The disagreement between the right ownership of the Ada Songhor Lagoon salt mining concession is degenerating into another herculean task where the communities are denying the pronouncement by Electrochem Ghana Limited for allocating a large portion of its concession to citizens of Ada to mine salt.
This came as a surprise when the Vice Chairman of Ada Songhor Association Nene Dadebom Anim Chief of Salom, denied emphatically that, Electrochem does not handover any concession to them.
He said he has not seen any documents to that effect and he is surprise how the company is trying to paint a picture to the general public as if something special has been done.
Vice Chairman of Ada Songhor Association Nene Dadebom Anim Chief of Salom, said this on the Adekyee Mu Nsem morning show on Ahotor 92.3 FM hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu in Accra.
However, the move is aimed at curbing the menace of Atsiakpo (Salt galamsey), which led to the destruction of the Ada Songhor Lagoon.
The decision aligns with the company’s assurance of creating opportunities for citizens in Ada, thereby helping them make money for their livelihoods.
In another development Electrochem Ghana Limited is also scaling up the construction of community pans for salt mining by artisanal miners in communities. So far, over 70 community pans have been created for 7 communities, according to the reports.
He opined that, the purported exercise by Electrochem Ghana Limited reported in the media is unfounded and not true. This he said where is the document signed to that effect. He asked.
The company is really doing disservice to the community for denying them their rights as the sole owners of the salt concession which the communities have inherited from their forefathers.
Communities such as Nakomkope, Adjumanikope, and Agbedrafor, which started mining in their community pans last season, currently have their community pans filled again with mature brine (saltwater), which will crystallize into top-quality salt for the community to mine. Bonikope, Toflokpo, Matsekope, and Kposem have their community pans at various stages of completion.
The creation of pans for the community is a topmost priority for the company, reiterating its commitment to local participation. “Amidst the ongoing developments, it’s crucial to shed light on Electrochem’s unwavering stance – a stance that has been steadfast since its inception.
Electrochem have always held a deep-seated commitment to the Ada community. It’s imperative to emphasize that allocation of portions of its concession for artisanal miners isn’t a sudden change or a new decision borne out of recent circumstances.
From day one, Electrochem has held the vision of fostering collaboration and coexistence with the locals. The offer to allow space for community activities is not a deviation but an affirmation of their original plan – a plan that sought local participation and mutual growth from the outset.” the company said.
The people have expressed their excitement about the construction, for which no fee is being charged to them. The miners will have the opportunity to refill them with brine after harvest.
The restored Lagoon by Electrochem has created another job opportunity for the fisher-folk, with over 300 fishermen fishing on a daily basis.
Electrochem, a subsidiary of the McDan Group, has been granted a 15-year lease to transform the Ada Songor salt concession, which had hitherto been left to deteriorate due to mismanagement by the various Interim Management Committees of successive government administrations.
The company estimates to produce one million metric tons of salt next year and two million by 2025.
AYM Kukah. E:mail:kukahalexander7@gmail.com
