By Frank Amponsah
The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor has noted that the on-going development of the Songor Lagoon (Ada Salt Project) fits perfectly in the grand agenda of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s agenda which is anchored on industrialisation.
He said, no country can be transformed unless it is built on industries and that the efforts by the President in establishing 1D1F is ample evidence of what government is doing towards the realization of that vision.
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor was speaking at a durbar of chiefs and people of Ada during his tour to the Songor Lagoon where Electrochem Ghana Limited is developing.
He noted that with the development of the Lagoon, and the vision of Daniel McKorley to build a harbour and a factory in Ada will make Ada an industrial hub.
He averred that there is the need for all to give Electrochem the needed support to succeed since progress of work on the Lagoon is towards the welfare of the people and the entire country.
He pledged the Ministry’s support for Electrochem Ghana Limited and mentioned that with the coming of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA), Ghana can take advantage and become a major exporter of salt to Nigeria which is currently a great importer of salt from Brazil.
“Ghana can take advantage of that and Electrochemical can become a big supplier of salt to Nigeria,” he said.
Hon. Samuel Abu Jinapor offered his support to Electrochem Ghana Limited and pledged government’s support in creating jobs and make lives better for the people.
“What I have seen here today shows clearly that, if we put our hearts to a project we ourselves can build the country,” he said and commended McDan for the excellent work he is doing to transform the project which has been abandoned for over 40 years.
In his Goodwill message, Nana Prah Agyensaim VI, Paramount Chief of the Assin Owirenkyi Traditional Area (Assin Kushea) in the Central Region described Daniel McKorley as “Patriotic” and said the people of Ada are very lucky to have a person like him to develop and make lives better for them.
“This s clear example of what the private sector can do. But I tell you, for you to make maximum benefit from this project, you need peace. Without peace this factory will never succeed,” he advised.
He charged the people of Ada to bury their differences and see the progress that will come to the communities.
The Director-General of the State Interest and Governance Authority, SIGA, Mr. Stephen Asamoah Boateng on his part described McDan as a true industrialist and an entrepreneur.
He said the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government believes in private sector development as the engine of growth to drive development and also charged the people of Ada to unite.
“McDan has good plans that are bigger and we must follow and support his vision to transform the economy,” he said.
Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, Paramount Chief of Ada Traditional Area said the time has come for the people of Ada to take stock of what is happening in Ada considering where they were coming from.
He said all is done to ensure peace in Ada, saying that the greatest majority of the people in Ada are in support of the project which has generated employment among others.
He thanked Electrochem Ghana Limited for providing free water to the communities, creating community pans and helping poor and needy students with scholarships.
The Executive Chairman of McDan Group of Company and Chairman of Electrochemical Ghana said when he started the project, almost everybody doubted them and “Here we are today. We are here for the people of Ada. The project is peoples’ project.”
He said, just the Moses, he is taking the people of Ada to the promise land and promised that in the next two years Electrochem Ghana will make Ada the biggest salt mine in Africa and in the next five years, Ada will become 5th largest salt producer in the world.
“We are taking this to another level,” he said.
