By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu,
Sege, March 09, GNA – The Ada Songor Lagoon Association (ASLA), representing local salt miners, has urged the government and relevant authorities to intensify efforts to restore and sustain peace in Ada amid tensions over the Songor Lagoon salt mining concession.
The association said peace and stability were necessary for development and urged all stakeholders to demonstrate responsible leadership in addressing the long-standing impasse.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Mr Abraham Ahuma, Secretary and Public Relations Officer of ASLA, stated that the people of Ada desired what he described as “true independence” in relation to the ongoing tensions surrounding the Songor Lagoon.
Mr Ahuma said alleged attacks on individuals and company property in the area were unnecessary and should not be repeated.
Electrochem Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the McDan Group of Companies, secured three mining licences and took over the Songor Lagoon concession for a 15-year period in January 2021 to operate on about 41,000 acres of land covering parts of the Ada East and Ada West districts.
The company’s operations have, however, faced opposition from some individuals and groups along the lagoon, particularly local salt miners who fear losing their livelihoods.
Among those groups is the Ada Songor Lagoon Association.
Mr Ahuma noted that tensions had persisted in the area since the dispute began and called on authorities to ensure lasting peace.
“What happened in the past must not be allowed to happen again, and that will depend on leadership,” he stated.
He commended Mr Mordjifa Tanihu Jerry John Foreigner Mills-Nkrumah, the Ada West District Chief Executive, for what he described as efforts to maintain peace and order in the area.
“I understand the current DCE is taking steps behind the scenes to ensure peace and stability, and I must commend him for that,” he said.
Mr Ahuma emphasised that ASLA was not opposed to investment in the Songor Lagoon, noting that the association supported efforts to attract investors to develop the salt industry on a large scale.
He, however, expressed concern over what he described as the allocation of the entire concession to the investor, arguing that such an arrangement could deprive local salt miners of their traditional livelihoods.
“The company must operate, but the locals must also be allowed to mine to earn their daily bread,” he said.
Mr Ahuma urged residents to desist from attacking company property or engaging in acts that could escalate tensions.
He also appealed to the company to ensure that security personnel deployed to the area did not intimidate local residents, stressing that mutual respect and cooperation were essential for lasting peace.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Aiudrey Dekalu