A section of youth at Ada in the Greater Accra region known as the Unemployed Youth of Ada are demanding the immediate start of operations at the Songhor salt lagoon so that they can secure employment with the company awarded the lease to operate it.
Electrochem Limited was in October 2020 granted a lease to mine salt at the Ada Songhor Lagoon after Parliament ratified a lease concession but the project is being opposed by a group led by one Libi Wornor who has issued a one-month ultimatum to the Company to vacate the Songhor salt project site as they opposed the lease agreement.
Parliament on 4th October 2020 ratified a mining lease agreement granted ElectroChem Gh. mineral right to exploit salt resources in the Songhor lagoon for 15 years subject to the mining laws in Ghana.
But, the youth group in the area with the backing of the Chiefs and Elders have given their blessing to the project owned by business magnate Daniel McCauley(McDan) organized a peaceful procession through the streets of Ada before presenting a petition to the District Chief Executive of Ada West Adzoteye Lawer Akrofi.
The youth group who were joined by some members of the traditional and clan leaders of Ada walked through some major streets of Ada with placards some of whom read “We need jobs in Ada” “Welcome Electrochem” etc.
Presenting the petition on behalf of the Youth group at the Ada West District Assembly, Theophilus Amartey Akpakla a divisional secretary to one of the clans in the area accused those opposed to the project as serving a selfish interest after taking monies from others they promised leasing the Songhor salt lands.
“The secret behind the so-called self-styled Libi Wornor’s actions is that he collected fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) from some people in Accra with a promise of giving them lands for salt production,” he said.
“Until the PNDC law 287 is repealed, the Songhor lagoon is still in the hands of government. Salt is a mineral and its activities and operations are governed by the minerals law of Ghana under the government of the republic of Ghana and since the concession was approved by Parliament of Ghana we the youth of Ada are in full support of the operations of Electrochem as it will afford employment opportunities for us” he added.
Receiving the petition presented by the Unemployed Youth group, the District Chief Executive for Ada West AdzoteyeLawerAkrofi described as self-seeking interest by those who are opposed to the investor’s work in the area and promised to ensure adequate security is provided to protect life and property at the Songhor salt project site.
Meanwhile, the Omanklado of Ada reacting to the whole development said the Libi Wornor has been suspended by the traditional authorities as a result of his actions.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/ Benjamin Yamoah