By Opesika Tetteh Puplampu
Ada, Oct. 30, GNA – The Ada West District Security Council (DISEC) has directed the suspension of all activities at nine disputed salt pans on the Songor Lagoon pending the resolution of issues surrounding ownership and control of the area.
Nene Teye Akplehey Adjumani IV, Chief of Adjumanikorpe in the Ada Traditional Area, said the directive barred individuals from entering the disputed site or engaging in salt mining activities at the pans, which he claimed belonged to Electrochem Ghana Limited (EGL).
Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA), he said the decision followed a clash on Monday October 26 between rival factions over the control of the community salt pans, which reportedly left about 11 people seriously injured.
According to the chief, the DISEC meeting was convened to address growing divisions among residents in the Songornya area and to prevent further confrontations.
Nene Adjumani attributed the dispute to disagreements over the management and control of the pans, alleging that some individuals had ignored his directives regarding activities at the site.
He also accused Mr Lawrence Kartey Ngunekpeku, Presiding Member of the Ada West District Assembly, of supporting a faction seeking to take control of the disputed salt pans.
The chief further alleged that Mr Ngunekpeku had disclosed at a community meeting that he had led a group on several occasions to engage “helpers” to assist efforts aimed at taking control of the disputed lagoon area from Electrochem Ghana Limited.
Nene Adjumani said the disagreement had also resulted in legal action, with Electrochem Ghana Limited suing him and members of the community over alleged trespass. He indicated that the case remained in court.
He recounted that after receiving information on Monday that some people intended to resume salt mining activities at the disputed location, he dispatched his stoolfather to intervene.
However, he alleged that the Presiding Member maintained that the pans belonged to the community.
The chief said he subsequently instructed his stoolfather to organise a traditional libation ceremony for their ancestors, but the group was allegedly attacked by members of the opposing faction, resulting in the reported injuries.
He said the police and DISEC intervened to prevent further escalation of the situation, leading to the council’s meeting and subsequent directive suspending activities at the site.
When contacted by the GNA, Mr Ngunekpeku initially denied the allegations but later clarified that he had referred to “helpers” and not land guards.
He explained that community leaders sometimes sought additional assistance in addressing issues affecting their communities and said such efforts were intended to mobilise support for community causes.
Mr Vincent Teye Adjumani, Stoolfather of Adjumanikorpe, welcomed the DISEC directive, noting that the matter was currently before the court and that all parties should await a legal determination before undertaking any further activities at the disputed site.
GNA
Edited by Laudia Anyorkor Nunoo/Lydia Kukua Asamoah
Reporter: Opesika Tetteh Puplampu