The Ada Traditional Council has vehemently condemned the attacks on Electrochem Ghana Limited, a salt mining company operating in the Ada Songhor Lagoon, following the recent ascension of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to power. The Council’s condemnation comes in the wake of a raid on Electrochem’s premises on January 8th, 2025, where company security personnel and other workers were forcibly ejected, creating an atmosphere of fear and insecurity within the community. The individuals responsible for this act claimed to be acting on instructions from the NDC headquarters, naming specific party officials as their alleged directors. The Council is deeply concerned about these accusations and has formally requested the NDC to publicly clarify their position on the matter and either confirm or deny their involvement in the incident.
The Ada Traditional Council’s press statement details a series of concerning events, including inflammatory remarks made by the Member of Parliament for Sege, Hon. Daniel Kisse Bessey, predicting the takeover of the Songhor Lagoon once President Mahama was sworn in. This, coupled with the subsequent raid and the alleged involvement of NDC members, paints a picture of politically motivated aggression against Electrochem. The Council has expressed its outrage at these developments, emphasizing its instrumental role in granting the lease to Electrochem and highlighting the company’s positive contributions to the local economy. The Council underscores that Electrochem holds a valid, parliament-ratified 15-year lease for the Songhor Lagoon and surrounding lands, disputing any claims that the company’s operations are illegitimate.
The Council further notes the dissemination of false information and negative propaganda within the community, which has incited further acts of violence and intimidation. Specifically, the Council mentions attacks on individuals perceived to be supportive of Electrochem in the Bonikope area, forcing these individuals into hiding. The Council also highlighted inflammatory statements made on local media, including a radio broadcast in which an NDC operative attempted to justify the takeover by citing a supposed precedent of each government in the fourth republic controlling the Songor salt mining operations. This argument, according to the Council, disregards the legally binding lease agreement held by Electrochem.
The Council has also expressed concern over statements made by Hon. Comfort Doeyo Ghansah, Member of Parliament for the Ada Constituency, who reportedly claimed that President Mahama had ordered the release of any individuals arrested in connection with the attacks. This alleged interference in the legal process further underscores the Council’s concerns about political motivations behind the actions against Electrochem and the potential for impunity. The Council strongly believes that such actions send a damaging message to the business community and potential investors, suggesting a climate of lawlessness and disregard for legal processes. This, in turn, could jeopardize the significant investments needed to maximize salt production and achieve the projected economic benefits for the Ada Traditional Area and Ghana as a whole.
Contrary to accusations of land grabbing and disregard for cultural heritage, the Ada Traditional Council emphasizes Electrochem’s commitment to community development and respect for local customs. The company has provided substantially more land than initially planned for community use in the construction of brine reserves and crystallizing pans, benefiting a wider range of communities than initially envisioned. The council also refutes claims that Electrochem has desecrated the Yomo Deity and other culturally significant sites, explaining that the company’s operations have actually replenished the water levels in the lagoon, leading to increased salt crystallization in the Yomo area and benefiting the local population.
The Ada Traditional Council urgently appeals to President Mahama and the relevant security agencies to intervene and provide Electrochem with the same level of security afforded to other major mining companies in the country, such as Anglogold and Newmont. The Council stresses the importance of upholding the rule of law and protecting investments to foster economic growth and development within the Ada Traditional Area. The Council demands the arrest and prosecution of those involved in the illegal takeover and attacks to deter future unlawful acts and ensure the safety and security of the community, residents, and businesses operating in the area. They maintain that allowing such actions to go unpunished would undermine the progress made in revitalizing the Songor Lagoon after decades of neglect and destructive practices by illegal salt miners.
