Parliament Adopts Report On Songor Salt Mining By Electrochem Ghana Ltd

Ghana’s Parliament on Wednesday September 4, 2024 has adopted the joint committee on Mines and Energy and Lands and Forestry’s report on Salt Mining by Electrochem Ghana limited at the Ada Songor Enclave.

The report which legitimises operations of Electrochem Ghana in the area on the basis of all legal requirements however made some recommendations for the continues implementation of the company to ensure inclusivity.

Adoption of the report follows heated debate on the floor of the House regarding the subject matter of salt mining salt.

Among the several proposals adopted by the House includes the need for the company to enlarge its social intervention activities in the area, the continuous allocation of some space to the local miners within the concession area in an arrangement that is mutually beneficial to the company and the indigenes to promote local participation in the salt mining exercise.

The report which was generated after thorough consideration of submissions from all the stakeholders and field visit by the committee also recommends that, the local mining so permitted should be undertaken according to the environmental laws and practices as sanctioned by the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency.

It also proposed that, ElectroChem Ghana Limited should assist the indigenes in the deployment of best salt mining practices in order not to devalue the concession area and lower production.
There is also the necessity for a continuous stakeholder engagement to persuade those who are fighting the roll-out of a national resource under the mistaken belief that the indigenes owned the mineral called salt.

The adopted report also recommends the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) to embarks upon a massive educational campaign in the Salt Mining Area for indigenes to appreciate the fact that, the resource is a national asset.

Additionally, the report admonishes that “Political pandits should desist from making political capital out of the use of national assets for the development of the nation Ghana rather than inciting indigenes to believe that they are being robbed by the Government of the day. “There should be a serious security engagement in the communities for them to come to terms with the fact that it is in the best interests of Ghana and the local communities to desist from any form of lawlessness to pave the way for a national undertaking with export benefits to function at full scale”.

Parliament further proposes; “The police should continue with the investigation of the death of Numo Korletey Agormedah who was allegedly killed on the 6th day of November 2023 and prosecute the perpetrator(s) of the said crime.

All minor criminal complaints associated with the salt mining business which can be resolved between the complainants and the culprits to tone down tension in the salt producing environment. The chiefs should take up such peaceful initiatives. Any survey challenge relating to the extent of the concession should be brought to the attention of the Minerals Commission for investigations.

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin however gave further directives subject to the adoption of the joint committee report.

He charged the new committees on Lands and Natural Resources and two others to among others engage further to address outstanding issues including;

1. The validity of the Ada West lands acquisition
2. Application and relevance of PNDC Law and it’s implications for the investment.
3. Issue of compensation payment.

Mr Bagbin emphasised the need for the people’s representative to ensure an amicable resolution of the impasse.

By: Christian Kpesese