pdf 

(4) http://www.who.int/countries/en/cooperation_strategy_gha_en.pdf 

(5) Pattern of road traffic injuries in Ghana: Implications for control, Afukaar et al, 2003. 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

In addition, it is clear from Table K1.3 there was a steady increase in the 

frequency of mental disorders during the period between 1995 and 2001 from 

10,145 cases to 14,491. However in general there is an absence of real 

community-based data for mental illness in Ghana at present as current 

estimates are based upon projections. 

Other growing diseases include diabetes, chronic renal diseases and cancer. 

There is also an increase in tobacco, alcohol and other substance abuse. 

Malnutrition (including wasting, stunted growth, underweight in children 

and obesity in adults) is also an emerging national issue, increasing from 

13,665 cases in 1995 to 19,601 cases in 2001 as seen in Table K1.3. 

Table K1.3 The Burden of Non Communicable Diseases in Ghana (1) 

DISEASE\YEAR 1995 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 

Respiratory Infections 355,808 380,087 383,125 431,562 471,291 529,888 

Accidents/ Burns/ Fractures 174,916 187,992 178,813 205,286 202,453 248,169 

Pregnancy 148,855 143,675 150,829 193,307 167,782 203,884 

Gynaecological Disorders 78,903 93,650 113,223 127,335 137,289 166,690 

Acute Eye Infection 77,762 87,849 97,980 119,666 117,573 161,400 

Hypertension 73,501 79,349 92,686 116,595 113,684 136,286 

Rheumatism / Joint Pains 66,149 73,408 79,849 97,693 101,603 131,305 

Anaemia 55,230 71,007 71,383 94,481 93,941 127,425 

Diseases of Oral Cavity 44,121 50,698 55,125 79,748 78,891 82,566 

Ear Infection 41,032 47,212 54,450 63,700 73,807 81,333 

Pneumonia 31,157 34,427 24,403 19,248 34,310 25,891 

Pyrexia of Unknown Origin 27,197 26,841 19,484 18,156 27,895 25,265 

Malnutrition 13,665 20,588 16,225 16,467 19,175 19,601 

Gonorrhoea 12,102 15,683 13,477 16,381 17,122 16,707 

Mental Disorders 10,145 13,745 11,720 11,468 14,152 14,491 

Other Heart Diseases 10,075 13,103 11,294 10,892 10,236 13,901 

Infectious Hepatitis 9,554 10,766 10,066 9,418 9,327 9,715 

Cataract 9,392 10,745 8,466 9,314 9,076 9,325 

Neonatal Tetanus 459 393 346 363 393 266 

Tetanus 447 305 298 341 324 84 

Acute Poliomyelitis 349 223 72 41 8 8 

In 1999 access to safe water was estimated at 56 percent with an urban/rural 

distribution of 76 percent/46 percent. Access to safe waste disposal was 55 

percent with urban/rural distribution of 62 and 44 percent (2) . As a result, 

diarrhoeal diseases are still a major cause of mortality as reflected in Table 

K1.2. 

According to WHO many of the recent reported sanitation advances have 

been made in urban areas and not in rural communities where the majority of 

the population lives (3) . 


(2) Common Country Assessment. Ghana, 1999 

(3) http://countrystudies.us/ghana/55.htm 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Finally, the immunisation coverage for 2001 in Ghana was reportedly 

relatively good (1) . However, there are significant disparities in coverage by 

region and locality with rates generally much higher in urban areas. 

K1.3 Health Care Services 

The healthcare system in Ghana follows a decentralized structure in line with 

the local government structure in Ghana. The current system has a 3-tier 

matrix. 

1. National Level. The Ministry of Health occupies the first tier and is 

responsible for policy formulation, monitoring and evaluation of progress, 

allocation of resources and the creation of partnerships with the private 

sector. 

2. Regional Level. There are ten regional health administrations which 

occupy the second tier and serve as the link between the national and 

district levels, allocating resources within the region. 

3. District Level. The district health directorates form the base tier ; 

concerned with operational planning and the implementation of the health 

facilities; hospital, health centers, posts and clinics within each district. 

Under this decentralised system, the health sector in Ghana has undergone 

considerable institutional reforms, especially within the past decade. These 

reforms have been part of government's programme to restructure the public 

administration system to increase effectiveness and outputs, as contained in 

the Vision 2020 programme. 

Nationally, there are 756 health facilities currently serving 19 million people: 

three teaching hospitals; 

eight regional hospitals; 

48 district hospitals; 

39 private hospitals; and 

592 health centres (2) . 

Of this total, 23 are solely government funded. It is important to note that 

these health facilities are not evenly distributed. 

In addition to these facilities, there are many unregistered maternity homes, 

traditional and faith-based healing centres. 

K1.4 DISTRICT AND LOCAL LEVEL 

(1) BCG 91.0%, DPT3 76.0% and measles 81.0% 

(2) Ministry of Health, Ghana, 1999 Annual Report 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Table K1.4 

District Level Morbidity Prevalence of Communicable Issues 

Condition Wenchi District Bole District Tain District 

Total population 92,165 61,429 96374 

Bilharzia 3 0 68 

River blindness 1 -- 23 

Sleeping sickness 0 0 0 

Malaria 16,296 22,071 20,617 

Guinea worm 0 4 0 

Measles 0 0 0 

Diarrhoea 698 3,839 1,998 

Skin diseases 643 1,742 999 

Intestinal worms 759 979 1,004 

TB 23 13 0 

TB 23 13 0 

Typhoid fever 38 38 4 

Hepatitis 76 66 41 

Meningitis 9 9 2 

Chicken pox 55 -- 136 

Gonorrhoea 74 74 143 

HIV/AIDS 192 --- 0 

Syphilis 0 0 4 

Genital ulcers 8 7 78 

Table K1.5 

District Level Morbidity Prevalence of Non Communicable Issues 

Condition Wenchi District Bole District Tain District 

Total population 92,165 61,429 96,374 

Malnutrition 20 22 36 

Anaemia 620 954 451 

Hypertension 1,351 151 513 

Accidents 654 654 790 

Snake bite 142 142 121 

Rheumatism 442 -- 345 

RTA 508 473 218 

Acute eye infection 1,029 489 317 

Acute ear infection 43 144 295 

Table K1.6 

District Level Healthcare Service Indicators 

Healthcare service data Wenchi District Bole District Tain District 

Number of communities 113 n/a 152 

Number of outreach points 88 n/a 83 

Number of Community 113 411 138 

Based Surveillance 

Number of Traditional Birth 83 112 87 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Attendants 

Number of Pharmacies 83 50 n/a 

Number of faith healers 3 28 n/a 

Number of health facilities 7 13 8 

Total number of health 

facility employees 

164 n/a 58 

Table K1.7 

Wenchi District Healthcare Service Personnel 

Wenchi District 

facilities 

Subinso 

health 

post 

Nchiraa 

health 

centre 

Droboso 

health 

centre 

Emil 

memorial 

hospital 

Nyaase 

health 

centre 

Ampaabeng 

health 

centre 

Methodist 

hospital 

Type of facility Public Public Public Private Private Private Mission 

Medical Assistant 1 2 

Medical Officer 1 2 

General nurse 1 16 

Community Health 1 1 2 

Nurse 

Ward assistant 1 2 1 3 1 37 

Field technician 1 2 

MRA 1 1 

Dispensing technician 1 1 

Watchman 1 1 1 5 

Casuals 1 1 1 1 28 

Midwife 1 1 2 1 6 

Senior registered 

1 

nurse 

X Ray technician 1 3 

Lab technician 1 6 

Qualified registered 

1 1 

nurse 

Expert 1 

Accounts 7 

Administration 4 

Stores 5 

Medical records 5 

Total 10 5 3 13 4 2 127 

Table K1.8 

Tain District Healthcare Service Personnel 

Tain District facilities Nsawkaw 

health 

centre 

Debibi 

health 

centre 

Namasa 

rural 

clinic 

Seikwa 

health 

centre 

Sabiye 

health 

centre 

Banda 

ahenkro 

rural 

clinic 

Bui 

rural 

clinic 

Medical Assistant 1 1 1 

General nurse 2 1 1 

Community Health 1 1 1 1 1 

Nurse 

Ward assistant 3 5 2 2 1 2 1 1 

Field technician 2 1 1 1 1 

MRA 1 1 

Watchman 1 1 1 1 1 

Casuals 2 3 3 2 2 

Midwife 1 1 1 1 1 

Total 13 14 2 10 6 2 2 9 

Badu 

health 

centre 


K9 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Annex L 

Hydrological Modelling

L1 

BACKGROUND 

The Government of Ghana is considering a hydroelectric dam project located 

on the Black Volta River in western Ghana, with a generation capacity of 400 

MW, known as the Bui Hydroelectric Power Project. It is being overseen by 

the “Bui Development Secretariat” (BDS). 

ERM has been contracted by BDS to carry out an Environmental and Social 

Impact Assessment (ESIA) Study. The objective of the study is to assess the 

potential environmental and social impacts associated with the construction 

and operation of the Bui Project. The study draws on a set of existing 

information, including the feasibility study for the project (completed in 1995 

by Coyne and Bellier), and an EIA Scoping Study and initial baseline surveys 

for the EIA (completed in 2001 by an earlier consultancy). The ERM-led study 

commenced on 2nd January 2006, and is anticipated to continue until 31st July 

2006. 

L1.1 SCOPE OF HYDRAULIC MODELING STUDIES 

From ERM’s recently issued Scoping Report, potential water quality and 

sedimentation impacts in the reservoir, and an un-seasonal water level regime 

in the river downstream were identified as issues that warrant further 

investigation. Therefore, this assessment undertakes basic reservoir and 

downstream river modeling studies to quantify (as far as the data allow) the 

nature and extent of these potential impacts for presentation in the final EIA 

report. 

The level of detail and outputs that are achieved with these modeling studies 

are based upon the data available. These data and analyses are described in 

the following sections. 


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GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

L1.2 WATER QUALITY ASSESSMENT 

The water quality assessment of the proposed Bui Reservoir is based on 

phosphate data collected between 1977 and 2003 throughout the Black Volta 

River Basin as listed in Table L1. 

Table L1. Phosphate Loading Data Summary 

Date Source Location Phosphate, mg/l 

1977 (Aug) 

1977 (Oct) 

1977 (Dec) 

1978 (Jan) 

1978 (Feb) 

Coyne et Bellier (1984) Bamboi 2.1 

0.5 

0 

0.2 

0.1 

1996 Larmie and Annang (1996) Bamboi 

Lower Volta 

0.6 

0.2 

1997 Kankam-Yeboah and 

Mensah (1997) 

Volta Lake, Kpong 0.03 

1998 AY & A Consult (1998) Buipe 0.21 

2002 (wet?) 

2003 (dry?) 

Aquatic Ecology Working 

Group for BSK ACRES (2003) 

BV1 – BV7 

0.13 – 1.69 

0.09 – 0.74 

natural background 

levels 

0.02 

The available phosphate data show a high degree of variability, with a mean 

phosphate concentration of 0.47 mg/l and a standard deviation of 0.65 mg/l. 

The mean value of this small data set is used in the assessment. Since 

phosphorus is derived mainly from watershed runoff, it is not unusual to see 

higher phosphate concentrations during the rainy season. Therefore, this 

analysis also uses a wet season (July-Nov) phosphate concentration of 1 mg/l 

and a dry season (Dec-June) phosphate concentration of 0.2 mg/l based on the 

values that indicate their date of sampling. At the concentration levels 

considered in this assessment, phosphate comprises approximately 50% of the 

Total Phosphorus (TP). Therefore, the TP values input to trophic status models 

are twice the phosphate values. 

Nitrogen is also a key indicator of the possible trophic state of Bui Reservoir. 

The datasets show nitrate and nitrite concentrations ranging from 0 to 2.7 

mg/l. 

The Nitrogen: Phosphorus ratio for Bui ranges from unity to 5, which often 

indicates that nitrogen will be the limiting nutrient. Nonetheless, the OECD- 


L2 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Vollenweider approach used in this analysis is still appropriate and robust 

enough to account for the shift in nutrient dependency. 

Bui Reservoir’s long-term trophic status is determined using the empirical 

relationship developed by R. Vollenweider and the Organization for 

Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). The relationship is based 

on total phosphorus concentrations and corresponding chlorophyll-a (Chl-a) 

concentrations in lakes world-wide. This analysis uses the full pond elevation, 

183 m, with a surface area of 432 x 10 6 m 2 and a volume of 12350 x 10 6 m 3 . 

Computations are based on the influent TP concentrations (twice 0.47, 1.0, and 

0.2 mg/l), the physical characteristics of the reservoir (average depth, 

retention time, etc), and the mean annual river flow rate. The results of this 

analysis are listed in Table L2. 

Table L2. OECD-Vollenweider Scale 

Flow rate, m 3 /s TP, mg/l Chl-a, µg/l Trophic State 

Annual 

Average 

Dry Season 

(Dec – June) 

Wet Season 

(July – Nov) 

217 0.21 48 Hypereutrophic 

34.6 0.13 29 Hypereutrophic 

447 0.25 55 Hypereutrophic 

An additional computation was made with a reduced water surface elevation 

for the dry season (results not shown in Table 2). The lowered elevation was 

set as 170 m, surface area = 308 x 10 6 m 2 , and volume = 7515 x 10 6 m 3 , and 

resulting TP = 0.15mg/l and Chl-a = 34 µg/l. The resulting TP and Chl-a 

concentrations were 20% higher than the full pond / dry season values. 

Yet another variation of the analysis is to exclude the two arms at the 

downstream end of the Bui Reservoir. These areas of the reservoir are out of 

the main path of flow through the reservoir. Exclusion of approximately 90% 

of the storage volume and area that these arms comprise produces a shorter 

detention time, but the TP load and the long-term equilibrium concentration 

of TP and Chl-a in the remaining parts of the reservoir are virtually 

unchanged. 

This type of reservoir trophic assessment primarily depends on an annual TP 

input rate. Errors in the TP rate can arise in the measurement of phosphorus, 

seasonal fluctuations, variations due to flow rate, and variation due to location 

of the measurements, as shown by a standard deviation of 0.65 mg/l on a 

phosphate mean concentration of 0.47 mg/l. Also, the equations themselves 

show much variation as evidenced by the scatter in Figure 1. 

Predictive models are not perfect and neither are the data used as input to the 

models. Total phosphorus and nitrogen should be measured continuously to 

capture annual variation in loading rates at this site. The model used here is 

steady state and “fully mixed” or uniform throughout the reservoir. Neither of 

theses assumptions is good, as local spatial variations and seasonal temporal 


L3 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

variations will occur. Other factors in Bui Reservoir that could have an effect 

on its trophic status are other nutrients, light penetration, zooplankton 

grazing, and species of plankton. The presence or absence of macrophytes and 

fish also affect the apparent trophic response. Macrophytes can act as nutrient 

pumps to feed plankton, and fish can reduce zooplankton predation. Lastly, 

peculiar flow regimes and selective (elevation) withdrawals will affect the 

trophic status of Bui Reservoir. More detailed computations using timevarying 

multi-dimensional models can be used to address many of these 

issues. 

The FAO report of 1997 describes Lake Volta as “mesotrophic” with in-lake 

phosphorus levels of 0.5 mg/l. This analysis shows Bui Reservoir will have 

long-term phosphorus levels between 0.13 and 0.25 mg/l, similar to those at 

Lake Volta, therefore Bui should present similar mesotrophic characteristics. 

Actual trophic behavior at Lake Volta is the strongest indicator of the potential 

trophic behavior at Bui, and there is no reason to believe that Bui will behave 

any differently than Lake Volta. However, poor catchment management in the 

future (e.g. intensive agricultural development and deforestation) could 

provide Bui Reservoir with an increased nutrient supply, such as phosphorus 

and nitrogen, which could push the reservoir into a higher eutrophic state. 


L4 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Figure L1. OECD-Vollenweider Trophic Status Relationships 


L5 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

L1.3 SEDIMENT TRANSPORT ASSESSMENT 

The sediment transport assessment of the proposed Bui Reservoir is based on 

sediment data collected throughout the Black Volta River Basin in the form of 

yields (tonnes/year), concentrations (mg/l), and sediment rating equations, as 

listed in Table L3. 

TableL 3. Sediment Yield Data Summary 

Source Location Sediment Yield 

Coyne et Bellier Bui 550000 tonnes/yr 

610000 tonnes/yr 

760000 tonnes/yr 

ERM Bui 968000 tonnes/yr 

Hydroproject Bui 666000 tonnes/yr 

Opoku Ankomah WRMS Lawra 1079175 tonnes/yr 

Opoku Ankomah WRMS Bamboi 1018030 tonnes/yr 

Opoku Ankomah WRMS Bui 968000 tonnes/yr 

A & A Consult Lawra 34 to 470 mg/l 

A & A Consult Bamboi 20 to 568 mg/l 

Hydroproject Bui 4.4 to 208 mg/l 

Opoku Ankomah WRMS Lawra Q s = 3.678 Q w 

1.191 

Opoku Ankomah WRMS Bamboi Q s = 0.482 Q w 

1.477 

Q sediment in tonnes/day and Q water in m 3 /s 

The range of sediment yield values in Table L3 is 550000 to 968000 

tonnes/year at Bui (84 to 148 mg/l). A range of values is used in this 

assessment because the data set is so small. Since sediment transport consists 

of bedload, suspended sediment, and watershed runoff, it is not unusual to 

see higher sediment concentrations during the rainy, high flow season. It is 

unknown, however, what time of the year the available sediment yield rates 

represent. 

Bui Reservoir’s long-term sediment yield is determined using a mass balance 

approach. This analysis uses the full pond elevation, 183 m, with a surface 

area of 432 x 10 6 m 2 and a volume of 12350 x 10 6 m 3 . Computations are based 

on 100% capture of the influent sediment, the physical characteristics of the 

reservoir (average depth, retention time, etc), and the mean annual river flow 

rate at Bui. The results of this analysis are listed in Table L4, where sediment is 


L6 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

assumed to weigh 1.3 tonnes per m 3 . The sediment rating equations produced 

similar results, averaging 913000 tonnes/yr at Lawra and 752000 tonnes/yr at 

Bamboi based on monthly river flow rates at Bui from 1954 to 2001. 

Since no sediment storage volume has been allocated for Bui Reservoir, this 

analysis evaluates how much of the total volume will be filled in 100 years. At 

the high sediment rate, only 0.6% of the reservoir will fill with sediment, 

covering an 11-meter thick layer. While the percent of total volume filled is 

linear with time, the depth filled is not because the volume-elevation 

relationship is not linear. 

Table L4 Sediment Yield Results 

Sediment yield, 

tonnes/yr 

Volume, 

m 3 /yr 

Depth filled 

after 100-yrs 

Percent of total 

volume filled after 

100-years 

High 968000 745000 11 m 0.6% 

Mid 759000 584000 9 m 0.5% 

Low 550000 423000 6 m 0.4% 

A plan view of the Black Volta River (Figure L2) shows the river slope is steep 

(0.11% and 0.27%) through the reservoir site and the Bui National Park. 

Upstream and downstream of the reservoir site, slopes are much flatter 

(upstream = 0.02% and downstream = 0.04% and 0.01%). Steeper sections of 

the river have more capacity to carry sediment. The proposed reservoir will 

decrease sediment concentrations in the river downstream from the dam by 

flattening the river slope through the Bui National Park and trapping the 

sediment flowthrough. The water released from the dam will likely be 

“sediment hungry”, but will be unable to pick up sediment by eroding the 

downstream reaches because the slope there is flat. 

A qualitative description of the riverbed is available from the BSK ACRES 

(May 2003) Report. The river bed at the sampling site upstream of the dam is 

described as “soft with gravels” and “sandy with gravel”. This is in the 

upstream, flat-sloped area. At the steep dam site, the riverbed is described as 

“sub-strata rocky”, “bottom rocky”, “rocky bottom”, “sandy bottom”, “ partly 

rocky”, “muddy bottom”, and “muddy”. The rockier river bed is indicative of 

a steeper river with higher velocities. The descriptions of “muddy” are just 

downstream from a tributary which may explain that condition. Downstream 

of the dam site, the river is described as having “very swift currents”, “wide 

across”, and “muddy with gravel”. Here, the river flattens out and drops 

much of its sediment load. The river widens to carry more flow with less 

gradient. Figures L3 and L4 are provided for reference of the dam site and 

river topography. Figure L4 shows the Black Volta River widening and 

developing a braided river regime, whereas the central, steep sections are 

straight with no islands. The date and river flow rates shown in the images are 

unknown, but the images provide qualitative support to the characterizations 

based on the river slope. 


L7 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Construction of the Bui Reservoir will likely reduce the long-term sediment 

yield of the Black Volta River downstream of the dam, mostly by capturing 

and settling the load entering the reservoir and by removing the steep portion 

of the river as a sediment source. The reach downstream of the dam may 

experience some erosion, but energy dissipators at the dam should be able to 

control it. 

Several factors have not been considered in this assessment, such as river bed 

sediment characteristics and the geology over which the river flows. Also, 

watershed geology and land use have not been considered. Upstream from 

the dam, changes in land use, such as deforestation, could increase sediment 

loads to the reservoir. Changes in land use along the reach downstream of the 

dam could lead to changes in erosion and accretion, as could the alteration of 

flow rates by the dam. 

Figure L 2 Black Volta River at Bui - Profile View 


L8 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Black Volta River 

Bamboi Bridge 

Dam Site 

Figure L3 Bui Reservoir plan view 

Upstream Section: Slope =0.02% 

Dam Site 

Reservoir Sections: 

0.27% and 0.11% 

Downstream Sections: 0.04% and 0.01% 

Figure L4 Bui Reservoir, inclined view, with river slopes 

L1.4 WATER SURFACE ELEVATION ASSESSMENT 

The assessment of water surface elevation effects in the reach downstream 

from the proposed Bui Reservoir is based on channel cross section data taken 

from contour maps, dam design drawings, and anecdotal information on the 

bridge at Bamboi. The contour map provides good quality cross sections, but 

extends only 10 km downstream from the dam. Cross sections beyond 10 km 


L9 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

are extrapolated from the contour map–derived cross sections and sloped 

according to the slopes shown on the dam design drawing (Figure L2). 

Working in the upstream direction, the cross sections start at the bridge near 

Bamboi (XS 18) and end at the downstream face of the dam (XS 50), covering a 

distance of 32 km. Figure L5 shows the six cross sections taken from the base 

contour map. 

Figure L5. Contour Map with cross sections 

The steady river flow rate is the other key input to assessing water surface 

elevation in the reach. Mean monthly flows for the Bui site with and without 

the dam were assembled by C&B and are listed in Table L5. The regulated 

flows consist of flow through the turbines and spillage over the dam. 

Table L5 Monthly mean flow rates at Bui (C&B) 

Month 

Natural 

Flow, m 3 /s 

Regulated 

Flow, m 3 /s 

Percent 

Difference, % 


L10 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Jan 29.63 190.40 +543 

Feb 13.71 187.58 +1268 

Mar 8.51 172.70 +1928 

Apr 9.65 168.76 +1648 

May 26.86 159.95 +495 

June 74.98 155.89 +108 

July 175.75 158.54 -10 

Aug 394.59 155.10 -61 

Sep 849.78 221.89 -74 

Oct 649.49 310.39 -52 

Nov 189.55 289.75 +53 

Dec 70.18 242.83 +246 

The months of March and September show the greatest upward and 

downward percentages of change in flow rates. This comparison represents 

the most extreme general shift in water surface elevation and river 

environment due to the dam. Use of the individual months with the highest 

and lowest flows, however, would not represent the general shift. For 

example, the lowest natural monthly flow at Bui (according to C&B) was 0.26 

million m 3 per month, while the regulated flow for that same month would be 

zero m 3 per month. That severe drought month occurs with and without the 

dam. On the other extreme, the highest natural monthly flow at Bui (according 

to C&B) was 6357 million m 3 per month, while the regulated flow for that 

same month would be 5990 million m 3 per month, only a 5.8% difference. That 

flood still occurs with and without the dam. 

The software used to develop the water surface elevations is HEC-RAS by the 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It is a basic backwater computation tool. The 

executable code is a public domain software package. 

Besides cross sections, other variables used in the model are Manning 

roughness = 0.10 in the overbanks and 0.04 in the main channel, bed slope = 

0.04% between the dam and Bamboi Bridge, and bed slope = 0.01% 

downstream of Bamboi Bridge. 

The limiting information for the HEC-RAS calculations are the cross sections. 

They were taken from a contour map at 2 km intervals for the first 10 km, and 

then extrapolated downstream another 20 km at 5-6 km intervals. The Bamboi 

Bridge offers a good location to make any downstream corrections, but the 

data there are also sketchy. The level of detail in each cross section is 

compatible to the other assumptions made in extrapolating the cross sections. 

Testing the sensitivity of the roughness factors will shift both the pre- and 

post-dam construction water surface profiles. Field verification of typical 

water depths would strengthen the modeled results and the conclusions. 


L11 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Results of the simulations for March are shown in Table L6 and Figure L6. The 

difference in flow rates is from 8.51 to 172.7 m 3 /s. Water surface elevations in 

the reach are higher by 1.4 to 3.2 meters along the profile from the dam (XS 50) 

to Bamboi Bridge (XS 18). Generally, river top widths are three times wider, 

depending on the side slope at each cross section, and velocities in the main 

channel are doubled with the new flow rate. 

Results of the simulations for September are shown in Table L7 and Figure L7. 

Water surface elevations are lower by 2.0 to 3.5 meters along the profile from 

the dam to Bamboi Bridge. Generally, river top widths are narrower 

depending on the side slope at each cross section, and velocities in the main 

channel are lower with the new flow rate. 

Attached as an Appendix are cross sectional profile views for stations XS 50 

(dam) to XS 39.5 (the cross sections based on contour map information) for the 

March and September comparisons. 

The regulation of flows from the Bui Reservoir will alter the long-term flow 

regime and water surface elevations of the Black Volta River downstream of 

the dam. The reservoir serves to even out the flow rate through the year, 

effectively reducing the peaks and increasing the lows. The new water surface 

elevations, however, are within the range of elevations that the reach already 

experiences. 

Table L6 Model Results for March 

XS Profile Q Total Min Ch El W.S. Elev Vel Chnl Flow Area Top Width 

(m3/s) (m) (m) (m/s) (m2) (m) 

50 Mar - natural 8.51 99 99.67 0.17 50.04 148.38 

50 Mar - regulated 172.7 99 101.04 0.51 339.51 221.73 

48.3 Mar - natural 8.51 98.5 99.14 0.28 30.61 94.98 

48.3 Mar - regulated 172.7 98.5 100.5 0.57 371.03 446.08 

46.2 Mar - natural 8.51 97.8 98.46 0.17 48.68 147.26 

46.2 Mar - regulated 172.7 97.8 100.08 0.3 576.46 492.41 

44.2 Mar - natural 8.51 97 97.74 0.34 24.8 66.81 

44.2 Mar - regulated 172.7 97 99.62 0.87 198.75 99.72 

42.3 Mar - natural 8.51 96 96.99 0.25 34.13 69.13 

42.3 Mar - regulated 172.7 96 98.98 0.62 280.02 144.91 

39.5 Mar - natural 8.51 95 95.97 0.36 23.49 48.47 

39.5 Mar - regulated 172.7 95 97.81 0.88 197.32 140.47 

34.5 Mar - natural 8.51 92.6 93.53 0.31 27.18 58.29 

34.5 Mar - regulated 172.7 92.6 95.65 0.62 277.68 151.3 

30 Mar - natural 8.51 90.4 91.6 0.37 23.3 38.98 

30 Mar - regulated 172.7 90.4 93.91 0.86 201.26 114.57 

24 Mar - natural 8.51 88 89.15 0.34 24.89 43.21 

24 Mar - regulated 172.7 88 92.01 0.57 301.76 150.01 

18 Mar - natural 8.51 86 87.52 0.29 28.97 38.06 

18 Mar - regulated 172.7 86 90.75 0.6 289.05 137.49 


L12 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

102 

100 

98 

Bui Extremes Sensitivty Plan: extremes 5/15/2006 

Black Volta Dam to Bamboi 

Legend 

WS Mar - regulated 

WS Mar - natural 

Ground 

96 

Elevation (m) 

94 

92 

90 

88 

86 

84 

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 

Figure L6 Model Results for March 

Main Channel Distance (m) 

Table L7 Model Results for September 

XS Profile Q Total Min Ch El W.S. Elev Vel Chnl Flow Area Top Width 

(m3/s) (m) (m) (m/s) (m2) (m) 

50 Sep - natural 849.8 99 103.2 1.03 822.19 225.33 

50 Sep - regulated 221.9 99 101.25 0.57 386.8 222.09 

48.3 Sep - natural 849.8 98.5 102.86 0.64 1812.58 734.08 

48.3 Sep - regulated 221.9 98.5 100.72 0.59 469.63 477.97 

46.2 Sep - natural 849.8 97.8 102.67 0.45 1982.43 633.66 

46.2 Sep - regulated 221.9 97.8 100.35 0.31 713.49 501.15 

44.2 Sep - natural 849.8 97 102.37 1.32 1114.81 420.73 

44.2 Sep - regulated 221.9 97 99.94 0.96 230.59 101.62 

42.3 Sep - natural 849.8 96 101.64 1.24 764.04 256.76 

42.3 Sep - regulated 221.9 96 99.28 0.69 322.93 146.39 

39.5 Sep - natural 849.8 95 100.47 1.39 621.63 209.27 

39.5 Sep - regulated 221.9 95 98.08 0.94 236.85 150.39 

34.5 Sep - natural 849.8 92.6 98.64 1.15 738.83 157.27 

34.5 Sep - regulated 221.9 92.6 95.97 0.68 326.19 151.94 

30 Sep - natural 849.8 90.4 97.12 1.16 729.61 213.49 

30 Sep - regulated 221.9 90.4 94.23 0.93 238.86 124.81 

24 Sep - natural 849.8 88 95.58 1.01 844.54 154.47 

24 Sep - regulated 221.9 88 92.41 0.61 362.16 150.52 

18 Sep - natural 849.8 86 94.65 0.7 1205.71 332.52 

18 Sep - regulated 221.9 86 91.23 0.61 361.04 161.56 


L13 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

105 

100 


Black Volta Dam to Bamboi 

Legend 

WS Sep - natural 

WS Sep - regulated 

Ground 

95 

Elevation (m) 

90 

85 

80 

0 10000 20000 30000 40000 50000 60000 

Figure L7 Model Results for September 

Main Channel Distance (m) 


L14 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

L1.5 REFERENCES 

Marshall, B.E. 1984. Predicting ecology and fish yields in African reservoirs 

from preimpoundment physico-chemical data. Food and Agriculture 

Organization of The United Nations, Series title: CIFA Technical Papers - 

CIFA/T12. 42 pg. ISBN: 9250021550 

Coyne et Bellier. 1995. Republic of Ghana, Volta River Authority, Bui 

Hydroelectric Development Feasibility Study Update Final Report. 

Janus, L.L., and R.A. Vollenweider. 1981. The OECD Cooperative Programme 

On Eutrophication. Summary Report. Canadian Contribution. Canada Center 

for Inland Waters, Burlington. 

Kerekes, J. 1983. Predicting Trophic Response to Phosphorus Addition in a 

Cape Breton Island Lake. Proc. N.S. Inst. Sci. 33:7-18. 

Mandaville, S.M. 2000. Limnology- Eutrophication and Chemistry, Carrying 

Capacities, Loadings, Benthic Ecology, and Comparative Data. Project F-1, Soil 

& Water Conservation Society of Metro Halifax. xviii, Synopses 1, 2, 3, 13, and 

14. 210p. 

Vollenweider, R.A. 1976. Advances in Defining Critical Loading Levels for 

Phosphorus in Lake Eutrophication. Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol. 33:53-83. 

Vollenweider, R.A., and Kerekes, J. 1982. Eutrophication of waters. 

Monitoring, assessment and control. OECD Cooperative programme on 

monitoring of inland waters (Eutrophication control), Environment 

Directorate, OECD, Paris. 154 p. 

http://lakes.chebucto.org/TPMODELS/OECD/oecd.html 

Bui Hydroelectric Power Project Environmental Assessment Aquatic Ecology 

Component. May 2003. Prepared by the Aquatic Ecology Working Group for 

BSK ACRES on behalf of the Volta River Authority, Accra Ghana. 

(ERM’s local hydrologist’s study) Bui EIA Study – Hydrology. April 2006 

United Nations Environment Programme, Division of Technology, Industry, 

and Economics. 1999. Planning and Management of Lakes and Reservoirs: An 

Integrated Approach to Eutrophication. (UNEP-IETC: Tech. Pub. Series 11. 

Report of the 5th Session of the Working Party on Pollution and Fisheries - 

Accra, Ghana, 16-19 December 1997. Series title: Food and Agriculture 

Organization of The United Nations. Fisheries Reports - R587. 1998. 32 pg. 

X0579/E. 

Graf, W.G. 1971. Hydraulics of Sediment Transport. McGraw Hill Book Co. 

New York. 

Leopold, L.B., M.G.Wolman, J.P.Miller. 1964. Fluvial Processes in 

Geomorphology. W.H.Freeman and Co. San Francisco. 

HEC-RAS River Analysis System, Version 3.1.3 May 2005. Developed by the 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Hydrologic Engineering Center. Davis CA. 

 

Hydroproject. 1964. USSR. 

Opoku-Ankomah as in WRMS (1996) 

Amisigo & Akrasi Consult. 1996. 

Larmie and Annang. 1996. 

Kankam-Yeboah and Mensah. 1997. 

AY & A Consult. 1998. 


L15 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Appendix – Water Surface Elevations - Cross sections from XS50 to XS39.5 

150 


Riv er = Black Volta Reach = Dam to Bamboi RS = 50 50 

.1 .04 .1 

Legend 


140 

130 




Ground 

Bank Sta 

Elevation (m) 

120 

110 

100 

90 

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 

Station (m) 

140 

130 


Riv er = Black Volta Reach = Dam to Bamboi RS = 48.3 48.3 

.1 .04 .1 

Legend 





Ground 

Bank Sta 

120 

Elevation (m) 

110 

100 

90 

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 

Station (m) 


L16 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

140 

130 



.1 .04 .1 

Legend 





Ground 

Bank Sta 

120 

Elevation (m) 

110 

100 

90 

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 

Station (m) 

140 

130 



.1 . 

0 

4 

.1 

Legend 





Ground 

Bank Sta 

120 

Elevation (m) 

110 

100 

90 

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000 3500 

Station (m) 


L17 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

200 

180 

160 



.1 .04 .1 

Legend 





Ground 

Bank Sta 

Elevation (m) 

140 

120 

100 

80 

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 

Station (m) 

200 

180 

160 



.1 .04 .1 

Legend 





Ground 

Bank Sta 

Elevation (m) 

140 

120 

100 

80 

0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 

Station (m) 


L18 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Annex M 

Archaeology Baseline

REPORT ON THE SURVEY OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL 

HERITAGE RESOURCES OF THE BUI HYDRO POWER PROJECT AREA. 

BY J. AKO OKORO 

Department of Archaeology, 

University of Ghana, Legon. 

Submitted to SGS Environment, Accra. 

May 2006. 

SUMMARY OF REPORT 

The findings in this report are based on data obtained from a field archaeological and 

cultural survey of the proposed Bui hydroelectric power project area from April 4 

to17, 2006. The project area straddles a number of ecological zones but also two 

regions of Ghana (Brong Ahafo and Northern), and two District administrative areas 

Tain (with the capital at Nsorkor) and Bole (capital at Bole). The report seeks to 

provide baseline data for assessing areas or spots that are archaeologically relevant or 

culturally sensitive to the people in the project area (especially in the areas of 

inundation and Bui National Park extension), and for the management of Ghana’s 

heritage in the light of the Bui hydropower project. 

A total of twenty-seven communities, in the project area and several archaeological 

sites were investigated. Five of the settlements (namely Kanka, Dompofie, Sangwa, 

Makala, Saase and Kaburono) in the Banda Ahenkro area were briefly studied at a 

reconnaissance level. Field archaeological surveys were carried out both within and 

outside areas of the contemporary human habitations and in non-occupied areas. This 

exercise led to the discovery of ancient sites such as Gladao located south of Bungasi. 

Other archaeological sites were found in the Lusina/Loga area on the left bank of the 

Black Volta between Dakonmira Mountain on the west and Bojel Mountain on the 

east in the Bole District. This falls within the area of inundation. Bojel Mountain 

extends southward to meet Kpoloo (or Polu) Mountain to form the gorge serving as 

the site of the proposed power generation plant. 

The findings show that the Black Volta River and its basin is an important ecological 

niche and a significant habitat for several ethnic groups and cultures in West Africa in 

the past as well as in present times. There are over a dozen ethnic and linguistic 

groups in the project area with a good measure of inter-ethnic habitation, marriages 

and interactions. Most of the settlements surveyed are multiple-ethnic --that is, they 

consist of three or more ethnic groups living in the same village or town. An example 

is the village of Agbelikame North that has a population (determined from a quick 

census carried out during the survey) of 176 people but is made up of five ethnic 

groups: Ewe, Banda, Gonja, Lobi and Dagarti. Other settlements can be described as 

strictly single-ethnic communities. Examples are Tainaboi, Dokokyina and Dam Site. 

There are a few villages evolving from single-ethnic to dual-ethnic communities. 

Examples are Agbegikrom with three Mo persons (a man, his wife and child) in a 

dominantly Ewe settlement and Bui (with two Banda persons in a dominantly Mo 

settlement), 

The Black Volta River serves as the dividing line between two regions (Brong Ahafo 

and Northern Region) as well as two districts (Tain and Bole). This administrative 

2

line separates people of the same ethnicity, common history, beliefs, aspirations, and 

value systems. Agbelikame North or #1(in the Northern Region) and Agbelikame 

South or #2 (in the Tain district of the Brong Ahafo Region), are two Ewe fishing 

communities in the project area consisting of the same people with a common history. 

Archaeological resources in the area are found in relatively flat to undulating 

topographies and not on the mountains and hills that dominate the area. A few 

settlements such as the old sites of Banda Ahenkro, in the Bui area, extend from the 

low-lying areas to the lower slopes of the Bui Mountain. The sites documented 

during the surface survey date from the Late Stone Age or Neolithic to the Iron Age 

through the Portuguese period (ca. A. D. 1000-1637) to the later historic periods of 

the 18 th and 19 th centuries. The later sites are represented by lots of local pottery, a 

few imported smoking pipes, glass/bottles and ceramics. There is evidence of 

extensive iron smelting in several places on both banks of the Black Volta River. 

Evidence was obtained during the survey from the Bui village area sites, the 

Lusina/Lorga area, Ntereso on the left bank of the Black Volta in the Northern region. 

Other places are Gyama, Banda Nkwanta and near the fishing village of Tainaboi. 

Iron smelting evidence takes the form of slag collections, heaps and mounds. No 

complete furnace or tuyeres were found in situ-or in well-preserved forms. Few 

fragmented pieces of walls remains from these smelting units were found and 

collected. Though fragmented these pieces are useful for determining the design and 

dimensions of the units used for the production of iron from locally available iron ore 

resources. 

Only a few surface metal artefacts were found and these are recent ones. Individual 

and clusters of mounds dominate the archaeological sites. These indicate former 

households and village formations as well as refuse dumps. Old and ancient 

cemeteries formed a part of the archaeological resources investigated. A feature of 

the archaeological landscape is the baobab tree. These are useful markers of human 

habitation in the Black Volta Basin. The number of baobab trees associated with sites 

varies. At Bui, 11 (eleven) baobab trees stand on the archaeological landscape, while 

7 are found at the Lusina/Lorga archaeological site. Ethnographic evidence from the 

Dagarti section of Abofuakura, (on the right bank of the Black Volta River), and also 

at Maluwe, on the Bole-Bamboi road, shows that baobabs are deliberately cultivated 

near settlements. People in the study area derive food from the leaves, fruits and 

seeds and herbal medicine from the bark, roots and leaves. 

No full-scale evidence of Neolithic or early village settlement sites (called Kintampo 

Complex in Ghana) were found from the survey. Late Stone Age refers to cultural 

and technological evolutionary stages of Ghana associated with the use of small-sized 

well-shaped utility and specialized stone implements, within settlement forms that 

were sedentary. It differs from the Iron Age in the lack of making and use of iron 

tools and material culture. The closest evidence to prove this culture was found 

during a survey of two places namely Gyama and near Tainaboi. At Gyama, a piece 

of ground stone axe, commonly called Nyame Akuma was found on the surface of an 

eroded landscape of ancient settlements in the southern part of the town. Local 

informants indicated their seeing many of such “stones” in the bush. In the eastern 

areas of Tainaboi, there is evidence of large-scale erosion of low-lying river-valleys 

and interfluves leading to the exposure of old pottery over a wide area that may have 

served as the settlement areas of Late Stone Age people. However, no Kintampo 

3

stone tools such as the famous “Nyame Akuma” were found. This is in the area of the 

proposed Bui National Park extension. 

The presence of this Neolithic cultural development in the project area cannot be 

doubted following the finding of Kintampo Complex artefacts in the form of a 

bifacially-groundstone axes (and oral confirmation of its presence) at Gyama. The 

Late Stone Age of Ghana dates from before 4000 bp to less than 3000 bp, with a 

clustering of dates between 3000 and 3500 bp. One of the earliest fully defined Late 

Stone Age settlement was discovered in the area of the village of Ntereso on the left 

bank of the Black Volta by Oliver Davies in the early 1960’s. The survey found 

undisputable evidence of iron smelting in the area of Ntereso. This finding is 

important because, until now, iron technology at Ntereso was considered as a 

transitional development whose real parameters were not clearly defined from the 

excavations done by Oliver Davies. 

Cultural heritage of significance has been recorded in the project area. These include 

the shrines, old and contemporary cemeteries and burials inside homes or in open 

spaces in the settlement. The cultural landscape shows that the people in the project 

area have a strong attachment to historical traditions, idols (mainly collections of 

stones/boulders) and interaction with ancestors. The relationship between the people 

and of their natural and cultural environment is one of hope, fear and/or reverence. 

This is a factor that should be appreciated and properly understood in the evaluation 

of the reactions and responses of communities as they moved into new locations. The 

land on which communities are living now is accorded a spirituality that is regularly 

propitiated and worshipped. 

The establishment of sacred groves around cemeteries, shrines, mountains and other 

elements in the project area serves to protect and sustain the cultural value of those 

grounds. Cemeteries and other burial points, and shrine spots are the most important 

cultural heritage sites of the people. The value of old settlement sites varies among 

the communities. Such sites are not sacred areas and farming occurs on these lands. 

Most archaeological sites have therefore been impacted upon adversely by farming 

especially yam cultivation that involves the making of mounds. Despite this, some 

communities do visit ancient sites to perform rituals. 

This survey shows that in Banda Ahenkro, and Bungase, the sacredness of public 

cemeteries is relatively low or non-existent. Whenever the cemetery land is needed 

for other projects, the land is taken and the cemetery relocated. Lands delineated for 

burial does not remain so forever, transformations occur and this is dictated by local 

residential development projects of the people. 

All the settlements investigated have adequate historical accounts of their past. They 

had also lived in other locations within the project area. After migrations from far 

places to the project area, there has been at least one re-location of all the settlements. 

Oral and archaeological evidence on Bui village shows two phases of re-location 

occurring within a radius of two kilometres in the project area. The old site of Bui is 

about four kilometres to the northwest of the present settlement, across the Black 

Volta in the Northern region. The founding group of Banda Ahenkro originated from 

the Bui area and moved to their present location in the early part of the first 

millennium A.D. The Bui area is also the ancestral home of the people of Bungase, 

4

Makala, Sanwa and Dompofie. The archaeological sites of Gladao and Kasaa are 

examples of settlements founded by people who moved from Banda Ahenkro to 

establish new settlements in the later part of the 19 th century. Kasa was abandoned 

following their ejection by the Game and Wildlife authorities and Gladao declined 

after the expected death of a powerful leader. 

The hilly and mountainous features of the project area have been and continue to be 

used for different purposes. On the slopes of the Banda hill is found one of sacred 

groves of Banda Ahenkro. In the people of Banda fled to the hills in times of trouble 

or external attacks. They sought refuge in caves or on mountaintops. Other groups 

also took refuge in the Banda Hills. Small hamlets tucked in the hills would have 

been relatively secure and easily obscured from view in time of troubles. For the 

people of Bui village, the Bui Mountain (locally called Kpoloo and officially written 

as Polu) is a residence of their god. The leadership of the community go up the 

Mountain to offer sacrifice and perform ritual is their god. 

The importance of rivers and streams in the cultural heritage of the project area 

derives from the location of all the villages near these natural resources. Both 

deserted, archaeological and present day settlements demonstrated this ecological 

feature. Surface running water (located near villages) sustains life in the project area. 

The Black Volta River has continued to be the lifeline for water supply in the project 

area. However, Stone Age and Iron Age settlements and even early to mid 20 th 

century settlements were placed at a reasonable distance of 1km or more from the 

river. Several factors may account for this form of spatial distribution of settlements. 

It placed settlements a sufficient enough distance to reduce or eliminate the effect of 

mosquitoes and other insects. More importantly, these were settlements of farming 

communities for whom the river was a source livelihood and subsistence. The 

concentration of fishing communities very close (and sometimes right at the edge of 

the river valley is something that started in middle to late 20 th century. 

A FRAMEWORK FOR RELOCATION SCHEME AND FOR CONTINUOUS 

ASSESSMENT OF ADVERSE IMPACT LIKELY TO OCCUR TO SHRINES, 

CEMETERIES ARE RELEVANT AND THIS SHOULD BE CENTERED CHIEFS, 

ELDERS AND ORDINARY PEOPLE. HOWEVER, IT IS ADVISED THAT EACH 

COMMUNITY SHOULD BE EVALUATED INDIVIDUALLY AND ACCORDING TO 

THEIR HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES, AND INDIGENOUS CULTURAL LIFE- 

WAYS. THE LEADERSHIP (INCLUDING THE PRIEST AND PRIESTESS) 

SHOULD BE SEEN AS PARTNERS IN THIS ENDEAVOUR AND NOT 

OTHERWISE. EXPENDITURE INVOLVED IN HANDLING CULTURE-RELATED 

ISSUES MAY REQUIRE DRINKS FOR LIBATION, ANIMALS FOR SACRIFICE, 

PURIFICATION AND PACIFICATION. 

FROM THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL POINT OF VIEW THE DESTRUCTION OF 

ANCESTRAL SITES, INDIGENOUS IRON PRODUCTION CENTERS, FEATURES 

AND MATERIAL REMAINS DUE TO THEIR INUNDATION IS IRREPLACEABLE 

LOSS. A FEW SUGGESTIONS ARE NECESSARY. BEYOND THE LEVEL OF THE 

RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY CARRIED OUT BY THIS PRESENT 

INVESTIGATION, RESCUE OR SALVAGE ARCHAEOLOGY PROVIDES AN 

OPPORTUNITY TO OBTAIN AN ADEQUATE KNOWLEDGE OF A SELECTED 

NUMBER OF AREAS FOR INCLUSION IN THE DATABASE ON GHANA’S PAST 

HERITAGE. MORE SURVEY AND TEST EXCAVATIONS AT THE 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE BUI VILLAGE AREA AND ON THE 

5

OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE RIVER OFF LUSINA AND LORGA ARE NEEDED. 

ALSO SUGGESTED IS A RECONNAISSANCE SURVEY IN THE STRETCH OF 

LAND TO BE USED FOR ERECTING TRANSMISSION LINES FROM THE 

EASTERN SIDE OF THE POWER STATION THROUGH GYAMA TO LINK UP 

WITH THE MAIN LINES ON THE BOLE-BAMBOI ROAD. 

SCOPE OF WORK 

A scope of work for archaeological and cultural heritage survey was provided by 

SGS as follows: 

A literature review of the Project area with reference to its Archaeological and 

cultural heritage. 

Discussions with traditional and administrative leaders of the Project area 

with reference to the area’s Archaeological and cultural heritage. 

Investigation of maps of the Project area for sites of archaeological and 

cultural significance. 

A physical survey of the Project area to identify any local archaeological or 

cultural heritage features of significance. 

Classification of all identified sites according to their local, national or 

international Archaeological or Cultural Heritage significance (may be 

tabulated). 

Development of a recognized procedure for the removal, transfer or 

protection of sites of archaeological and cultural significance. 

Provision of GPS positions for all sites identified. 

Compilation of a report describing all the items listed above and including a 

list and classification of sites of Archaeological and Cultural significance 

identified within the Project. 

METHODOLOGY 

The methodology used for this study and survey is as follows: 

1. A courtesy call was paid to all the traditional leaders (or their representatives) 

of the selected communities to explain the survey. 

2. Because the area defined for inundation by the Bui Hydro project is vast and 

the impacts varied in relation to the kinds of activities to be performed the 

area was stratified into zones along the following lines shown in table 1 

below: 

This stratification enabled the reconnaissance survey of the cultural heritage 

and archaeological sites of adequate number of sites and settlements in each 

zone within the relatively short time available for the research. For example, 

it was possible to determine whether a settlement like Maluwe located 

completely out of the inundation area was likely to suffer any cultural loses 

following the construction of the project and the subsequent inundation. 

Similarly, the village of Ntereso (located to the north of Dokokyina and on 

the left bank) was investigated although it was several kilometers outside the 

immediate inundation area. Banda Ahenkro for example is not listed as 

being under any threat from inundation but following a study in zone 5, it 

was seen that like Bungasi, the inundation of the lands in the Bui village area 

would lead to the loss of all the ancestral homes and ritual sites of these two 

6

settlements. Gyama is located both outside the inundation area and the 

proposed Bui National park extension. It is however, found in an area 

through which transmission lines of the power station will pass to join the 

main grid at Banda Nkwanta. The impact that clearance of vegetation, 

digging and the movement of heavy vehicles/machinery will have on the 

cultural and archaeological sites needs be known. 

Table 1. Table showing the stratification of the research area into zone 

Zone # 

Description 

1 Non-inundation settlements and archaeological sites on the right bank of 

the Black Volta, e.g. Banda Ahenkro, Bungase, Gladao, 

2 Inundation settlements and archaeological sites on the right bank of the 

Black Volta River Bui, e. g. Akanyakrom, Bator, Kasaa and Dokokyina. 

3 Non-inundation settlements and archaeological sites on the left bank of the 

Black Volta River, e. g. Gyama, Maluwe, Wakawaka, Wasipe and Banda 

Nkwanta 

4 Inundation settlement and archaeological sites on the left bank of the Black 

Volta River, e.g. Lusina, Lorga, Ntereso. 

5 Bui National Park Extension settlements and archaeological sites on the 

right bank of the Black Volta River, e.g. dam Site, Brewohodi, 

Aborfuakura, Obakurase, Agbelikam South, Ahomansia. 

6 Bui National Park Extension settlements and archaeological sites on the 

left bank of the Black Volta River 

4. In line with customary practice, libation was poured at relevant villages and 

cultural sites to request the gods to bless the people and promote 

development projects in the area. 

5. Oral history and information on cultural traditions, values and worldviews of 

each village and their associated sites were captured on cassettes tapes that 

were later transcribed. At the end of each interview, part of the tape and in 

field notebooks was replayed to the hearing of interviewees. This allowed 

the informants to make additions or corrections they deemed necessary. 

6. Visit to the cultural sites mentioned in the oral sources. 

7. All sites visited had their GPS position marked and photographs taken when 

permitted. The few paces for which no GPS positions were obtained were 

due to a problem with the instrument. 

8. In all the zones, the focus was on studying the contemporary people and 

villages ethnoarchaeologically and ethnohistorically as well as surveying the 

bushes with my assistants and local people for early 

settlements/archaeological sites. Ethnographic observations of local 

practices, belief systems, burial forms and practices were done to enable 

better understanding of the archaeological findings. The archaeological 

survey involved walking in the bush to find sites and walking over identified 

sites to determine their topography, nature, size and surface artifacts and 

features such as mounds, baobab and other trees. The relationship 

7

archaeological sites and surface water resources was also studied. The 

distances between the points of location of archaeological sites were noted in 

addition to that of contemporary villages. Bearings and distances of sites 

were noted and artifacts seen on the surfaces were collected and properly 

bagged. 

9. The laboratory analyses of the archaeological finds collected followed the 

standard procedure of sorting, washing, labelling, and categorization prior to 

a detailed study of the features, composition, design, form, chronology and 

cultural indications. The information obtained from this study was useful for 

placing sites within better time frames (in the interim) and in understanding 

the dynamics of origin, evolution, movements, interactions of peoples and 

cultures in the Black Volta Basin. 

FINDINGS FROM THE INVESTIGATION OF THE MAP OF THE AREA 

The study of the map of the project area by the consultant was done to 

determine the location and distribution of contemporary settlements for 

understanding the dynamics of old habitation areas to be recorded in the 

survey. It was also to provide insights on the settlement history of the 

communities studied and the relationships between the people and their 

natural environment. 

 

 

 

The results showed that all the settlements under investigation are placed near 

the second-class route. The construction of motorable roads is an important 

factor in the movements of some towns and villages from former sites to their 

present locations. 

The contour lines show several areas of high elevation and mountains with 

some rising to about 1300 meters above sea level. Findings from the map 

show that settlements in the Banda traditional area do not take advantage of 

the tops of mountain and hill or the steep slopes. Rather, flat lowlands rising 

to 750m above sea level are preferred. The Bui settlement is located away 

from the Bui or Kpoloo Mountain. The ancient settlement sites of the people 

were established just at the lower slopes of the Kpoloo Mountain. The 

Mountain features in the life of the present people as the abode of the local 

god. In the area of the left bank of the Black Volta, the town of Gyama is 

placed on the low-lying area off the Bojel Mountain that extends in a 

Northeast-south west direction. In the southwest, the mountain forms the east 

face of the Bui gorge selected for the Hydroelectric Project. This mountain 

rises to a height of about 1250m above sea level. Gyama is located on the 

550m contour line of the local topography. 

The study of the map of the project area also revealed the presence of a 

settlement of Ntereso located to the north of Dokokyina and on the left bank 

of the Black Volta River. Though located outside the area of inundation and 

not mentioned for study by the consultant, the location of this village on the 

banks of the Black Volta necessitated a rapid survey. With the damming of 

the river in the Bui area, episodes of seasonal flooding in the Black Volta are 

likely to increase in intensity and spatial coverage. Ntereso may have to be 

8

elocated further away from the present site near the river to a safer ground in 

the neighbourhood a few years following the construction of the Hydroelectric 

project at Bui. 

 

 

 

 

An important observation seen from the investigation of the map was the 

relationship between settlements and surface water resources (rivers and 

streams). During the survey, oral and physical data was collected to 

understand the cultural and ecological implications of this relationship. The 

importance of water bodies in the form of rivers and streams to the people in 

the project area is seen in the use of such water for drinking and other water 

sometimes in the presence of borehole water supply. It is also seen in the 

sitting of shrines near such water sources at Bui and Ntereso. 

The cartographic data also shows that as late as the 1970’s, people did not 

place their villages too close to the Black Volta River. This contrasts with the 

evidence from the survey and also on the more recent maps. Bator is shown 

on the pre-1970 map as being in existence but located about 1km from the 

Black Volta River. Similarly, the village of Bui was placed at a distance of 

over 1km from the Black Volta. Old sites such as Kasaa and Bagbiape (the 

old settlement of the Boope people at Gyama) were placed at a distance of 

about 1km from the river. 

The maps also carry evidence of people having moved out of the immediate 

river valley zone in the 1970’s and others (mainly Ewe fisher-folks, Sissala 

and Dagarti) moving into the area between the down side of the proposed dam 

site and the confluence of River Tain and the Black Volta River. A map 

drawn from the results of Air photography taken by Hunting Surveys Ltd in 

November 1968, November 1969 and December 1969, and also by Meridian 

Airmaps Ltd in November 1971 (for the Survey Department of Ghana) did not 

show any of the villages presently dotting the riverbanks. For example, 

villages such as Tainaboi, Aborfuakura, and Obakurase did not appear. 

Air photography taken by Fairey Surveys Ltd, in November and Decemeber 

1965 and field completion by Survey Department in July 1977 showed Bui, 

Bator, Kasaa and Dokokyina. On the right bank, it showed Bagbiapi or Boope 

that has been confirmed by oral tradition gathered as having been 

contemporary with Kasaa. The people of Boope deserted their settlement and 

migrated to Gyama where they have formed one of the sections of the town 

that carries the name Boope. Plans to follow the results of the map and oral 

history study with an archaeological survey did not materialize because I 

could not get any member of the community willing to do the ten kilometre 

round trip walking journey to the site and back. An elderly person who 

seemed willing was too old and weak to be able to accomplish that feat 

without endangering his health. Oral information gathered on Kasaa at Banda 

Ahenkro showed that Kasaa was deserted in 1977. This desertion occurred 

after the month of July 1977 because during that month of the year, the Survey 

Department of Ghana did field survey and recorded that Kasaa was in 

existence. 

9

A LITERATURE REVIEW OF THE PROJECT AREA WITH REFERENCE 

TO ITS ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTRAL RESOURCES 

THE BLACK VOLTA BASIN HAS NOT RECEIVED GREATER ATTENTION WITH 

REGARD TO ARCHAEOLOGICAL AND CULTURAL RESOURCES RESEARCH. 

ONE OF THE REASONS FOR THIS LACK OF ATTRACTION HAS TO DO WITH 

PROBLEMS OF MEETING THE ENORMITY OF FUNDING NEEDED FOR SUCH 

DISTANT SITES. THE BASIN HAS EVIDENCE OF TOWNS AND LARGE-SCALE 

CENTRALIZED POLITIES, IRON SMELTING SITES, EARLY AND 

CONTEMPORARY VILLAGE SETTLEMENTS THAT SHOULD SERVE AS A 

MAJOR ATTRACTION TO HISTORIANS, SOCIOLOGISTS, ANTHROPOLOGIST 

AND ARCHAEOLOGISTS. THE FEW ATTEMPTS AT INVESTIGATIONS BY HAVE 

YIELDED INTERESTING RESULTS. 

THE FLOODING TO FOLLOW THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE AKOSOMBO 

DAM NECESSITATED RESCUE ARCHAEOLOGY IN THE NORTHERN VOLTA 

BASIN OF GHANA (OKORO, 2003). THE FOCUS OF THE RESCUE RESEARCH 

WAS IN PLACES LIABLE TO BE FLOODED IN CENTRAL GONJA. BUIPE AND 

PLACES NEARBY WERE HURRIEDLY SURVEYED AND TEST EXCAVATED BY 

ARCHAEOLOGISTS ATTACHED TO THE VOLTA BASIN RESEARCH. THE 

BLACK VOLTA BASIN OF WEST GONJA (NOW IN THE BOLE DISTRICT) WAS 

NOT INCLUDED IN AREAS UNDER THREAT. 

FOLLOWING THE GOOD RESULTS OBTAINED FROM HIS SURFACE SURVEYS 

IN THE INUNDATION ZONE OF THE AKOSOMBO DAM, OLIVER DAVIES, AN 

ARCHAEOLOGIST WORKING UNDER THE VOLTA BASIN RESEARCH 

PROJECT ATTEMPTED TO SURVEY AS MANY SITES AS POSSIBLE ALL OVER 

GHANA. HIS REPORTS AND PUBLICATION SHOW THAT HE INVESTIGATED 

VERY FEW SITES IN THE BLACK VOLTA BASIN (DAVIES, 1970). IN MARCH 

1964, DAVIES SURVEYED THE BUI FERRY SITE THAT WAS LOCATED ON THE 

NORTH BANK (THAT IS THE LEFT BANK OR THE NORTHERN REGION SIDE 

OF THE RIVER) FOR ARCHAEOLOGICAL EVIDENCE. HE FOUND LOW 

MOUNDS COVERED BY A THICKET AND THREE BAOBAB TREES BUT NO 

POTTERY (DAVIES, 1970:17). FINDINGS FROM THE PRESENT RESEARCH 

CONFIRM THE OBSERVATION DAVIES MADE ABOUT BAOBAB TREES AS AN 

IMPORTANT FEATURE OF THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES OF THE BLACK 

VOLTA BASIN. LOW MOUNDS ALSO FORM AN IMPORTANT FEATURE OF 

THE ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES IN THE BASIN. THE PRESENCE OF BAOBAB 

TREES NEAR SETTLEMENTS SHOWS THE SELECTION OF THIS TREE FOR 

PLANTING AND PROTECTION TO DERIVE ITS MANY ESSENTIAL FOODS AND 

MEDICINAL RESOURCES. 

THE BUI FERRY SITE MENTIONED BY DAVIES IS AN IRON AGE SITE. BUT 

DAVIES ALSO RECORDED FINDING NEAR THE TOP OF THE SLOPE, FROM 

THE FERRY SITE, SOME MICROLITHS AND A FEW SCATTERED PEBBLES ON 

THE SURFACE UP TO 30CM ABOVE THE RIVER. THIS MEANS DAVIES ALSO 

FOUND LATE STONE AGE SITES (WHICH REFERS TO CULTURAL 

DEVELOPMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE USE OF SMALL-SIZED WELL- 

SHAPED UTILITY AND SPECIALIZED STONE IMPLEMENTS, WITHIN 

SETTLEMENT FORMS THAT WERE SEDENTARY). 

10

DAVIES’ SURVEY IN THE BUI AREA CONCENTRATED ON THE FERRY POINT 

AND ADJACENT AREAS. THIS IS THE ONLY REFERENCE AVAILABLE ON THE 

ARCHAEOLOGY OF THE BUI AREA UNTIL THE 1990’S WHEN AHN STAHL (OF 

THE STATE UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK) COMMENCED HER SURVEYS AND 

EXCAVATIONS IN THE BANDA AREA. SHE STARTED A SERIES OF FIELD 

ARCHAEOLOGY DESIGNED TO PROVIDE DATA FOR UNDERSTANDING THE 

POLITICAL ECONOMY OF BANDA FROM 1700 TO 1925. IN JUNE 1994, AND 

ALSO MAY AND JULY 1995, EXCAVATIONS WERE DONE OLD SITES OF 

MAKALA (LOCALLY CALLED MAKALA KATAA AND KUOLO KATAA). 

MAKALA KATAA WAS DETERMINED TO BE A LATE 18 TH TO EARLY 19 TH 

CENTURY SITE (STAHL, 1998). DATA RECOVERED FROM THE EXCAVATION 

INCLUDED LOCAL CERAMICS, ZOOARCHAEOLOGICAL, 

ARCHAEOBOTANICAL REMAINS, COWRIE SHELLS, EUROPEAN SMOKING 

PIPES, GLASS/BOTTLES, BEADS AND IRON ITEMS. 

THE CONCLUSIONS WERE THAT PEOPLE OF THE BANDA AREA OPERATED 

THEIR ECONOMIES WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE LOCAL AND 

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS OF THE TIME. THE COMMUNITIES OF THE 

BLACK VOLTA AREA WERE TIED TO THE INDUSTRIAL AND TRADING 

DEVELOPMENTS AT BEGHO WHICH WAS AN IMPORTANT, WEALTHY AND 

FAMOUS ENTREPORT IN THE NORTHWESTERN PART OF THE BRONG 

AHAFO REGION. ATLANTIC CONNECTIONS IN THE BANDA AREA WERE 

SUGGESTED BY THE PRESENCE OF SMOKING PIPES, EUROPEAN GLASS 

BEADS, GLASS AND BOTTLES. 

AT NTERESO, OLIVER DAVIES FOUND EVIDENCE OF THE EARLIEST 

SEDENTARY VILLAGES IN GHANA BUT HIS DATA AND KNOWLEDGE ON THE 

PARAMETERS OF IRON TECHNOLOGY WAS LIMITED TO WHAT HE FOUND 

IN HIS EXCAVATION. THE EVIDENCE OF SLAG HEAPS SHOWING WELL 

DEVELOPED IRON-PRODUCING CULTURES LIVING OR OPERATING NEAR 

NTERESO WAS NOT FOUND (DAVIES, 1980; OKORO, 1989). 

11

12

THE SURVEY FINDINGS 

A summary of the findings from the survey of settlements and archaeological sites is 

in the six zones is as shown below 

Table 2: Table showing the contemporary and archaeological sites 

Zone # Settlements 

Archaeological 

sites/resources 

1 Banda Ahenkro, Bungase, Bui, Gladao, 

2 Bui, Akanyakrom, Dokokyina, Bui Camp Bui Sites, Bator, Kasaa 

3 Gyama, Maluwe, Wakawaka, Wasipe, Gyama, Kpoghunor Bhiang, 

Banda Nkwanta. 

4 Lusina, Loga, Ntereso, Loga Sites, 

Ntereso, 

Bagbiape/Boope Site, 

Fujubulma, Sindi,Sites of 

Maluwe. 

5 Agbegikrom, Agbelikame North, Tainaboi Tainaboi South West Site 

6 Brewohodi, Dam Site, Agbelikame South, Agbelikame South Site, 

Borfuakura, Ahomansia, 

Aborfuakura South Sites 

Ahomansia South site 

Brewohodi Sites 

13

ZONE 1: NON-INUNDATION SETTLEMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ON THE 

RIGHT BANK OF THE BLACK VOLTA 

14

BANDA AHENKRO 

(i) Informants 

Name Position Age 

Osabarima Okochridom Kwaduo Sito 1 Paramount Chief of Banda Ahenkro - 

Okyeame Sie Kwadjo Maristo Senior Linguist 46 

Nana Malllam Alhassan Watara Guantuahene 66 

Nana Sie Taki Tannor Palace Museum Officer 54 

Yaw Gbokor Elder 78 

Wuro Abuatea Bamuhene 72 

Kwame Donkor Tufuhene 60 

Kweku Dapaa Elder 67 


Paul Koo Mossi Palace member 53 

Bema Beatrice Sito Queen mother 42 

(ii) Water resources 

(a) Borehole: 9 (5 functioning 4 out of use). 

(b) River/Stream: Fini (that is has water in the year–round). 

Saylor (dry by December). 

Jinnay (dry by January). 

(iii) Ethnic and Religious composition 

Ethnicity 

Religion 

a. Nafana (Banda) 

(indigenous group). 

b. Akan (civil servants, 

police officers). 

(b) 

(a) Christianity (Pentecost, Apostolic, 

Presbyterian, Catholic, Community 

and Faith Church). 

(c) 

Traditional worship based on shrines 

in the Chief’s Palace and 2 others in 

the village. 

Islam. 

(iv) Historical and other aspects 

The original name of the settlement was Serminakuo meaning “groups of grasses.” 

This name was changed to Banda, which is a corruption of “Woanda” meaning “they 

did not sleep.” Ancestors of Banda Ahenkro were allies of the Asante kingdom 

during wars and they provided a strong military force that virtually refused to 

“sleep’ during at war times. Later, “woanda” was also corrupted by the Brong 

neighbours to become Banda. The settlement evolved to become the chief town or 

“Ahenkro” within a collection of Nafana communities. A large number of towns, 

villages and isolated households come under Banda Ahenkro. These are: 

Kofiye Bungase Obuasi 

Weywa Akanyakrom Fawoman 

Kaburuno Agbelikame (South) Nyirey 

Kanka Dokokyina Dorbow 

Sasse Dompofie Portee 

Makala Serbiye Tainaboi 

Sangwa Beyma Gbaw 

15

The ancestral home of the founding members of Banda said is traced to the Bui 

village area near the Black Volta River. A linguist who joined the team to Bui was 

able to show the ancestral grounds. 

(v). Old settlements and archaeological sites 

Banda Amanfow (N8. 27389 W2. 25591) 

This is the name given to the ancestral site of Bnada Ahenkro at the Bui area. The 

site is about 15km from Banda Ahenkro and it is located in the area of Bui village. It 

is about 800m south of the Bui village. The site extends from the foot of the Bui 

Mountain to the lower slopes. It consists of a collection of mounds representing 

compound houses that were probably enclosed on one side. The largest mounds 

measure 8m in its longest axis and rise to heights of between 40-60cm. 

The surfaces of the mounds are marked by pottery and zooarchaeological remains. 

The site is located at about a kilometer and a half away off the Black Volta River. The 

Puyi River is located to the west and north west of Banda Amanfow. The Puyi River 

was dry at the time of the visit but in the wet season, it could serve as a source of 

water to the site. The dimension of the widely space mounds distribution is about 

90m from east to west. No baobab trees were found on the site. 

(vi). Cemeteries 

Old ones 

a) Bahmu (Royal Mausoleum) (N8. 22963 W2 30174) 

This is a cemetery that currently has only one burial. The establishment of this 

cemetery followed the cessation of royal burials at Kaburuno near Kanka. The grave 

on this site is that of a queen mother who decreed her burial there. The cemetery 

will be the burial place for the Paramount Chiefs, the Queen mothers and heads of 

the clans of Banda Ahenkro. 

With the establishments of this cemetery, the land in the area has assumed a spiritual 

character that naturally serves to eliminate farming activities nearby. The evolution 

of a sacred grove in the area is ongoing. 

b. Old public cemetery for Christians and Traditionalists (N8. 16773 W2. 35422) 

Presently, this site has assumed the position of a residential area. It is located on the 

left hand side as one drives towards Bungase. Formerly, this cemetery was in the 

bush and far enough from the area of settlement. With the expansion of the town, 

following the building of more houses towards the direction of the old cemetery, 

burial was terminated and a new site was established further ahead. The old 

cemetery carried burial in the town from its inception until the 1960’s when burials 

were terminated. Two old tombs were found on the site with one marked 21-9-1951. 

Houses have been built on the old cemetery site and residents have no problem or 

worries with living on top of graves. This suggests that as time passes, burials in 

Banda Ahenkro reduce in value and relevance and burial grounds can give way to 

private house projects considered pressing and necessary. 

(c) Banda Ahenkro old Muslim cemetery (N8. 16737 W2. 35388) 

This used to be the cemetery of the Muslims in Banda Ahenkro until the cemetery 

land was relocated to the Roman Catholic Church for the purpose of building of a 

Church. The number of burials at the time of the transfer of ownership was only 5. 

16

Due to the absence of land tenure in the town, the Muslims who are indigenous 

Banda people agreed and were given a new land space. The foundation of the 

Church has been built, however, the building has been sited away from the graves. 

The area of the graves is to serve as a parking space or play ground in front of the 

church premises. 

d) Banda Ahenkro contemporary cemetery (N8. 17397 W2. 35099) 

This is located further ahead of the old public cemetery. In line with the traditional 

perception of distances, the cemetery has been moved to about 200m north of Banda 

Ahenkro toward the direction of the Bungase. It is a large area of land holding 

distinct zones of burials for Muslims, Christians and Traditionalists respectively. 

Erection of tombs is common in this cemetery. 

(vii) Shrines, gods and sacred groves 

(a) Trajara Shrine (N8. 16505 W2. 35392) 

This is one of the two village shrines of Banada Ahenkro. The shrine is in the form of 

a single stone boulder measuring 15cm on its longest axis and standing at a height of 

about 15cm. Though ordinarily looking, this shrine requires that families of deceased 

persons should sacrifice an animal to pacify the gods and purify the land after the 

burial. Animals sacrificed by the shrine priest are prepared and cooked (in water 

with only salt), and consumed on the spot. No part of the meat is supposed to be 

taken home. 

(b) Senyo Kupo Shrine (N8. 16677 W2. 35418) 

This shrine was obtained from Gonjaland in Northern Ghana, (that is the vast area to 

the left bank of the Black Volta). It is a shrine that was carried from the Banda 

ancestral site (or Banda Amanfow at Bui) to Banda Ahenkro. It is found a few meters 

from the junction of the Banda community center towards Bungase. Senyo Kupo is 

an important shrine with the responsibility of providing spiritual protection and care 

for the whole town, its people, animals, and farms. This shrine is under the care of 

the Sumankwahene of Banda Traditional Council. Unlike Trajara, Senyo Kupo is 

associated with a festival during which prayers or libation as well as sacrifices are 

made to the shrine. This occurs on the second Friday in the month of April every 

year. Each family head provides an animal (sheep or goat) and the chief also gives a 

sheep. Cooking of meat occurs near the shrine on a hearth set with 3 boulders. Meat 

is cooked in water with salt only. The shrine itself consists of a collection of 10 

stones/boulders placed under a tree and consumed at the shrine ground. 

c) Jalor Sacred Grove (N8. 16242 W2. 36821) 

This is the grove that provides the grounds on which the most important festival of 

Banda Ahenkro called the Yam Festival is held. The chief is carried to this site for 

rituals to be is performed. Activities such as the cutting and collection of wood, 

farming, sand-winning, as well as trapping and hunting of animals are strictly 

prohibited at Jalor. Enforcement of this prohibition is policed by powers of the 

spiritual realm who mete out stiff punishment (including death). The site is serene. 

d) Taplapor Sacred grove (site not visited, no GPS position available) 

According to informants this grove is located on the Banda hills or Jumbu Mountain 

at about 15km from the settlement informants maintained. There is a small village 

on this site. A perennial stream flows nearby on which ritual and traditional 

performances are done. Because the site is on the mountain, it was not possible to 

get informants who were willing to take the consultant there. 

17

GLADAO (Archaeological site) (N8. 22963 W2. 30174) 

This is an archaeological site that used to be the settlement of a group of Banda 

people. It is located at a distance of 9.7km from Banda Ahenkro but closer to 

Bungase. Though not threatened by inundation it is reported on as part of the 

archaeological resources of the Bui Hydro Electric Project Area. Because it is to the 

Banda Ahenkro to Bungase road, any future expansion of the road especially to the 

to north side will destroy portions of the site. 

Data gathered on the archaeology and culture history of this site provides insight for 

understanding settlement behaviors and processes of people in the project area. This 

is useful for the design of programs for resettling people and for understanding 

concerns that are cultural than economic. 

Archaeological survey was done on the site following its discovery on April 5, 2006. 

On April 15, 2006 a woman who was born at Gladao and had lived all her life there 

was located in Banda for the collection of oral history on the site. This aspect of the 

report combined Archaeology, Ethnoarchaeology and Ethnohistory 



Adjoa Fordjour (alias Adjoa Gladao) Former resident of Gladao 

now living in Banda Ahenkro 

75 

(ii) Water sources 

Borehole: -Nil 

River/Stream: (a) Bonnu River. This provided the lifeline for water because it 

carries water throughout the year. Located further away from 

Gladao to the west across the Chuli Mountain. 

(b) Lapla River: This is found to the west side of the 

archaeological site and flows in a north-south direction. 

Though very close to the site, water in this river dries up a few 

months into the dry season when water is most needed. 


Ethnicity 

Religion 

Nafana/Banda 

Traditionalists 

Islam (one person) 

(iv) Historical and other background 

The informant who provided the oral account of Gladao mentioned that there are 

currently only four people (including herself) left as the remnants of residents of the 

archaeological site. These are Kofi Ansuma (now blind), Kofi Blango (very old and 

weak), Adjoa Fordjour (also known as Adjoa Gladao the informant) and her senior 

sister also called Adjoa Gladao (who was not available at the time of the survey). All 

these people were born at Gladao. The founders of Gladao were formerly living in 

Banda Ahenkro before they relocated to establish the settlement. 

18

The Age estimate of Adjoa Fordjour was 75 and she is the youngest of the four. This 

pushes the existence of the site to 1931. The mother of Ajoa Forjour was sent to 

Gladao as a young girl. Assuming Adjoa’s Fordjours mother lived for about 10 years 

at Glador before giving birth to Kofi Ansuma (with an age estimate of 83 years) we 

have at least 93 years period back into the past. This extends the existence of Gladao 

to 1913. We therefore have a settlement that existed in the 19 th century or even 

earlier. 

The site was deserted not as a result of flood, fire accident, disease or epidemic, but 

just because of the death of the leader at the time called Kwesi Gladao. Kwesi 

provided leadership and inspiration to the people thus his death created a vacuum 

that destabilized the status quo and sent the people packing and moving back to 

Banda Ahenkro. 

A strong desire to return is visible in the oral accounts collected. In 2000, the former 

residents attempted to relocate back to Gladao. Kofi Asumah, the oldest member 

initiated a move to resettle but the plan never materialized because progressively his 

eyes failed him. Today he is blind. The old and weak have never given up the hope 

of resettling at the ancestral site one day. 

(v) The archaeological features 

The site of Gladao had the former footpath (now a road) running through the 

southern part where it separated one household from the rest. The survey shows 

that there were 5 households at Gladao. Four of these were on the northern or left 

side of the road facing Bungase and one on the Southside off the right side of the 

road. The house walls were made of clay that have all been reduced into low 

mounds and have subsequently been ploughed into yam mounds. Only the corner 

wall of a house remains on the site. Roofing was by thatch. 

The site is currently under cultivation. Part of it has been turned into a cashew farm 

ant the rest forms part of a yam farm. There are 4 baobab trees, two of which are 

sizeable and measure 6m in diameter at the base. The other two are small measuring 

3.5 in diameter at the stem. A maximum of one and a half centuries of growth 

explains the size of the largest baobab on the site. The residents planted all the 

baobab trees. In the recent past, the women remnant members at Banda Ahenkro 

visited the Gladao archaeological site to harvest the leaves of the baobab tress on the 

Artefacts collected from the survey were pottery and glass/bottles. 

BUNGASE 



Opanin Jack Moro Elder 72 

Nuhu Abdulai Elder 53 

H.Q. Acheampong Abusuapanin 65 

Mohammed Tijani Elder 50 

Mohammed Abdulai Elder 53 

Salia Abudulai Elder 72 

19

Kofi Nsiah Priest of Jafo Shrine 55 


Boreholes: 7 (3 out of use) 

River/Stream: Naja River, 

Lupo River, (River Lupo last longer than Naja). 

Black Volta (locally called Adrer and located 3km away). 

iii) Ethnic and Religious composition 

Ethnicity 

Religion 

(a) Banda 

(a) Christianity (Pentecost, Methodist, Presbyterian) 

(b) Ligby 

(b) Islam (associated with the Ligby ethnic group) 

(c) Dagarti 

© Traditional (centered on the older folks who are 60 years 

plus and based on the Jafo Shrine). 


The name of the town derives from the compounding of two words: “Bongrer” 

(groundnut), and “Se” (farm). Bongrerse was later changed to Bungase. Bungase is 

therefore, a groundnut farm that evolved into a township. The ancestors of Bongreso 

were resident at Bui but walked daily to their groundnut farms in an area that they 

considered very fertile. Temporary shelters, farm huts and resting places became 

permanent households and subsequently the cause for the relocation from the Bui 

area 

The traditional land area of Bungase is big and extends to the Bui camp area (that is 

about 1 km from Bungase). The people speak the Nafana language and form one of 

about two-dozen settlements (of various sizes) that compose the Banda traditional 

area. 

(v) Old settlements and archaeological sites 

Like Banda Ahenkro, therefore the indigenous people of Bungase trace their ancestry 

to the area of Bui village. Informants indicated that their ancestors lived for a long 

time at Bui. They descried ancient Bui as a big settlement with many houses and full 

of people and activities. Unlike Banda, informants were not able to accompany the 

consultant (at short notice) to the Bui village area to show location of the Bungase 

ancestral site. 

(vi) Cemeteries: 

Old cemetery (N8 23986 W2. 27498) 

This served the Muslim and Traditional members of the population in the past. This 

was at a time Christianity had not been established in the settlement. The cemetery 

is located under a tree on the right side of the road leading out of the village towards 

Bui Camp. Burials did not have cement-block tombs and the heaps of soil raised 

over burials have vanished from the lands surface long ago. It is highly impossible 

for one to see or predict the presence of a cemetery in the location. This cemetery 

used to be way out of the area of settlement. Today, it has become part of the 

settlement and indeed a terrain on which people walk, sit or play without any 

inhibition or fear. 

(b) Contemporary Cemeteries 

20

Christian Cemetery (N8. 23494 W2. 27869), 

Traditional cemetery (N8. 23371 W2. 27841), 

Muslim cemetery (N8. 23468 W2. 27480). ) 

With the expansion of the settlement to the north side of the town, the old cemetery 

was relocated to the southern and southeastern side. There are 3 areas of burial 

clearly separated from each other and belonging to Traditionalists, Christians and 

Muslims respectively. Heaping of soil over graves is the most common practice. 

Informants indicated that there are plans to relocate the Traditional and Christian 

cemeteries elsewhere to release the cemetery lands for houses to be built. This shows 

that like Banda Ahenkro, the sacredness of cemeteries in Bungase is relatively low or 

non-existent. Whenever the cemetery land is needed for other projects, the land is 

taken and the cemetery is easily relocated. Land delineated for burial does not 

remain so forever because transformations (dictated by local residential development 

projects) impact on them adversely. 


Shrine and idol worship is on a decline in Bungase. It is concentrated on the adult 

members of the community aged 60 years and above. There are 8 clans forming the 

community, and each has a clan leader (Abusuapanin) and a black stool. There are 

therefore, 8 black stools in the custody of clan heads. 

Jafo Shrine (N8. 23876 W2. 27807) 

Jafo literally means “the owner/holder of power.” It is the shrine for the village 

overseen by a 55 years old man called Kofi Nsiah. The shrine is located under a tree 

on the western outskirts of the town. It is also the focus of individual rituals 

performed through the priest. The shrine consists of a collection of 8 boulders (with 

one being a laterite boulder). Next to the collection is a flat-surfaced boulder set on 

the ground to serve as the seat for the priest. 

The skull of cow and bloodstains from a recent sacrifice was seen at the time of the 

visit. During the third week of April, a town level ceremony occurs involving the 

killing of cows, sheep and fowl to the Jafo Shrine. All animals sacrificed and are 

prepared, cooked (in a water and salt only) and consumed on site. The shrine area is 

not sacred and farming activity was seen about 5meters from the tree under which 

the shrine was kept. 

ZONE 2: INUNDATION SETTLEMENNTS AND ARCHAEOOGICALSITES ON 

THE RIGHT BANK OF THE BLACK VOLTA 

BUI 



Nana Yaw Bediako Chief 75 

Kojo Kantinka Samakwahene 82 

Yaw Bediako Nkwankwahene 58 

Kwesi Nagoli Akyeamehene 80 

(ii) Water sources: 

21

Borehole: None. 

River/Stream: Black Volta River (Adrer) only 


Ethnicity 

Religion 

(a) Mo 

Christians (Catholic and Presbtyterian) 

(b) Nafana (Banda) Traditional (based on two shrines and headed by two 

different priests) 

Islam (2 practitioners only) 


The name Bui is a Mo word that means “mountain.” The ancestral home of this 

village is traced to Lorga (normaly spelt Loga) that is across and on the left bank of 

the Black Volta. Oral tradition indicates that in the past, the people of Bui operated 

on both sides of the river and crossed the river as quickly, easily and often as 

possible. It takes less than 10 minutes to cross in a canoe using the two hands as the 

paddle. 

A visitor to Bui is often shocked at the smallness of the village that he or she is told 

that is all that there is for Bui of all places. There are 22 households, 2 shelters 

serving as places of worship (one for the Roman Catholic and the other one for the 

Presbyterian Church) and another shed for the kindergarten school of the village. A 

rough count gave a population of 172 people. 

The archaeological survey produced evidence to show that the general area of Bui 

village is the remnant of a former huge settlement that covered several acres of land 

and was home to a diverse number of ethnic groups. Oral traditions of Bungase 

points to this area as the ancestral home. In the case of Banda Ahenkro the oral 

informants went a step further to actually show the ancient site for study. Banda 

Ahenkro and several other Nafana settlements such as Makala, Dumpofie, and 

Sangwa are some of the settlements founded following relocation from the Bui area. 

(v) Old settlement and archaeological sites 

(a) The Bui archaeological site 

The rough layout of the site can be defined by the following GPS positions: 

(N8. 27389 W2. 25591) 

(N8. 27303 W2. 25999) 

(N8. 27835 W2. 26216) 

(N8. 27560 W2. 26246) 

What is referred to as the Bui Archaeological Site in this report is a huge site 

measuring about 700 meters North- South and 850 East-West. The site surrounds the 

Bui village in all directions. The full parameters of the site features and dimensions 

as well as the zonations in artifact and feature distinctions was not established by the 

reconnaissance survey done in this research. 

The historical traditions gathered from Banda Ahenkro, Bungase and Bui village 

suggests a dual or multi-ethnic settlement community. The eastern limits of the site 

did not reach the Black Volta riverbank. There is a distance of about 200m from the 

river to the edge of the site. The southeast limits of the site climbs the lower slopes of 

the Kpoloo Mountain (Bui Mountain). 

22

Old houses on the site are represented by mounds ranging in height from 30cm and 

100cm. The spatial arrangement of some mounds suggests compounds of many 

rooms. Some mounds stand in isolation suggesting compounds with fewer or single 

rooms. Although many of the mounds occur over the landscape, there is evidence of 

wider spacing of mounds. Distances of 20m to 80m separate compounds. It shows a 

big settlement that was not actually heavily parked in all areas. A few spindle 

whorls were also found in some places of the sites. This suggest local weaving done 

at the household level. The most numerous artifacts are pottery distributed all over 

the surfaces of the mounds and also in spaces between the mounds. Other material 

culture remains are glass beads cowries and fragments of European smoking pipes. 

Glass and bottle occur but these are in fragmented forms 

The baobab tree is represented on the Bui archaeological site only in the area to the 

east and northeast of the Bui Village. In this area, the spacing of mounds is between 

20 and 50 meters. Eleven baobab trees were counted and the position of some of the 

trees suggested that they were growing near house/compounds. 

That this site extended into the 18 th and early 19 th century cannot be disputed given 

the finding of imported European artifacts. Also that sections of the settlement 

found on the site continued into the last century and even to the present one is in no 

doubt. The oral traditions of Bui village suggest an autochthonous development. 

What is left are the following: an archaeological proof of the evolutionary processes 

of Bui Village, determination of the antiquity of the Bui archaeological site and the 

manner in which settlements in Banda relate to the site archaeologically and 

culturally. 

(b) Banda Amanfow Archaeological site (N8. 27389 W2. 25591) 

This site is located in the area of Bui village. It is about 800m south of the Bui village. 

The site extends from the foot of the Bui Mountain to the lower slopes. It is closer to 

the spot where rituals are performed for the Kpoloo Shrine of the Bui people. The 

site consists of a collection of mounds representing compound houses that were 

probably enclosed on one side. The largest mounds measure 8m in its longest axis 

and rise to heights of between 40-60cm. 

The surfaces of the mounds are marked by pottery and zooarchaeological remains. 

The site is located at about a kilometer and a half away off the Black Volta River. The 

Puyi River is located to the west and north west of Banda Amanfow. The Puyi river 

was dry at the time of the visit but in the dry season, it could serve as a source of 

water to the site. The dimension of the widely space mounds distribution is about 

150m from east to west. No baobab trees were found on the site. 

(vi) Cemeteries 

Contemporary Cemetery (N8. 27613 W2. 26160) 

There is a cemetery area in the bushes on the northern outskirts (on the 

archaeological site) where three different burial grounds are found. One ground is 

for Muslims, another for both Christians (Presbyterian and traditional worshippers, 

and the third is for Roman Catholic Church members. 


There is no idol or shrine inside the present settlement area of Bui but the village has 

two major shrines that are associated with the two most outstanding physical 

23

features of the landscape. These are the Mountain in the south and the Black Volta 

River in the east. These shrines are all located far away from the village. 

(a) Kpoloo or Bui Mountain god and shrine (N8. 27198 W2. 25564) 

The Bui Mountain or Kpoloo (Polu on maps) located to the south of the village is an 

important god for the people. “Kpoloo” in Mo language means “a big or huge 

thing.” Thus, the size of the mountain and its features (plants, animals, rocks and 

soil) is considered in the religious, spiritual and values systems of the people as the 

embodiment of an enormous power that is revered and adored by the people. 

A spot on the middle slopes of the mountain has been designated as a ritual ground 

where sacrifices are made to Kpoloo. This event occurs a few days after the 

celebration of the annual yam festival. Kpoloo exists to eliminate or provide 

directions and remedies for major natural disasters. It is said to be helpful in dealing 

with problem of rainstorms (especially serious ones that ripe off roofs, pulls down 

trees and pushes down houses). Cows and sheep are offered for sacrifice. The meat 

is cooked (in water with salt only) and feasted upon on the mountain. 

(b) Adrer Shrine (N8. 2773 W2. 25263) 

This is a shrine named after the Black Volta River. The shrine takes the form of a 

collection of 7 stones (6 sandstone boulders and 1 laterite boulder) placed underneath 

a shrub plant. It is located at a distance of only 50m from the river valley. The Adrer 

Shrine is consulted in cases of sickness, epidemics and contagious diseases such as 

cough. In the case of cough, for example, rituals (involving the use of fowls) are 

performed at the shrine and a quantity of water is collected from the river to be drunk 

and used for bathing by all the children of the village to terminate or eliminate the 

problem. 

In cases of guinea worm infections, patients are normally brought from elsewhere 

(because there are no cases in Bui village) to the shrine. They are required to provide 

one egg to the priest for ritual sacrifice to the shrine. Water from Adrer is collected 

and used to wash the infected area. The patient drinks some of the water and it is said 

that he/she gets relieve in the next few days, The egg is left on the shrine spot. At the 

time of the survey, three of such eggs were counted in addition to broken eggshells. 

There is a different priest in charge of the Adre Shrine of Bui. 

(c) Kpoloo (Bui Mountain) sacred grove: (N8. 27198 W2. 25564) 

This grove is on the western slopes of the mountain. This sacred grove derives from 

the association of the mountain with the habitation of gods and ancestral spirits. 

Farming is prohibited in this area. According to popular belief in the village, people 

who venture to farm on the land will go mad. There are traditions of people who 

developed mental and spiritual problems because they farmed on the area of the Bui 

mountain sacred grove. 

AKANYAKROM 



Kpoto Morfe Elder 66 

Shikpo Sikor Elder 58 

24


Borehole: The village is the process of getting one constructed. 

River/ Stream: Black Volta River (Adrer) 

Rainwater harvesting: Actively done. 


Ethnicity 

Religion 

Ewe (Anlo) 

Christianity (Pentecost, Catholic) 

Ewe (Terfler) 

Muslim: Nil 

Dagarti 

Traditionalists: not worshipping any 

Grusi 

idols but do not go to church) 


The people of this village trace their homeland to the Volta region of Ghana. The 

founding members led by Akyanya migrated after they were ejected from an earlier 

settlement following the creation of the Volta dam. They settled at Bator in the 

1960’s and made a living by fishing on the river and doing little farming. 

The Ewes, Dagartis and Grusis in the village have been neighbours for along time. 

The Dagarti and Grusi have never worked as fishermen. The Dagarti are 

traditionally farmers and have never worked as fishermen. Formerly they did a lot 

of hunting for meat for sale and for consumption. The establishment of Bui National 

Park in the area in 1976 has forced the Dagarti and Grusi to stop hunting and 

concentrate on farming. 

From the study of the maps of the Black Volta basin, Akanyakron is a pioneer Ewe 

fishing settlement in the area. Pre-1970 maps include Bator but do not show the 

many fishing villages that now form the focus of cultural, social surveys and impact 

assessment studies. The people of Agbelikame North and Agbelikame South trace 

their roots to Akanyakrom and by extension to Bator. 

The people of the village call their settlement Akanyakrom (Akanya’s town) after the 

first leader. However, their Mo and Nafana (Banda) neighbors prefer to call them 

Bator, which has become a generic name for Ewe fisher folks of the Black Volta 

Basin. 


Bator (N8. 29356 W2. 28774) 

The old settlement of Akanyakrom is Bator. It is a few kilometers away from 

Akanyakrom towards Dokokyina. A river flooding of the Black Volta River in 1963 

is the immediate cause of the abandonment of the old site. The flood destroyed all 

houses forcing the people to look elsewhere for habitat. 

The area of Bator (which is now an archaeological site) has been impacted upon 

negatively by the building of a campsite on the land for the game wardens. All the 

house structures in the area have been reduced into low mounds and soil except for a 

few walls that are still standing. Survey of the area documented many recent objects 

such as dry cell, rubber sandals, flash light cases, and cans of tomatoes, milk sardines 

25

used by the game wardens. The area of settlement at the old site is smaller and 

suggests a settlement that had houses being closer to each other. Wider Spacing is 

evident in the new settlement of Akanyakrom. 


Contemporary cemetery (N8. 28724 W2. 27439) 

This is located to the eastern side of the village close to the road. This location is 

similar to that of Dokokyina. There are two sections of the cemetery. The eastern side 

is for the burial of Christians (Pentecost and Roman Catholic members) and the 

western side for people who cannot be described as Traditionalist but who do not go 

to any of the two churches in the village. So the churches goers have their section and 

non-Church goers also have theirs. 


The available data shows that most Ewe settler communities such as Akanyakrom do 

not celebrate any indigenous festivals that are often engineered by the need for 

sacrifice, libation and worship of one sort or another. And with the acceptance of 

Christianity issues of shrines, gods, and sacred groves have been pushed to the 

background. Christmas and Easter are the main festivals. Members of the village 

who desire do travel to their hometowns annually to participate in the celebration of 

Hogbetsotsoza. This is held in December each year. 

BATOR (An Archaeological site: (N8. 29356 W2. 28774) 

The site is currently in use as a base/camp for forest guards. It is located close to the 

main road running North-South between Bui and Dokokyina. There are the remains 

of three houses still standing on the site. One of these is a single room that has been 

reduced to a height of about 1m. The other one is a four-roomed house that has 

been reduced to about 3m high. The room size is 3.5m by 4m.The broken walls of 

these houses have started forming mound in the places where they fall. The area of 

the site is about 140m by 100m. 

The site is interesting in terms of the trees seen. There are many Neem trees, five Silk 

Cotton trees (that were intentionally planted on the site). Silk cotton trees were not 

seen on the drive to the site. The other tree is the baobab. Those on the site are not 

big and this shows that they were planted no long ago. 

Because the site has been settled upon by the game wardens, material remains that 

were seen on the site are recent. They include old dry cell, rubber sandals, tomatoes 

and sardine cans. These are items brought to the site by the warden for the 

preparation of meals (probably bush meat). An old mortar for pounding yam into 

fufu is standing on the site in front of the house of the wardens. There is a hearth that 

had been used for cooking a few moments before the team visited the site. Fuel 

wood was still burning in the hearth. 

KASAA ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITE (N8. 37768 W2. 37102) 

The survey has provided archaeological and ethnohistorical information on a site 

called Kasaa that is in the inundation zone on the right bank of the Black Volta River 

and located between Bator and Dokokyina. 

26

The area of occupation of this site is large and measures about 300m E-W and 150- 

200m N-S. There are 8 baobab trees on the site with some being big. The baobab 

trees are widely distributed on the site and in between the baobab trees are 

settlement mounds. The most prominent mound on the site has a baobab to North 

East side and second one to the South East side. 

There is evidence of standing house wall remains. One is about 20cm thick. There is 

also evidence of a few walls that are yet to be reduced into soil or earth/ mounds. 

The observation is that this settlement was nucleated showing where households 

were closer together. Distances of about 10-15 m separate the mounds from each 

other 

The site should have about 6 mounds representing houses of people who lived there. 

Mounds rise up to about 100cm (as the highest) but most are 60-80 cm high. The 

length ranges between 6m and 25m. This suggests single-roomed as well as other that 

had lines of 4 to 6 rooms. 

Artifacts on surface are pottery, glass, bottles, old metal chamber pots and sardine 

cans. These are recent things. 

The ethnohistorical data on the site was obtained from a former resident of Kassa 

now blind and living in Banda Ahenkro. According to this source Kasaa was a 

Nafana/Banda settlement that was abandoned in 1976 following their evacuation by 

the by the Bui National Park personnel. The site dates from the late 19 th to 1976. 

DOKOKYINA 



Kojo Ofori Krontihene 82 

Zack Ali Opinion leader 46 

Kobena Ofori Opinion Leader 49 

Steven Kusi Bedu Teacher 50 

Sampson Dormakaa Student 22 

Kwame Bedu Shrine Priest 68 

Patrick Akrasi Teacher 20 



River/ Stream: Mua and Fayom streams (these stream dry up early). 

Water holes: 3 in the valley of Mua stream. 


Ethnicity 

Religion 

Mo (only) (a) Christianity (Catholic and 

Community Church) 

(b) Islam 

(c)Traditional religion 

(iv) Historical background 

27

The origin of the people who established Dokokyina is traced to a place called Chila 

in Northern Ghana. The oldest member of the community aged 82 years did not live 

at this ancestral site. This suggests that they have been resident in the present site for 

over a century. 

The village derives its name from a tree near the path leading into the village. It is 

said that in the past, trading and social interaction occurred underneath the tree. 

People told their neighbors to go to the place underneath the tree (“Doker” that is 

“go to” and “chana” “the tree”). This saying was later corrupted into the present 

spelling and sound of Dokochina or Dokokyina. 


The old settlement of Dokokyina is said to be about 25km to the west of the present 

settlement. The survey done in the immediate area of the village did not produce 

any old site. But informants indicated that they have seen old sites belonging to 

people they do not know or have any linkage with, in the remote areas from the 

settlement. They confirmed seeing slag, house mounds and pottery. A full-scale 

survey of two or three days is needed to document the archaeological sites in the 

area. Attempt to get the oldest man to lead the team to see the ancient settlements 

were cancelled because the journey was to be done by foot. Since the vehicle the 

team was using could not go there, it was considered not realistic to cause an 

82years-old-man to walk such a distance in the scorching. 


Contemporary (N8. 36655 W2. 43091) 

Only one cemetery has been in use since the village was established in the area 

probably in the late 19 th century or early 20 th . The cemetery is located out of the 

village on the dirt road leading into Dokokyina from the direction of Bui. There are 

three divisions of the cemetery: one for the Catholic, and the Community Church, the 

other for Muslim, and the third for the burial of traditional practitioners. 

vii) Shrines, gods, and sacred groves 

Senyo Kupo Shrine (N. 36541 W2. 43129) 

This is a shrine for the whole village of about 350 people. The shrine is in the form of 

a collection of stones numbering 21 pieces gathered under a Mango tree. Only one of 

the stones is laterite, the rest are sandstone. The size of the stones is about 15-20cm 

long and 10-12cm wide. 

Rituals involve the killing of sheep, goat and fowl. The meat is cooked like soup but 

no pepper, salt or tomato is added. Women are not allowed to eat this meat and 

members present are required to consume every piece of meat on site. Left over 

meat is kept near the shrine under the tree for consumption the following day. Parts 

of the meat offered to the shrine include the liver, intestines and heart. 

This Shrine serves as the protector of members of the village from natural, climatic 

and health problems. 


28

There is no shrine for the village although individuals have small idols that they 

worship in their rooms. Because they are settlers on Gyama traditional land, the 

people of Agbegikrom have no sacred groves. 

ZONE 3: NON-INUNDATION SETTLEMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL STES 

ON THE LEFT BANK THE LEFT BLACK VOLTA 

GYAMA 



Nana Kwadjo Pambo II Paramount Chief 70 

Nana Kyiame Tenten Senior Linguist 65 

Kwabena Dorpre Elder 63 

Kojo Bannier Clan Head 68 

Kweku Asante Chief Priest 66 


Borehole: 5 (2 out of use) 

River/ Stream: Jerchide 

Chrodo (an important dry season water source). 

Water Harvesting: Activity done but storage is limited. 


Ethnicity 

Mo (farming) 

Dagarti (farming 

Banda (farming 

Malian (fishers) 

Ewe (fishers) 

Akan (trading and farming) 

Religion 

(a) Christianity (Catholic, Christ 

Apostolic, Methodist, Presbyterian and 

Christ Evangelical Church). 

(b) Islam 

(c) Traditionalists based on one major 

shrine. 

Historical background 

The Mo people who are the indigenous group trace their origin from Gyang in the 

North. On migration to the Black Volta Basin, they first settled at Kpoghunuu from 

where they moved to the present site. Former settlers from Bhiang, Charaa and 

Nyamala in the south and western part of Gyama relocated to Gyama. Though no 

longer occupied, Bhiang is still recognized as important to the residents living at 

Gyama. Villages such as Agbelikame North are living on Bhiang traditional land 

and they accordingly respect Bhaing values regarding groves and land use. 

Two attempt to visit and survey Bhiang. The persons leading the team to see shrines 

and old sites did not accept an invitation to continue to Bhiang. A distance of about 

five kilometers of footpath journey was involved. At Agbelikame, people were 

willing to do the 3-4 kilometers walk but expressed the need to seek permission from 

Gyama. 

Gyama is also the home of all the Mo members of an archaeological site on the left 

bank of the Black Volta shown on old maps as Bagbiape. The people from Bagbiape 

29

are commonly referred to as Boopey (which s a corrupted version of Bagbiape) by 

their neighbours. 


The old settlement of Gyama in the project is called Kpoghonuu. This site was 

shifted to the Gyama-Agbegikrom road when it was constructed in the 1950’s. 

Today, houses have extended to occupy former compounds and spaces of 

Kpoghunuu. Potsherds therefore occur in heavy concentrations and are widely 

distributed on the compounds and in walls of houses in the southeastern part of 

Gyama. 

Large portions of present day Gyama are therefore standing on archaeological sites. 

The mounds of the former houses provide clay soil for building house walls. The 

Kpoghonuu archaeological site, measures about 300m North-South and 200m in its 

east-west alignment. It marked by low house mounds that stand at 60-80cm high, 

and 30-60cm long. These represent collapse house walls of compounds. It is 

estimated that about 50 of such mounds exist in the area. The GPS positions of the 

archaeological sites recorded in Gyama are shown below: 

GPS Positions of archaeological sites in noted in Gyama 

Site # Description and Location GPS Position 

1 House mound (Kpoghonuu, Old Gyama site) N8. 30204 W2. 17599 


3 House mound (Kpoghonuu, Old Gyama site) N8. 30139 W2.17642 




7 House mound (Kpoghonuu, Old Gyama site) N8. 30173 W2.17812 


Cemeteries (N8. 29897 W2. 24388) 

The present cemetery has served as the burial ground for both the old settlement, 

Kpoghonuu and Gyama. Although there are three main religious belief systems in 

the town, the cemetery has only two divisions. There is an area for Muslim burial 

and another for both Christians and Traditionalists. The cemetery is in the southern 

side of the settlement. 

(vii) Shrines, gods and sacred groves (N8. 30192 W2. 17621) 

Shrines, gods and scared groves feature prominently in the culture of the people of 

Gyama. A third of the population believes in shrines and idols. Some Christians 

also do believe in the local shrine called Tiao. A 62 years-old man identified with the 

title Hareti (land owner) plays the role of the overseer and priest of the Tiao.Shrine. 

The Tiao shrine is however owned by the Chief of Gyama. 

Gyama appears to be a settlement that is strict and serious in discharging traditional 

religious values. Before the team visited the shrine site, drink was collected for 

libation. No red dresses were allowed and all slippers, boots and sandals are 

forbidden in the 20-30m perimeter of the shrine. Visitors are therefore made to walk 

30

arefooted (or in socks) as they walk to the shrine that is in the form of clay mould 

set in the open with a few boulders placed near it. The area of the shrine is a sacred 

site and farming is not allowed. 

The Mo people in Gyama who trace their ancestry to Bhiang have belief systems that 

require visit to the old site of Bhiang some 5 kilometers away for rituals. Libation 

and the slaughter of sheep and fowls form part of the ritual that enables revival of 

the spiritual foundations of the present community. 

MALUWE 

AS INDICATED ABOVE, THE RESEARCH AREA WAS STRATIFIED INTO 6 

ZONES WITH ZONE 3 BEING DEFINED AS THE NON-INUNDATION AREAS ON 

THE LEFT BANK OF THE BLACK VOLTA RIVER. A SAMPLE OF ALL THE 

VILLAGES FROM BAMBOI TO BOLE WAS RANDOMLY MADE. THIS 

SELECTED WAKAWAKA, WASIPE, BANDA NKWANTA AND MALUWE. THE 

OTHER SETTLEMENT IN THIS ZONE IS GYAMA THAT IS OFF THE MAIN 

BOLE-BAMBOI ROAD. THESE SETTLEMENTS WERE OUT OF DANGER 

REGARDING THE FLOODING OF THEIR AREAS OF RESIDENCE AND MAY BE 

FARMING. 

THE SURVEY WANTED TO TEST WHETHER ANY OF THESE ROAD SIDE 

TOWNS HAS ITS ANCESTRAL SETTLEMENT IN THE AREA OF INUNDATION 

THAT IS LOCATED ABOUT12 TO 18KILOMETERS TO THE WEST SIDE. THE 

FINDING SHOWS THAT MALUWE IS THE TOWN THAT STANDS TO LOSE ITS 

ANCIENT SITES INUNDATION SHOULD OCCUR. ACCORDINGLY, MALUWE 

IS INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT. 

(I) INFORMANTS 

NAME POSITION AGE 

WUREPEWURA 

CHIEF 78 

SAMANI 

ASMAH SULEMANA NKWANKWAHENE 72 

MUMUNI EWURA ELDER 76 

HALIDU SUMANI ASSEMBLYMAN 39 

YAKUBU SEIDU RESIDENT 42 

MAMMA SEIDU OPINION LEADER 45 

(II) WATER SOURCES 

BOREHOLE: 1 IN USE, 3 UNDER CONSTRUCTION.. 

RIVER/STREAM: MALUWE (THIS RIVER NEVER DRIES UP). 

(III) ETHNIC AND RELIGIOUS COMPOSITION 

ETHNICITY 

RELIGION 

GONJA (MAJORITY) 

MUSLIMS (IN THE MAJORITY) 

DAGARTI (NEXT IN SIZE) CHRISTIANS (DAGARTI) PENTECOST, 

LOBI (THE THIRD LARGEST CATHOLIC, PRESBYTERIAN. 

GROUP) 

TRADITIONALISTS. 

SISSALA (THE FOURTH AND 

LAST) 

(IV) HISTORICAL AND OTHER ASPECTS 

31

THE GONJA WORD FOR A RIVER THAT NEVER FINISHES IS “MALUWE” AND 

THIS IS THE NAME GIVEN TO THE SETTLEMENT THAT WAS ESTABLISHED IN 

THE AREA BECAUSE OF THE PERENNIAL SUPPLY OF WATER FROM THE 

RIVER NEARBY THAT THEY NAMED MALUWE. TODAY, THE RIVER DRIES UP 

DURING SEVERE DRY SEASONS BUT THANKS TO THE PRESENCE OF A 

BOREHOLE THE RESIDENTS ARE ABLE TO SURVIVE THE DRY SEASON. 

THERE CAME A TIME WHEN THE ANCESTORS OF MALUWE WANTED TO 

MOVE AWAY FROM THE BLACK VOLTA RIVER PROPER. THE CONCERN WAS 

WITH GETTING A SITE THAT HAS YEAR ROUND WATER SUPPLY LIKE THEY 

WERE USED TO WHEN THEY LIVED NEAR THE LACK VOLTA RIVER. THE 

RIVER IN THE PRESENT AREA WAS SEEN AS APPROPRIATE FOR WATER 

SUPPLY SO THE SETTLEMENT WAS SITED NEAR IT. 

(V) OLD SETTLEMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 

THE OLD SETTLEMENTS NEAR THE BLACK VOLTA RIVER ARE FUJUBULMA 

AND SINDI (THAT IS SEPARATED FROM THE LATTER BY A DISTANCE OF 

8KILOMETERS ALONG THE BLACK VOLTA VALLEY). THESE SITES ARE 

LOCATED 12 KILOMETERS FROM MALUWE. ACCORDING TO THE 

INFORMANTS THE SITES HAVE BAOBAB TREES STANDING ON THEM AND 

POTTERY SCATTERED ON THE SURFACES OF THE MOUNDS. THE OLD SITE 

IS SAID TO AT THE TOP OF DOKOKYINA BUT ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE 

BLACK VOLTA RIVER VALLEY. A VISIT TO THE PLACE COULD NOT BE 

ARRANGED IMMEDIATELY. MORE TIME WAS NEEDED FOR THEM TO 

PREPARE FOR SUCH A VISIT. HOWEVER, THE INFORMANTS NOTED THAT 

THE SITES HAD A CEMETERY FOR ORDINARY MEMBERS OF THE VILLAGE. 

OLDER PERSONS WERE BURIED AT HOME. 

ZONE 4: INUNDATION SETTLEMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ON 

THE LEFT BANK OF THE BLACK VOLTA 

LUSINA AND LOGA (Contemporary settlements and archaeological sites) 

A cultural and archaeological survey was conducted in the area know as Lucene 

(Lusina) and Loga (or Lorga) in the inundation zone on the left bank of the Black 

Volta River in the Bole District of the Northern Region. The area investigated is 

found between Dakonmira Mountain on the east and Bojel Mountain on the west. 

This area will be referred to as Logaland in this report. There are a few Dagarti 

compounds that are widely spaced apart. The rest of the area is marked by deserted 

settlements, some recently as 2002 and other several centuries ago as archaeological 

sites. 



Nana R. B. Donwaah Overseer of Logaland 58 

Kweku Dagarti Settler/Fisherman 56 

Gbaryuo Tansilai Settler/Farmer 78 

Serezu Sinya Settler/farmer 60 

Marcelem Kamporpare Settler/farmer 66 



32

River/Stream: Two sources found; these are the Black Volta River and the Mane 

River, which flows into the former. The Black Volta River is the main 

source of water for the settlers on Logaland. 

iii) Ethnic and Religious composition 

Ethnicity 

Dagarti 

Religion 

Traditionalists 

Four compounds belonging to Dagarti settlers were documented in addition to the 

deserted house of Lusina. Three of the family heads were farmers. One was a 

fisherman who had his compound about 80 meters from the Black Volta. (This is the 

only Dargarti fisherman recorded in the survey. The Dagarti people of Logaland 

believe in traditional worship, although they also profess to be Christians who do 

not have access to church. None was a Muslim. 

The other people documented in the area are involved in small-scale gold mining 

using traditional as well as modern technologies to extract gold from the sand beds 

and rocks of the Black Volta. The group is a mixed one in which can be found 

Banda, Ewe, Mo, Gonja, Lobi, Akans, Dargarti, Sissala, Malian, Beninois and Ivorian 

people. Men and women alike are present with the later providing food and other 

social services. 


Dargarti settlements in Logaland date to about 40 years ago and the most 

acknowledged settler is known as Lusina. (which is mentioned by his Dagarti 

neighbours as Lushina). The Dagarti settlers describe each of their isolated 

households as a village. Thus, they have Lusina akura, Gbaryuo akura, Sinya akura, 

and Kamporpare akura. 

Lusina is maintained as one of the earliest settlers in the area who also introduced 

others persons from his hometown in Jirapa (Upper West Region of Ghana) to 

livelihood and habitation of the Black Volta Basin. From the early 1940’s to around 

1966, a small Dagarti village called Logbia (spelt on maps as Lobia, and pronounced 

ordinarily by the people as Loga) existed in Logaland. This change in the sound and 

spelling of name is similar to the corruption of the name of an archaeological site like 

Bagbiapi to Boopey. The “gb” phoneme is dropped and replaced with a ‘g’ or ‘b’ 

sound. 

Since its desertion, the name Lorga has been maintained and used to refer to the area 

in general. Later in time, another Dargrti settler called “Lushina,” made his home 

near the Black Volta and did farming alongside fishing. Lushina (spelt Lucene) on 

maps moved out of Logaland in 2002 to settle at Tinga. One of the present settlers 

called Serezu Sinya has lived in Logaland for 17 years. The oldest settler Tansilai 

Gbaryuo aged 78 years settled in the area in the mid 1960’s. 


Interestingly, the abandoned settlement (house structure) of Lushina is considered 

by this survey as an archaeological site of historical and cultural value. This is close 

to the river. The walls have collapsed but low wall remains show evidence of two 

rooms. The old site of Lushina has been converted into a settlement for local miners. 

Twenty-six temporary structures of the miners made old sticks, grass and plastic 

33

sheets, were counted in this is an emerging mining “township.” The GPS positions 

of the contemporary households on Logaland are shown below: 

GPS positions of household at Logaland 

Site # Description GPS Position 

1 Kweku Dagarti Akura N8. 28476 W2. 24388 

2 Gbaryuo akura N8. 28376 W2. 24609 

3 Lusian akura N8. 28164 W2. 24761 

4 Sinya akura N8. 28187 W2. 25522 

5 Kamporpare akura N8. 28499 W2. 24882 

The people of Bui traced their old ancestral home to both Bui and Loga. In the past 

the Black Volta River was running through Bui and Loga as one area of settlement of 

the people of Bui. It takes less than 10 minutes to cross over from one end to the 

other. Today, the use of the river as a form of demarcation between two regions has 

placed the eastern part of this land under Northern Region and the western-side 

under Brong Ahafo region. 

Archeological survey in Logaland yielded useful findings. Two centers of ancient 

habitations sites (Lorgaland Settlement Area 1 (LSA 1) and LSA 2) were plotted at a 

distance of 2 km from the river (moving in a westward direction). Moving in linear 

traverse, 12 mound sites were recorded for LAS 1. A space of about 700 meters 

separated LAS 1 from LAS 2 as the alignment of the traverse line was maintained. 

LSA 2 is a large archaeological site covering an area of 300m North-South by 250m 

East-West, There are several baobab trees growing on the site. The GPS positions of 

these sites are shown below: 

Site # Description GPS Position 

1 Iron smelting/house mound site N8. 28518 W2.25422 

2 Iron smelting/house mound site N8. 28548 W2. 25431 














The other significant find was the evidence of iron technology. From a total of 15 

sites that were investigated (given the time available) only 4 did not have slag 

remains. The rest had solid proof of indigenous iron smelting using ore that was 

collected as lumps from the land surfaces or blocks broken from laterite boulders 

projecting on the land surface. Most mounds are between 30 and 60cm. The highest 

mound stood at 1.1m high and measured 60m long and 32m wide. This suggests a 

34

long house structure with a line of rooms. The evidence of iron smelting suggests a 

people who smelted iron near the homes. They may have done the forging and 

working of the bloom into tools, weapons, ornaments and equipments. This can be 

determined by further investigation and through excavation. The iron smelting 

evidence occurs on both LSA 1 and 2. 

The relationship between these archaeological sites (and many more that remain to 

be discovered using more traverses) and archaeological and cultural evidence at Bui 

archaeological needs to be understood once the various parameters of these sites are 

clearly defined. Slag is found at Bui but there are not in the form seen at Lorgaland. 

The Bui slag are single pieces with smoothed side for some type of grinding activity. 

The material culture of Bui included European imports of smoking pipe, glass beads 

and glass or bottle. There is evidence of weaving (spindle whorls) at Bui but none 

was seen at the Logaland site. In terms of chronology Lorgaland does not seem to be 

a settlement that continued into the 15 th Century. The evidence of iron slag 

accumulations near homes shows an industry that was done by indigenous 

metallurgists using family labour and perhaps hired ones as well. The element of the 

use of slave labour cannot be determined using data available. 

NTERESO 



Issifu Andam Chief 780 

Ama mahama Elder woman 66 

Gbolo Ansuma Linguist 48 

Nuhu ewura Opinion leader 32 

Adama issifu Jr. Chief’s son 30 



River/ Stream: Black Volta River 

Water Harvesting: Nil 


Ethnicity 

Religion 

Gonja 

Traditionalists (Gonja and Ewe) 

Dagarti 

Muslims (Gonja, and also the dominant religion 

Ewe 

Christians (Dagarti) 


The narrators of the ethnohistory of Ntereso indicated that the name of the village 

means “riverside.” According to this source, the ancestors of the people of the 

village evolved in-situ. That is they evolved right in the place of their settlement. 

There is archaeological evidence from research in the 1960’s by Oliver Davies (1980) 

that Late Stone Age people lived at Ntereso and developed one of the earliest 

villages in Ghana. The archaeological remains points to people who combined 

farming with other economic pursuits such as crop cultivation and hunting. Ntereso 

joins Bui as the two settlements among the many surveyed that did not evolve from 

35

somewhere. What remains unanswered is the ethnic, historical or cultural 

relationship between the present people, their Iron Age ancestor and the Late Stone 

Age people. 

Radiocarbon dates available place the chronological boundaries of the Late Stone 

Age in Ghana from 4000BP to less than 3000BP, with a clustering between 3000 and 

3500 BP. This implies that Ntereso has been in existence since the last 4000 years. 

This historical fact makes Ntereso an important cultural and archaeological site not 

only in Ghana but also in West Africa. 

The Gonjas of Ntereso form the indigenous people and the majority group, with the 

Dagarti and Ewe being settlers. The Gonjas are predominantly farmers. A few do 

fishing in addition to farming. The Dargartis are farmers who do no fishing. 

v) Old settlements and archaeological sites 

Because the oral tradition says the people evolved from where they are, Ntereso 

people do not point to any location as their ancestral home. However, archaeological 

survey in the area produced very interesting results in the form of 2 settlement 

mounds on the south east of the village. One of these mounds has been exploited of 

clay soil to make bricks for house construction in the village. 

A survey was done in the east (the river is on the west side of the village to a 

distance of about one kilometer) and 4 iron smelting sites were encountered. This 

finding is a surprise because the main association established for Ntereso is with the 

Later Stone Age. The smelting sites had lots of slag, but very few furnaces and 

tuyere remains that were scattered on the land surface. These have been determined 

from the pottery analysis to be food serving and eating bowls, soup bowls and cups 

as well as water pots. The local pottery therefore throws light on the storage, eating 

and drinking behaviors of the iron smelters of Ntereso. Six smelting sites (the largest 

measuring were surveyed with the largest measuring 80km long and x 80km wide) 

were also surveyed. The positions of the archaeological sites are as follows: 

GPS positions of Ntereso archaeological sites 


1 House mound (Southeast of the village) N8. 78565 W2. 57714 

2 House mound (Southeast of the village) N8. 78653 W2.57754 

3 Iron smelting site/house mound (East of N8. 78912 W2.56860 

village) 

4 Iron smelting site/house mound (East of village N8. 78694 W2.57132 

5 Iron smelting site/house mound (East of village N8.78661 W2.57110 

6 Iron smelting site/house mound (East of village N8. 78652 W2. 57067 

(vi) Cemetery 

The cemetery of Ntereso is to the southern part of the settlement. There is division 

no the basis of religion beliefs and practices. People (Muslim, Christian and 

Traditionalists) can be buried in any part of the cemetery. The cultural importance of 

this cemetery is that it has been the one in use of several years. 


(a ) Frenobore Shrine: (N8. 78704 W2. 57805) 

36

This is the only shrine inside the village and in the area of habitation area of 

settlement. The others are outside. Frenobore Shrine is in the form of a conically 

shaped clay mound that is about 80cm wide at the base and 80cm high at the pointed 

top, To prevent the clay from eroding away, a plastering of cement has been put on 

it. 

This shrine is the watchdog of the people. It sees, repels or arrests evil forces or 

powers that seek to impact negatively on the welfare of the people. 

(b) Lorr (The River) Shrine: (N8. 78632 W2. 58269) 

This shrine is located underneath a tree. The shrine is in the form of a stone that has 

been worked upon or has been polished on one side. The location of the shrine is 

close to the valley of the Black Volta. However, informants mentioned that when the 

river overflows its banks it never climbs over to the side of the shrine to destroy it. 

The shrine is the focus of an annual celebration during which a sheep or cow is 

sacrificed to it. The fishermen in the village play a lead role. These people indicated 

that they do not seek any assistance or direction from any shrine except the Lorr 

Shrine. There is a priest who receives vows and offerings for the shrine. This is the 

chief of the village. 

(c) Niko Shrine (The Rock Shrine) (N8. 78867 W2. 58340) 

This shrine is located further away from the river. It is a big natural boulder 

projecting on the lands surface at a height of about 1.3m and measures about 3m 

long. It has hollowed as many as 62 surfaces most of which are oval-shaped. Niko 

Shrine is said to be senior to the Lorr Shrine. It is consulted by those looking for 

success in a venture, a journey or a relationship for which spiritual guidance, 

direction and support is deemed necessary. 

(d) Ntereso Sacred Grove 

This consists of an area of about 10 acres that was declared a sacred site by the 

ancestor of the people of Ntereso. No farming or hunting is allowed on the land. 

Contravention of rule is punishable by blindness. 

Zone 5: BIU NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION SETTLEMENTS AND 

ARCHAEOLOGICL SITES ON THE RIGHT BANK OF TH BLACK VOLTA 

BREWOHODI 



Kofi Dari Nkwankwahene 40 

Kofi Che Elder 48 


Borehole: Nil 

River/Stream: 


Ethnicity 

Dagarti 

Ewes 

Religion 

Christians (Catholics, Presbyterian) 

No Muslims 

37

Banda 

No traditional worship 


This is a small settler village of 45 persons. The village was formerly in the area of 

Dam site closer to the Black Volta. It was relocated following a major river flooding 

that occurred in 2000. All the houses of the riverside settlements were destroyed and 

this forced people to migrate. 

Brewohodi is a phrase which means “eat from your sweat.” The first settler on the 

site cautioned newcomers coming into the village about the need for hard work and 

individual achievement. Although Brewohodi is the name of the village that appears 

on maps and other documents, the most popular name for the village is Kootaa-Ano. 

This is a compound of English and Akan. “Kootaa” refers to a tarred road and 

“Ano” means “end point.” In other words, the village is sited at the point where the 

tarred road from Bungase ends. 


There are 15 houses in Brewohodi and two of these are unoccupied. One belongs to 

a deceased man and the other to a family that left the village. In the center of the 

village, one house wall showed pottery inclusions. The soil for the wall was traced 

to the mound of an old settlement. The GPS positions of the archaeological sites in 

and around Brewohodi are presented below: 

GPS positions of archaeological site found in and around Brewohodi 


1 House mound (Inside village) N8. 27013 W2. 23601 

2 House mounds (South East of village) N8. 26615 W2. 23485 


4 House mounds (South East of village) N8. 27061 W2.23320 


6 House mounds (South East of village) N8 27226 W2. 23360 


The present people are therefore not the first group to settle on the site. 

Archaeological survey on the outskirts produced old sites. To the south of the 

village is found the remains of a compound of 4 rooms. Aside from the mentioned 

above, seven pre-Brewohodi compounds were recorded in the survey in the South 

east part of the village. Oral traditions show that these were homes of Banda people 

who lived and farmed the land in the area. They abandoned their settlements in the 

1960[s and moved back to Banda Ahenkro. 


(a ) Old cemetery 

The cemetery location of the pre-1960 settlement at Brewohodi could not be located. 

Vegetation growth, and the possibility of the cemetery land having no mound 

features or tombs made search difficult. However, there is the strong possibility of a 

cemetery never being found given the nature of the wide spacing of houses and the 

culture of home or compound burial noted from the research. 

(vii) Contemporary Cemetery 

38

Brewohodi has a cemetery located to the south of the village. It is close to a baobab 

tree. It has been divided into two parts to cater for Muslim burials on one hand, and 

Christian burials on the other. The Christian area has a further subdivision into an 

area for Catholic members and another for Presbyterians. 

(viii) Shrines, gods and sacred groves 

Like other settler communities, the attachment of the people of Brewohodi to the 

land lacks a spiritual/ritual commitment. Traditional belief and worship is absent in 

the village. Consequently there are no idols or shrines. The settlers cannot by 

themselves declare a place or places as sacred. They will however, respect 

prohibitions established by the indigenous people and their rulers at Banda 

Ahenkro. 

DAM SITE 



Akua Ahetor Fishmonger 40 



River water harvesting: Done (water used for washing utensils) 


Ethnicity 

Religion 

Ewe 

Christians (Worship at Brewohodi Churches) 


This is a typical fishing community located about 50m from the banks of the Black 

Volta. It has only 7 house structures and a population of 26 people. They are the 

remnants of a larger community of Ewes and a few Dagartis who normally face the 

problem of flooding when the level of water in the river rises within the months of 

July to September each year. It has been the normal practice for people to move to 

higher grounds temporarily when there is flooding and to return when it subsides. 

But often reaction to this problem of seasonal flooding varies from family to family. 

Some families do not return to Dam Site. Brewohodi was created in the year 2000 

when a major flood caused the movement of families that refused to return. 


The survey did not produce old or archaeological sites. This may be attributed to the 

potential danger of flooding associated with such close proximity to the river. This 

confirms the findings from the study of the map of the project area that old 

settlements and archaeological sites are located further away from the river at a good 

distance. 


There is no cemetery at the Dam Site village. Corpses are sent to the Brewohodi 

cemetery mentioned elsewhere for burial. This means the two communities share 

the same cemetery. 

(vii) Shrines, gods, and sacred groves 

39

THE COMMUNITY DESCRIBES ITSELF AS CHRISTIAN. THERE IS NO SHRINE 

THAT IS WORSHIPPED. THE MEMBERS HAVE NO SACRED GROVE SET ASIDE 

BY THEM. ON THE OTHER HAND, THERE IS NO LAND AREA IN OR NEAR 

SETTLEMENT AREA DECLARED BY CHIEF OF BANDA FOR THEM TO COMPLY 

WITH. 

AGBELIKAMR SOUTH 



Thomas Kobla Amerdza Oldest person 76 

Isiaiah Gbornu Youth leader 29 

Kwame Amerdza Linguist 25 

Fredrick Lotame Unit Committee member 27 



River/Stream: Black Volta River Water. 

Water Harvesting: Done by few for washing. 

(iii) Ethnic, Work and Religious composition 

Ethnicity Work Religion 

Ewe Fishing 

Banda 


The homeland of the Ewe group that founded the village is Tefler in the Volta 

Region. But the most recent place of residence is Agbelikame North or #1 that is in 

the Northern Region across the Black Volta. But like the people of Agblelikame 

North, Akanyakrom is their earliest Black Volta Basin settlement. 

The founding of this village is explained by the requirement for fishermen to have 

temporary landing or lodging points along the Black Volta River for extended stay 

away from home during the peak fishing season. A temporary habitat at 

Agbelikame North was turned into a permanent one with the movement of families 

of the fishermen from Akanyakrom. But the immediate cause of the founding of 

Agbelikame South is the problem of flooding that faces Agblelikame North. 

Flooding is said to occur each year during the months of July, August and 

September. Though informants mentioned 1953 as the time of the migration from 

Akanyakrom to Agbelikame North, analysis shows that the date fits rather into that 

of the founding of Old Bator. A man aged 25 years was born at Agbelikwame South. 

With 1976 as the date of the ejection of people from Bator to Akanyakrom, the 

founding of Agbehkame North occurred after 1976. 

The Banda members moved to the village as a result of marriage and the Dagarti are 

in the village as farmers. It is, however, important to note that marriage between Ewe 

and Dagarti is not permitted in the village. 

40

The Dagarti live in two small settlements of their own in the southern part of the 

village. A description of the membership of Agbelikame as including Dagarti may 

not reveal this lack of bonding between the two ethnic groups. The rough count of 

people in area of Agbelikame South gave a figure of 176 people. 

(vi) Old settlements and archaeological sites 

The old settlements of Agbelikame South are Agbelikame North, Akanyakrom and 

Bator all in the Black Volta Basin. Accordingly, the members had nothing in the 

neighborhood to show as historically and archaeologically valuable. The survey work 

done in the area however provided data on the archaeological resources. 

There is an archaeological site located about 150m south of Agbelikame South. The 

site measures 90m East-West and 120m North-South. The surface of the site is 

marked by slag accumulations in many places. Fragmented remains of furnace and 

tuyeres are found. The evidence points to an indigenous iron production industry 

activity in the Black Volta Basin south of the Bui area. 

There are settlement mounds on the site and they stand at a height of 80cm. There are 

3 baobab trees growing on the site. The oldest tree measures 11m in diameter at the 

base. This suggests a site that may be up to 600 years old. Pottery on the site shows 

evidence of eroded or weathered surfaces confirming a site that is old. Iron smelting 

in Ghana dates to 500 AD as the earliest. As recently as the 1940’s, iron smelting was 

seen in operation in the Upper East Region of Ghana (Pole, 1974; Okoro, 1989). 

What is emerging is a community that specialized in producing iron using local iron 

ore in factories that were within the area of their homes. Though located about 200m 

from the riverbank, the houses on this settlement were placed on raised lands. 


a) Old: Following their pattern of settlement, deceased members and ancestors 

of Agbelikame are buried in three places in the Black Volta River Basin 

(Bator, Akanyakrom and Agbelikame North) 

b) Contemporary: There is a cemetery just at the edge of the last house on the 

southern part of the village. It is divided into two sections: one area for 

Christians and the other for non-Christians, 


Through the Catholic faith, Christianity has made in roads regarding conversion of 

people but it has not as yet succeeded in converting all members of Agbelikame 

South. There are a few followers of traditional religion and they have a leader called 

Tewukpe Bukor. There is no village shrine. The traditionalists have their individual 

idols but as a group they meet and pour libations at such gathering. There is no 

sacred grove in the area. 

41

BORFUAKURA 



Osei Yaw Chief 70 


Borehole: Nil 

River/Stream: Black Volta River 

Water Harvesting: Activity done but shortage is limited 



Banda Farmers 

Christians 

Dagarti Farmers 

Muslims (1 Banda person) 

Sissala Charcoal producers Traditional (Dagarti and Sissala 


This is a village of two parts: a Banda section and a where Dargarti and Sissala 

people live. The distance from the borfuakura to the river is about 800m. The village 

began when Opanin Borfu moved from Banda Ahenkro to settle in the area to 

pursue his farming work. Because he was a hunter his relocating into an area of little 

or no immediate settlements was useful for his hunting pursuits. The Dagarti 

originate from the Upper West Region of Ghana and have established themselves as 

the most mobile ethnic group in the Black Volta Basin. Like the Sissala, the Dagarti 

prefer moving into out-country places of major towns. They have a high preference 

for associating with pre-existing group although they tend to place their home at a 

good enough distance from the indigenous or earlier settlers. 

(iv) Old settlements and archaeological sites 

None of the members of the two sections of the present settlement has an old 

settlement in the area. However, archaeological survey showed the presence of two 

sites of past human settlement. The first is in an area about 1kilometer to the village 

along the road leading into Borfuakura and Ahomansia. This is an Iron Age site that 

has pottery scattered on the surface. The site is quite sizable and crosses the valley of 

river Mundaleble, and extends about 600m to Borfuakura. 

The second site is located about 90m to Borfuakura. A third site is located at about 

80-100m to Ahomansia. It is placed to the right side of the path towards Ahomansia. 

The features of the third site consist of low mounds representing former thatched 

roofed houses). Pottery is scattered on the surfaces of the mound and in spaces in 

between. There is a baobab tree and three Kapok trees growing on the site. These 

trees are more likely to be trees intentional cultivated and protected by the former 

residents for the benefit of their shade, food, and medicinal properties. Young 

baobab trees were seen growing in front or near houses of the Sissala residents of 

Borfuakura. 

AHOMANSIA 



42

Alorgba Siama Local head 65 

Kweku Siama Youth head of village 25 

Kojo Sermerbea Elder 52 


Borehole: None 

River/Stream: Black Volta River. 



Bator 

Fishing and farming 

Mo 


Christians 

Banda 



This is a small and typical “Bator” fishing community of only nine houses. It is 

separated from the Sissala section of Borfuakura by about 150m and located on a hill 

overlooking the river. 

There are two names for this village and both have meanings. The first and more 

popular one is Ahomansia. This name is a description of the greater depth of the 

bottom of the valley of the Black Volta within in the area of the settlement. It is said 

that fishing in that section of the river requires nets that reach up to “6 ropes” with a 

rope measuring 2meters. Ahomansia means 6” ropes” which is the estimated depth 

of the bottom of the Black Volta. The other name is “Wodormeabra” which is Akan 

language and literally means “come to me if you like me.” This is a mane often 

adopted by settlements that are remote and out of the line of main settlement areas. 

The founder of Ahomansia came from Tainaboi that is also a “Bator” fishing village 

in the Jogboi area on the left bank of the Black Volta River. The founder and his 

followers moved from Tainaboi to get away from frequent misunderstanding, 

quarreling and fights. The beginning of the settlement is dated to about 12years ago 

(that is 1994). The Ewe residents trace their homeland to Sukpey in the Sagakope 

area of the Volta Region. The Mo and Banda members are women married to the 

Ewe men. This adds to evidence at Agbelikame South and a few other places, of the 

intermarriages between Ewes and the indigenous people (Banda and Mo) of the Black 

Volta Basin. Marriage relationship between Ewe and Dargarti people or between 

Ewe and Sissala is low or non-existent. 

(iv) Old settlements and archaeological sites 

Like the other members of Borfuakura, Ahomansia has no old settlements in the 

area. There is however, an archaeological site located about 90m from the Ahomansia 

mentioned above. This site has Kapok trees and low mounds. Pottery was not 

widely distributed over the site and on the mounds. This looks like an earlier 

settlement of people who used less pottery or were better at handling using pottery 

with minimal breakages. The site may be about 80 to 100 years old because they do 

43

not appear as occupation spots in maps whose data collection and preparation 

occurred about 50 years ago. 

ZONE 6: BUI NATIONAL PARK EXTENSION SETTLEMENTS AND 

ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES ON THE LEFT BANK OF THE BLACK VOLTA 

AGBEGIKROM 



Kojo Nyayor Chief 66 

Atsu Agbeji Son of former Chief 37 

Kwesi Anane Elder 48 

Oscar Torgbadza Elder 51 

Emmanuel Torvor Opinion leader 40 


Borehole: -None. 

River/ Stream: Black Volta River. 

Water Harvesting: Not done. 


Ethnicity 

Religion 

Ewe 

Christianity (Catholic, Apostolic, and Community Church) 

Mo (one family of 3 Traditionalism (privately practiced) 

persons. 

Muslim (None) 


Agbegikrom is a fishing settlement established by a man called Agbegi who 

originated from Mafe-Adidome in the Volta Region of Ghana. Agbegi lived and 

worked at Bui Camp with the Game and Wildlife Department. After his retirement, 

Agbegi decided to remain in the area by establishing his own settlement. He crossed 

the river to the left bank and established a village in the Gyama traditional area of 

the Bole District, in the Northern Ghana. This occurred in the early 1990’s. Other 

Ewe families join Agbegi and his village expanded in size and population. 

A rapid counting during the survey showed that there are 86 people in the village 

with 61 of them being children. The village was later selected as a crossing point on 

the Black Volta. The Gyama Chief on whose land Agbegikrom is founded, delegated 

a man (and his family) to settle in the village and be in charge of crossing people. 

This man has been resident at Agbegikrom since 1999. He and his family of 2 

represent the only different linguistic group from the Ewe group. 


No old settlement was found from survey of the area of Agbegikrom. There was no 

archaeological site in the immediate area of the village. 

(vi) Cemeteries (N8. 27604 W2. 23224) 

There is a cemetery for the village located in the northern part on the settlement off 

the lorry road. There is no division in places of burial in this cemetery. Christians 

44

and non-Christians (that is privately based traditional worshipers) are buried in he 

same cemetery. 


There is no shrine for the village although individuals have “small” idols that they 

worship in their private homes. Because they are settlers on land belonging to the 

chief of Gyama they cannot have their sacred grove of their own without the 

permission of the Chief. 

AGBELIKAME NORTH (or Agbelikame # 1) 



Steven Yaw Gbortser Leader of village 37 

Amedernyor Korsi Gbortser Elder 60 

John Avorkliya Linguist 31 


Borehole: -1 under construction (work started from March 2006). 

River/Stream: Black Volta River. 

Water harvesting: Done by a few and water used for washing. 



Ewe 

Fishing 

Dagarti 

Farming 

Christianity 

Banda 

Farming 

Islam 

Gonja 

Farming 

Traditional worship 

Mali 

Fishing 

Mo 

Farming 

Lobi 

Farming 

Historical background 

The earliest settlements of the Ewe who founded this village is Akanyakrom, near 

Bui on the right bank of the Black Volta River. Oral tradition mentions that the 

group that founded Akanyakrom was ejected from the Akosombo dam area in 1944. 

Although the story of the cause of their migration may be true, the same cannot be 

said of the date they have quoted. The date seems to be incompatible with the 1960’s 

date for ejections and resettlement in the Akosombo dam area. 

The name the informants mentioned for their village is “Gborlekamer.” According 

to this source, when the founders of this village were asked by the paramount Chief 

of Gyama on whose land they live to suggest a name for their village, they 

mentioned Gborlekamer. Gborlerkamer is Ewe and it means “a goat in a rope.” This 

was in reference to a goat that had been tied in readiness for sacrifice and ritual by 

the Gyama Chief and his elders. The name has become corrupted to Agbelikame. 

The geographical location that later became the village was selected by some 

fishermen who used to come along the Black Volta River from Akanyakrom during 

the peak fishing season. Later, the site was developed into a permanent settlement 

45

when the group concerned relocated to this place. The addition of members of other 

ethnic groups to the population of the village increased both the socio-economic 

activity and population. Unlike Agbelikame South (#2), the Ewe members of 

Agbelikame North or #1 have a value system that allows for intermarriages with the 

other six ethnic groups in the village. Agbelikame North is about twice the size of 

Agbelikame South which has a population roughly counted as 176. It was not 

possible to count the number of people in Agbelikame North. 


The old settlements of the people of Agbelikame are on the right bank to the Black 

Volta, in the Brong Ahafo region. Informants mentioned the presence of ancient 

settlements in their present area of location. They mentioned Bhiang whose former 

inhabitants are now living in Gyama. Requests for someone to lead the team to 

Bhiang was not honoured because the leader of the village and his elders considered 

it traditionally appropriate for them to seek clearance from the Chief of Gyama. 


Members of this village recollect burials of their ancestors in Akanyakrom and 

elsewhere. The cemetery of Agbelikame North has five sections defined by religion 

and ethnicity. These are the Ewe (Traditional), Muslim, Dagarti, Banda/Mo/Gonja, 

and Ewe (Christian). There is no high sense of attachment by members of this village 

to their cemetery grounds. Consequently, illegal miners, who are temporary 

residents in the village, have been allowed to clear the vegetation on portions of the 

cemetery and build their temporary houses there. 


There is no shrine for the village in the same way as it is in Gyama, Bungase or Bui. 

Ewe and other ethnic members who practice traditional religion depend it on 

personal and private idols they have in their rooms or houses. There is however, a 

leader for Traditional religious believers. 

With regard to sacred lands or groves, there is none in the village or even 

immediately nearby. Rather, people are aware of the sacredness of the Bhiang 

archaeological/ancestral site of the Bhiang people of Gyama. 

TAINABOI 



Aku Samabia Linguist 43 

Emmanuel Samabia Youth 27 

Agbenyerga Samabia Youth 25 

(ii) Water sources: 


River/stream: Black Volta River. 

(iii) Ethnic and religious composition 

Ethnicity 

Ewe (only) 

Religion 

Traditional (Majority) 

46

Christianity (Church of Pentecost) 

(IV) HISTORICAL AND OTHER ASPECTS 

THIS IS A SMALL FISHING COMMUNITY CONSISTING OF ONLY EWE WHO 

ARE ALSO MEMBERS OF ONE FAMILY AS THE SURNAMES LISTED ABOVE 

SHOWS. A ROUGH CENSUS SHOWED THAT THERE ARE 85 PEOPLE (MADE 

UP OF 27 PARENTS AND 58 CHILDREN). THERE ARE 11 SINGLE-ROOM 

HOUSE STRUCTURES. 

THE PEOPLE OF THE VILLAGE ARE FROM SUKPEY NEAR SOGAKOPE IN THE 

VOLTA REGION OF GHANA. THE NAME TAINABOI IS A DESCRIPTION OF 

THE CONFLUENCE OF THE BLACK VOLTA RIVER AND THE TAIN RIVER. THE 

ORAL TRADITION SHOWS THAT THEY MOVED FROM AN EARLIER SITE 

ALSO CALLED TAINABOI LOCATED IN THE UPSTREAM IN 1990. THE 

RELOCATION WAS CAUSED BY FLOODING. SOME PEOPLE WENT TO 

AHOMANSIA AND OTHERS SETTLED IN THE PRESENT LOCATION WHERE 

THEY CONTINUE TO USE THE NAME OF THE FORMER SETTLEMENT. 

RESIDENTS OF TAINABOI HAVE THEIR MAIN HOMES AT BAMBOI WHERE 

THEY HAVE KEPT THEIR SCHOOL-GOING CHILDREN. TAINABOI, 

THEREFORE, ASSUMES THE FORM OF A WORK CAMP WHERE MEMBERS 

LIVE FOR AT LEAST A WEEK AND RETURN TO THEIR PERMANENT HOMES 

AT THE WEEKEND OR WHEREVER THE NEED ARISES. FOR INSTANCE, 

DURING CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS AND FESTIVITIES, PEOPLE MOVE TO 

BAMBOI AND LEAVE THE VILLAGE TOTALLY DESERTED. 

(V) OLD SETTLEMENTS AND ARCHAEOLOGICAL SITES 

THE PEOPLE OF TIANABOI HAVE NO OLD SETTLEMENTS OF THEIR OWN IN 

THE AREA. ARCHAEOLOGICAL SURVEY IN THE AREA DISCOVERED AN 

ANCIENT SITE (HEREIN REFERRED TO AS TAINABOI NORTHWEST SITE, TNW 

SITE) IN THE NORTHWEST AT ABOUT 800 METERS FROM THE VILLAGE. 

THE SITE HAS A TALL BAOBAB TREE THAT MEASURES 4.72M AT THE BASE. 

THE MOST COMMON ARTIFACTS ARE POTTERY ALTHOUGH THE 

CONCENTRATION IS NOT AS HIGH AS AT OTHER PLACES SUCH AS BUI OR 

LORGALAND. THE EVIDENCE SHOWS A VILLAGE OF THREE COMPOUNDS 

WITH THE BAOBAB TREE WAS GROWING NEAR THE VILLAGE. 

THE TNW SITE HAS BEEN DISTURBED BY THE ACTIVITIES OF YAM FARMERS. 

THE PEOPLE OF TAINABOI DO NOT CLAIM ANY LINKAGE WITH THIS SITE. 

THE ORAL INFORMATION GIVEN MENTIONED THAT THE SITE IS OLDER 

THAN BAMBOI AND BELONG TO PEOPLE IN THE VILLAGE CALLED JOGBOI 

NEAR BAMBOI 

(VI) CEMETERIES 

THERE IS NO CEMETERY AT TAINABOI ALTHOUGH THERE HAVE BEEN 

DEATHS IN THE VILLAGE. ALL DECEASED MEMBERS ARE SENT TO BAMBOI 

FOR BURIAL. 

(VII) SHRINES, GODS AND SACRED GROVES 

THERE ARE PEOPLE IN TAINABOI WHO BELIEVE IN ANCESTRAL AND IDOL 

WORSHIP. THESE PEOPLE ARE IN THE MAJORITY. THERE IS NO SHRINE 

FOR THE VILLAGE BUT THERE IS A MAN CALLED ALUWA LIMAN (THAT IS 

THE ONLY PERSON WITH A DIFFERENT SURNAME) IN THE VILLAGE WHO 

ACTS AS A FETISH AND ASSISTS TRADITIONAL BELIEVERS RESOLVE THEIR 

SPIRITUAL PROBLEMS. THERE IS NO AREA IN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD 

DEMARCATED AS A SACRED GROVE. THERE IS NO CHURCH BUILDING IN 

THE VILLAGE. 

47

CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 

The period available for the survey can never enable a full coverage of an area as 

huge as the Black Volta Basin. However, within the limits of time, equipment and 

personnel a good insight of the cultural and archaeological resources of the areas of 

potential project impact has been provided. 

Cultural heritage of significance has been recorded in the project area. These include 

the shrines, old and contemporary cemeteries and burials inside homes or in open 

spaces in the settlement. The cultural landscape shows that the people in the project 

area have a strong attachment to historical traditions, idols (mainly collections of 

stones/boulders) and interaction with ancestors. The relationship between the 

people and of their natural and cultural environment is one of hope, fear and/or 

reverence. This is a factor that should be appreciated and properly understood in the 

evaluation of the reactions and responses of communities as they moved into new 

locations. The land on which communities are living now is accorded a spirituality 

that is regularly propitiated and worshipped. 

This survey shows that in Banda Ahenkro, and Bungase, the sacredness of public 

cemeteries is relatively low or non-existent. Whenever the cemetery land is needed 

for other projects, the land is taken and the cemetery relocated. Lands delineated for 

burial does not remain so forever, transformations occur and this is dictated by local 

residential development projects of the people. 

Culturally, two categories of people are identified regarding attachment and 

commitment to the natural environment. These are the indigenous people and the 

settler people. The spiritual worldviews of settlers are more likely to be much more 

easier to handle than indigenous people. For example, the people of Bui who 

worship the mountain and derive so much good returns are likely to lose much of 

their cultural heritage than the people of Brewohodi. 

There is a spatial organization that is evident among settler communities near the 

Black Volta river that has implications for understanding inter ethnic relationships 

and interaction. An example is the Ewe/Banda community and their Dagarti 

neighbors at Agbelikame South. There is a distance not only in the location between 

the two parts but also in marriages. In resettlement schemes, this particular case 

ethnic grouping and spatial locations at Agbelikame South should be maintained in 

order not disturb the level of together. 

Archaeological sites abound on both side of the Black Volta Basin. Stone Age and 

Iron Age sites and features are represented. Archaeological resources in the area are 

found in relatively flat to undulating topographies and not on the mountains and hills 

that dominate the area. A few settlements such as the old sites of Banda Ahenkro, in 

the Bui area, extend from the low-lying areas to the lower slopes of the Bui Mountain. 

The sites documented during the surface survey date from the Late Stone Age or 

Neolithic to the Iron Age through the Portuguese period (ca. A. D. 1000-1637) to the 

later historic periods of the 18 th and 19 th centuries. The later sites are represented by 

lots of local pottery, a few imported smoking pipes, glass/bottles and ceramics. There 

is evidence of extensive iron smelting in several places on both banks of the Black 

48

Volta River. Evidence was obtained during the survey from the Bui village area sites, 

the Lusina/Lorga area, Ntereso on the left bank of the Black Volta in the Northern 

region. Other places are Gyama, Banda Nkwanta and near the fishing village of 

Tainaboi. Iron smelting evidence takes the form of slag collections, heaps and 

mounds. No complete furnace or tuyeres were found in situ-or in well-preserved 

forms. Few fragmented pieces of walls remains from these smelting units were found 

and collected. Though fragmented these pieces are useful for determining the design 

and dimensions of the units used for the production of iron from locally available iron 

ore resources. 

The archaeological sites to be destroyed also include those belonging to people who 

no longer live in the direct basin area nor are to be affected by any inudation. An 

example is the town of Maluwe whose Gonja residents described the old sites namely, 

Fujubulma and Sindi found north of Dokokyina but on the left bank. Today, a 

distance of about 15km separates Maluwe from its ancestral river bank settlement. 

The archaeological findings show that in the last 200-300 years settlements in the 

Black Volta Basin have developed and declined. Floods, establishment of a National 

Park, quarrels, arguments and misunderstanding as well as the sheer desire to 

venture out and start life elsewhere are listed. Unexpected deaths of leaders (as in 

the case of Gladao), and proximity to roads are other reasons for the abandonment o 

old settlements. If people are relocated following the implementation of this project, 

it may seem familiar with almost all villages in the Basin to be affected except for a 

few. The villages that will be experiencing relocation for the first time in the last two 

to three centuries include Bui and Ntereso. These have evolved and developed in 

their present positions over several centuries. Relocation will be a new phenomenon 

in the life of the people who will for once be leaving behind their land, shrines and 

sacred places, to start it all over again on land they may not have a spiritual 

attachment. 

The Bui Mountain or Kpoloo (Polu on maps) located to the south of the village is an 

important god for the people. The size of the mountain and its features (plants, 

animals, rocks and soil) is considered in the religious, spiritual and values systems of 

the people as the embodiment of an enormous power that is revered and adored by 

the people. 

Ethnohistorical data gathered on Gladao shows that though it was deserted several 

years ago (when people voluntarily left the site) the aged and weak remnants have 

never abandoned the desire to resettle. It shows an important aspect of human 

nature that cannot be taken for granted. Loss of land, cultural and archaeological 

resources will follow the inundation, but the dynamism of thought processes and 

feeling in the people to be affected, regarding their former settlement as well as 

ancestral homes, will linger on for a long while. The process of relocation and 

rehabilitation should therefore be as dynamic, pragmatic, forward-looking and 

humane as possible. 

The survey has brought to the fore the Bui factor in the culture history and 

development of settlements in Bandaland as well as in the entire Black Volta Basin. 

The Bui Village and the archaeological site in the area are significant for Banda 

culture history. The site is evolving as the ancestral home of major ethnic and 

49

cultural groups in Bandaland. The Mo and Nafana groups have been noted from the 

survey. Aside from Banda Ahenkro, and Bungase (that were surveyed) other 

settlements such as Makala, Kaburono, and Sangwa may trace their roots to the 

ancient site of Bui. 

Due to the central position that the Bui archaeological site is assuming in Bandaland 

a detailed collection of oral traditions is required as a prelude to any systematic 

survey and test excavation. But Bui traditions connect Logaland thus there is the 

need for a similar further work in that area. These two sites hold a lot of promise in 

providing useful information for understanding Cultural achievements in prehistoric 

(Stone Age and Iron Age) and historic period in the Black Volta Basin. 

Relocation of fishing communities away from the riverbank should take into 

consideration the proximity to water that these person require. As much as possible 

typical fishing communities need to be housed closer to the Black Volta River. 

The relocation involves moving people away from a readily available water supply 

like the Black Volta to a dependence on boreholes. Dependence on borehole will 

change the water collection regime of the people, for once from a free collection (no 

payment) to queuing and its attendant arguments and quarrels and petty-fighting. 

Boreholes do breakdown or the do produces poor quality water under some 

circumstances. Nearness of resettled villages to rivers and streams is important 

because in cases like the above scenario the people can rely on the surface water 

sources. Proximity to rivers will afford the opportunity for people who need water 

for “other purposes” such as house building to do so from river sources. The 

borehole water is clean water which is not necessarily the best water for some 

purposes such as building for example. River and stream water is better. In Banda 

Ahenkro it is not permissible to use borehole water for building purposes because it 

represents an improper use of potable water in a rural area. 

Reconnaissance survey and possibly test excavations is needed in the strip of land 

expected to be used for construction the transmission lines. This will not only enable 

the determination of the archaeological resources but also the identification of any 

valuable historical or cultural resources of the people for proper management and 

documentation. For example, lands belong to the Gyama and Bhiang members of 

Gyama have traditional lands several kilometers in size. The impact of constructing 

the lines on these lands has to be assessed. 

REFERENCES 

AMEYAW, K.1965.TRADITIONS OF BANDA. IN: TRADITIONS FROM BRONG 

AHAFO, NOS 1-4 PP. 1-15. INSTITUTE OF AFRICAN STUDIES, UNIVERSITY OF 

GHANA, LEGON. 

DAVIES, O.1970. FIELD NOTES PART 2: NORTHERN GHANA. DEPARTMENT 

OF ARCHAEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON. 

DECORSE, C. R. 1998.ARTIFACT TYPOLOGIES FOR COASTAL GHANA. 

UNIVERSITY OF SYRACUSE, SYRACUSE. 

50

DAVIES, OLIVER. 1980.THE NTERESO CULTURE OF GHANA. IN: WEST 

AFRICA CULTURAL DYNAMICS, EDS. B. K. SWARTZ AND E. DUMOND. P. 

205-225, MOUTON, THE HAGUE. 

MCNUTTY, R. H. 1972.COMMOM BEVERAGE BOTTLES: THEIR PRODUCTION 

USE AND FORMS IN SEVENTEENTH AND EIGHTEENTH NETHERLANDS. 

JOURNAL OF GLASS STUDIES. VOL. XIII. 

STAHL, AHN B.1998. FINAL REPORT OF NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION 

GRANT SBR 9140726 “THE POLITICAL ECONOMY OF BANDA, GHANA, 1700- 

1925. DEPARTMENT OF ARCHAEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON. 

OKORO, J. A.2003. AN ARCHAEOLOGICAL RESEARCH IN SALAGA. THE 

GHANAIAN TIMES.APRIL 8. P6, ACCRA: NEW TIMES CORPORATION. 

OKORO, J. A. 1989.AN INVESTIGATION OF IRON SMELTING SITE IN 

GAMBAGA AND THE IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS FOR IRON AGE 

STUDIES IN GHANA. MPHIL. DISSERTATION. DEPARTMENT OF 

ARCHAEOLOGY, UNIVERSITY OF GHANA, LEGON. 

POLE, L. M.1974.IRON SMELTING IN NORTHERN GHANA. NATIONAL 

MUSEUM OF GHANA OCCASIONAL PAPERS, NO 6-8, P.1-40. 

51

Annex N 

Minutes of National and 

Local Consultation

A REPORT ON 

The Environmental and Social Impact 

Assessment of the Bui Hydropower 

Project 

NATIONAL STAKEHOLDERS 

CONSULTATION MEETING 

Organised by: 

BUI DEVELOPMENT SECRETARIAT 

/ ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES 

MANAGEMENT 

in association with 

SGS ENVIRONMENT 

on 

25 TH APRIL, 2006 

at 

THE GNAT HALL, ADABRAKA, ACCRA.

Introduction 

On the 25 th of April 2006, a National Stakeholders Consultation Meeting was held at the 

GNAT Hall (The Theatre) Accra involving 121 participants drawn from NGOs/CBOs/CSOs, 

the Media, the Public Service, the Academia and the Private Sector. The theme for the 

meeting was “Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Study of the Proposed Bui 

Hydro electric Power Project.” 

The participants were seated by 9.30 am and the workshop was started with the 

introduction of the Chairman for the function - Professor Ebenezer Laing of the Botany 

Department of the University of Ghana. He started with a welcome address in which he 

stressed the need for the country to increase its sources of hydro-electricity in order to 

meet the demand of consumers. 

Background to the workshop 

Professor Laing invited Mr. Eamonn Barrett, the director of the Bui Hydro-electric Power 

Project ESIA, to give the background to the meeting. In his delivery, Mr. Barrett explained the 

overall purpose of the meeting. This was: 

“to present the Bui Dam project and potential environmental and social impacts in order to 

understand stakeholder concerns. These would be recorded and incorporated into 

information used to identify measures to reduce the negative impacts and enhance the 

positive impacts of the dam.” 

He urged participants to provide objective independent opinions, drawing attention to the 

handouts given to participants. He said with some help from Ghanaian colleagues, they 

have been able to put together a comprehensive study of the Bui project area. 

This was followed by three presentations: 

Project description - Doug Smith 

Environmental aspects _Julia Tims and Chris Gordon 

Social aspects – Tunde Morakinyo and Mr. Joe Agyenim-Boateng 

Please see the presentation attached in Annex X 

N1.1.1 

The questions and answers session began with a recap of the purpose of the meeting by Mr. 

Tunde Morakinyo which led to opening the floor to discussion by the participants. Please see 

their questions and the responses given below. 

Mr. Barrett summed up the meeting with topics discussed. He said all comments would be 

drafted into the final report. He said the local level communities survey will continue to 

ensure an effective approach to the project. He indicated that there would be second 

consultation at a national level for participants to find out more about the ESIA 

recommendations. 

The Chairman congratulated all participants and hoped that contributions so far gathered 

would be incorporated into the final ESIA report. 

3

QUESTIONS/CONTRIBUTIONS/COMMENTS 

1. How will the project deal with the people’s 

loss of land and resettlement? 

2. How are we sure that recommendations made 

by the ESIA report will be implemented by the 

government? 

3. What is the source of funds for the 

compensation package for resettlement? 

4. Communities in the project area rely on 

biodiversity for a host of things including 

medicinal plants. How will we quantify their 

loss of Non-Timber Forest Products and how 

will we compensate them for this? 

5. Why does the project refer to settlers? 

Everyone in Ghana is a settler since Ghana is 

an artificial creation. It is unfair to 

discriminate between settlers and natives. 

How will we make sure that there is fair 

treatment for all regardless of where they are 

from? 

6. What are the potential invasive species 

expected? 

7. Any agreement with Burkina Faso on dam 

construction since the dam lies on the 

international border? 

8. What are the plans to mitigate any accidents 

during the construction of the Dam? 

ANSWERS FROM THE TEAM 

A survey is being carried out to make 

sure that resettlement is done fairly to 

all individuals affected. This will be 

developed into a Resettlement 

Planning framework. 

The government by be commended for 

voluntarily commissioning an 

international standard ESIA without 

being required to do so. This shows 

they are committed to doing the right 

thing. 

The government will be handling this. 

The project found that forest products 

were important to the communities. 

While it will be hard to quantify the 

loss of these, the resettlement action 

plan will deal with this by outlining 

measures to ensure that people are 

resettled on to land of similar quality to 

that they were moved from so they 

continue to have access to the forest 

products they were using in their 

previous locations. 

The WB requires that all people are 

compensated for their losses regardless 

of their origin. The Resettlement 

Planning framework will be written 

according to World Bank guidelines. 

At the moment only water hyacinth are 

the main invaders to be concerned 

about. Recommendations are being put 

together for this. 

Future upstream developments 

especially in Burkina Faso are being 

considered. 

Accidents could occur on two levels, 

(1). Dam failure which is not likely to 

occur. (2) small scale accidents. The 

project will consider designs and plans 

to ensure good construction practices. 

(1) Expected accidents will be taken 

care of by outlining safety measures 

according to international best practice. 

(2) Unforeseen accidents will also be 

4

9. Have the options of Solar and other energy 

sources been considered? 

10. We are concerned that the scoping report only 

contains qualitative information on the 

communities. 

considered and recommendations will 

be made in the management plans as 

part of the ESIA. 

Other forms of energy will be explored 

in the “Analysis of Alternatives” 

section of the report. 

Quantitative surveys are now being 

undertaken for the resettlement aspect 

of the project. These are underway 

now. 

11. How is the project taking gender into account? The project has specifically met with 

groups of women in all the project 

villages. It will continue to consult with 

women throughout and will ensure 

there are special measures to deal with 

gender issues. 

12. We are worried about the use of the term 

“alternative livelihoods”. Studies have shown 

the introducing new livelihoods into 

communities’ rarely works. 

13. How is the process making sure that the 

affected communities have enough 

information on how the project is going to 

destroy their livelihood? How have they been 

consulted with? 

14. What will happen to those communities 

downstream when they would have to change 

their lifestyle and livelihood because of the 

project? 

15. When is the possible date for the take off 

(project)? 

The project is aware of these issues. As 

far as possible efforts will be made to 

build upon things that people are 

already doing. 

The project has had extensive 

consultation with communities through 

the collection of the social baseline 

data. Further consultation is planned 

for the resettlement surveys and 

through meetings to be chaired by the 

EPA. 

All people to be resettled will be 

adequately compensated irrespective of 

their background. Those who have to 

be moved physically will be totally 

compensated. Those who lose only 

economically will be given a different 

package after due assessment. 

Our role is to be independent 

consultants and we do not have the 

answer to this question. However our 

feasibility studies may help the project 

to begin sooner. 

16. Do we need hydro power at this point at all? Other alternatives continue to be 

explored. 

17. What plans have been put in place to ensure 

that all facilities needed in the proposed 

resettlement communities are provided? 

18. The project consultants should make use of 

technicians and specialists who have 

The villagers have been contacted and 

a needs assessment survey is being 

undertaken. 

A large number of the Team’s survey 

personnel are made up of Ghanaian 

5

experiences with other projects eg. Kpong and 

Akosombo projects. 

19. Issues of gender should be addressed 

because in cases like what is actually 

happening women and the aged are the 

most affected. 

20. Community members should be involved 

in the development of indicators for 

monitoring and evaluating the Bui 

hydropower project. 

21. There are mitigation measures that are best 

implemented by NGOs and CBOs. Have we 

considered this? 

22. The Reports for discussion at this meeting 

were supposed to be posted on the internet, 

however, this was not so. 

23. Why there is no re-settlement for communities 

whose farms will be flooded not their homes? 

24. What plans are afoot to rescue animals that 

would be displaced by the project? 

25. How many households will be affected by the 

construction of the Dam? 

26. Change is difficult for individuals as well as 

communities. So I suggest that intensive 

and extensive counselling be done for the 

people to adapt to the situation they may 

find themselves in. 

27. With the increase in population due to the 

work force during the construction period, 

I would like to appeal to authorities to put 

in place measures to minimize the spread 

of malaria, STDs, and HIV/AIDS. 

28. All those who are going to lose their 

buildings, crops, economic trees, as well as 

the lands will be compensated first before 

the acquisition is made under Act 125 – State 

Lands Act 125. 

experts some of whom are from the 

VRA and this has enhanced our 

collective output. 

During the survey, all vulnerable 

groups, especially women were 

specifically contacted in the focus 

groups with reference to their 

livelihood changes. 

This is a good point and will be taken 

into consideration when developing 

the M and E for the project. 

During the implementation, all 

stakeholders including 

NGOs/CBOs/CSOs will be required to 

help. 

Reports have now been made available 

on the internet. If there are any 

problems let us know. 

Everyone affected will be compensated. 

Plans will consider how stranded 

animals can be rescued. 

Between 1,000 and 1,500 households. 

We agree. This is an example where 

NGOs may be able to assist. 

This is important and will require 

several measures including health 

education, better health facilities and 

an increase in the public awareness on 

HIV and other diseases. 

We will consider all relevant legislation 

when putting together the Resettlement 

Planning Framework for the project. 

6

N1.1.2 APPENDIX 1 

PARTICIPANTS’ LIST 

NAME ORGANISATION TEL. NO. FAX NO. E-MAIL 

1 

Gaisie Jackson Pipe Radio 027 3160213 piperadio@yahoo.co 

m 

2 Adusei Bodene 020 802700 021 667211 

3 Al-hassan Adam Civic Response 0244 208184 spahassan@yaohoo. 

com 

4 Charles Benoni Okine Daily Graphic 684024 

5 Doris Hann Channel R 514404 510399 dividadi@hotmail.co 

m 

6 Dr. K. Twerefou Univ. of Ghana 0244 603676 501485 twcocfou@yahoo.co. 

uk 

7 E. O. Tagoe BS/ Concord 0288 501951 232446 concord@yahoo.com 

8 Eyram Dey Crusading Guide 0242 198953 

9 Gifty Lartey GBC Radio 0244 877180 St_sheilaus@yahoo. 

com 

10 Koryekpor Freeman People & Places 226492 

11 Lin Tamafoi TWN Africa 021 511189 environment@twnafri 

ca.org 

12 Marian Asubonteng The Chronicle 0243 825446 asurie@yahoo.com 

13 Micheal Mawugbe Eastern Fm 

Koforidua 

0244 883575 081 2332 petithmawu@yahoo.c 

om 

14 Mike Adu-Nsiah Wildlife Division 664654 mike@wd.fchana.com 

15 Philip Osei Annor The Tribune 0277 346895 

16 R.D.Asiamah Soil Research 

Institute 

051 50060 051 50308 soils@africaonline. 

com 

17 Roxanne Robert CIDA 0244 322014 roxamerobert@intern 

ational.gc.com 

18 S. K. Asare Bui Secretariat 0277 408700 022 306847 asaresk@ghana.com 

19 Samuel Intrid B D 

20 Samuel Kofi Nyame IUCN 0244 321439 Samuel.kofi.nyame@i 

ucn.org 

21 Solace Amankwa Ghanaian Voice 0243 246374 

22 Lin Aishong SINO HYDRO 020 109931 

7

23 

Matilda Ntowa Bissah Centre for Africa 0244 584582 021 512837 cudmat@yahoo.co.uk 

Wetlands 

24 

Noah Nimafo TV Africa 239538 

25 A Hester SGS Environ. 0244 312792 andrewhester@sgs.co 

m 

26 Alberta Banson Botany Dept. UG 0244 047534 botany@ug.edu.gh 

27 Ama Kudom- Agyemang Environmental 

Consultant 

0244 567888 kudomagyemang@ya 

hoo.com 

28 Amparbeng Emmanuel G T V 

29 Angela Afotey The Moment 0243731229 

30 Angela K. Larbi Student 

31 Atubrey Annan G T V 

32 Ayitey Armah CSIR - Inst 0243 958495 

33 Balertey Gormey Green Earth 

Organization 

020 8504225 bgormey2000@yahoo. 

com 

34 Ben A Sackey V. R. A. 0251 20313 0251 20687 bsackey@akosombo.v 

ra.com 

35 Bridget Asante-Addae Bui Dev. Sec 0244 630925 021 257816 asbridget@yahoo. 

com 

36 C. C Amankwah Wildlife Division ccamankwah@yahoo. 

com 

37 C.D.K Kudiabor Bui Committee 774449 

38 Candy Adantor Earth Service 0244 536650 candyadantor@yahoo 

.co.uk 

39 Charles Owusu G T V 

40 Charles Wiafe Gh. Sch.of Law 0243 133453 

41 Cindy Agyeman Earth Service 0244 798292 

42 Cliff Ekuful Ghanaian Times 0277 140507 cliffff86@yahoo.com 

43 Daniel Appah Channel R Fm 0243 951953 

44 David Acheampong GNAT 0244 646216 

45 Dr. Erasmus Owusu Ghana Wildlife 

Society 

46 Duodua Nartey TV Africa 239538 

0244 656359 erasmus67@yahoo.c 

m 

47 E. Appah-Sampong E P A 027 7163050 esampong@epaghana 

.org 

48 E. M. Attua GEO & RES Devt. 0244 664913 021 500310 emattua@ug.edu.gh 

49 E.H. Owusu Consultant 665197 

50 E.K. Annan Nexans 0244 312543 

8

51 Eamonn Barret ERM +44020 

74657200 

+44020 

7465 7272 

eamonn.barrett@erm. 

com 

52 Edmund Smith-Asante The Independent 0243 324828 853153 esmith_asante@yaho 

o.com 

53 Edwin Dodoo Unihydro 0244 770115 022 410497 edwindodoo@hotmai 

l.com 

54 Elizabeth A. Boateng C.M.A 021 247961 chrismascs@44.com 

55 Elizabeth Annan The Insight 020 926500 mackeray@yahoo. 

com 

56 Emmanuel Ansah Youfardes 027 6135580 230455 emansah@yahoo. 

com 

57 Emmanuel K. Kwarteng Fed. 

0243 268036 kwarteng@email.com 

Environmental 

Journalist 

58 Enu-Kwesi Botany Dept. UG 0243 334660 botany@ug.edu.gh 

59 Eric Akotia Free Press 0243 688945 ogonors@yahoo.com 

60 Eric Sam Energy 

Commission 

0243 907384 021 813756 ericsam202003@yaho 

o.cm 

61 Ernest Boateng The Point 0244 034681 

62 Felicia Fiebor Free Press 0243 113432 felisbor@yahoo.com 

63 Felix Asante I.S.S.E.R 0244 635190 fasant@ug.edu.gh 

64 Felix Brown F S D 0288 275675 

65 Fortune Alimi Daily Guide 020 8172186 

66 Francis Tuffour Ghanaian Times 0244 785601 asamoahtuffour@yah 

oo.com 

67 Frank Amposah Crusading Guide 0244 571413 

68 G. K. Dankyi ADRA Ghana 0244 843552 gabdankyi2000@yaho 

o.cm 

69 G.D Boateng Bui Dev’t Sec. 0244 601693 021 257816 buisec@gh.com 

70 Godfred Sey Peace FM 0244 293191 024 406531 godfredsey@yahoo. 

com 

71 Gytha Nunoo F. C. / FONZ 021 223275 decathlon@ghana.co 

m 

72 Hann Aloeng Free Press 0242 336565 hann93connexion@ya 

hoo,fr 

73 Hannah Owusu- 

Koranteng 

WACAM 0244 701793 kowusu75@yahoo. 

com 

74 I. B. Freeman Ghanaian Voice 314939 

75 J. Ako Okoro Univ. of Ghana 0244 735158 akookoro@yahoo.co 

m 

76 J. Boateng Agyenim Centre for Dev. 

Studies 

77 J. Fobil Consultant 027 6833560 

020 8182442 jbagyenim@yahoo.co 

m 

9

78 J. K. Amatekpor Consultant 020 8420590 

79 J. V. Ferguson Christina 

Chronicle 

240772 

80 James K. Aminatry V. B. D. F 0244 577321 

81 Jane Cacounis ERM +44 7801699473 

82 Joshua Awuku-Apaw Earth Service 0244 797638 awukapaw@yahoo.co 

.uk 

83 Josiah Ankrah TV Africa 239538 

84 Kapmii Atyfori The Statesman 0242 385374 

85 Kofi Adusei Univ of Ghana 0244 273190 keadusei@yahoo.com 

86 Kofi Kwafo G.T.V 221159 221149 k.kwafo@yahoo.com 

87 Lovelace Opoku- Freelance 

02442 020173 

Agyemang 

Journalist 

88 Lydia Larbie The Evening 020 9198416 

Tribune 

89 Mabel Abotsivia Spectator 0243 546421 fliplady2@yahoo.com 

90 Mark Ahu 

91 Mark Ahuur 

92 Meister Afriyie V R A/ Ghana 7011073 7011076 mafriyie@gmail.cm 

93 Millicent Atuguba Hot Fm 0244 643341 aguwine@yahoo.co.u 

k 

94 Morkpokpor Vuasi 

Public Agenda 0242 148246 mork@yaho.com 

95 Naa Norley The Chronicle 0244 451103 GIGIE96@yahoo.com 

96 Nana Akroma-Ampem Earth Service 0243 526277 

97 Nelson Sekpey Jr Unihydro 022 410498 022 410497 unihydro@ghana.co 

m 

98 Osahene Kwaku 

Aterkyi II 

BDC 020 8139060 

257816 

99 Osei Acheampong Youfardes 027 6135580 230455 

100 Owusu-Afram The ENVOY 0244 440484 

101 Philip Sosu FS D 0244 619057 

102 Pro E. Laing Univ. of Ghana 502056 

103 Prof E. S. Ayensu CSIR 0244 354570 eayensu@gh.com 

104 Professor Chris Gordon Centre for African 0244 264767 021 512837 cgordon@ug.edu.gh 

Wetlands 

105 Rebecca Brobbey ADRA Ghana 

106 Richard Koranteng V.B.D.F 0244 451023 rtwumus@yahoo.com 

10

107 Richmond Yeboah AY&A Consult 0244 721603 021 772153 richmond.amoako@a 

Amoako 

Ltd 

yaconsult.com 

108 Roland P. Addo Free Press 0242 950941 raa@yahoo.com 

109 Rosina Dugan SMO Safe 

Motherhood 

110 Rosina Kyeremateng Zoology Dept. 

U/G 

0244 444127 

0244 266086 021 512837 rkyeremateng@ug.ed 

u.gh 

111 Samuel Gbologa G. I. L 0277 074766 sgbologa@yahoo. 

com 

112 Samuel Mccarthy The Evening 

Tribune 

0243 339530 samcooo02@yahoo.co 

m 

113 Sarah Agbey SNV –Ghana 021 772858 021 786286 nagbey@snvworld. 

org 

114 Teo A Annang V B RP.Botany UG 020 8362522 niiyemah@yahoo.co 

m 

115 Theresa Ayiku A Rocha Ghana 0244 531773 ghana@arocha.org 

116 Togbe Adom Drayi II Ghana TUC 0244 653301 togbe60@yahoo.com 

117 Victoria Kunbour WANEP 021 221318 wanep@wanep.org 

vkumbour@wanep.or 

g 

118 Y. N. Opong Bui Dev. Com. 021 257816 021 257816 

119 Yaw Kwakye FSD 771690 

120 Okyeame Ampadu Conservation Intl. 780906 Oampaduagyei@conservation.o 

rg 

121 Frank Boakye-Dankwa GAPVOD 020-8231759 frabodank@yahoo.co. 

uk 

11

Appendix 2 

BUI DAM DEVELOPMENT TEAM 

E. S. AYENSU & ASSOCIATES 

NAME ADDRESS TEL: 

1. Professor E. Ayensu E. S. Ayensu & 0244-354070 

Associates 021 – 778677 

2. Professor Kwabena Tuffour Tuffuhene Forestry 020-811447 

Consults 0244 – 804884 

3. Mr. Edward Nsenyire Ministry of Envt. 021 666049 

And Science 

4. Ms. Elsie Addo Law fields 0244 - 708743 

Consultancy 021 – 240649 

5. Mr. Joshua Awuku-Apaw Earth Service 0244 - 797638 

12

Annex O 

Mitigation Tables

Table 1.1 

Mitigation Table 

Issue/ Impact Potential Mitigation Technical Feasibility Cost Contractor / 

Operator 

requirements 

CONSTRUCTION AND INUNDATION PHASE 

Change in water quality 

Pollution from spillage of 

fuels, lubricants, and 

chemicals at construction sites, 

roads, and lay-down areas 

Pollution from inadequate 

treatment and disposal of 

waste and wastewater from 

worker compounds 

Increase in turbidity 


Increased erosion and 

disturbance of soils 

Construction activities will 

disturb soils leading to soil 

erosion and compaction and 

Prepare and implement site 

construction and waste 

management plans (CMP 

and WMP) [should include 

delivery of appropriate 

training for construction 

workers]. 

Construct wastewater 

treatment facilities to treat 

wastewater from worker 

compounds. 

Install treatment facilities to 

remove oil and grease from 

drainage water before 

discharge to adjacent water 

courses. 

Installation of culverts where 

new site access roads cross 

streams 

Implement erosion control 

measures as part of a CMP. 

Technically feasible. 

Plans can be based on 

industry specific 

standard documents. 

Standard wastewater 

treatment 

technologies should 

be appropriate. 

Contract conditions 

should specify 

standards/ 

environmental 

performance criteria. 

Specific treatment 

facilities not feasible – 

should rely on 

construction 

management plans to 

define procedures for 

spillage and clean up. 

Technically feasible – 

simple to install. 





Implementation of 

plans should be a 

contractual 

requirement, 

therefore no 

incremental cost. 

Implementation of 

plans should be a 

contractual 

requirement, 

therefore no 


High up-front cost 

if specific facilities 

installed but low 

incremental cost if 

incorporated in 

management 

plans. 

Moderate upfront 

cost for 

construction, 

minor incremental 

cost for 

maintenance. 

Contractual 

requirement - low 

upfront cost, no 

incremental cost 

Contractor 

responsibility to 

prepare and 

implement plans. 

Contractor 

responsibility for 

installation and 

implementation. 

Contractor 




Contractor 


supply culverts and 

skilled labour for 

installation. 

Contractor 


prepare and 

implement plans. 

Institutional/ 

government 

requirements 

Training/ capacity 

building may be 

required to evaluate 

contractor’s plans 

and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

Effectiveness 

 

 

X


Operator 

requirements 

increased turbidity and 


Riverine habitat alteration 

Construction will result in 

disturbance of instream 

aquatic habitat within and 

immediately upstream and 

downstream of the diverted 

reach 


Construction camps, 

equipment, storage areas and 

administrative space will 

remove and/or disturb 

vegetation in affected areas. 

Use and regular 

maintenance of sediment 

traps alongside roads and 

around construction areas. 

Sand excavation should be 

limited to the dry season to 

limit the amount of 


Minimise removal or 

disturbance of riverine forest 

at dam site and in reservoir 

area until inundation. 

Minimise footprint of 

riverbed and shoreline 

disturbance [incorporate into 

CMP]. 



around construction camps, 

equipment, storage and 

administrative space. 

Replant native vegetation in 

disturbed areas immediately 

following construction. 

Investigate potential for local 

plant nursery. 


simple to install. 

Technically feasible 

but needs to be 

incorporated into 

construction schedule 


but needs to be 


construction 

schedule. 


simple to implement 

once plans are in 

place. 



through consultation 

with local experts 

regarding species and 

planting techniques. 

Contractual 

requirement – low 

upfront cost , no 


Contractual 




Contractual 




Contractual 




Contractual 




Low cost for 

implementation 

and monitoring. 

Contractor 


supply and install 

sediment traps and 

provide labour for 


maintenance. 

Contractual 


incorporate into 

construction 

schedule 

Contractual 


monitor and 

minimise impacts. 

Contractual 


monitor and 


Contractual 


monitor and 


Contractor 


oversight and 

monitoring. 



government 

requirements 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 


required using local 

vegetation experts. 

Construction of the new 

transmission line and 

upgrading access roads will 

result in loss of vegetation 

Inundation will result in the 

direct loss of vegetation 

through submergence or 

removal. 

Sand mining/construction will 

cause dust/ particulate 

pollution which can stunt 

Implement education 

programmes for construction 

workers about minimising 

the footprint of construction 

camp and work areas. 

Minimise width of 

construction ROW. 

Replant native vegetation in 

disturbed or denuded areas 

post construction. 

Select a suitable offset area 

and place under national 

protection. 

Undertake 

comprehensive analysis 

of potential offset to 

inform site selection; 

Develop and implement 

a Protected Area 

Management Plan 

‘PAMP’ for the offset 

area. 

Develop and implement dust 

management plan (e.g. 

wetting disturbed areas to 








with local vegetation 

experts. 


with input from local 

and international 

experts. 


but depends upon 

water availability and 

Low cost for 


and monitoring 

Contractual 




Low cost for 



Moderate cost for 

site selection 

analysis, 

delineation of 

land, and longterm 

land 

management. 


water supply, 

application, 



required for 

contract staff to 

implement 

education 

programmes. 

Contractor 


ensure to adhere to 

ROW width 

prescribed in 

contract. 

Contractor 


oversight and 

monitoring. 


building using local 

vegetation experts. 

None. 

Contractor 


supply equipment 


government 

requirements 

performance. 



required to monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 





and monitor 

performance. 

Wildlife Division 

will need to provide 

input and oversight 

for site analysis 

study and 

development and 

implementation of 

PAMP. 




Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 

vegetative growth. minimise dust) equipment for 

application 

Effects on fauna – 

displacement 

Worker camp and construction 

at the dam site will displace 

and disturb fauna in affected 

areas. 

Construction-related noise and 

increased human activity will 

result in temporary 

displacement of disturbancesensitive 

fauna. 

Develop and implement a 

PAMP for Bui National Park 

[to include control of 

poaching and burning, 

wildlife awareness and 

education]. 

Locate camp outside Bui 

National Park in already 

disturbed habitat if possible. 

Use of models of 

compressors, generators, 

pumps fitted with properly 

lined and sealed acoustic 

covers or enclosures; fitting 

of mufflers or silencers; 

housing of noise emitting 

equipment which is required 

to run continuously in 

suitable acoustic enclosures. 

Maintain construction plant 

in good working condition 

to minimise extraneous 

sounds arising from 

mechanical vibration. 

Use barriers (e.g. site huts, 

acoustic sheds or partitions) 

to reduce levels of noise 

wherever possible. 


camp management plan that 

includes wastewater 

management, waste 




experts. 



with local land use 

experts. 


through of use of 

specialised high-tech 

equipment and 

materials. 


simple to apply. 




with local land use 

experts. 

equipment and 

labour. 

Low upfront cost 

to develop plan 

and moderate 


for 


Contractual 

requirement – 

moderate upfront 

cost, no 


Moderate cost 

depending on 

availability of 

equipment and 

materials. 

Contractual 




Contractual 




Minor up-front 

cost for 

development of 

plan and 

and labour. 

Training and 

capacity building of 

contractor to help 

implement plan. 

Contractual 


consult with local 

experts during site 

selection. 

Contractual 


supply appropriate 

silencing equipment 

and materials. 

Contractual 


ensure good 

working order of 

equipment. 

Contractual 


include noise 

minimisation as 

part of CMP. 

Contractual 


develop and 



government 

requirements 


and monitor 

performance. 



develop, oversee 

and implement 

plan. 





for site selection. 




performance. 




performance. 




performance. 





Effectiveness 

 

 

X


Operator 

requirements 

Islands formed in the 

floodplain during inundation 

will limit the movement of 

individual animals 

Inundation will displace 

territorial and gregarious 

animals - could cause 

disorganisation of these herds. 

Inundation will displace 

animals from reservoir into 

surrounding habitat, causing 

crowding 

disposal, water supply and 

land use management 

measures. 


wildlife rescue/management 

plan [including rescue and 

fire management]. 

Selective harvesting of tall 

trees prior to inundation. 



protection. 

Undertake 








area. 







with local experts. 






experts. 




moderate 


for 



for developing 

plan. High 

upfront and 


for implementing 

plan throughout 

inundation. 


cost. No 




analysis, 



land 

management. 



plan. High 

upfront and 




required to develop 

and implement 

camp management 

plans and monitor 

performance. 

Training and 


contractors will be 

required to support 

government staff 

with implementing 

plan. 


building of 

contractor will be 

required to manage 

timber contractor 

[e.g. tree selection] 

None. 

Training and 






government 

requirements 

and monitor 

performance. 




and implement 

plan. 




the process. 





study and 



PAMP. 




and implement 

plan. 

Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 

Effects on fauna – direct 

morality 

The temporary diversion dam 

and main dam will block 

migration of fish and other 

migratory aquatic species. 

Construction activities will 

cause direct mortality of less 

mobile wildlife through 

interaction with machinery, 

equipment, or humans 

Displaced animals could face 

increased hunting pressure 

from construction workers and 

villagers 



protection. 

Undertake 








area. 

Implement fish passage 

facilities in dams. 

Implement wildlife 

awareness training 

programme for workers 

(including rare species 

training). 









experts. 


with high-tech 

equipment. Potential 

for success in Africa 

unknown and 

effectiveness limited 

by low numbers of 

migratory fish in 

project area. 





experts. 

for implementing 

plan throughout 

inundation. 



analysis, 



land 

management. 

High upfront and 


Low upfront and 



and implementing 

programme. 



and moderate 


for 


plan. 

None. 

Contractor 

requirement to 

consult local and 

international 

experts regarding 

potential for 

inclusion of fish 

passage facilities. 

Contractual 

responsibility. 



required for 

contract staff to 

implement 

education 

programmes. 

Training and 





government 

requirements 





study and 



PAMP. 





and monitor 

performance. 




performance. 




and implement 

plan. 

Effectiveness 

 

X


Operator 

requirements 

education]. 


Upgraded site access roads 

could increase human access 

to the park, thereby increasing 

wildlife disturbance and 

hunting pressure 

Inundation will result in 

displacement or drowning of 

animals. 

Effects on fauna – fragmentation 

of habitats 

The dam and reservoir will 

fragment aquatic and 

terrestrial habitats, resulting in 

reduced habitat quality 

Prohibit development of 

spur roads off main access 

roads. 

Develop and implement site 

access plan to prohibit public 

access on site access road 

from Banda Nkwanta to the 

Dam site 





Begin inundation after the 

dry season once hibernating 

have species have emerged. 



protection. 

Undertake 








through monitoring 

and spur road closing 

if necessary. 

Prohibiting public 

access will be difficult 

to enforce. 

Managing/ 

‘minimising’ public 

access is feasible 






with local experts to 

determine most 

appropriate timing. 




experts. 

No upfront cost. 

Low incremental 

cost for 

monitoring and 

disciplinary action 

if necessary. 


to establish site 

access plan. Low 


to implement plan 



plan. High 

upfront and 


for plan 


throughout 

inundation. 

Subject to 

scheduling so no 

upfront or 




analysis, 



land 

management. 

Contractual 


monitor and 

execute action. 

Contractual 


develop and 

implement site 

access plan. 

Training and 






plan. 

Contractual 


coordinate with 

local experts 

regarding 

scheduling. 

None. 


government 

requirements 

Government 


take action to 

prohibit 

development of 

spur roads. 





and monitor 

performance. 




and implement 

plan. 





and monitor 

performance. 





study and 



PAMP. 

Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 



Resettlement will result in loss 

of terrestrial habitats and 

wildlife species that are 

intolerant of human 

disturbance. 

OPERATIONAL PHASE 

Change in water quality 

Continued elevation of 

pollution concentrations from 

motorized vehicles could 

increase polluted runoff 

Introduction of lacustrine 

habitat could cause 

eutrophication in the reservoir. 


area. 






education]. 



protection. 

Undertake 








area. 

Incorporate environmental 

criteria into site selection 

criteria for resettlement 

areas. 

Include watershed 

management measures as 

part of the development of 

Bui PAMP. 







experts. 




experts 






experts. 






and moderate 


for 




analysis, 



land 

management 

Low up-front cost 

for development 

of environmental 

criteria. 

None – 


cost for 

developing and 

implementing the 

Bui PAMP. 



cost for 

Training and 




None. 

None 

Training and 


Operator to help 


Training and 




government 

requirements 




and implement 

plan. 





study and 



PAMP 

Government 


incorporate criteria 

into resettlement 


criteria. Training/ 

capacity building 

may be required. 



develop and 




develop and 

Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 

Bui PAMP. experts. developing and implement plan. 


Bui PAMP. 

Increased human population 

will discharge new 

wastestreams into the 

reservoir 

Increased erosion and 

sedimentation 

Water releases downstream of 

the dam will have significantly 

reduced sediment load which 

will reduce fish spawning 

habitat and substrate for 

invertebrates. 

The reservoir will retain 

sediment that is transported 

from upstream tributaries, 

causing increased turbidity in 

the water column and 

increased silt deposition on the 

bottom of the reservoir. 

Reduce the biomass that will 

be flooded by selective forest 

clearing and the commercial 

salvage of forest products. 

Include ‘nuisance’ plant 

monitoring programme as 

part of the development and 

implementation of Bui 

PAMP. 




Bui PAMP. 

Develop and implement plan 

to enhance downstream 

habitat measures 

downstream of the dam 

[cobble and woody debris 

placement]. 




Bui PAMP. 






experts. 




experts. 


but would require 

high levels of 

manpower to 

implement. 




experts. 


for contractor 

[logging] 

oversight. 



cost for 



Bui PAMP. 



cost for 



Bui PAMP. 


to develop plan, 

moderate 

incremental cost t 

implement. 



cost for 



Bui PAMP. 

None. 

Training and 




Training and 




None 

Training and 


operator to help 



government 

requirements 






and monitor 

performance. 



develop and 


Funds to develop 

and implement plan 

should be built into 

Contractor contract. 



develop and 




develop and 




develop and 


Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 

Riverine habitat alteration - 

change from riverine to 

lacustrine 

Habitat conditions will change 

from riverine to lacustrine, 

causing a reduction in riverine 

species. 

Breakdown of vegetation in 

the reservoir could result in 

emissions of greenhouse 

gasses and toxic compounds. 

Presence of the reservoir could 

provide a breeding ground for 

insect disease vectors. 

Riverine habitat alteration – 

change in river flow 


Regulation of flows will create 

an unseasonal flow regime 

downstream of the dam, 

altering species composition 

and density. 


long-term wildlife and 

vegetation monitoring 

programme as part of the 

PAMP for Bui National Park. 

Reduce the biomass that will 

be flooded by selective forest 

clearing and the commercial 

salvage of forest products. 

Regular monitoring and 

implementation of chemical 

control programme if 

necessary. 

Adapt flow regimes to 

mimic the natural seasonal 

flooding regime 

(environmental flow 

requirements). 

Apply continuous minimum 

downstream flow. 




experts. 







Not technically 

feasible due to very 

high outflow 

requirement in order 

to mimic natural 

floods. 

Technically feasible - 

intake structure for 

releasing downstream 

flows is already 

incorporated into the 

dam design 



cost for 



Bui PAMP. 



[logging] 

oversight. 



and to implement 

monitoring plan, 


will depend on 

follow up actions 

necessary. 

High cost in 

power generation. 


during 

construction. Low 

incremental cost – 

due to lost power 

during the dry 

season. 

Training and 




None 


building of 

Operator will be 


and manage 

programme. 

Operator 


follow flow regime 

as defined in permit 

for project 

Operator 


implement predetermined 

flow 

regime as per 

government permit. 


government 

requirements 



develop and 






and monitor 

performance. 



required to develop 


performance. 

None – Operator 

would build on 

lessons learnt from 

NPong and 

Akasombo dams to 

determine 

appropriate flow 

regime. 

None – Operator 

would build on 

lessons learnt from 

NPong and 

Akasombo to 

determine 

appropriate 

minimum flow. 

Effectiveness 

Timing of annual riparian Annually deposit nitrate rich Technically feasible Low incremental Operator Government 

 

 

 

X


Operator 

requirements 

flooding downstream of dam 

will alter input of organic 

material and coarse debris in 

the floodplain. 

Presence of the reservoir and 

enhanced baseflow will raise 

the water table and alter the 

micro-climate around the 

reservoir and surrounding 

area. 


The reservoir will provide 

habitat for aquatic vegetation 

and flood tolerant plants, 

including non-native (and 

potentially invasive) species 

Riparian wetlands could 

become uplands due to lack of 

flooding reducing the 

fertiliser along floodplain 

downstream of dam. 

No mitigation measure 

necessary 


operational plan that 

includes managing the 

reservoir drawdown to 

optimise native vegetative 

growth in littoral zone. 

Planting of Setaria and other 

species in the littoral zone [at 

FSL] to increase fodder 

available for hippos and 

other wildlife. 





PAMP. 



protection. 

but will require high 

levels of manpower 

to cover the area. 



experts. 



experts. 




experts. 




cost for 


Undetermined 


based on effect on 



cost for planting 

when operation 

commences, low 


for management 




cost for 



Bui PAMP. 



analysis, 


implement. 

Training and 


operator to develop 

a programme, and 

train workers. 

Operator 

requirement. 


building of 

Operator to develop 

and implement 

operational plan. 

None 

Training and 




None. 


government 

requirements 


ensure that project 

is being 

implemented 

according to 

operational permit. 

Government 



is being 

implemented 

according to 




management and 

monitoring of Bui 

PAMP. 



develop and 









Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 

terrestrial and aquatic fauna 

that spawn, rear and/or breed 

in riparian wetlands. 

Soils will become more acidic 

downstream due to depleted 

organic matter, which could 

alter the vegetation species 

composition and density. 

Effects on wildlife 

Change in habitat from 

riverine to lacustrine will alter 

aquatic and terrestrial habitat 

and species composition 

The reservoir will increase the 

perimeter of the shoreline, 

increasing the littoral habitat 

for wildlife 

Reduced land area within the 

park will cause increased 

inter- and intra-specific 

competition in remaining 

habitats or displace wildlife 

Undertake 








area. 



Annually deposit nitrate rich 

fertiliser along floodplain 

downstream of dam. 


long-term wildlife and 

vegetation monitoring 

programme as part of the 


No mitigation measures 

necessary 



protection. 

Undertake 


experts 




experts 


but will require high 

levels of manpower 

to cover the area. 




experts. 




experts 



land 

management 



and moderate 


for 



cost for 




cost for 



Bui PAMP. 



analysis, 


land, and long- 


building of 

Operator required 

to help implement 

plan. 

Operator 


implement. 

Training and 


operator to develop 

a programme, and 

train workers. 

Training and 




None. 


government 

requirements 


study and 



PAMP. 



develop and 


Government 



is being 

implemented 

according to 




develop and 






study and 

Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 

Submerged tree trunks and 

other flooded vegetation in the 

reservoir could increase the 

habitat available for aquatic 

fauna. 

Increase in the amount of 

water in the river and 

associated tributaries 

immediately upstream of the 

reservoir, increasing the 

availability of aquatic habitats. 



Resettled people and 

associated land uses will place 

increased pressure on natural 

resources 







area. 



Although biomass should be 

reduced by selective forest 

clearing – a substantial 

amount of vegetation should 

be retained and flooded. 

No mitigation measure 

necessary 






education]. 



protection. 

Undertake 







experts 






experts. 




experts 

term land 

management 



and moderate 


for 




[logging] 

oversight. 



and moderate 


for 




analysis, 



land 

management 


building of 

Operator required 

to help implement 

plan. 

None. 

Training and 




None. 


government 

requirements 



PAMP. 



develop and 






and monitor 

performance. 




and implement 

plan. 





study and 



Effectiveness


Operator 

requirements 

Operational effects on 

reservoir water levels 

Magnitude and duration of 

water level fluctuations will 

affect species composition and 

density of vegetation 

communities in the littoral 

zone 





area. 

Incorporate environmental 

criteria into site selection 

criteria for resettlement 

areas. 


operational plan that 

includes managing the 

reservoir drawdown to 

optimise native vegetative 

growth in littoral zone. 

Planting of Setaria and other 

species in the littoral zone [at 

FSL] to increase fodder 

available for hippos and 

other wildlife. 





PAMP. 





experts. 



experts. 




experts. 

Low up-front cost 

for development 

of environmental 

criteria. 

Undetermined 


based on effect on 



cost for planting 

when operation 

commences, low 


for management 




cost for 



Bui PAMP. 

None 

Operator 

requirement. 


building of 

Operator to develop 

and implement 

operational plan. 

None 

Training and 





government 

requirements 

PAMP 

Government 


incorporate criteria 

into resettlement 


criteria. Training/ 

capacity building 

may be required. 

Government 



is being 

implemented 

according to 




management and 

monitoring of Bui 

PAMP. 



develop and 






Effectiveness

Error! No text of specified style in document.2 Social and Health Mitigation Table 

Impact Pot. Mitigation Technical 

Feasibility 

Site Preparation, Construction and Inundation Phase 

Loss of land and natural resources: 

Loss of income from forest 

products and hunting 

and 

Health impacts from loss of 

medicinal plants 

Livelihood impacts from loss of 

farmland and grazing land 


PAMP for Bui National 

Park and any offset area 

that includes collaborative 

management with 


forest products in buffer 

zone 

Identify alternative areas 

where forest product 

collection can be restored 



along ROW, around 

construction camps, etc 

Identify alternative farm 

and grazing land that is 

accessible and of 

comparable productivity 

Refer to the Resettlement 

Policy Framework. 

Technically 

feasible with 

input from local 


experts. 

Technically 

feasible with 


chiefs 

Technically 

feasible but 

needs to be 


construction 

schedule 

Technically 

feasible with 

suitable guidance 

from appropriate 

government 

experts. 

Cost Contractor / 

Operator 

requirements 

Moderate (high?) 

cost 

None. 

Institutional /government 

requirements 


responsibility to develop, 

oversee and implement 

plan in collaboration with 

suitable NGOs. 

Low cost None Bui Development 

Secretariat or other 

government body in 

collaboration with 

Paramount chiefs 

Contractual 

requirement- no 

cost 

Contractual 


monitor and 

minimise 

impacts 

Training/capacity building 

to evaluate contractors 


performance 

Moderate cost None Bui Development 





Effectiveness 

 

 

 

 

Livelihood impacts from loss of 

standing crops 

Implement compensation 

strategy for loss of crops. 



Technically 

feasible with 



government 

experts. 

Moderate cost None Bui Development 





 

Increase in malnutrition due to Engage NGO to establish Technically Moderate and None Wildlife Division and BDS


Feasibility 


Operator 

requirements 


requirements 

Effectiveness 

loss of farm/grazing land and 

forests 

programme to support 

intensification of smallscale 

agriculture 

feasible with 

guidance from 

local agric. 

specialists 

on-going over a 

period of several 

years 

to collaborate to engage 

agricultural NGO and 

ministry of Agriculture to 

support communities in 

study area 

Loss of culturally significant 

sites and impacts to local 

communities sense of place, 

history and culture 

Develop cultural sites 

strategy to excavate and 

relocate cemeteries/ 

cultural sites where 

possible or perform 

necessary rites before 

inundation. 



Technically 

feasible with 



government 

experts. 


to develop and 

implement 

cultural sites 

strategy 

depending on 

extent of 

relocation. 

Contractual 


consult with 

archaeological 

experts during 

dam 

construction. 


may be required for 

contractor to implement 

cultural sites strategy. 

 

Impacts due to resettlement of 

communities due to presence of the 

reservoir 



Refer to the 

Resettlement 

Policy 

Framework. 

Refer to the 

Resettlement 

Policy 

Framework. 

Refer to the 

Resettlement 

Policy 

Framework. 



Refer to the 

Resettlement 

Policy 

Framework. 

In-migration of workers and casual 

migrants: 

Disruption of Social networks 

Local employment and 

sourcing policy to 

discourage in migration 

including no employment 

of casual migrants at the 


in designated offices in 

local area and Accra, etc 

Technically 

feasible – policy 

can be based in 


standard 

documents. 

Contractual 

requirement – no 


Contractual 


monitor and 

minimise 

employment of 

non-locals. 


to evaluate contractors’ 


performance. 

 

Communicate employment 

and procurement 

opportunities widely to 

minimise the influx of 

opportunity seekers. 

Technically 




standard 

documents. 

Contractual 



Contractual 


monitor and 

minimise 

employment of 

non-locals. 




performance. 

 

Ensure that camp is closed. 

Develop and enforce “Code 

of conduct” for camp 

workers containing 

Technically 




Contractual 



Contractual 


monitor and 

minimise 




performance.


Feasibility 

Pressure on Social Infrastructure 

from influx of workers 

Pressure on Social Infrastructure 

from influx of casual migrants 

Changes to local livelihoods – 

increased economic 

opportunities 

Changes to local livelihoods – 

pressure on natural resource 

based livelihoods 

regulations governing 

behaviour in the local 

communities. 

Engage NGO to prepare 

community institutions for 

influx of migrants (e.g. 

developing by-laws and 

community policing 

systems for larger numbers 

of migrants). 

Build adequate facilities at 

construction camp (schools, 

water facilities, electricity, 

recreation facilities etc for 

both workers and their 

families) 

Provide electricity, build 

additional schools, water 

facilities, upgrade roads, 

bus services, etc, for 

communities absorbing 

itinerant migrants 

Engage NGO to build 

capacity of community 

groups to save and 

leverage increased income 

(e.g. through micro-credit 

and small businesses). 


PAMP for Bui National 

Park and any offset area 

that includes collaborative 

management with 


forest products in buffer 

zone 

standard 

documents. 

Technically 

feasible but 

depends on 


suitably qualified 

NGO. 

Technically 

feasible – camp 

should be 

designed and 

built to industry 

best practice 

Technically 

feasible but 

requires 

collaboration of 

relevant 

government 

ministries. 

Technically 

feasible but 

depends on 


suitably qualified 

NGO. 

Technically 

feasible with 



experts. 


Operator 

requirements 

employment of 

non-locals. 

Moderate cost 

for 



Contractual 



Moderate cost 

though much of 

cost could come 

from existing 

District budgets 

Moderate cost 

for 




cost 

None 

Contractual 


build and equip 

camp. 

None 

None 

None. 


requirements 


to develop Request for 

proposals to select NGO 

and monitor outcomes of 

programme. 




performance. 

Government responsibility 

to ensure that community 

has adequate infrastructure 

to cope with increased 

population. 


to develop Request for 

proposals to select NGO 

and monitor outcomes of 

programme. 






Effectiveness 

Develop and enforce a Technically Contractual Contractual Training/capacity building


Feasibility 


Operator 

requirements 


requirements 

Effectiveness 

Code of conduct for camp 

workers that include no 

hunting or buying of bush 

meat regulations. 




standard 

documents. 

Strategies should 

be based on WB, 

OGP etc 

guidelines on 

community 

health promotion 

and migration 




monitor and 

minimise 

employment of 

non-locals. 

Implementation 

of workforce 

related 

strategies 

should be a 

contractual 

requirement 



performance. 

Changes or introduction of new 

communicable diseases such as 

Acute Respiratory Infections, TB, 

HIV/AIDS and other STDs due 

to in migration, poverty, 

prostitution etc. 

Implement workforce 

healthcare, health 

promotion, education, 

awareness and 

management strategies 

Workforce 

healthcare, 

promotion and 

education 

strategies result 

in high costs 

Training/ capacity building 

may be required to evaluate 

contractors plans and 

monitor performance and 

also to support the local 

health authorities and local 

programmes 

 

Implement recruitment 

and communication 

strategies – eg health 

communication on 

community and local radio 

programmes in local 

languages 

Implement social 

investment strategy eg 

health insurance schemes, 

private planning at 

household and community 

levels 



OGP etc 

guidelines on 

community 


and migration 



OGP etc 

guidelines on 

community 


and migration 



WHO etc 

guidelines on 

community 

health and 

migration 

Recruitment and 

communication 


in low costs 

Social 

investment 

funds would 

require 

significant 

resources to 

implement 

Recruitment and 

communication 


in low costs 

Social 

investment 

plans, 

recruitment and 

communication 

strategies are all 

operator 

requirements 

 

 

Poor housing and sanitation in 

unplanned settlements leading 

to increase in skin diseases and 

diarrhoea and increased 

pressure on the healthcare 

facilities 

Implement recruitment 

and communication 

strategies 

Implement social 

investment strategy 

including sustainable waste 

management plans – eg 

house-to-house waste 

collection, well planned 

drainage and sewer system 

Social 

investment 

funds would 

require 

significant 

resources to 

implement 

Social 

investment 

plans, 

recruitment and 

communication 

strategies are all 

operator 

requirements 


may be required support 

the local health authorities 

and local programmes


Feasibility 


Operator 

requirements 


requirements 

Effectiveness 

in the host communities 

Local price inflation 

Ensure no employment of 

casual migrants at the 


in offices in local area, 

Accra and Sunyani 

Technically 




standard 

documents. 

Contractual 



Contractual 


monitor and 

minimise 

employment of 

non-locals. 




performance. 

 

Pressure on health infrastructure 

in the non resettled communities 

from workforce 

Implement workforce 

healthcare strategy to 

include on-site 

occupational safety and 

hazard control 

programmes at work 

camps and construction 

sites 

Healthcare 

strategy should 

be based on 


standard 

documents such 

as WHO, WB 

and ILO. 

Workforce 

healthcare, 

promotion and 

education 

strategies may 

result in high 

costs 


of workforce 

related 

strategies 

should be a 

contractual 

requirement 


may be required support 

the local health authorities 

 

Increase in traffic accidents 

Implement road transport 

strategy 

Standard road 

traffic guidelines 

and awareness 

practices should 

be appropriate 

A road transport 

strategy may 

result in 

moderate costs 


of road 

transport 


be a contractual 

requirement 



the contractors plans and 

monitor performance and to 

support the local road 

agencies 

 

Increase incidence of respiratory 

illnesses due to increased traffic 

levels 

Implement road transport 

and health awareness 

strategy 

Standard road 

traffic guidelines 

and awareness 

practices and 

dust suppression 

techniques 

should be 

appropriate 

A road transport 

strategy and 

dust suppression 

techniques may 

result in 



of road 

transport 



requirement 




monitor performance 

 

Construction related activities with 

health implications: 

Increased respiratory health 

incidence, eye infections , 

hearing impairment, increased 

incidence of malaria and 

accidents 

Implement construction 

management strategy to 

include simple dust 

emission control schemes 

Construction 

activity best 

practice should 

be adhered to. 

Contract 

conditions 

Construction 

management 

strategy may 

result in 



of construction 

management 



requirement 




monitor performance


Feasibility 


Operator 

requirements 


requirements 

Effectiveness 

should specify 

WHO standards 

and other best 

practice 

standards. 

Decline in local standard of 

living due to reduced 


downstream and near dam site. 

Identify water sources that 

will not impact local water 

supply and ensure that 

construction processes 

minimises use of water. 

Technically 

feasible but 

needs to be 


construction 

schedule 

Contractual 


cost 

Contractual 


monitor and 

minimise 

impacts 




performance 

 

Provide downstream 


boreholes. 

Technically 

feasible but 

requires 

collaboration of 

government 

ministries. 

Moderate cost 

though cost 

could come from 

existing District 

budgets 

None 

Government responsibility 

to ensure that communities 

have adequate water 

infrastructure to cope with 

changes in hydrology 

downstream. 

 

Reduced quality of water 

downstream affecting 

community fishing and drinking 

due to construction sediment 

Ensure that construction 

processes minimise the 

entry of sediment into river 

system. 

Technically 

feasible but 

needs to be 


construction 

schedule 

Contractual 


cost 

Contractual 


monitor and 

minimise 

impacts 




performance 

 

Operational Phase 

Increase in fishery productivity 

and fishing related incomes due 

to change in reservoir ecology 

upstream from dam 

National Park and 

Reservoir management 

authorities should ensure 

that all fishing activity is 

controlled and sustainable. 

Decrease in fishing and farming 

incomes due to flow regime 

changes downstream and 

sediment load reductions 

 

 

Engage NGO to 

establish programme 

to support 

intensification of 

small-scale agriculture 

Other measures? 

Technically 

feasible with 

guidance from 

local agric. 

specialists 

Moderate and 



years 

None 

Wildlife Division and BDS 


agricultural NGO and 

ministry of Agriculture to 

support communities in 

study area 

 

Lack drinking, faming/fishing 

water as reservoir fills due to 

flow regime changes 

Ensure that dam 

construction engineers 

allow adequate flow of 

Technically 

feasible 


cost due to lost 

power during 

Operator 


implement pre- 

None. Operator would 

build on lessons learnt from 

Kpong and Akosombo to


Feasibility 

downstream and sediment load 

reductions (IS THIS 

OPERATIONS OR 

CONSTRUCTION?) 

water even when dam is 

filling. 

Changes in water ecology upstream and disease vector populations: 

 

 

 

Increase in Bilharzia 

Increase in guinea worm 

and intestinal worms 

Increase in tryanosomias 

(sleeping sickness) 

Depression of local economy 

and out migration of workers 

and local population due to 

termination of construction 

work 

Long term positive impact on 

the local economy due to 

increased tourism in relation to 

the lake itself or rejuvenated 

National park 

Implement vector/host 

control strategies as well as 

health education, health 

promotion and social 

investment strategies 

Engage NGO to prepare 

communities for outmigration 

of workers (e.g. 

by saving, helping 

businesses sell elsewhere). 

Ensure the Bui NP PAMP 

includes working with 

communities to maximise 

tourism opportunities (e.g. 

selling goods and services). 

Successful 

strategies were 

carried out by 

the Volta River 

Authority (VRA) 

following the 

construction of 

the Akosombo 

and Kpong 

dams. 

Technically 

feasible with 

guidance from 

local small 

business support 

specialists 

Technically 

feasible with 



experts. 

In-migration of casual migrants due to year round availability of water from the dam 

Pressure on health infrastructure 

in non resettled communities 

Changes or introduction of new 

communicable diseases such 

HIV/AIDS and others due to in 

migration. 

Support local healthcare 



supply of regular medical 

supplies and updated 

equipment? 

Support local healthcare 

facilities ie local 

programmes such as 

mother and child, 

nutrition, HIV/AIDS 


Operator 

requirements 

the dry season. determined flow 

regime as 

required by 

govt. 

Would require 

significant 

resources 

(equipment and 

manpower) to 

implement 

Moderate and 



years 


cost 

None 

None. 


requirements 

determine appropriate 

minimum flow. 

Training and capacity 

buidling required for local 

healthcare facilities, 

academics, park 

management staff, local 

communities and/ or others 

Wildlife Division and BDS 


community development 

NGO to support 

communities in study area 






Effectiveness


Feasibility 


Operator 

requirements 


requirements 

Effectiveness 

awareness, hygiene and 

immunisation. 

Poor housing and sanitation 

leading to increase in infectious 

diseases. 

Promote health awareness 

within the settlements 

affected by in migration.

Annex P 

Dam Safety

P1 

DAM SAFETY 

The proposed Bui dam will be a high consequence category dam and will 

require conscientious and appropriate care during its life to minimise dam 

safety issues. 

The dam operator and staff will require suitable training to ensure that all 

aspects of the project are well understood and that provisions in the OM&S 

manual and emergency plans are carried out diligently. Training can be 

organised locally, regionally and by using training courses available 

internationally. 

Appropriate dam safety measures are suggested to ensure that long-term 

operation and maintenance programs are in place. The requirements for 

Emergency Preparedness Plans (EPP) for both the construction cofferdam and 

for the final dam are also presented. 

The safety of the dam and appurtenant structures initially relies on a well 

designed structure that meets international standards for dams of this size and 

classification. In the future, safety relies on monitoring, inspection, reviews, 

training and a dam operator who understands the workings of the project 

such that potential deficiencies and defects can be recognized and repaired in 

a timely manner. 

The Bui Project has significant implications for safety, during both 

construction and operation. The ESIA study has assessed the dam feasibility 

reports and previous studies, and has made suggestions related to the 

appropriate use of design parameters related to: 

 

 

 

Flood handling and control, based on Probable Maximum Flood (PMF); 

Earthquake loading; and, 

Design of components and appurtenant structures including spillways, 

outlets, and cofferdams required during construction. 

P1.1 DAM CLASSIFICATION AND HAZARD CATEGORY 

The dam is classified as a large dam under ICOLD criteria. The downstream 

area is inhabited with small villages and has minor infrastructure present. 

No inundation mapping is available to assess the direct impact which would 

be caused by a dam failure. Given the importance of this dam, and the 

habitation downstream, the dam would be classified as a high consequence 

dam with commensurate values for inflow design flood (IDF) and earthquake 

loadings. 

The spillway design flood and the general arrangement of the dam and its 

component parts, including the spillway, were assessed in light of current 

World Bank and other international standards and guidelines (FERC Dam 


N1 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Safety Guidelines, 1991, Canadian Dam Association - Dam Safety Guidelines, 

1999). 

P1.2 INFLOW DESIGN FLOOD (IDF) 

For a high consequence classification dam the appropriate IDF is the Probable 

Maximum Flood (PMF). 

The PMF is derived from the Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP) which is 

routed through the basin and through the reservoir to obtain a design 

discharge flood for the spillway. Limited information was available on the 

PMP or PMF. 

At present the 1 in 10,000 year event is proposed for the spillway design flow 

calculations and the reservoir designed to handle the routed IDF through a 

spillway built into the RCC dam. Further work is needed at the design stage 

to address the IDF handling issues. 

P1.3 EARTHQUAKES 

The West African plate, an ancient and very stable geological unit, underlies 

the Project area. Therefore, there is little risk of major seismic activity at this 

particular site. The risk of damage to the facility from a seismic event, even if 

it occurs, is considered low due to the type of dam being proposed. 

Nevertheless, earthquake loads will be included in the stability analysis of the 

dam, which is an appropriate approach. The dam classification suggests that 

the design earthquake should be the maximum credible earthquake (MCE) for 

the site. Further work will be required to define the MCE and the appropriate 

loading for the dam design 

P1.4 POSSIBLE MITIGATION MEASURES 

P1.4.1 

Record Drawings 

A set of record drawings should be completed to record the as-built condition 

of the works. Changes made on site during construction should be recorded, 

especially changes to instrumentation locations. Copies should be available at 

site and at the VRA head office. 

P1.4.2 

Design Reports 

Copies of the preliminary design documents, final design documents 

including: stability analysis, borehole locations and logs, instrumentation 

locations, survey stations and performance requirements should be 

completed. Detail should be such that future dam safety reviews can be 

carried out using this documentation as a starting point. Copies should be 

available at site and at the VRA head office. 


N2 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

P1.4.3 

Construction Reports/Photos 

Photographs should be taken on a regular basis during all phases of 

construction. Digital files should be made where possible. Copies of 

photographs should be filed and be available at site and at the VRA head 

office. 

P1.4.4 

Instrumentation Reports 

An instrumentation report should be compiled to record location of 

instruments, purpose and performance requirements. Also included should 

be calculation tables and recording charts/graphs so that future instrument 

readings and results reduction can be easily made. 

The report should include all instruments including piezometers, standpipes, 

drain flow measures, weirs and surveys information. Performance 

requirements should include normal expected readings and alarm levels so 

that the operator can judge when the dam is performing as designed. Copies 

should be available at site and at the VRA head office. 

P1.4.5 

General Dam Operation and Management 

Conceptual requirements have been suggested for the development of an 

Operations, Maintenance and Surveillance Manual (OM&S) to encompass all 

aspects of long-term operation and management of the dam and appurtenant 

structures. Suggestions for staff training requirements have been presented. 

As well, requirements for emergency planning are also discussed. 

The OM&S manual should provide suggested frequencies for performing all 

operation and maintenance activities, including recording and reporting of 

results, material and spare part ordering and surveillance activities needed to 

ensure that the dam remains safe. 

The long-term success and safety of the dam will depend on the dam owners’ 

management providing leadership in ensuring that the dam is operated and 

maintained at the highest level consistent with its high consequence 

classification. 

P1.4.6 

Dam Operator 

A dam operator should be appointed and trained to operate and maintain the 

dam and reservoir in the long term. This will require the selection and 

training of a technical person with some initial level of skill in civil structures 

and/or water resources structures. 

This person should be in place prior to construction starting. This will allow 

the individual to become familiar with the project from the start and gain an 

appreciation for the construction, layout, instrumentation and the general site. 


N3 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Opportunities exist for the provision of appropriate training to the operator 

using the Akosombo dam, as an example, and at other regional dams and 

possibly overseas. These should be explored prior to construction of the dam. 

P1.4.7 

Weekly and Monthly Inspections 

An inspection schedule should be established so that a field inspection is 

conducted on a weekly and monthly basis by the site operator. Inspection 

reports should be completed on forms developed specifically for the Bui Dam. 

Monthly reports should be prepared. Deficiencies identified during the 

inspections should be promptly dealt with. Copies of monthly reports should 

be forwarded to the Volta River Authority for review and approval. 

P1.4.8 

Instrumentation and Weir Readings 

Instruments and weirs should be read at the intervals specified by the dam 

designer. Results should be recorded, plotted and analyzed as they are read, 

with monthly summaries forwarded to the Volta River Authority. 

Alarm, or normal range, levels should be established for each instrument and 

variations outside the normal range reported immediately. Instrumentation 

reports should be prepared. Copies should be available at site and at the VRA 

head office. 

P1.4.9 

Annual Inspections 

Annual inspection should be carried out by the dam operator and engineering 

staff from the Volta River Authority, or by consultants. The results of each 

inspection should be compiled into a report. Copies should be available at site 

and at the VRA head office. 

P1.4.10 

Dam Safety Reviews 

The initial dam safety review should be carried out two years after 

construction is substantially complete and then every five years afterwards. 

Dam safety reviews should be carried out by an internationally recognized, 

independent dam safety engineer who was not involved in the design of the 

project. Normally this review would look at previous inspections, 

instrumentation reports and annual inspection reports, along with a 

comprehensive site inspection. 

A dam safety review report should be prepared by the reviewer and 

recommendations addressed promptly by the dam owner. Copies should be 

available at site and at the VRA head office. 

P1.4.11 

OM&S Manual 

An Operations, Maintenance and Surveillance Manual (OM&S) should be 

developed by the designer for the dam and power house. The OM&S manual 


N4 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

should encompass all aspects of long-term operation and management of the 

dam and appurtenant structures. 

The OM&S manual should detail the requirements for ongoing operation of 

the facilities including gates, low level outlet, power house and all 

mechanical/electrical components. Maintenance requirements should be 

established for all items requiring long-term maintenance to function 

correctly. Surveillance requirements, including reading of instrumentation, 

reporting of results and a schedule of visual site inspections, and independent 

dam safety reviews should be established. 

Rates for permitted reservoir draw-down, downstream compensation flow 

requirements, reservoir operating rule curves and flood operations will need 

to be developed during the final design phase and included in the OM&S 

manual. 

Appropriate staff training requirements should be developed and 

implemented. 

Copies should be available at site and at the VRA head office. 

P1.4.12 

Inundation Studies 

An inundation study is required to confirm the effect of potential dam failure 

and for use in the emergency preparedness plans. Existing mapping is likely 

to be adequate for this work initially, with more accurate surveys required 

near villages and other significant infrastructure. 

Inundation maps should be produced for a range of floods for operational 

purposes and for discharge of floods up to the PMF and for a ‘sunny day 

failure’. A sunny day failure is the case where a dam fails during a non-flood 

event such that little warning time is available; an example could be an 

earthquake induced failure. 

P1.4.13 

Emergency Planning (EPP/ERP) 

Emergency planning consists of having in place a process for responding to 

emergencies at site often during periods of adverse weather, darkness and 

power outages. Two documents are required, an emergency preparedness 

plan (EPP) and an emergency response plan (ERP). On this project, where 

significant coffer dams will be required, an emergency plan is needed for this 

stage of construction. 

The emergency preparedness plan details the effects on the downstream areas 

of a dam failure and allows downstream areas to formulate plans to manage 

this type of event. Inundation maps are included. 

An emergency response plan details what actions are to be taken by site staff 

in an emergency. These events range from emergencies arising from, for 

example, geotechnical failures, i.e. slope failure, reservoir slides to operational 


N5 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

difficulties with gates and the passage of large floods up to and including dam 

failure scenarios. 

The ERP should cover: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Identification of hazardous conditions, remedial actions and repairs; 

Responsibility for dam operation decision-making and related emergency 

communications; 

Inundation maps outlining inundation levels for various situations; 

Flood warning system details; 

Evacuation procedures; and 

Procedures for mobilizing emergency equipment. 

Emergency plans usually follow an incident-command system for managing 

emergencies. Serious emergencies would require a site command post 

appropriately staffed and an emergency operations center (EOC). 

The ERP should be coordinated with the OM&S manual to ensure that all 

scenarios are covered in one or the other. 

The emergency plan for construction should be completed at least three 

months prior to the start of construction and the EPP for operation should be 

completed at least three months prior to first-filling of the reservoir. 

Each of the plans should be tested prior to be put in place. Training of site 

staff and management is required to ensure that all concerned understand 

their roles in an emergency. 

P1.4.14 

International Review Panel 

An international review panel should be selected to monitor and provide 

advice to the owner during the project design phase and during construction. 

The panel would meet regularly prior to construction and through the 

construction period and into commissioning of the project. 

The panel should consist of recognized international experts in dam design, 

dam construction and dam safety. 


N6 

GOVERNMENT OF GHANA

Annex Q 

Photographs

Photo 1: Entrance to Bui Camp, headquarters of Bui National Park. 

Photo 2: 

Arranging for tour with Bui National Park staff. 

Environmental Resources Management Government of Ghana 

Q1

Photo 3: 

Road to Bui National Park. 

Photo 4: 

Banda hills. 


Q2

Photo 5: Wooded savannah ecosystem, showing evidence of recent fire. 

Photo 6: 

Wooded savannah near Bui Village. 


Q3

Photo 7: 

Wooded savannah habitat along trail to Black Volta River. 

Photo 8: 

Dry tributary to Black Volta River. 


Q4

Photo 9: 

Road to Bongase Village. 


Q5

Photo 10: Fisherman in Bui Village. 

Photo 11: Fish trap used by fisherman in Bui Village. 


Q6

Photo 12: Fisherman from Bui Village preparing boats along Black Volta River. 

Photo 13: Black Volta River looking downstream towards Hippo Pool #1. 


Q7

Photo 14: Adult hippopotamus and calf in Hippo Pool #2. 

Photo 15: Adult hippopotamus and calf in Hippo Pool #2. 


Q8

Photo 16: Bank of Black Volta River showing steep gradient and gallery forest. 

Photo 17: 

Black Volta River at proposed dam site, looking upstream. 


Q9

Photo 18: 

Black Volta River at proposed dam site, looking downstream. 

Photo 19: Bongase Village. 


Q10

Photo 20: Bui Village. 

Photo 21: Bui Camp. 


Q11

Photo 22: Bui Village. 

Photo 23: 

Guesthouse in Wenchi. 


Q12

Photo 24: Villagers washing clothes in Black Volta River, downstream of 

the proposed Bui Dam project. 

Photo 25: Villagers selling goods along road to Wenchi. 


Q13

Photo 26: Selling yams in Wenchi. 

Photo 27: Bushmeat. 


Q14

Photo 28: Bui National Park Manager with hippo skulls at the park 

headquarters. 


Q15

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countries worldwide 

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ERM’s London Office 

8 Cavendish Square 

London W1G 0ER 

UK 

Tel: +44 20 7465 7200 

Fax: +44 20 7465 7272 

www.erm.com 

ERMconsultingservicesworldwidewww.erm.com

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