Parliament To Visit Electrochem Ghana Ltd Operational Areas

The First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Joseph Osei Owusu, has directed the Committee on Lands and Forestry and Mines and Energy to visit Electrochem Ghana Limited operation site in an effort to conduct an investigation into the mining lease agreement granted the company for salt mining at the Ada Songor enclave.

A feud between security forces providing security for workers of Electrochem Ghana Limited and angry youth of Toflokpo, one of the salt miming communities on Monday, November 6, 2023, resulted in an alleged shooting incident, leaving one person dead and several others injured according to police reports.

The First Deputy Speaker’s directive follows a concern raised by the member of Parliament for Sege hristian Corletey Otuteye in a statement on the floor of Parliament on Thursday November 9, 2023 calling on the Inspector General of Police to investigate the matter and bring the perpetrators to book.

The member for Ada, Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe in a contribution to the statement called on management of Electrochem Ghana to involve the communities in their operations to ensure inclusiveness.

She believes when the people are feel carried along, they will contribute their quota in bringing dvelopment to the area.

According to the Mr Joseph Osei-Wusu who presided over proceedings in the absence of the Speaker, said the investigation would help ascertain if the need be to amend the ratification of the agreement for part of the concession to be ceded to indigenes of Ada Songor community.

“I will direct the Minister of Interior to brief the house about the incident, how violence came to be perpetrated and who shot into the crowd; whether it is the police or the security of the private company, and the Minister of Interior should brief the House on that one. After that brief, if there is the need for the Committee on Defence and Interior to look further, we will give the appropriate directions. But I suggest that the Committee on Lands and Natural Resources should look at the lease document again and visit the site and advise the House on whether it is possible to renegotiate the contract.”

Electrochem Ghana is continuously embarking on corporate social responsibility activities including the distribution of monies to support women in small scale businesses, the construction of water closet toilet facilities, the construction of a modern sports complex, road networks among others in communities around its operational areas.

President Akufo-Addo on Agust 30, 22023 commissioned the Electrochem Ghana Limited salt mining project which is Africa’s largest salt mine with over 300 workforce.