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101-542: Bui is the second largest hydroelectric generating plant in the country after the Akosombo Dam . The reservoir flooded about 20% of the Bui National Park and impacted the habitats for the rare black hippopotamus as well as a large number of wildlife species. It required the resettlement of 1,216 people, and affected the lives and livelihoods of many more. The Bui hydro-electric dam had first been envisaged in 1925 by

202-486: A Special National Delegates Congress on 30 August 2012 and endorsed President John Dramani Mahama as its 2012 presidential candidate. President Mahama, the sole candidate of the party, polled 2,767 votes, representing 99.5% of total votes cast, to pick the slot for the party. Mahama had stated that his administration was deeply committed to continuing the Better Ghana Agenda started under President Mills. Mahama won

303-493: A crest length of 300 m (984 ft). 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) southwest of the main dam is Saddle Dam 2. This dam is a zoned earth-fill type with a height of 7 metres (23 ft) ASL and a crest length of 580 m (1,903 ft). Both saddle dams have a crest elevation of 187 metres (614 ft) ASL. The dam's spillway near the right bank consists of five radial gates, each 15 metres (49 ft) wide. The spillway sits at an elevation of 169 metres (554 ft) and has

404-405: A formidable challenge to water navigation and transportation. The presence of aquatic weed along the lake and within the tributaries has resulted in even greater detriment to local human health. The weeds provide the necessary habitat for black-fly, mosquitoes and snails, which are the vectors of water-borne illnesses such as bilharzia , river blindness and malaria . Since the installation of

505-652: A mandate to support the Secretary-General in his efforts to generate momentum and commitment to achieve the SDGs by 2030, the SDG Advocates have been working to promote the universal sustainable development agenda, to raise awareness of the integrated nature of the SDGs, and to foster the engagement of new stakeholders in the implementation of these Goals. Mahama sought a second full term at the December 2016 general election . He

606-454: A maximum discharge of 10,450 cubic metres per second (369,000 cu ft/s) which correlates to a 1-in-10,000 year flood. The dam's outlet works consist of a single outlet on the right bank converted from one of the diversion tunnels. The reservoir that the main and saddle dams create will have a maximum capacity of 12,570 million cubic metres (10,190,000 acre⋅ft) of which 7,720 million cubic metres (6,260,000 acre⋅ft)

707-636: A military coup: "When I look back on my life it's clear to me that this moment marked the awakening of my consciousness. It changed my life and influenced all the moments that followed." Mahama received an honorary doctorate in the field of Public Administration , from the Ekiti State University of Nigeria , formerly affiliated to the Obafemi Awolowo University in "recognition of his politico-socio economic development of Ghana and Africa at various stages of his political career." Later

808-421: A paltry 3,181 representing 1.1%. A third contestant, Dr Kwabena Duffuor , a former Finance Minister of Finance , pulled out of the race on the eve of the elections on Friday, 12 May 2023, making it a two horse race between John Mahama and Bonsu . Mahama is married to Lordina Mahama (née Effah, 6 March 1963). Mahama has five children named Shafik, Shahid, Sharaf, who formerly played for Rostocker FC as

909-696: A professional training course for Overseas Public Relations Staff, organized by the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tokyo . He also participated in a management development course organized by Plan International (RESA) in Nairobi , Kenya . Mahama was first elected to the Parliament of Ghana in the 1996 elections to represent the Bole/Bamboi Constituency for a four-year term. In April 1997, Mahama

1010-573: A result of controlled spillage of the dam was in 2010. On 15 September 2023, the Volta River Authority (VRA) initiated a controlled spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong dams situated in the Eastern Region. This controlled spillage led to flooding in communities located along the lower Volta Basin leading to power interruptions. Many victims lost their belongings and livelihood due to

1111-437: A smaller dam was built at Kpong , downstream from Akosombo, and further upgrades to Akosombo have become necessary for maintaining hydropower output. Increasing demands for power exceed what can be provided by the current infrastructure. Power demands, along with unforeseen environmental trends, have resulted in rolling blackouts and major power outages. An overall trend of lower lake levels has been observed, sometimes below

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1212-407: A steady decline in agricultural productivity along the lake and the associated tributaries. The land surrounding Lake Volta is not nearly as fertile as the formerly cultivated land residing underneath the lake, and heavy agricultural activity has since exhausted the already inadequate soils. Downstream agricultural systems are losing soil fertility without the periodic floods that brought nutrients to

1313-581: A striker, Jesse and Farida. He is a Christian , born and raised a Presbyterian but is now a member of the Assemblies of God , Ghana by marriage. His family is multi-faith, consisting of Christians and Muslims . Being a staunch campaigner for sustainability, he has a keen interest in environmental affairs, particularly the problem of single-use plastic waste pollution in Africa, which he committed himself to addressing during his tenure as vice president. Over

1414-756: A study as a visiting scholar at Johns Hopkins University , Baltimore , United States. He is also a Bill Gates Fellow. He was awarded the Great Cross of the National Order of Benin , the highest award in Benin, by President Yayi Boni . In February 2017, Mahama received the 2016 African Political Leader of the Year Award from the African Leadership Magazine in South Africa . In October 2022, Mahama

1515-701: A viable business and not a subsistence activity. This has translated into his passion to see the Savanna Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) create new opportunities for people living in the Savanna areas of the country, which includes the three Northern Regions, and the Volta Region. Even on official assignments outside of country, Mahama likes to take advantage of opportunities to visit agricultural establishments and update himself on current trends and developments. He also takes keen interest in

1616-405: Is 1 million cubic metres (35 × 10 ^  cu ft). Southwest of the dam two saddle (or auxiliary) dams maintain pool levels and prevent spillage into other areas of the basin. The first and closest to the main dam is Saddle Dam 1. It is 500 metres (1,600 ft) southwest of the main dam and is a rock-fill embankment dam . The dam rises 37 metres (121 ft) above ground level and has

1717-480: Is 3.6% of Ghana's land area. With a volume of 148 cubic kilometers, Lake Volta is the world's third largest man-made lake by volume; the largest being Lake Kariba which contains 185 cubic kilometers of water. The primary purpose of the Akosombo Dam was to provide electricity for the aluminium industry. The Akosombo Dam was called "the largest single investment in the economic development plans of Ghana." The dam

1818-482: Is 400 km (250 mi) long. Maximum lake level is 84.73 m (278.0 ft) and minimum is 73.15 m (240.0 ft). On the east side of the dam are two adjacent spillways that can discharge about 34,000 m /s (1,200,000 cu ft/s) of water. Each spillway contains six 11.5-metre (38 ft)-wide and 13.7-metre (45 ft)-tall steel floodgates . The dam's power plant contains six 170-megawatt (230,000 hp) Francis turbines . Each turbine

1919-417: Is 660 m (2,170 ft) long and 114 m (374 ft) high, comprising a high rock-fill embankment dam . It has a base width of 366 m (1,201 ft) and a structural volume of 7,900,000 m (10,300,000 cu yd). The reservoir created by the dam, Lake Volta , has a capacity of 148 km (120,000,000 acre⋅ft) and a surface area of 8,502 km (3,283 sq mi). The lake

2020-494: Is located 300 metres (980 ft) downstream. Four 161 kV transmission lines connect the substation to the Ghana grid. The Bui hydropower plant will increase the installed electricity generation capacity in Ghana by 22%, up from 1920 MW in 2008 to 2360 MW. Together with three thermal power plants that are being developed at the same time, it will contribute to alleviate power shortages that are common in Ghana. Like any hydropower plants,

2121-491: Is significant for providing the majority of both Togo and Benin 's electricity, although the construction of the Adjarala Dam (on Togo's Mono River ) hopes to reduce these countries' reliance on imported electricity. The dam's original electrical output was 912 megawatts (1,223,000 hp), which was upgraded to 1,020 megawatts (1,370,000 hp) in a retrofit project that was completed in 2006. The flooding that created

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2222-404: Is supplied with water via a 112–116-metre (367–381 ft) long and 7.2-metre (24 ft) diameter penstock with a maximum of 68.8 m (226 ft) of hydraulic head afforded. The final proposal outlined the building of an aluminum smelter at Tema , a dam constructed at Akosombo to power the smelter, and a network of power lines installed through southern Ghana. The aluminum smelter

2323-472: Is the first head of state of Ghana to have been born after Ghana's independence. He was elected after December 2012 election to serve as full-time President. He contested re-election for a second term in the 2016 election , but lost to the New Patriotic Party candidate Nana Akufo-Addo , in 2016. This made him the first President in the history of Ghana to not have won a second term. A member of

2424-545: Is the saddest day in our nation's history. Tears have engulfed our nation and we are deeply saddened and distraught and I'm personally devastated, I've lost a father, I've lost a friend, I've lost a mentor and a senior comrade. Ghana is united in grief at this time for our departed president. As a result of his elevation to the presidency, Mahama made political history by becoming the first Ghanaian head of state to have been born after Ghana's declaration of independence on 6 March 1957. The National Democratic Congress (NDC) held

2525-477: Is useful for power generation and irrigation. The reservoir's maximum operating level will be 185 metres (607 ft) ASL and the minimum 167 metres (548 ft) ASL. At the maximum level, the reservoir will have a surface area of 440 square kilometres (170 sq mi) while at the minimum it will be 288 square kilometres (111 sq mi). The reservoir's volume at minimum level is 6,600 million cubic metres (5,400,000 acre⋅ft). The average length of

2626-514: The China Exim Bank : a concessional loan of US$ 270 million at 2% interest and a commercial loan of US$ 292 million. Both loans have a grace period of five years and an amortization period of 20 years. The proceeds of 30,000 tons per year of Ghanaian cocoa exports to China, which are placed in an escrow account at the Exim Bank, serve as collateral for the loan. Once the dam becomes operational, 85% of

2727-522: The December 2012 general election with 50.70% of the total valid votes cast and a 3% winning margin beating his nearest rival, Nana Akufo-Addo of the main opposition New Patriotic Party , who polled a close 47.74%. This was just barely enough to win the presidency without the need for a runoff. In addition, Mahama won the majority of valid votes cast in eight out of Ghana's ten administrative regions. Thirteen African Heads of State, one Prime Minister, two vice-presidents and 18 government delegations across

2828-606: The Gonja ethnic group in the Savanna Region of Ghana, Mahama hails from Bole in the Savanna Region . Mahama was born on Saturday, 29 November 1958 in Damongo , an area in present-day West Gonja District . His father, Emmanuel Adama Mahama , a wealthy rice farmer and teacher , was the first Member of Parliament for the West Gonja constituency and the first Regional Commissioner of

2929-540: The International Federation of Surveyors has indicated that the dam has had a significant impact on the shoreline erosion of the barrier separating the Keta Lagoon from the sea. Dr. Isaac Boateng has calculated the reduction of fluvial sediment as being from 71 million cubic metres per year to as little as 7 million cubic metres per year. Until 2023, the last time Akosombo dam community experienced flooding as

3030-650: The Kariba Dam , won the contract. In 1961, the Volta River Authority (VRA) was established by Ghana's Parliament through the passage of the Volta River Development Act. The VRA's fundamental operations were structured by six Board members and Nkrumah as chairman. The VRA's primary task is to manage the development of the Volta River Basin, which included the construction and supervision of the dam,

3131-702: The Northern Region during the First Republic under Ghana's first president, Kwame Nkrumah . Mahama's father also served as a senior presidential advisor during Ghana's Third Republic under Hilla Limann who was overthrown in 1981 by Jerry Rawlings . Mahama had his primary education at the Accra Newtown Experimental School (ANT1) before going to boarding school at Achimota Primary School . He completed secondary school at Ghana Secondary School ( Tamale , Northern region ). He proceeded to

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3232-597: The University of Aberdeen has revealed that the Black Volta River abounds with 46 species of fish from 17 families. None of these species is endangered. Nevertheless, these fish communities could be severely impacted by changes to water temperature, turbidity and the blocking of their migration. Waterborne disease could also occur. Schistosomiasis in particular could become established in the reservoir, with severe health risks for local people. The Bui dam project requires

3333-603: The University of Ghana , Legon , receiving a bachelor's degree in history in 1981 and a postgraduate diploma in communication studies in 1986. As a student, he was a member of Commonwealth Hall (Legon). He also studied at the Institute of Social Sciences in Moscow in the Soviet Union , specializing in social psychology; he obtained a postgraduate degree in 1988. After completing his undergraduate education, Mahama taught history at

3434-507: The Volta Dam , is a hydroelectric dam on the Volta River in southeastern Ghana in the Akosombo gorge and part of the Volta River Authority . The construction of the dam flooded part of the Volta River Basin and led to the subsequent creation of Lake Volta . Lake Volta is the largest man-made lake in the world by surface area. It covers 8,502 square kilometres (3,283 sq mi), which

3535-760: The World Bank , the United States, and the United Kingdom. Impreglio carried out the dredging of the river bed and dewatering of the channel, and completed the dam a month earlier than scheduled despite flooding of the Volta River in 1963 which delayed work over three months. Between 1961 and 1966, 28 workers of Impregilo died during the construction of the dam. Memorials in Akosombo township and St. Barbara Catholic Church have been put up in their honor. The construction of

3636-448: The river's delta , and this has led to continuing coastal erosion. The changes in the river hydrology have altered the local heat budget which has caused microclimatic changes such as decreasing rain and higher mean monthly temperatures. All of these larger scale environmental impacts will all further compound the problems surrounding disruptions to local economic activities and associated, difficult human welfare conditions. A case study by

3737-634: The secondary school level for a few years. Upon his return to Ghana after studying in Moscow , he worked as the Information, Culture and Research Officer at the Embassy of Japan in Accra between 1991 and 1995. From there he moved to the anti-poverty non-governmental organisation (NGO) Plan International 's Ghana Country Office, where he worked as International Relations, Sponsorship Communications and Grants Manager between 1995 and 1996. In 1993, he participated in

3838-520: The 1940s. The development of the Volta River Basin was proposed in 1949, but because funds were insufficient, the American company Volta Aluminum Company (Valco) lent money to Ghana so that the dam could be constructed. President Kwame Nkrumah adopted the Volta River hydropower project and commissioned Australian architect Kenneth Scott to design a residence for him overlooking the dam. The dam

3939-421: The 2012 and 2016 Ghanaian presidential elections, signed a peace pact to ensure peace before, during, and after the 7 December elections. Akufo-Addo won the election with 51.6% of the vote. In August 2021, Mahama began a tour dubbed 'Thank you tour' in Ghana to thank Ghanaians for voting in the 2020 presidential election. He visited Upper West , Upper East , North East , Northern and Savannah regions in

4040-831: The African Servant Leadership Award while the Institute of Public Relations recognized Mahama with a prize for his leadership acumen and technocratic flair. In 2013, the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) conferred on Mahama the Africa Award for Excellence in Food Security and Poverty Reduction. In March 2016, University of Aberdeen held a special convocation to confer an honorary degree of Doctors of Laws (LLD) on President John Mahama. Mahama has also attended numerous conferences and won many fellowships, including

4141-423: The Akosombo Dam resulted in the flooding of part of the Volta River Basin and its upstream fields, and in the creation of Lake Volta which covers 3.6% of Ghana's total land area. Lake Volta was formed between 1962 and 1966 and necessitated the relocation of about 80,000 people, who represented 1% of the population. People of 700 villages were relocated into 52 resettlement villages two years prior to

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4242-565: The British-Australian geologist and naturalist Albert Ernest Kitson when he visited the Bui Gorge. The dam had been on the drawing board since the 1960s, when Ghana's largest dam, the Akosombo Dam , was built further downstream on the Volta River. By 1978 planning for the Bui Dam was advanced with support from Australia and the World Bank . However, four military coups stalled the plans. At

4343-402: The Bui Dam. 21% of the park will be submerged. This will affect the only two populations of black hippopotamus in Ghana, whose population is estimated at between 250 and 350 in the park. It is unclear if hippos can be relocated and if there is any suitable habitat near the area to be inundated. Even if there were such a "safe haven", it is not clear if the country's game and wildlife department has

4444-712: The Chairperson of the West African Caucus until 2011 . He was also a member of European and Pan African Parliaments' Ad hoc Committee on Cooperation. In 2005, Mahama became the Minority Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs. He is a member of the UNDP Advisory Committee on Conflict Resolution in Ghana. On Wednesday, 7 January 2009, Hon. John Dramani Mahama was sworn into office as the Vice-President of

4545-797: The Chinese company Sinohydro submitted an unsolicited bid for the dam together with funding from the Chinese Exim Bank. The government accepted the bid and the Ministry of Energy signed contracts for an environmental impact assessment in December 2005, as well as for an updated feasibility study in October 2007. The government created the Bui Power Authority in August 2007 to oversee the construction and operation of

4646-507: The Lake Volta reservoir displaced many people and had a significant impact on the local environment, including seismic activity that led to coastal erosion ; a changed hydrology caused microclimatic changes with less rain and higher temperatures. The soil surrounding the lake is less fertile than the soil under it, and heavy agricultural use has required the use of fertilizers, which in turn has led to eutrophication , which caused, among others,

4747-525: The Lost Decades of Africa , was published by Bloomsbury on 3 July 2012. The most promising son of an affluent government minister, he spent his childhood shuttling in his father's chauffeur -driven cars, from his elite boarding school Achimota School in Accra to his many homes . He recalls in its first chapter the day in 1966 when he learned of the ousting of Ghana's founding president, Kwame Nkrumah , in

4848-1010: The Republic of Ghana with John Evan Atta Mills as President. He also served as the Chairman of the National Economic Management Team, the Armed Forces Council of Ghana, the Decentralisation and Implementation Committee and the Police Council of Ghana in this capacity. In line with Ghana's constitution , Mahama became President of Ghana on 24 July 2012 on the death of his predecessor, John Atta Mills . In July 2012, he became Ghana's first president to have served at all levels of political office (Ghanaian and Pan-African MP , Deputy Minister, Minister , vice-president and President). He said in parliament upon being sworn in: This

4949-604: The Transport, Industry, Energy, Communications, Science and Technology Committee of Parliament. Mahama served as the Deputy Minister of Communications between April 1997 and November 1998. During his tenure as Minister for Communications, Mahama also served as the Chairman of the National Communications Authority, in which capacity he played a key role in stabilising Ghana's telecommunications sector after it

5050-463: The Volta River's development. The extensive human migration and degradation of natural resources within the Volta-basin area, are the products of poverty in conjunction with population pressure. Reservoir-induced seismicity has been recorded because of the crustal re-adjustments from the added weight of the water within Lake Volta. There is an eastward shift of the river's mouth from the changes to

5151-486: The city does not exist and there is not even a schedule for its construction. Instead, the first 217 relocated people have been moved to a temporary settlement called Gyama Resettlement Township, which has dilapidated infrastructure. Fishers were resettled on dry land and lost their livelihoods. Although the study had recommended to establish an independent body to monitor the resettlement, no such body has been set up. Akosombo Dam The Akosombo Dam , also known as

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5252-402: The constitution) and his party lost to the opposition led by John Kufuor . In October 2001 the new government shelved the dam project. According to Charles Wereko-Brobby , then President of the Volta River Authority, Bui Dam was not considered the least–cost option and could not meet "immediate" energy needs. Instead gas-powered thermal power plants were to be built, producing electricity at what

5353-463: The contraction of HIV and has since led to its heightened prevalence within Volta Basin communities. The districts of Manya Krobo and Yilo Krobo, which lie within the southwest portion of the Volta Basin, are predominantly indigenous communities that have attained a disproportionate prevalence of HIV. The situation underlines the strength of the local factors upon these districts. Commercial sex work

5454-596: The course of his career, Mahama has written for several newspapers and other publications both locally and internationally. As a Parliamentarian , Mahama wrote Mahama's Hammer , a semi-regular column in a Ghanaian newspaper. His essays have also been published in the Daily Graphic , Ebony , Huffington Post , the Louisville Courier-Journal , the New York Times and The Root . Additionally, he

5555-504: The dam an "environmental disaster" and a "textbook example of wasted taxpayer money". In his article he quoted the investigation team, but apparently somewhat exaggerated the environmental impact of the dam. The leader of the investigation team, the zoologist Daniel Bennett, clarified that "the opinions (Anane) attributes to our team are unfair and misleading". He added that "Contrary to Mr Anane's claims, we are unaware of any globally endangered species in Bui National Park, nor did we claim that

5656-407: The dam would destroy the spawning runs of fish." Although Bennett always maintained a neutral stance towards the construction of the dam, in April 2001 the government of Ghana banned him from doing further research on the ecology of the Bui National Park. The government stated that the issue was "very sensitive" and Bennett's "presence in the National Park was no longer in the national interest". One of

5757-512: The dam's completion; the resettlement program was under the direction of the VRA. Two percent of the resettlement population were riparian fishers, and most were subsistence farmers. The Eastern Region of Ghana and the populations incorporated within its districts were most subject to the project's effects. The dam provides electricity to Ghana and its neighboring West African countries, including Togo and Benin . Initially 20% of Akosombo Dam's electric output (serving 70% of national demand)

5858-410: The dam, these diseases have increased remarkably. In particular, resettlement villages have shown an increase in disease prevalence since the establishment of Lake Volta, and a village's likelihood of infection corresponds to its proximity to the lake. Children and fishermen have been especially hard hit by this rise of disease prevalence. Additionally, the degradation of aquatic habitat has resulted in

5959-453: The death of his predecessor, John Evans Fiifi Attah Mills . A member of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) , he was Member of Parliament for Bole Bamboi from 1997 to 2009 and served as Deputy Minister for Communication between 1997 and 1998 before becoming the substantive Minister for Communications in 1998. Mahama is the first vice president to take over the presidency from the death of his predecessor, John Evans Atta Mills , and

6060-479: The decline of shrimp and clam populations. The physical health of local communities has been diminished from this loss of shellfish populations, as they provided an essential source of dietary protein. Likewise, the rural and industrial economies have experienced the financial losses associated with the decimation of river aquaculture . Increased human migration within the area has been driven by poverty and unfavorable resettlement conditions. This migration enabled

6161-461: The explosive growth of an invasive weed that renders water navigation and transportation difficult, and form a habitat for the vectors of water-borne illnesses such as bilharzia , river blindness and malaria . Resettlement of the displaced inhabitants proved complex and in some cases unsuccessful; traditional farming practices disappeared and poverty increased. The dam was conceived in 1915 by geologist Albert Kitson , but no plans were drawn until

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6262-457: The first people were resettled. In December 2008 the river was diverted and a year later construction on the main part of the dam began. The filling of the reservoir began in June 2011. Unit 3 was connected to the grid on 3 May 2013; Units 2 and 1 were commissioned by the end of November 2013. The dam and power station were inaugurated in December 2013 by President John Mahama . To boost the Bui dam's overall electricity generation without affecting

6363-417: The first phase. He met Chiefs and Queens, religious leaders and also interacted with the media. On Saturday 14 May 2023, John Mahama won and was confirmed during the NDC presidential primary as the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress to contest in the 2024 General elections. He polled 297,603 votes representing 98.9% and his closest contender, the former Kumasi Mayor Kojo Bonsu , polled

6464-419: The flood gates at a reservoir elevation of 84.45 m (277 ft), and for several weeks, water was spilled from the lake, causing some flooding downstream. The Akosombo Dam benefited some industrial and economic activities from the addition of lake transportation, increased fishing, new farming activities along the shoreline, and tourism. In the time following the construction of the dam, there has been

6565-458: The floods. The losses included farmlands, houses and properties which were destroyed by the floods. John Mahama John Dramani Mahama ( / m ə ˈ h ɑː m ə / ; born 29 November 1958) is a Ghanaian politician who served as President of Ghana from 24 July 2012 to 7 January 2017. He previously served as Vice President of Ghana from January 2009 to July 2012, and took office as president on 24 July 2012, following

6666-437: The forced relocation of 1,216 people, of which 217 have been resettled as of June 2010. In order not to slow down the construction of the dam, the Bui Power Authority has opted for a quick resettlement process. It neglected the recommendations of a study, the "Resettlement Planning Framework", that it had contracted itself. In theory, all affected people are expected to be moved to a new locality called Bui City. However, as of 2010

6767-497: The incumbent president Nana Akufo-Addo who unseated Mahama in a 2016 election, capitalizing on an economy that was slowing due to falling prices for gold, oil and cocoa exports. He won the National Democratic Congress primaries by securing an overwhelming 213,487 votes representing 95.23 percent of the total valid votes cast with the other six contenders managing with about 4 percent of the votes. On 4 December 2020, Mahama and incumbent President Nana Akufo-Addo, who he faced both in

6868-411: The journalist who criticized the government for banning Bennett was Mike Anane. In 1999 the Volta River Authority , the country's power utility, signed an agreement with the US firms Halliburton and Brown and Root to build the dam without issuing a competitive bid. In December 2000 President Jerry Rawlings , who had ruled the country for the two previous decades, did not contest in elections (as per

6969-514: The loss of their primary economic activities from fishing and agriculture, loss of their homes, loss of their family grave sites, loss of community stability, and the eventual loss of important social values. The resettlement program demonstrated the social complexities involved in establishing "socially cohesive and integrated" communities. Insufficient planning resulted in the relocation of communities into areas that were not capable of providing for their former livelihoods and traditions. The loss of

7070-454: The means to rescue the animals. The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment states that hippos will be vulnerable to hunting during the filling period of the reservoir. It also claims that they would ultimately "benefit from the increased area of littoral habitat provided by the reservoir". The dam could also have other serious environmental impacts, such as changing the flow regime of the river which could harm downstream habitats. A survey by

7171-483: The naturally fertile soils beneath Lake Volta essentially led to the loss of traditional farming practices. The poor living conditions provided within the resettlement villages has been demonstrated by population reductions since resettlement. One resettlement village in particular experienced a greater than 50% population reduction in the 23 years following relocation. Increased economic risks and experiences of poverty are associated with those communities most impacted by

7272-464: The opportunities for simplifying and making tasks easier with the use of information and communications technology , and considers the ICT industry one of the sectors that can play a significant role in economic transformation and job creation. Mahama is the elder brother of Ghanaian businessman Ibrahim Mahama who owns Dzata Cement. Mahama's first book, a memoir called My First Coup d'État: Memories from

7373-522: The power station and the power transmission network. The VRA is responsible for the reservoir impounded by the dam, fishing within the lake, lake transportation and communication, and the welfare of those surrounding the lake. The dam was built between 1961 and 1965. Its development was undertaken by the Ghanaian government and funded 25% by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development of

7474-537: The proceeds of electricity sales from the hydropower plant will go to the escrow account. If not all the proceeds are needed to service the loan, the remainder reverts to the government of Ghana. An Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for the dam was completed in January 2007 by the US consulting firm Environmental Resources Management (ERM). During its preparation hearings were held in Accra and in five localities near

7575-454: The project and the associated resettlement. Responsibility for the dam was thus transferred from the Volta River Authority , which until then had been responsible for the development and operation of all power projects in Ghana. Coyne et Bellier is the consulting engineer for the dam. Field investigations for the dam began in October 2007. In January 2008 preparatory construction began and in May 2008

7676-522: The project area, such as Bamboi. However, no hearings were conducted in the project area itself. Once completed, an independent panel appointed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Ghana reviewed the ESIA. The latter was revised in the important aspects, including the following: "compensation" had to be provided for the inundated area of Bui National Park, a "rescue plan" for the hippos

7777-459: The project avoids greenhouse gas emissions that would have occurred if thermal power plants had been built instead. An additional expected benefit is the irrigation of high-yield crops on 30,000 hectares of fertile land in an "Economic Free Zone". The current status of the irrigation project is unclear. The total project costs are estimated to be US$ 622 million. It is being financed by the government of Ghana's own resources (US$ 60m) and two credits by

7878-413: The requirement for operation of the dam. In the beginning of 2007, concerns were expressed over the electricity supply from the dam because of low water levels in the Lake Volta reservoir. During the latter half of 2007, much of this concern was abated when heavy rain fell in the catchment area of Volta River. In 2010, the highest-ever water level was recorded at the dam. This necessitated the opening of

7979-400: The reservoir will be 40 kilometres (25 mi) with an average depth of 29 metres (95 ft) and a maximum 88 metres (289 ft). Just downstream of the dam on the left bank is the dam's powerhouse . The intake at the reservoir feeds water through three penstocks to the three separate 133 MW Francis turbine - generators . Each turbine-generator has a step-up transformer to increase

8080-650: The same university passed a resolution to name its Faculty of Management Science after him. The Cuban government, recognising Mahama's relentless advocacy for the Cuban cause, namely for the lifting of the 50-year economic embargo on the communist country and for the freedom of the detained Cuban five by the United States government, conferred on him the Friendship Medal. The General Council of Assemblies of God , Ghana honoured Mahama with its Daniel Award. The Graduate School of Governance and Leadership also awarded him

8181-452: The soil before the natural river flow was halted by the dam. The growth of commercially intensive agriculture has produced a rise in fertilizer run-off into the river. This, along with run-off from nearby cattle stocks and sewage pollution, has caused eutrophication of the river waters. The nutrient enrichment, in combination with the low water movement, has allowed for the invasion of aquatic weeds ( Ceratophyllum ). These weeds have become

8282-530: The support of the Export-Import Bank of the United States . However, Valco did not invest without first requiring insurances from Ghana's government, such as company exemptions from taxes on trade and discounted purchases of electricity. The estimated total cost of the project was $ 258 million. In May 1960, the Ghana government called for tenders for construction of the hydroelectric dam. In 1961, an Italian consortium, Impregilo which had just completed

8383-558: The time Ghana began to be plagued by energy rationing , which has persisted since then. In 1992, the project was revived and a first feasibility study conducted by the French firm Coyne et Bellier . In 1997 a team of students from Aberdeen University carried out ecological investigations in the area to be flooded by the reservoir. The Ghanaian environmental journalist Mike Anane, who was included in UNEP ’s Global 500 Roll of Honour for 1998, called

8484-506: The valid votes cast compared to Akufo-Addo's 53.5%. In December 2016, he was part of the ECOWAS mediation team to resolve the post-election political impasse in The Gambia between the defeated incumbent, Yahya Jammeh and declared winner, Adam Barrow . In February 2019, Mahama was confirmed as the candidate of the opposition National Democratic Congress to contest in the 2020 elections,

8585-421: The vast majority of additional capacity in Akosombo used to service growing domestic demand. Initially, the dam's power production capabilities greatly overreached the actual demand; while the demand since the dam's inception has resulted in the doubling of hydropower production. Ghana's industrial and economic expansion triggered a higher demand for power, beyond the Akosombo's power plant capabilities. By 1981,

8686-430: The voltage to transmission level. A fourth unit, with a penstock on the spillway, will provide four megawatts for station service and black start power, and will provide minimum flow to maintain river levels if the main units should be shut down. The power station will have an installed capacity of 400 megawatts and an estimated average annual generation of 980 gigawatt-hours (3,500 TJ). The power station's switchyard

8787-538: The water reservoir, a 50-megawatt (MW) solar power plant was built on land 3km from the dam. The solar plant was commissioned in November 2020. The Bui Dam is a gravity roller-compacted concrete -type with a height of 108 metres (354 ft) above foundation and 90 metres (300 ft) above the riverbed. The crest of the dam is 492 metres (1,614 ft) meters long and sits at an elevation of 185 metres (607 ft) above sea level (ASL). The main dam's structural volume

8888-540: The world attended his inaugural ceremony at the Black Star Square in Accra on 7 January 2013, when Mahama was sworn in to begin his own four-year term. After his investiture, the opposition New Patriotic Party led by its 2012 presidential candidate, Nana Akufo-Addo , running mate, Mahamudu Bawumia and the party chairman, Jacob Otanka Obetsebi-Lamptey , challenged the election results , alleging irregularities, malpractices, omissions and violations. The petition

8989-641: Was a featured speaker at the TEDx Great Pacific Garbage Patch Conference in Santa Monica . Mahama is also a devotee of Afrobeat music , especially that of Fela Kuti . Apart from his hobby of reading, Mahama also has a passionate interest in innovation particularly the use of technology in agriculture being a farmer himself. In particular, he is interested in finding the most effective ways to improve agricultural productivity and works to encourage more young people to see farming as

9090-586: Was again re-elected in 2004 for a third term. From 2001 to 2004, Mahama served as the Minority Parliamentary Spokesman for Communications. In 2002, he was appointed the Director of Communications for the NDC . That same year, he served as a member of the team of International Observers selected to monitor Zimbabwe 's Parliamentary Elections. As an MP , he was a member of Standing Orders Committee as well as

9191-524: Was appointed Deputy Minister of Communications. He was promoted to the post of Minister of Communications in November 1998, serving in that post until January 2001, when the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) handed over power to the New Patriotic Party 's government. In 2000, Mahama was re-elected for another four-year term as the Member of Parliament for the Bole/Bamboi Constituency. He

9292-685: Was deregulated in 1997. As a minister, he was a founding member of the Ghana AIDS Commission , a member of the implementation committee of the 2000 National Population Census and a deputy chairman of the Publicity Committee for the re-introduction of the Value Added Tax (VAT). Continuing to expand his interest and involvement in international affairs, in 2003, Mahama became a member of the Pan-African Parliament , serving as

9393-890: Was elected Chairperson of the African Union 's (AU's) High-Level African Trade Committee (HATC). On 21 January 2016, on the occasion of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Mahama became co-chair of the Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group which consists of 17 eminent persons assisting the UN Secretary-General in the campaign to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that world leaders unanimously adopted in September 2015. With

9494-487: Was eligible for a second full term since he ascended to the presidency with only six months remaining in Mills' term. In Ghana, a vice president who ascends to the presidency is allowed to run for two full terms in his own right if more than half of his predecessor's term has expired. He was defeated by main opposition leader Akufo-Addo in a rematch from four years earlier, and conceded defeat on election night. Mahama polled 44.4% of

9595-415: Was established in response to the thousands of male workers that were in the area for building the dam. Ten percent of the child-bearing females from these two districts migrated out of their districts during this time. In 1986, "90% of AIDS victims in Ghana were women, and 96% of them had recently lived outside the country". The loss of land experienced by the 80,000 people forcibly relocated meant

9696-484: Was expected to eventually provide the revenue necessary for establishing local bauxite mining and refining, which would allow aluminum production without importing foreign alumina. Development of the aluminum industry within Ghana was dependent upon the proposed hydroelectric power. The proposed project's aluminum smelter was overseen by the American company Kaiser Aluminum and is operated by Valco. The smelter received its financial investment from Valco shareholders, with

9797-551: Was heard by nine justices of the Supreme Court of Ghana . After eight months of hearing, the Court on 29 August 2013, dismissed the petition by a majority opinion. Mahama is one of Africa's most-followed leaders on the social networking sites, Twitter and Facebook . In May 2013, he stated that all of West Africa is under the threat of Islamist militancy. On 30 March 2014, he was elected to preside over ECOWAS . On 26 June 2014, he

9898-484: Was honored by Liberty University with a Global Leadership and Economic Impact Award in Virginia , USA. This award was to celebrate him for governing wisely, “advocating and achieving a consistent track record on economic development, women’s participation in education, and enhancing economic growth.” In March 2024, Mahama was conferred with the chieftaincy title, Kuoro Sabinwero Wajia I by Kuoro Abu Diyaka Sukabe Ninia,

9999-461: Was provided to Ghanaians in the form of electricity, the remaining 80% was generated for Valco. The Ghana government was compelled, by contract, to pay for over 50% of the cost of Akosombo's construction, but the country was allowed only 20% of the power generated. Some commentators are concerned that this is an example of neocolonialism . In recent years the production from the Valco plant has declined with

10100-484: Was required and it had to be specified how resettlement would be carried out. When the EPA issued the environmental permit for the dam, it required the Bui Power Authority to present within 18 months an Environmental Management Plan based on the revised ESIA. Construction and resettlement began in 2008, but no environmental management plan had been submitted as of July 2010. The Bui National Park will be significantly affected by

10201-406: Was said to be half the cost of Bui. Furthermore, a severe drought in 1998 exacerbated the energy crisis due to low water levels in Akosombo Dam. As a consequence, the government wanted to reduce its dependence on hydropower at the time. However, in 2002 the project was revived. An international call for tender was issued, but only a single company submitted a bid and the tender was cancelled. In 2005

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