The Ada Songhor Salt Project is to soon take off following Parliament’s ratification of its mining lease.
The project, with a production capacity of between 130,000 tonnes to 200,000 tonnes, is expected to boost employment and economic activities within the Ada area of the Greater Accra Region.
The Mankralo of Ada, Nene Agudey Obichere who addressed a press conference on behalf of the chief of Ada, Nene Abram Kabu III, lauded President Nana Akufo-Addo for fast-tracking ratification of mining leases for the project.
He noted that his people had been deprived of access to the river for both fishing and salt-mining.
He said the absence of commercial salt mining in the area had deprived his people of employment, following the project’s demise.
He said government cancelled the lease agreement in 1985 after clashes with locals, and later set up the Songhor Salt Project to continue with the salt mining – but the project was deprived of resources.
“I am further delighted to say that Parliament, after going through its due process, has ratified these agreements in favour of Electrochen Ghana Limited (EGL) associated with our preferred investor,” he said.
The leases will last for a term period of 15 years, which may be renewed after expiration of the term subject to the minerals and mining laws of Ghana.
To avoid a repeat of similar clashes, the chief said the project and EGL had agreed to engage engineers to demarcate and set aside specific areas for local mining, in consultation with stakeholders.
In addition, EGL is obliged to do large pans in the areas that would be identified, which upon mining would be sold back by his people at prevailing prices to EGL.
Local content
In terms of local content, EGL is obliged to source both skilled and unskilled labour forces from Ada first, and give the Ada Traditional Authority representation on the board to oversee smooth-running of the project.
He urged residents in and outside of Ada to have confidence in the project, and ensure that it benefits the entire area.
Ratification
It is to be recalled that three mining lease agreements granting mineral rights to an investor – Electrochem Ghana Limited – to dig for, mine and produce salt at Ada Songor area in the Greater Accra Region, were approved by Ghana’s Parliament.
The mining lease agreements were in respect of the Ada Songor Salt Project (Ada West Lease Area [Ada Songor]); the Ada Songor Salt Project (Ada East Lease Area [Ada Songor ‘B’]); and the Ada Songor Salt Project (Ada East Lease Area [Ada Songor ‘C’]).
They were laid in Parliament for ratification on Wednesday, November 4, 2020 by the Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, on behalf of the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Kwaku Asomah-Cheremeh, pursuant to Article 268(1) of the Constitution and Section 5(4) of the Minerals and Mining Act, 2006 (Act 703).
