The Ada Traditional Council has condemned the attacks on Electrochem Ghana Limited following the ascension of the new National Democratic Congress (NPP) government to power.
This follows the raid on Electrochem on Wednesday, January 8, in which the company's security personnel and all other workers and assigns were chased out of the premises, causing fear and insecurity.
The leaders of this uncouth action are reported to have claimed to have been instructed by the Headquarters of the National Democratic Congress. Some were identified as Ebenezer Adjaotor, NDC Branch Executive; Prosper Akortia, Constituency Youth Organizer; Stephen Apaflor Bordor, Constituency Organizer; and Mr. Yinah Adabang, Executive Member.
The Ada Traditional Council has issued a press statement on the matter, condemning the attack on Electrochem and calling for action against all perpetrators.
The Council has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to ensure that Electrochem has the same security as other big mining companies in the country.
“We want to make it clear that Ada Traditional Council would not sit aloof and watch any group or individuals under the guise of politics or whatsoever association to destroy the transformative gains we have made after 40 years of the Ada Songhor Lagoon Concession being abandoned and left to the mercy of a few Atsiakpo operators "Salt Galamsayers" which led to destruction and extinction of the Salt Lagoon prior to Electrochem taking over.
“We are calling on the President of the Republic and relevant security agencies to provide the same level of security to mining areas with investors, as is provided to other Mining Traditional Areas. Notably, mining companies such as Anglogold and Newmont receive significant protection, and it is imperative that this approach is extended to Electrochem Ghana Limited in the Ada Traditional Area to ensure the safety and sustenance of the business, indigenes, residents and all other operations,” the Ada Traditional Council said in its statement.
The Council further urged the security forces to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the recent unlawful activities.
The Council believes this action would serve as a deterrent to others, demonstrating that such unlawful conduct will not be tolerated.
Below is a copy of the press statement from the Council.
PRESS STATEMENT BY ADATRADITIONAL COUNCIL CONDEMNING ATTACKS ON Electrochem Ghana Limited AND INDIGENES OF ADA ON 13TH JANUARY, 2025.
We use this opportunity once again to congratulate our President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama on his assumption to the highest office of the land, to steer the affairs of our country Ghana. We pray for God's blessings and protection for him and wish that all the lofty ideas and dreams that he has for the country would be realized and may his tenure stand out as one of the best in Ghanaian history.
Whereas we have been waiting for the right time for the Ada Traditional Council to pay a courtesy call on our newly installed President, it has become necessary to draw the country's attention and particularly that of the President and the top hierarchy of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), to acts of criminality, incitement of persons to indulge in acts of criminality through the dissemination of lies and negative propaganda in the local community, spearheading direct physical attacks on persons in the communities and worst of all disrupting the business of Electrochem Ghana Limited, taking over possession of the company and finally destroying and looting its assets.
Member of Parliament for Sege, Hon. Daniel Kisse Bessey made certain utterances on the 1 of December, 2024 notable amongst them was that "once President Mahama is sworn they would take over the Songhor".
These actions have created a lot of fear and panic and heightened insecurity in the Ada Traditional Area (ATA). The Ada Traditional Council is outraged at this turn of events given that it spearheaded the grant of the lease and the assumption of Salt mining by Electrochem in the Ada Traditional Area and therefore brings the above issue to the attention of government for urgent resolution.
We have been informed that there was a dawn swoop at the offices of Electrochem Limited on Wednesday 8th January 2025, during which the Security Personnel of the Company and all other workers and assigns were chased out of the premises.
The leaders of this uncouth action claimed to have been instructed from the Headquarters of the National Democratic Congress and same were identified as Ebenezer Adjaotor, NDC Branch Executive, Prosper Akortia, Constituency Youth Organizer, Stephen Apaflor Bordor, Constituency Organizer and Mr. Yinah Adabang, Executive Member
These allegations regarding the alleged instructions "from the NDC Headquarters" purportedly issued by the top hierarchy of the party, the Traditional Council seeks a formal statement from the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to clarify the veracity of these claims. The Council respectfully requests the NDC to either confirm or deny the allegations and provide clear information on the matter to avoid any further confusion or misinterpretation.
The Council has also been furnished with tapes of executives of Ada Songor Lagoon Association (ASLA) particularly one Ebenezer Adjaottor who is an NDC branch executive calling on and informing all the local community massed up at the Electrochem's office to take over its operations. These attacks were not only targeted at the company. In Bonikope for instance, there were attacks on persons who are known to support the activities of the Company. As of now, some of these persons perceived to support the Company in the community are in hiding and in fear for their lives.
What is clear to the Council is that these persons have a plan to create mischief and chaos and have regularly indicated this in Facebook posts, one of which clearly stated that "the Ada Traditional Council is next in line".
On a local network in Sege called Okorli FM, a senior operative of the NDC in the locality was heard justifying the takeover on the premise that all governments in the fourth republic have had their operatives run the Songor Salt mining when in power, which we find to be in disregard of the fact that Electrochem has an unexpired lease of the Songor and adjoining lands which runs for a period of fifteen years, duly ratified by parliament.
Hon. Comfort Doeyo Ghansah MP, Ada Constituency on Saturday 11" January, 2025 just two days after the act of hooliganism sat on a local radio station to tell the people of Ada that H.E John Dramani Mahama the President have asked that the perpetrators of this barbaric act if have been arrested same be released with immediate effect and that she was going to move to the Police Stations to ensure they are released. We find these statements by Hon. Doyoe to be very unfortunate.
These actions of the aforementioned NDC members and some ASLA members in the Traditional Area has the tendency to send wrong signals to the business community and potential investors, that lawlessness and impunity will be part of the business climate and culture in the Ada Traditional Area. That being so, the investments required to maximize salt production to two million metric tonnes in the short run and five million in the long run may not be realized with a knock on effect of not realizing the anticipated billions of dollars earnings expected from Salt production in our Traditional Area and elsewhere in Ghana.
We also want to take this opportunity to highlight some of the direct benefits of the operations of Electrochem Limited ni involving local participation ni Salt mining in the Ada Traditional Area. The company has offering a total of 2,000 acres of land to the local community for the construction of Brine Reserves and Crystalizing pans to be spread al over the entire lease area, as opposed to 647 acres (2,622,000m2) provided for by the Master Plan to be sited in only four communities in the Traditional Area. Half of the 2,000 acre space is being used to construct community pans to international standards and gifted to the communities.
Also, contrary to claims that Electrochem has taken over the Yomo Deity and is desecrating Traditional and Cultural Spaces and cemeteries in the Ada Traditional Area, it has been made clear to all and sundry that the operations of Electrochem has led to filling the lagoon with water which subsequently flowed into the Yomo, leading to that space crystallizing salt for the first time in many years, which has greatly benefited the local people.
We want to make it clear that Ada Traditional Council would not sit aloof and watch any group or individuals under the guise of politics or whatsoever association to destroy the transformative gains we have made after 40 years of the Ada Songhor Lagoon Concession being abandoned and left to the mercy of a few Atsiakpo operators "Salt Galamsayers" which led to destruction and extinction of the Salt Lagoon prior to Electrochem taking over.
We are calling on the President of the Republic and relevant security agencies to provide the same level of security to mining areas with investors, as is provided to other Mining Traditional Areas. Notably, mining companies such as Anglogold and Newmont receive significant protection, and it is imperative that this approach is extended to Electrochem Ghana Limited in the Ada Traditional Area to ensure the safety and sustenance of the business, indigenes, residents and all other operations.
We urge the security forces to arrest and prosecute the perpetrators of the recent unlawful activities. This action should serve as a deterrent to others, demonstrating that such unlawful conduct will not be tolerated.
DJETSE NENE ABRAMKABU AKUAKU III
PARAMOUNT CHIEF OF ADA TRADITIONAL AREA/PRESIDENT OF ADA TRADITIONAL COUNCIL