The Bui Power Authority (BPA) is transforming and impacting many lives within its catchment area through its alternative livelihood programmes.
The Bui Power Authority since its establishment had resettled 1,216 persons at two separate locations, Jama in the Savannah Region and Bongase in the Bono Region.
Apart from resettling the affected persons, the BPA has developed nineteen business modules to help the people economically.
Eight of the modules were inaugurated in September 2019. They include; Aquaponics Fishing, Sanitation, Fumigation, Landscaping and Fire Control, Lawn Maintenance, Cleaning Services, Warehouse Maintenance and Event Management.
Beneficiary communities include; Bui, Bator Akanyakrom, Dokokyina, Lucene, Dam Site, Agbegikuro and Brewohodi.
Wumbilla Salifu, Director of General Services at the BPA briefing the media after a tour of some of the communities were the modules are being implemented noted that the programme forms part of the resettlement programme under the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.
Mr. Salifu noted that the BPA recognises the significant effect of the construction of the dam and believes the modules would go a long way to help them resettle.
“The bulk of the project affected persons selected irrigation and fish pond. Under fish pond there are 369, irrigation has 126 people. We needed to take our time to learn before we go-ahead to implement them. Now that we through with our demonstration stage we would be building more ponds.”
A beneficiary under the Aquaponics Fishing module, Isaac Dugbaza in an interview with Citi News noted that the programme has immensely helped him.
“The fishing programme is helping me we were trained in Kumasi before we started. We are currently growing catfish, the experience has been good. Before coming resettling here I was not doing anything but this project has come to help I am able to get an income when we sell the fish.”
Mrs Aishatu Wahab, who received training in soap making under the artisan support programme was grateful to the BPA.
“With this training that I have acquired it would go a long way to help to support my family. My shop is ready for me to begin production.”
