President John Agyekum Kufuor last week stated that though it had been part of all the manifestoes of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) since 1992 to build the Bui hydro electric dam project, it took some time in raising funds for such big projects. Speaking at the sod-cutting ceremony for the commencement of the project, the President said that even in Nkrumah's days it was difficult to raise the money. "It would interest you to know that although building the Akosombo Dam had been the dream of President Nkrumah since 1951, it was not until 1961 that funding of 70.5 million pound sterling was secured for the project to be executed and inaugurated in January 1966", the President said, adding that it took 16 years for Nkrumah to realize his Akosombo dream. Kufuor thanked the people of Banda in the Brong Ahafo Region and Gonja in the Northern Region for the warm reception accorded him. He disclosed that the people would not only benefit from an irrigation project underway, but also the Bui City Project, a modern settlement with all facilities. The President also added that during the construction stage close to 3,000 Ghanaians would be employed. He said that the project was expected to be completed in 2012 and would be part of the government's energy supply capacity. Source: The Crusading Guide