The Ada Traditional Council has cautioned followers of the two major political parties, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to stay off the Ada Songor salt concession.
The Ada chiefs say some political party activists have over the years used influence peddling, and their actions are inciting some indigenes of Ada against private salt mining firm Electrochem Ghana Limited (EGL).
According to traditional leaders, their acts derail the progress of the communities that are expected to benefit from the land’s natural resources.
Addressing a press conference, the Mankralo of the Ada Traditional Council, Nene Obichere Agudey III, said, “We want to warn all political parties, especially the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to stay clear of the Ada-Songor lagoon development.
“We believe the security services are able to speak to issues of breaches, if any and maintain law and order and also able to determine whether there have been excesses in their operations,” he said.
However, Nene Obichere Agudey III assured that “our doors are always opened to continue engagement with all well-meaning Ada youth.”
Background
In November 2020, the government of Ghana leased the lagoon to the private company EGL. The company said it would produce over a million metric tons of salt per annum, mainly for the export market.
Its ambition was to make the Songhor salt mine the largest in Africa.
“And we are set to make a remarkable contribution to the Ada community in terms of job creation and social impact,” the company said.
However, residents of the area say the takeover has been their worst nightmare because it robbed them of their livelihoods.