In a groundbreaking move, Electrochem Ghana Ltd, operators of Africa’s largest salt mine and processing plant, has launched an innovative Community Outgrower Scheme aimed at empowering local miners and promoting community development.
This initiative is expected to address long-standing concerns from some local residents who felt their livelihoods and lands were being threatened by the company’s operations.
The Electrochem Ghana Out-grower Scheme, a first of its kind in the industry, will enable local miners to partner with Electrochem Ghana Ltd, providing them with raw material in the form of brine, technical expertise, and access to ready markets.
This collaborative approach will not only enhance the livelihoods of the local miners but also ensure sustainable salt production, aligned with global best practices in an environmentally friendly manner.
Speaking during the formal launch of the scheme, Chief Executive Officer of Electrochem Ghana, Abdul Razak Adam said the scheme is an addition to various interventions including the community pan concept which the company has provided freely to host communities to mine salt.
“While this initiative (community pans) has been largely successful, it has become clear that the community pans concept cannot meet the ever-increasing demands for community participation in the upstream salt value chain. As a responsive and responsible company, we rise once again to meet the demands of our communities.
Today marks yet another significant milestone for our community engagement program. Having extensively engaged our host communities and their representatives, the Ada Traditional Council, opinion leaders, and parliamentarians, it is with great pride and excitement that I stand before you to launch our Community Out Grower Scheme – a transformative initiative designed to encourage direct community involvement in salt mining in line with our commitment to foster socioeconomic development in our host communities in a responsible and sustainable manner.
At Electrochem we recognize that our success is deeply intertwined with the wellbeing of the communities we operate in. We are not just a company that extracts salt; we are part of a larger ecosystem that includes you—our neighbors, our partners, and our future. This Community Out Grower Scheme is a testament to our belief that together we can achieve more”, CEO Abdul Razak Adam stated.
Core Values of Electrochem Ghana
Socioeconomic Development
According to the Electrochem Ghana CEO, the Out-grower scheme is integral to enhancing the socio-economic development of Ada and its people for sustainable growth which is part of its core value.
“We understand that sustainable growth comes from empowering our communities. Through this scheme, community members will have the opportunity as identifiable groups, to pool resources and knowledge to establish themselves as registered businesses. This collaborative approach will not only create jobs but also stimulate local economies by enabling participants to share in the benefits of salt mining.
Again, by embracing entrepreneurship, we empower individuals to take charge of their future. We believe that when communities thrive, we all thrive. This scheme is not just about mining salt; it’s about mining potential, inspiring innovation, and building a legacy of prosperity for generations to come”.
Environmental Sustainability
The Electrochem Ghana Boss also reiterate the company’s unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability through best environmental practices as it deploys the outgrower scheme and states that:“as a responsible salt mining company, we understand the importance of preserving our natural resources. The Community Out Grower Scheme will integrate sustainable practices, ensuring that our mining activities do not compromise the environment”.
The Community out-grower scheme is expected to:
– Increase salt production and quality
– Foster community development and social cohesion
– Enhance Electrochem Ghana Ltd’s social license to operate as the people feel and become part of the company.
Local Miners Embrace
The Local miners have welcomed the initiative, expressing optimism about the opportunities it presents.
One miner has this to say: “This partnership will help us improve our skills, access new markets, and secure our futures,”
Invitation To Join
Mr Abdul Razak Adam throws in an invitation to to the Association of ASLA, DESPA and all other dissatisfied groups to avail themselves to the negotiating table with their demands.
:Mr. Chairman, on this note, I invite all eligible community members to apply and join this exciting scheme; I invite all notable organizations – DESPA, ASLA, The YOUTH FORUM, etc to take advantage of this scheme, so that together we will chart a new course of cooperation.
Our team is here to support you every step of the way, providing guidance and resources to help you succeed”, the CEO urged.
How to Get Involved
- Residents are expected to form groups of not less than 50 members;
- Register themselves as a business,
- Pick up an application form and apply at the Sustainability Department of Electrochem Ghana.
- Once applied, the application will be vetted and approved by management of the company,
- The company will then organize a training program mainly on responsible and sustainable mining for the applicant group(s).
- A land within the concession will then be allocated to them for mining whiles Electrochem provides high-quality brine to the groups regularly.
Source: Christian Kpesese || eagleghana.com