Information gathered regarding the grant of the Lease to mine salt from the Songor Salt project area, has it that the attitude of Libi Wornor, Numor Amate Apedo Ayornu to present himself to the people of Ada and the general public as the one clothed with power to carry out the duties assigned to the Westoyi is misleading, misguided and condemnable.
This paper has established that in his recent Press Statement, in which he (Numor Amate Apedo Ayornu) called on government to cancel the three mining leases it recently granted Electrochem Gh. Ltd. over the Songor Lagoon for 15 years and rather implement the Master Plan which was formulated to cater for the interest of all, he did not deny the involvement of the incumbent Wetsoyi, Nene Korley IV in arrangements that led to the grant of the Lease to mine salt from the Songor Salt project area which legitimizes the transaction.
It also emerged that the Nomo Amatey Apedo Ayornu who goes by the title, ‘Libi Wornor’ (Libi Priest) of the Terkperbiawe Clan claims to still maintains administrative and political headship of Terkperbiawe Clan and is the person to have a final say within the Clan on issues concerning the Songor Lagoon resource.
Meanwhile, Nomo Amatey Apedo Ayornu appeared to be living in the past, arrogating to himself a position and influence that had long been taken over by the Wetsoyi, not just in his Clan Terkperbiawe, but indeed in all of the ten clans of Ada.
Per the history of the people of Ada, the Libi Wornor, just like other Wonorhi (Priests) in the Ada State have been consigned to performing spiritual duties only, and is under the direction of his Clan Head and the Ada Mantse in the Ada State and therefore lacks the capacity to be presenting himself in an administrative capacity on issues in Terkperbiawe.
The history of Ada clearly shows that just like all Ga-Dangbes, the Ada State prior to its formation was led by the Wornorhi.
From all indications, precedent was to follow in the grant of lands belonging to the Terkperbiawe Clan to companies to mine salt and the collection of tolls from salt miners in the Songor Lagoon. N
However, when Nene Korley II was installed as the Wetsematse, he took over the administrative and political headship of the clan from the Libi Wornor and started collecting tolls and levies from operations in the Songor Lagoon and initiated action on lease of the Songor Lagoon to companies without any legal challenge on the capacity and status of Nene Korley II to do so.
All legal tussles in respect of Nene Korley’s capacity to continue in this regard was to the effect that he had been deposed by the Terpkerbiawe Clan and lost his capacity to do so at which instance an acting Westoyi was appointed to continue in his stead to continue with the performance of the duties and functions associated with the Wetsoyi.
Meanwhile, the Libi Wornor has not challenged the new status quo of the Wetsoyi, nor obtained any judgement to restore his lost influence and power in the administration, safeguarding and protection of properties of the Terpkerbiawe clan.
The status of the Wetsoyi to administer, safeguard, protect and superintend over the Terpkerbiawe Clan and its resources continued with the next Wetsoyi, Nene Korley III and now rests with the incumbent Nene Korley IV.
According to information available, the allegation that the Spokesperson of the Ada Traditional Area and the Terpkerbiawe Wetsoyi lied about giving out only the Songor Salt Project Area to McDan is false and misleading.
It is a known fact that, at the time McDan initiated his attempt to acquire the mining rights in the Songor Project area, he made contacts first with the Terkperbiawe Clan and then to the other three land owning clans in Ada.
He consulted Terkperbiawe, then Adibiawe, Lomobiawe and ended with Dangmebiawe and it was after he had obtained their consent that he went to the Paramountcy, that is the Kabiawe Clan for their consent.
However, in Numo Amate Apedo Ayornu’s statement, he made it quite clear that there was external interest in the Songor Lagoon against which the people of Ada had to heroically defend in numerous war and as the records show, it was not only Terkperbiawe that fought in those wars to fend off the aggressors.
It was also false that the Ada Traditional Council was lured with false promises and the whole body of the Songor Lagoon have been usurped by McDan with the Assistance of short-sighted, selfish, greedy and totally gullible Chiefs.
It could be recalled that a plan was hatched which resulted in the initiation of legal proceedings against McDan.
This was fiercely resisted by the Terkperbiawe Clan in which the Clan disputed Nomo Amatey Apedo Ayornu’s claim of being Libi Wornor and lacking locus/capacity to contract the services of the lawyer.
It has also come to light that Nomo Amatey Apedo Ayornu has individually granted some portions of the resource to some people for mining even though the law does not permit him to do so.
Nomo Amatey Apedo Ayornu has therefore resorted to maligning the Chiefs in order to gain support and affection in the Ada State.
The fact remains that the arrangements reached with the Investor had the full blessing of the Wetsoyi of Terpkerbiawe, who is the legitimate head of the Clan that owns the Songor Lagoon and having the backing of twelve out of thirteen gates of the clan cannot be challenged by Nomo Amatey Apedo Ayornu, either as an individual or in a capacity as Libi Wornor (which is being fiercely contested by twelve of the thirteen gates of the clan).
Meanwhile, the anticipated one tenth of production to be paid to the Ada State (at full capacity operation equals 200,000 metric tonnes) beyond the legally guaranteed royalties is a very good deal struck for the State. The larger Terkperbiawe Section in support and the Ada State in general awaits a successful take off of the project in earnest.
It is also obvious that Libi Wornor seems not to understand the Master Plan he claims government must implement without delay.
There are all indications that Libi Wornor has no support from any chief in Ada and for that matter his actions are nothing but attempts to discredit the whole project.
