Effect of Bui Hydroelectric Dam on Household Livelihood Diversification Effect of Bui Hydroelectric Dam on Household Livelihood Diversification *Daniella Delali Sedegah 1 , James Agyei-Ohemeng 2 , Gabriel Asiem 3 1,2,3 School of Natural Resource Management, University of Energy & Natural Resources, Ghana Most dams have achieved their main goals for which they were constructed. Its existence has affected livelihood diversification in many ways. A number of studies have been conducted on the effects of dam construction on rural livelihoods. However, studies on the positive and negative effects of dam construction on rural livelihood diversification are inadequately studied. This study will inform policy makers and staff of the Bui Power Authority (BPA) to appreciate the implications of the dam on rural livelihoods and formulate better strategies for alternate livelihoods to the communities. The aim of the study was to investigate the positive and negative effects of Bui Hydro- electric dam construction on the rural livelihood diversification. The research employed key informant using an in-depth interview, involving thirty (30) participants from both farming and fishing communities called Battor Akanyakrom and Dokokyena in the Brong-Ahafo region of Ghana. The results revealed that, the construction of the dam had a short- term positive impact and a long- term negative impact on households on- farm and off- farm/non- farm activities. Understanding the various livelihood diversities, what determines those diverse livelihoods and the effect of the dam construction on the diverse livelihood activities is a precondition for formulating better sustainable livelihood strategies. Keywords: rural livelihood, Bui hydroelectric dam, diversification INTRODUCTION Dams have played a major role in the provision of water resources and energy. Constructions of man-made structures such as dams, power generation facilities and transmission of both water and electric power have been imposed with many environmental regulations due to the resultant effects on community livelihoods. Studies (DiFrancesco & Woodruff 2007) show that more than 45,000 large dams (greater than 15 m in height) exist worldwide. This is largely due to the desire of countries especially developing one to achieve the millennium development goals and other socio-economic development objectives leading to the re‐engagement of the World Bank and other regional banks in financing large water infrastructure in the last few years (World Bank, 2004; Grey & Sadoff, 2007). However, the construction of dams is often made at the expense of important factors in a wholistic developmental perspective, such as the environment, socio-economy and sustainability of culture, thereby affecting people’s general livelihood. While most dams have achieved their main goals for which they were constructed but there has been an adverse effect on determinants of livelihood and an increased vulnerability of local communities. Canter (2004) points out that dams can potentially harm living beings besides their advantages such as meeting basic requirements of the society and increasing living standards. Household resettled to pave way for the dam construction are exposed to various shocks, risks and stresses. Some households therefore undertake diverse activities to obtain income to be able to endure these shocks and stresses. According to Ellis (1996), when a rural household has diverse sources of income earning activities, its financial chances of survival are better than those household which has only one source. *Corresponding author: Daniella Delali Sedegah, School of Natural Resource Management, University of Energy & Natural Resources, Ghana. E-mail: drdrbuor@gmail.com Case Report Vol. 5(1), pp. 108-114, March, 2019. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: 2021-6009 International Journal of Geography and Regional Planning