NPP chairman Divine Agorhom under fire for attacking Electrochem and McDan

The Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Divine Agorhom, is facing criticism from his party amid allegations that he has sidelined crucial campaign activities in favour of pursuing a personal grudge against Dr. Daniel McKorley, popularly known as McDan, and his company, Electrochem Ghana Limited, according to newsghana.com report.

According to the report, the controversy centres around Electrochem Ghana Limited’s lease to mine salt at the Songor Lagoon, a decision that is reported to have sparked opposition from some local communities and interest groups who fear the potential impact on their livelihoods.

Despite these concerns, the salt mining project has been praised for its economic benefits, particularly the creation of over 3,000 jobs, many of which are held by women from surrounding communities.

Additionally, a Parliamentary Select Committee report has recommended that portions of the concession be allocated to local communities to mine salt responsibly, an initiative the company has reportedly already implemented.

The tension is, however, said to have escalated following the circulation of a video showing Divine Agorhom at a town hall meeting, where he criticized the government’s decision to grant the entire Songor concession to Electrochem.

Agorhom is reported to have argued that the concession should have been divided to allow both the investor and local miners to benefit, using the metaphor, “Even in God’s creation, the elephant must eat, and the ant must also eat,” to emphasize his point.

However, Agorhom’s remarks have been widely condemned as incitement, with critics accusing him of encouraging resistance against a development that has already provided significant employment opportunities in the region.

Within the NPP, frustration is growing, with some members accusing Agorhom of fueling unnecessary tensions and undermining a project that is vital for many local residents.

Party insiders have expressed disappointment with Agorhom’s conduct, particularly his failure to deliver a meaningful message during the town hall meeting.

According to the angry party faithful, instead of him using the platform to rally support for the NPP and articulate a clear vision for the future, Agorhom focused on his grievances with McDan and the Electrochem project.

Some within the party are reported to have labelled Agorhom an opportunist, suggesting that his actions were driven by personal disappointment after his efforts to attract investors for salt mining in the area were unsuccessful.

AM/SEA

Source: Ghanaweb