Great Migration Buipe: Black Volta River Flood Victims Endorse Relocation to Safer Grounds

Introduction

In the Savannah Region of Ghana, recurrent flooding along the Black Volta River has long threatened lives and livelihoods. The 2023 Black Volta River flood displaced 6,175 residents, including thousands of children, and affected 962 families in communities like Bridge in Buipe. Dubbed the “Great Migration Buipe,” a community-led relocation initiative spearheaded by Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor I, chief of the Buipe traditional area, offers hope. Flood victims are increasingly endorsing this intervention, with allocated land on higher ground poised to provide permanent safety. This article explores the Black Volta River flood impacts, relocation progress, victim perspectives, and lessons in climate resilience for flood-prone areas in Ghana.

Understanding the Black Volta River Flood Context

The Black Volta River, a major tributary of the Volta River system, experiences seasonal swelling due to upstream rainfall and dam operations from facilities like Bui Dam and Akosombo Dam. In 2023, these factors led to severe inundation in Buipe, forcing residents into temporary shelters and highlighting the urgent need for sustainable solutions like the Great Migration Buipe.

Analysis

The Great Migration Buipe represents a proactive response to climate-induced displacement. During the 2023 flood crisis, Chief Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor I pledged land allocation for the Bridge community. He has since delivered on this promise by designating higher ground accommodating 200 demarcated plots near the original settlement and main roads. This site preparation included grading the land using heavy machinery, ensuring accessibility.

Chief’s Role in Flood Victim Relocation

As custodian of traditional lands, Buipewura Jinapor emphasized community engagement. Previous appeals for voluntary relocation to elevated areas failed, as residents often returned post-flood. “We’ve been appealing to them to migrate, but once the flood subsides, they forget until it happens again,” the chief explained. Now, with infrastructure commitments—water access, roads, and electricity—the initiative gains traction. Victims contribute a nominal fee for utilities, fostering ownership.

Stakeholder and Expert Insights

Dr. Shelta Gatsey, Lead of Strategic Initiatives for Africa Governance, praises this as “planned migration is a powerful path to safety and resilience.” Early movers have begun constructing homes, depositing sand and materials on-site, signaling broad endorsement among flood sufferers.

Summary

The 2023 Black Volta River flood in Buipe displaced over 6,000 people, prompting Chief Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor I to allocate 200 plots on safer higher ground for the Bridge community’s Great Migration. While most victims welcome the relocation for long-term security, a minority resists due to ancestral ties. This effort underscores community-driven adaptation to recurrent floods in Ghana’s riverine areas.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For Black Volta River flood victims considering relocation, or communities facing similar risks, structured steps enhance success. This pedagogical guide draws from the Buipe model to promote safe, resilient transitions.

Steps for Successful Relocation

1. Assess Risks: Document flood history—e.g., Buipe’s 2023 and 2010 events—to justify moving to higher ground.
2. Engage Leaders: Collaborate with traditional authorities like Buipewura for land allocation under customary systems.
3. Prepare Infrastructure: Prioritize roads, water, and power; budget for shared contributions as in Buipe.
4. Build Community Support: Share stories like Alhassan Imoro’s to encourage participation.
5. Secure Livelihoods: Fisherfolk like Fuseini Sumaila should plan river access from new sites.

Flood Preparedness Tips

Maintain elevated storage for valuables, monitor dam spill alerts from Bui and Akosombo, and develop family evacuation plans. In Ghana, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) resources aid such preparations.

Points of Caution

While the Great Migration Buipe shows promise, challenges persist. Flood victims must weigh emotional attachments, as seen with James Tetteh, who values his 36-year ancestral home over relocation. Financial burdens for utilities, though minimal, require planning. Construction on new plots demands verifying plot boundaries to avoid disputes. Recurrent floods underscore that relocation alone isn’t enough—ongoing dam management coordination between Akosombo and Bui is essential, as Tetteh advocates. Vulnerable groups, including children and the elderly, need prioritized support during transitions.

Comparison

The Great Migration Buipe contrasts with past responses to Black Volta River floods. In 2010, Buipe endured similar devastation without structured relocation, leading to repeated displacements. Unlike government-only interventions in other Ghanaian floods (e.g., 2020 Volta Basin spills affecting thousands), Buipe’s chief-led model integrates customary authority, fostering quicker buy-in. Compared to urban migrations, this rural effort emphasizes proximity to farmlands and fishing grounds, preserving livelihoods unlike distant resettlements elsewhere in West Africa.

Buipe vs. Broader Ghana Flood Relocations

Legal Implications

In Ghana, land allocation by chiefs like Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor I falls under customary law, governed by the Chieftaincy Act and Land Act. Stool lands in the Savannah Region can be allocated for community resettlement, provided consultations occur. Victims receive usufruct rights upon payment of nominal fees, but formal titles may require district assembly approval for permanence. No legal barriers hinder the Great Migration Buipe, but disputes over demarcations could invoke local dispute resolution committees. Government oversight via NADMO ensures alignment with national disaster policies, emphasizing voluntary relocation.

Conclusion

The Great Migration Buipe exemplifies resilient adaptation to Black Volta River floods. Chief Buipewura Abdulai Jinapor I’s fulfillment of his 2023 pledge—200 plots, site preparation, and infrastructure—has shifted flood victims from temporary shelters to endorsed permanent relocation. Voices like Alhassan Imoro and Fuseini Sumaila highlight optimism, while cautions from James Tetteh remind us of human factors. As Dr. Shelta Gatsey notes, planned migration builds safety. This model offers pedagogical value for Ghana’s climate-vulnerable communities, promoting stakeholder collaboration for enduring flood resilience.

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