Public Agenda (Accra)
Mahama Zakaria
4 April 2008
Tamale — The chiefs and people of Jama and the entire Bole traditional area are calling for their involvement in the activities leading to the construction of the Bui Dam.
Their involvement would avert any future problems associated with their marginalization.
These concerns were raised when a team of both national and regional site development committees visited the site to have first hand information on the project and to sign a land evaluation report which the chiefs initially did not take part in.
The team was led by the National Project Manager and (CEO)of the Bui Development Authority and included experts and relevant bodies like Land Commission, Survey Department, House of Chiefs, Ministry of Health, and Environmental Protection Agency.
When the team visited the palace of Nana Kwadjo Pambo, the chief of Jama, the National project manager, Mr. Godfred Dua-Boateng told the chiefs that the development of Bui Dam is on course and would be built on both sides of the Brong Ahafo and Northern Region.
He said part of the design concept will be in Brong Ahafo and the other part in Northern Region and promised that any operations that affects the people would be duly compensated.
Nana Kwadjo Pambo demanded representation of the chiefs and the communities to make for easier communication between the board and the chiefs and people of the area.
The Bole Wura, Amankwa Gbeadese II cautioned government to be up to its task by making sure that what is due the people is paid to them, since they would not sit by for their land to be used freely.
He cited the Mole National Pack as an example, where government had taken over the land and is making a lot of money with very little benefit going to the people.
The Bole Wura hoped that the Bui dam project would not be the same old story and wondered why the traditional leaders were not involved in the signing of the evaluation report.
Osaa Hene K. Aterkyi II member of the Bui Development team and member of the national house of chiefs promised the chiefs he would convey their reservations to the appropriate authorities and appealed to them to cooperate with the workers when they start work.
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