Large dams in West Africa: building dialogue Large dams have
brought significant benefits in West Africa and are likely to
provide more in the future. Providing electricity, improving
irrigation, supplying drinking water are some of the benefits
from large dams for communities in the region. Yet, the
development of such infrastructures shouldn’t come at the
expense of ecosystems and the people who depend on them. The
implementation of large hydraulic structures requires careful
consultation between all stakeholders involved. Lessons from
such processes are explained and illustrated in a new
publication produced by the IUCN West and Central Africa office.
The report, Regional Dialogue on large water infrastructure in
West Africa: Building multi-stackeholder participation frome
2009 to 2011, is published by IUCN in partnership with the Water
Resources Coordination Centre (WRCC) of Economic Community Of
West African States (ECOWAS) It describes the various steps and
progress of regional consultation, with the ob