Support Electrochem Ghana To Succeed: MPs Appeal To Residents Of Ada

Members of parliament (MPs) from both sides of the House have appealed to residents of Ada and its environs to give their maximum support to Electrochem Ghana lted, operators of the Ada Songor Enclave following parliamentary approval.

The lawmakers made the call during debate on the floor of Parliament on Wednesday September 4, 2024 as the House adopted the Joint committee on Mines and Energy and Lands and Forestry report which made several recommendations for the consideration of the company, Electrochem to ensure harmonious living together with the host communities.

This follows a series of agitations by aggrived residents of the area who claimed Electrochem Ghana has taken away their livelihoods, households and lands as a result of the development of the concession.

Trade and Industry minister and Member of Parliament for Adansi Asokwa, KT Hammond noted that the investment by the company is the single largest investment in the salt sector in the West African sub-region and has the potential pf transforming the local economy of Ada, Ghana and the continent as a whole.

He therefore appealed to the residents to support Electrochem Ghana to succeed “to the Glory of the area, to the Glory of Ghana, to the Glory of Africa and the world at large”.

Former Minority Chief Whip and Member of Parliament for Asawase, Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka reminded the House of the implications of overturning the mining lease agreement which the legislature ratified for the investor to exploit the resource in the area.
He appealled to the two MPs from the area, Member for Ada and Sege to liase with the company and the Chiefs to help mediate in order to ensure amicable resolution of the issue.
Mr Muntaka urged the need for dialogue to get the people to understand that, It is not just about the people of Ada and Accra but the country as a whole saying “the people of Ada are going to be the greater beneficiary at the end of the day after all the recommendations have been implemented”.
The Asawase lawmaker also cautioned against the negative notion being created that a different government would reverse the parliamentary ratification.
On his part, the Majority Chief Whip and MP for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Frank Annoh-Dompreh also emphasised the legal imperative of the mining lease agreement which was ratified by Parliament.
He noted that the investment is the largest in the whole of West Africa and is being executed by an indigene.
Mr Annoh Dompreh also obsereved that over 90 percent of the traditional rulers are in support of the agreement whiles many of the Parliamentary recommendations are already being implemented by Electrochem Ghana limited.
He also appealed to his colleague MPs from the area to engage the company as the benefits of salt are huge.
Member for Odododiodoo, Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye on his part emphacised that nobody is against the investment but stated the right things must be done.

According to him, concerns of the takeover of lands, households, cemetries, sacred shrines and hertitage sites should be addressed.

By: Christian Kpesese