Samuel Kofi Dzamesi
THE BUI Power Authority (BPA), managers of the Bui Generating Station (BGS) in the Banda District of the Bono Region has provided financial assistance totaling GH¢442,480.00 to yam and groundnut farmers around the dam’s enclave to engage in commercial farming activities.
According to the authority, the support is in line with the implementation of Phase II of its flagship Livelihood Enhancement Programme (LEP) which commenced in 2019.
About 160 project affected persons (PAPs), at the dam’s enclave benefited from the support, and it is expected to enhance the farmers’ socio-economic lives.
Samuel Kofi Dzamesi, Chief Executive Officer of BPA during the presentation of the cheque to the farmers, stressed the readiness and commitment of the authority to improve the socio-economic lives of the locals and alleviate poverty among them.
He reminded the beneficiaries (groundnuts and yam farmers) that farming remained a lucrative enterprise, stressing that they must be serious with their work as the authority makes good its promise of assisting them.
Deputy Director in charge of Human and Natural Resources of BPA, Eric Acheampong observed that the implementation of the LEP Phase I project encountered certain challenges which compelled the authority to stop and undertake an assessment as well as identify challenges in the interest of those affected. He added that so far the LEP Phase I & II have impacted about 660 project affected persons out of targeted 816 people.
He expressed satisfaction that the authority was on course to improving the socio-economic livelihoods of the locals.
Nana Kwadwo Wuo II, Chief of Bui, acknowledged the commitment of the BPA towards improving health, education and sports of the residents.
He noted that though people were happy living comfortably in the area, it is still imperative for the authority to do more in ensuring that all unemployed youth in the area get something worth doing to better their lots.
A yam farmer and spokesman for the beneficiaries, Maxwell Gbadagbo thanked BPA for the support, and encouraged his colleagues to invest the money in their farms to improve yields.
FROM Daniel Y Dayee, BuiÂ