The African Continental Unity Party (ACUP) has voiced deep concerns over the ongoing conflicts surrounding the Electrochem Ghana salt project at the Songor Lagoon in Ada. In a detailed position statement, ACUP criticized the management of the project, accusing Electrochem Ghana, a subsidiary of the McDan Group, of breaching its Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and marginalizing the local community.
The Songor Lagoon, one of West Africa’s largest salt deposits, has long sustained the livelihoods of locals, particularly women who rely on artisanal salt-winning practices. However, after the government granted exclusive rights to Electrochem Ghana to industrialize the resource, tensions have escalated, leading to violent clashes between community members and private security forces. Tragically, these confrontations have resulted in injuries and loss of life.
Initially, the agreement with Electrochem was seen as a promising step towards formalizing salt production, creating jobs, and boosting economic growth. The company had pledged to modernize operations while respecting traditional salt-winning methods. However, many locals, led by traditional authorities, have grown frustrated, accusing Electrochem of restricting access to the lagoon, displacing artisanal workers, and failing to provide the promised economic benefits.
ACUP’s statement strongly condemned Electrochem’s failure to adhere to the MOU and its disregard for the livelihoods of the community. “No industrial project should undermine local economic and social progress,” ACUP’s Interim General Secretary Kwadwo Agyei Yeboah declared. The party expressed particular concern for the women who have lost their income as a result of the project’s actions.
In its position statement, ACUP made several key recommendations:
1. A call for a more inclusive approach where the benefits of the project are equitably shared between the community and the company.
2. The preservation of artisanal salt-winning concessions for locals not employed by the company, to ensure traditional livelihoods are protected.
3. An appeal to Electrochem’s founder, McDan, to set an example of ethical and inclusive development, as an African entrepreneur whose wealth is rooted in the continent.
ACUP further urged the government and corporate leaders to address grievances, restore community access to the lagoon, and adhere to the commitments outlined in the original MOU. The party highlighted the broader implications of this dispute, noting that the marginalization of local communities in resource extraction projects is a persistent issue across Africa.
The statement ended with a firm commitment from ACUP to implement policies that prioritize community rights and ensure sustainable, inclusive development when entrusted with governance.
“The recent violence is a stark reminder of the consequences of sidelining communities in resource management,” Yeboah added. “ACUP remains committed to advocating for justice, peace, and sustainable progress for all Africans.”
Kwadwo Agyei Yeboah
(Interim General Secretary, ACUP)
Contact: 0548534511
