Evaluating the Impacts of Dredging and Saline Water Intrusion on Rural Livelihoods in the Volta Estuary

Abstract

Many communities around the world are directly dependent on rivers. In Ghana the damming of the Volta River for hydro-electric power led to the development of a sandbar at the estuary, which disrupted salt water intrusion. Inadequate salt water intrusion also led to the proliferation of snail vectors of schistosomiasis (bilharzia) and growth of aquatic weeds. In 1990, dredging began at the Volta Estuary to address the identified problems. After more than 20 years, information on the impacts of the dredging activities remain scanty. In this paper, the socio-economic impacts of dredging activities being carried out by the Volta River Authority was investigated using interviews, analysing salinity data, sampling schistosomiasis snail vectors and administering questionnaires. The results revealed that sea water intrusion has improved. However average salinity at some points exhibited downward trends. No snail vectors were sampled at the estuary due to saline water intrusion at high tides. While the number of tourists visiting the area has increased, livelihood activities such as fishing and farming have declined. Hence while dredging at the Volta Estuary has helped to reduce some of the physical problems posed by the construction of dams on the Volta River it has failed to improve the livelihoods of local residents. The authors recommend alternative livelihood programmes to address poverty and well-being issues in the surrounding communities. It also advocates for understanding of the value systems and priorities of residents to ensure projects are integrated within the traditional governance structures and community priorities to minimize conflicts.