The Paramount Chief of Ada, Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, has expressed his support for the report by the joint committee on Mines and Energy, Lands and Forestry regarding the Songor Salt Mining project initiated by Electrochem Ghana Limited.
He has urged Parliament to adopt the report to promote peace, unity, and development in the region.
The committee emphasized the importance of continuous stakeholder engagement to address misconceptions among some locals who believe that the salt, a national resource, is solely owned
by the indigenes.
The report recommends that the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) undertake a significant educational campaign in the Salt Mining Area to inform locals that salt, like gold in the Ashanti Region, petroleum in the Western Region, and bauxite in the Eastern Region, is a natural mineral and a national asset.
The report also calls for Members of Parliament to organize local education tours and durbars to reinforce this message and discourage political figures from using national assets for political
gain, which could incite unrest among the indigenes.
Additionally, it stresses that local mining should comply with environmental laws as regulated by the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency, and that Electrochem Ghana Limited should aid indigenes in adopting best practices in salt mining.
To ensure the success of this national project, the report highlights the need for serious security measures in the communities and for educating locals about the benefits of the project.
The chiefs, stakeholders, and police should inform the indigenous people that any acts of lawlessness against Electrochem Ghana Limited would be a direct confrontation with law enforcement agencies.
The report also addresses the need for investigations into the death of Numo Korletey Agormedah, who was allegedly killed on November 6, 2023, urging the police to prosecute the perpetrator(s) and to resolve minor criminal complaints amicably to reduce tension. Any disputes over the extent of the concession should be referred to the Minerals Commission for resolution.
Electrochem Ghana Limited is encouraged to expand its social intervention activities to alleviate poverty in the communities as the project progresses.
The company has already enhanced the livelihoods of the Ada people without infringing upon their traditional means of sustenance, providing significant financial support and engaging in corporate social responsibility initiatives.
However, the adoption of the report has faced opposition in Parliament.
During the plenary debate on Friday, July 2024, some NDC MPs, including those from the area, criticized the report for favoring Electrochem Ghana Limited.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin, deferred the final decision on the report to Monday, July 31, 2024, calling for further consultations and urging MPs to prioritize national interests over individual ones.
Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III has appealed to Parliament to adopt the report to ensure the continuous development of Ada, highlighting the positive impact Electrochem Ghana Limited has already had on the community.
