Ada Salt Project: Hanging McDan over Nothing
Even before the company would start its commercial activities, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was in full gear, as various social amenities were provided for the Ada area.
Until Electrochem Ghana Limited, the current operators of the Songor Salt Project, took over, the Songor Lagoon was totally dry, with no proper salt mining activities going on the area.
It took the boldness of Mr. Daniel McKorley, Chairman of McDan Group, to take a decision to revive the Ada Salt Project, which many business persons tried but did not succeed.
Unfortunately for Electrochem Ghana Limited and Mr. McKorley, some selfish individuals in the Ada area are not interested in the multi-million United States dollar project and have vowed not to make it succeed.
Wicked lies and outright evil machinations have been fashioned out against the company and its owner to the extent that the millions of US dollars spent on the project would go waste if care is not taken.
Electrochem Ghana Limited did not just wake up one day to move to Ada to start with the revival of the comatose project, but went through the right processes to procure all the needed documentations and licence from the appropriate state agencies.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Minerals Commission, Mr. Martin Kwaku Ayisi, in April 2022, confirmed that due processes were followed in the granting of mining licence to Electrochem Ghana Limited to operate the Songor concession.
The company’s application went to Parliament for ratification and was subsequently gazetted.
The company went ahead to engage chiefs, communities leaders and all those who matter on the all-important project that would help in changing the face of the Ada area, and with one common voice, they are agreed that Electrochem Ghana Limited was indeed the game changer.
Amazingly, some disgruntled elements from the Ada area would not rest from day one that the company started its activities at Songor and have organized series of activities to sabotage the project that has employed several hundreds of youths within the Ada area.
The benefits that Electrochem Ghana brings to the Ada area were unprecedented such that the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources in charge of mines, Mr. George Mireku Duker, described the Songor Salt Project as “Win-win for all.”
According to him, it is evident that the lease granted to Electrochem Ghana Limited to redevelop the Songor Salt has not been misapplied, but is being utilized to benefit the people of Ada and the entire nation.
The import of the presence of Electrochem Ghana Limited at Ada and how certain people were engaged in grimy agenda against the company informed the Ada Traditional Council (ATC) to appeal to the government to clamp down on the activities of illegal salt miners in the area.
The ATC said that the activities of the illegal salt miners had far-reaching implications for the health of the Songor Lagoon, the viability of the salt project and the socio-economic development of the Ada area.
Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, the paramount chief of the Ada Traditional Area, made the appeal during a call on President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House in Accra in June, this year.
In the wisdom of the chief, with the presence of Electrochem Ghana Limited, since 2021, the Ada area had seen massive facelift and development to the admiration of all well-meaning people within Ada and beyond.
The Ada Youth Forum for Development in February, 2022, emphasized that there is unprecedented development of the Sangor Lagoon and were optimistic that, before the lease to the company ends, Ada would be a better place for all.
The forum made up of youths from Ada communities is in full support of the project because it comes with numerous benefits to the area and Ghana as a whole.
Even before the company would start its commercial activities, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) was in full gear, as various social amenities were provided for the Ada area.
Hitherto, potable water was a huge problem in the area, but Electrochem Ghana Limited has resolved that ugly situation, in addition to the provision of some GHC3million interest-free loans to traders in the area.
Apart from that, Electrochem Ghana Limited has constructed a first-class AstroTurf and roads in the area, while school pupils and students at various levels are enjoying scholarships.
McDan’s aim in going into the salt project was to become the number one producer of crystal salt to feed markets in West Africa, Africa and beyond.
Billions of US dollars are spent on importing salt into Africa, and, with the modern technology being used by Electrochem Ghana Limited, the company could easily capture the African market if supported properly and not sabotaged as is being done by the wicked elements.
With all intents and purposes, Electrochem Ghana Limited and the brain behind it, Mr. McKorley, are being hanged over nothing, and, rather, praises should be showered on Mr. McKorley for thinking outside the box to embark on the multi-million dollar project in the interest of Ada, Ghana, Africa and beyond.
