Public Participation in Environmental Impact Assessment in Ghana: The Case of Bui Dam Project.

Abstract

The study set out to assess public participation in environmental impact assessment (EIA) processes using the experience of Bui Dam Project in Ghana. The research adopted the case study design within qualitative research approach. A sample size of thirty-five (35) respondents from across different categories were selected for the study. This included five (5) respondents from Environmental Protection Agency; five (5) opinion leaders from the resettled communities, two (2) officials from the local government and Bui Power Authority each and twenty-one (21) households which were affected by the operations of Bui Project. Secondary data involved data already collected and complied for other purpose from books, articles and journals, details from. The study observed both upstream and downstream consultations as well as the use of community opinion leaders to serve as liaison between the conveners and community members. The resettlement process has had mixed results on fishing and farming activities which are the main economic activities of the seven (7) resettled communities. The public participation process as well as the resettlement package which followed the process has been viewed as very remarkable. The study concludes that public participation should be closer to the people in the communities and should be done in a fair and honest manner. EIA process should not be limited to the national headquarters or district capitals but efforts should be made as far as practicable decentralize the process so that households in the communities get access to conveners of EIA which the study calls downstream engagement. The study concludes that ‘downstream’ engagements are very crucial for the success of EIA projects without which any consultation at the top will be futile.