Church of Pentecost appeals to President Mahama to intervene in Songor issues
Mr Samuel Lawer Kabutey, the Presiding Elder of the Church of Pentecost, Korlekorpe Assembly in Ada, has appealed to President John Dramani Mahama to urgently intervene in the protracted issues surrounding the Songor Lagoon.
He said resolving the impasse would not only promote harmony but also help address the high unemployment rate among the youth in the area.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency at Kasseh, Mr Kabutey said the entry of Electrochem Ghana Limited into the Songor Lagoon salt production was timely and held significant potential for the development of the Ada State.
He however, expressed concern over what he described as persistent unrest linked to the operations of the company, including incidents of attacks, divisions among residents, and escalating tensions, which were undermining development efforts.
He noted that many young people could have secured employment with the company, but the instability and disturbances surrounding its operations had made it difficult for the company to function fully.
Mr Kabutey therefore urged President Mahama to step in promptly to clarify the situation and chart a clear path forward for the people of Ada.
He stated that decisive action or a clear directive from the President, would go a long way to address the long-standing disputes over the Songor Lagoon.
Electrochem Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the McDan Group of Companies, commenced commercial salt production at the Songor Lagoon in 2021, after securing parliamentary ratification for mining leases covering about 41,000 acres of land.
Some local salt miners, whose activities had been described by authorities as illegal, due to methods that contribute to the drying of the lagoon, had opposed the company’s operations.
This has resulted in reported attacks on company workers, leading to security interventions and the prosecution of some individuals.
The company has since scaled down its operations as some workers have been laid off, while concerns persist over renewed syphoning of water from the lagoon bed, threatening the area’s status as a designated biosphere reserve.
Source: GNA