By
Dennis Peprah, GNA
Bui, (B/R), Jan. 08,
GNA – The Bui Power Authority (BPA), Managers of the Bui Dam in the Banda
District of the Bono region has set aside Gh¢3,033,627.96 to offer employable
skill training to improve on the livelihoods of people within its catchment
area.
More than 815
persons whose lives were directly or indirectly affected by the construction of
the 400 megawatts hydro-electric dam are expected to benefit from the trainings
in hairdressing, dressmaking, tailoring, carpentry and masonry.
The training
followed a needs assessment conducted by the BPA in the Dam’s affected
communities – Bui, Bator, Akanyakrom, Dokokyina, Lucene, Dam site, Agbegikuro,
and Brewohodi and aimed at helping to improve on the socio-economic conditions
of the beneficiaries.
It is expected to be
completed in June 2020.
Mr Fred Oware, the
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BPA disclosed this when he presented
training equipment to 63 apprentices to be engaged in hairdressing and
dressmaking at a ceremony held at the Bui resettlement camp.
The tools include
sewing machines, hair dryers, tables and chairs and other training accessories,
and the Authority in addition paid the apprenticeship fees covering the
trainees.
Mr Oware emphasised
the BPA’s determination to ensure that all the resettled people affected by the
Bui Dam project obtained decent work to alleviate their plight.
He said the BPA
considered skill training as the best option to create jobs for the affected
people to enhance their standard of living.
Mr Oware indicated
that the Authority had also constructed 10 fish ponds and very soon it would
hand-over the ponds to the fishing communities in the area, saying it would
extend development projects to the Banda and Bongase communities as well.
He gave the
assurance that the BPA would ensure all the affected communities within the
Dam’s catchment area benefit from a sort of development and empowerment
programme and urged the people to bury their differences and forge ahead in
unity.
Mr Oware said
without prevailing peace, it would be difficult for the BPA to develop the
communities and advised the people to promote social cohesion.
Nana Kwadwo Wuo II,
the Chief of Bui, expressed appreciation to the BPA for the level of
development witnessed in the resettlement communities and prayed the Authority
would continue to help address the needs of the people.
He said the
Authority had revived the hope of the affected communities of the Dam, and
pledged the people‘s readiness to promote cordial relations with the BPA to
improve on development in the area.
Mr Salifu Wumbilla,
the Director, General Services Department of the BPA, said the Authority had
set up scholarship package to support tertiary students in the area.
He advised the
apprentices to take their training serious and take proper care of the machines
so that on completion, they would use them to set up their businesses.
GNA
