The environmental and social governance of the Bui Dam project in Ghana

Large dams have been controversially debated for several decades due to their large-scale and often irreversible social and environmental impacts (WCD, 2000). There is no doubt that the development of dams has spearheaded the development of many nations. However, the benefits have come at a huge cost, mostly to the local people in terms of displacement and environmental degradation. Due to the above reasons, as well as huge costs and their overruns, there was a global slump in dam-building, only to be revived in the last few decades. According to the World Energy Council (2015), reasons for the resurgence, mainly in developing countries, include the fact that hydropower offers not only clean energy but also provides water services and energy security while facilitating regional cooperation and economic development. The resurgence in hydropower, and large infrastructure in general, in the last few decades has been championed by China with both technical and financial muscle.