By Opesika Tetteh Puplampuu
Sege, April 25, GNA – An Interim Committee made up of indigenes of Ada overseeing the management of the Songor lagoon, has engaged key stakeholders as part of the Songor Harmony Forum.
The forum is aimed at fostering peace, sustainable development, and collaborative solutions for issues around the Songor development.
The Songor became a point of controversy after 41,000 acres of its concession was leased to Electrochem Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of McDan Group of Companies.
The engagement brought together various groups and stakeholders, intending to select a permanent committee to champion peace and harmony in the area.
Participants, among other things, discussed the comprehensive action plan for addressing the challenges surrounding the Songor lagoon and explored opportunities for further collaboration among traditional authorities, government agencies, corporate entities, and community leaders.
Reverend Samuel Buernor Lawerteh, Chairman of the interim committee, described the forum as a step in the right direction, disclosing that there would be further engagements with the parties involved for amicable resolution of all issues around the lagoon for the co-existence of the community and the company for mutual benefit.
Reverend Lawerteh told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that the organisers would continue to engage all the factions including the company and stakeholders to understand their plights, iron out all issues to ensure peaceful coexistence among residents.
He expressed gratitude to stakeholders who participated, stating that it shows his peace, stability, and development of Ada.
However, Ada Songor Lagoon Association (ASLA), a group of local salt miners who continuously agitate over the lease, staged a walkout at the forum when stakeholders were being called to deliver their respective speeches.
Mr Ebenezer Adjaotor, deputy secretary of ASLA, told the GNA that key personalities and groups he described as lagoon owners were not invited to the forum.
Though he commended the forum’s organisers, he disclosed that some of the invited personalities could not turn up because they were asked via social media.
Mr Abraham Ahumah Karim, the organiser of ASLA, lamented that the group was expecting to see representatives from the local government ministry, the interior ministry, the Ada Traditional Council, and others to boost their optimism of a peaceful coexistence.
“They gave us about 37 entities and groups that were invited, but only six groups were present, so we suggested a postponement and rescheduling, but it was kicked against, hence our boycott,” he said.
GNA
LS/LAA