The Terkperbiawe Clan, Ada Songor Lagoon Association (ASLA), and Dangme East Salt Producers Association (DESPA) held a joint press conference at the sacred grounds of the Yomo Deity in Midie, where they voiced their concerns over ongoing issues surrounding the Songor Lagoon and the activities of ElectroChem Ghana Ltd. The press conference, attended by members of the media and community leaders, highlighted deep grievances against the company’s operations and the Ada Traditional Council’s involvement in the matter.
The spokesperson, Honourable Ebenezer Adjaotor addressing the audience on behalf of the Terkperbiawe Clan and the associations, expressed gratitude to Parliament, particularly Speaker Alban Bagbin, for handling the Songor Lagoon dispute with what they described as justice and integrity. The leadership commended Parliament for its attention to the matter and acknowledged the role of individual Members of Parliament who had engaged with them.
Key Issues Raised:ElectroChem’s Listing on the Ghana Stock Exchange
The Terkperbiawe Clan revealed that they had written to the Ghana Stock Exchange to issue a formal caveat against the listing of ElectroChem Ghana Ltd. The Clan expressed concerns that the leases granted to ElectroChem were legally questionable and contradicted the objectives of PNDC Law 287, which was designed to ensure the development of both large and small-scale salt production in Ada. The Clan and its partners vowed to continue their legal challenge to the lease agreement in court.
ElectroChem’s Community Engagement:
The leaders criticized ElectroChem for its flawed community engagement, accusing the company of stirring unrest in Ada. They alleged that security forces working on behalf of the company had brutalized and arrested several Ada citizens, with some incidents resulting in deaths. This, they argued, was evidence of the company’s failure to conduct fair consultations with the local communities.
ElectroChem’s Outgrower Scheme:
The press conference also addressed ElectroChem’s recent announcement of an “Outgrower Scheme,” where the company purportedly ceded part of its land concession to locals. The Clan dismissed this as a publicity stunt, accusing the company of attempting to mislead the public. They rejected the notion that ElectroChem had any authority to cede land, stating that the disputed concession belonged to the people by birthright, not to the company.
Parliamentary Committee Report:
Concerns were raised about the legitimacy of a Parliamentary Committee report on the Songor Lagoon, with accusations that the report was prepared solely by the committee’s chairman. Despite these concerns, the Clan maintained faith in the Speaker of Parliament to find a fair resolution.
Ada Traditional Council’s Role:
The silence of the Ada Traditional Council on the issues surrounding ElectroChem’s operations was described as complicit by the Terkperbiawe Clan. They accused the Council of prioritizing financial gains over the welfare of the people, signing agreements with the company without consulting the affected clans. The Council’s call for military intervention to protect the Songor Salt Project was also criticized, with the Clan blaming the Council for escalating tensions in the region.
The Clan also condemned the Council for suppressing dissent among the chiefs of communities surrounding the lagoon, stating that any chief who opposed ElectroChem’s operations faced punitive measures, including suspensions.
The Terkperbiawe Clan, ASLA, and DESPA reiterated their commitment to protecting their ancestral lands and ensuring that the development of the Songor Lagoon benefits all stakeholders, including small-scale salt producers. They called on the Ada Traditional Council to stop interfering in land issues and emphasized that the Songor Lagoon belonged to the Terkperbiawe Clan by birthright. The groups urged Parliament to enforce PNDC Law 287 and implement a master plan that would allow both large and small-scale producers to coexist.
