President Akufo-Addo has called on the chiefs and people of Ada to allow a salt mining company, ElectroChem, to operate in the area.
According to him, the Ada Salt Project must be accepted by all. He revealed that it is the responsibility of all, especially the people of Ada, being “in the vanguard, to give maximum support to this development”.
“The project is a major project, not just for Ada but for Ghana as a whole. If fully developed, it has the potential to make a major contribution to the economic development of our country. We are told that next door to us, in Nigeria, there is a demand for one million tonnes of salt every year, which is currently satisfied by Brazilian exporters. So, I’m very happy that the paramount chief and his elders have taken this progressive stand and are determined to assist to make sure that this investment is successful.”
President Akufo-Addo
On its part, the Ada Traditional Council (ATC) appealed to the government to clamp down on the activities of illegal salt miners to protect the Ada Songor Salt Project. The Council stated that the situation had far-reaching implications on the health of the Songor Lagoon, the viability of the project and the socio-economic development of the area.
Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, Paramount Chief of Ada Traditional Area and the President of the ATC revealed that since the government granted the license for commercial investment in the salt project, the area had seen progress in the development and commercial production of the mineral in the Songor concession. In light of this, he urged the President to intervene.
Impact of Electrochem mining company in Ada
Additionally, he noted that since the inception of activities in 2021 by Electrochem Ghana Limited, the investor in the project, Songor had seen “a massive facelift and revamping to the admiration of all well-meaning people of Ada and Ghana as a whole”.
Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III further expressed his gratitude to the President for the “bold” decision that led to the granting of the concession amid the controversies that surrounded the Songor Lagoon.
“There is hope for Ghana’s salt industry. Salt production has increased tremendously both in quantity and quality as Electrochem is revamping the national asset to produce 1,000,000 metric tons of first-rate salt per annum to serve both the local and export market. We are very hopeful that the efforts made so far will lead to further improvements in the salt industry in Ada and contribute to the national economy.”
Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III
It will be recalled that the chiefs and people of Ada on May 8 demonstrated their support for salt mining company, Electrochem Ghana Limited, in reaction to a demonstration by another faction that is opposed to the company.
A group against the operation of Electrochem Ghana Limited took to the streets in Accra to register their displeasure towards the involvement of the chiefs and alleged security brutalities over the years.
According to the group, the activities of Electrochem Ghana Limited have deprived them of their livelihoods, and they want their fair share of the over 40,000-acre Songor salt concession.
The Songor salt concession has sparked numerous agitations and litigation ever since the government handed it to the chairman of the McDan Group of Companies, Dr. Daniel McKorley to mine. Nonetheless, the Ada Traditional Council called for support for the Songor salt project being operated by Electrochem Ghana Limited.
