Electrochem Ghana Limited has denied having a hand in the death of a resident in Ada as published in newspapers and online platforms.
It was reported that a feud between residents of Sege and Electrochem Ghana Limited resulted in the death of one resident while over 20 persons have been injured.
“We would like to state emphatically, devoid of any equivocation, that the company has NO hand in the said incident and condemn in no uncertain terms the killings. We are very much aware that the police have taken the issue up and are investigating the case including coming up with the autopsy report. Due to the confidence we have in the Ghana Police Service, we have decided to wait and come out with a more detailed press release on the incident since we will not want to preempt the workings of the police,” Electrochem stated.
Electrochem Ghana Limited added that,”We wish to state our commitment to working with the people of Ada for our mutual benefit.”
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Background
Even after the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo commissioned an ultra-modern salt mining and processing plant at Ada Songer by the Electrochem Ghana Limited, there has still been some opposition from the people of the area.
According to sources, while they have been asked to stay off the concession to allow Electrochem to do its work, some of the residents continue to trip in the concession.
After a latest clash between the residents and Electrochem, the Chief of Toflokpo, Nene Mayilo Dadebom II, in an interview on Citi alleged that Electrochem had contracted a land-guard named Alhassan to terrorise the residents of Toflokpo.
“They [Electrochem] are employing force. Five people were injured. We are not opposed to development, but we will not be prevented from continuing what we have been doing for years,” he stated.
However, reacting on the same medium, the Operations Manager of Electrochem Ghana Limited, Nene Odeopeor Siada III, clarified: “What we do daily is build dykes and evaporators to store the seawater used to produce the salt. After the rain, we faced challenges with the dyke and were working to rebuild it. Every time we go there, we go with policemen for protection. While we were on the field, we suddenly heard noises, which came from a large crowd in the town. We ensured the protection of our equipment and personnel. People began throwing stones at us.”
“I heard the chief of Toflokpo say the police were shooting, but I swear before man and God, there was no shooting. We were trying to protect our concession, and we had made announcements that they should vacate the area. No one went there to shoot because our security personnel don’t even carry guns. We never fired a gun, not even a warning shot.”
“We gladly welcome anyone else interested in the salt business with us. We have been granted fifteen years to mine salt at Ada, and this has been approved by traditional authorities and Parliament, making it a legal venture. Some individuals are engaged in illegal mining there. We have conducted over ninety-five community engagements, and we continue to engage with the community. So I don’t understand why someone would claim that we’ve never engaged with the community,” he added.
Furthermore, the operations manager denied that his outfit has engaged a land-guard to terrorise residents of Toflokpo.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori