Electrochem Ghana Declares Forward Match With Ada As It Launches An Inclusive Out-grower Scheme

As a further demonstration of its commitment towards stakeholder participation, Electrochem Ghana Limited, operators of Africa’s Salt Mine and Processing plant at the Ada Songor enclave has launched an Out-grower Scheme for community based miners.

The Out-grower scheme involves the ceding of portions of Electrochem’s concession to identifiable and registered local miners to undertake salt mining activities in an environmentally responsible manner with regular supply of free brine by the company.

Chief Executive Officer of Electrochem Ghana Limited, Alhaji Abdul Razak Adam who disclosed this at the launch of the scheme at the premises of the company said the day marks an important milestone in the history of the company and declared that the company is moving into the future with its host communities with the initiative.

“Mr. Chairman, while this initiative has been largely successful, it has become clear that the community pans concept cannot meet the ever-increasing demands for community participation in the upstream salt value chain. As a responsive and responsible company, we rise once again to meet the demands of our communities.

Today marks yet another significant milestone for our community engagement program. Having extensively engaged our host communities and their representatives, the Ada Traditional Council, opinion leaders, and parliamentarians, it is with great pride and excitement that I stand before you to launch our Community Out Grower Scheme – a transformative initiative designed to encourage direct community involvement in salt mining in line with our commitment to foster socioeconomic development in our host communities in a responsible and sustainable manner”, Alhaji Adams stated.

Beneficiaries

Initial beneficiaries from the Out-grower Scheme includes: Ada Youth Forum in both Ada West and East, Songornya Salt Producers Association, Tekpebiawe Youth Group and Queen Mothers.

The have been located a total acreage of 577.11 acres for their local mining activities.

According to the company, about two thousand acres would be cedded for the Oout-grower scheme.

Misunderstandings

Activities of Electrochem Ghana has been met with several agitations by some aggrieved individuals and groups such as the DESPA and ASLA over claims that the company has taken away the livelihoods, households and lands of indigenes.

This resulted in a parliamentary intervention in an attempt to find a lasting solution to the impasse.

Community Pans

Prior to the out-grower scheme, Electrochem Ghana has so far constructed and handed over Community pans to communities including Nakomkope,Ajumanikope and  Agbedrafo and provides them with high quality brine free of charge where mining is done at least three (3) times a year.

An additional seventy (70) communitypansare currently at various stages of completion across seven (7) different project affected communities.

Invitation

Mr Adam also throws in an invitation to to ASLA, DESPA and all other dissatisfied groups to avail themselves to the negotiating table with their demands.

:Mr. Chairman, on this note, I invite all eligible community members to apply and join this exciting scheme; I invite all notable organizations – DESPA, ASLA, The YOUTH FORUM, etc to take advantage of this scheme, so that together we will chart a new course of cooperation.

Our team is here to support you every step of the way, providing guidance and resources to help you succeed”, the CEO urged.

Mr Adams called for the continuous support from all stakeholders in building a sustainable and an inclusive society for all.

“My Chairman, I want to express my gratitude to each and every one of you for your continued support and partnership. Together, we are not just building a business; we are building a community – one that is sustainable, inclusive, providing prosperity for all.

Let us embrace this opportunity to work hand in hand, to uplift our communities, and to ensure that the fruits of our labor benefit everyone. Thank you, and I look forward to seeing the incredible impact we will create together through the Community Out Grower Scheme”.

By: Christian Kpesese