Stakeholder Engagement Key to Address Electrochem/Ada Impasse over Songor – Parliament Committee

A joint select committee of parliament comprising the Mines and Energy and Lands and Forestry sectors has recommended ongoing stakeholder engagement to address issues surrounding Electrochem’s takeover of the Songor project at Ada.

In a report submitted to parliament, the committee emphasized the importance of continuous engagement with residents and the company by state agencies to mitigate the impact of disagreements.

The report, signed by Samuel Atta Akyea (Mines and Energy) and Francis Manu-Adabour (Lands and Natural Resources), stated: “There should be a serious security engagement in the communities to help them understand that it is in the best interests of Ghana and the local communities to avoid lawlessness and allow a national undertaking with export benefits to operate fully. Parliament and the NCCE should lead in this regard.”

The committee also found no legal or factual basis to review or alter the three Mining Leases ratified on November 6, 2020. They recommended that ElectroChem Ghana Limited continue allocating some space to local miners within the concession area, creating a mutually beneficial arrangement that promotes local participation in salt mining.

The local mining should adhere to environmental laws and practices sanctioned by the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency. Additionally, ElectroChem Ghana Limited should assist the locals in adopting best salt mining practices to maintain the concession area’s value and production levels.

The committee stressed the need for ongoing stakeholder engagement to address the misconception that the indigenes own the salt mineral. The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) should embark on a significant educational campaign in the Salt Mining Area to clarify that salt is a natural mineral and not a local means of livelihood, similar to gold in the Ashanti Region, petroleum in the Western Region, and bauxite in the Eastern Region.

The joint committee also suggested organizing local educational tours and durbars to achieve their recommendations’ objectives. They advised political commentators to avoid exploiting national assets for political gain, as this incites the locals into believing they are being robbed by the government.

**RESIDENTS DEMONSTRATE AGAINST ELECTROCHEM**

The committee recommended: “The indigenes should be educated by their chiefs, stakeholders, and the police that the Nation Ghana has a stake in ElectroChem Ghana Limited and its salt mining business in Ada Songor. Any acts of lawlessness against the company directly confront law enforcement agencies in Ghana.”

Furthermore, the committee proposed resolving minor criminal complaints associated with the salt mining business through peaceful initiatives led by the chiefs to reduce tension in the salt-producing environment.

Background

On November 6, 2020, parliament ratified three Mining Lease Agreements, allowing ElectroChem Ghana Limited to commence salt mining in the Ada Songor Lagoon for 15 years, per Article 268(1) of the Constitution. ElectroChem Ghana Limited has since invested $88,000,000 into the project’s first phase on the 41,000-acre lagoon.

Despite the project’s progress, there have been local agitations over the indigenes’ entitlement to the mineral, resulting in clashes and even fatalities.

The committee’s report follows a statement by Hon. Christian Corletey Otuteye, MP for Sege, who highlighted the confrontation on November 6, 2023, between his constituents and the police, resulting in the death of Numo Korletey Agormedah.

Hon. Comfort Doyoo Cudjoe, MP for Ada, supported the statement, noting that just as the Ashantis are allowed space for galamsey within gold concessions, ElectroChem Ghana Limited should similarly yield space for the locals to work within the salt concession. Dr. Daniel McKorley, Managing Director of Electrochem Ghana Limited, has assured that the company will provide space for the locals to operate.