Attack on Electrochem quite worrying

Recently, the facilities and operations of salt mining company, Electrochem Ghana Limited, came under violent attack from supposed locals of the Ada Songhor area in the Greater Accra Region. 

The act has been linked to the 41,000-acre concession of the salt mining business, and the larger scope of community livelihood.

A Graphic Online report stated the company disclosed that "the assailants vandalised property, stole office supplies and looted large quantities of salt from the warehouse".

The report, attributing the company's claims to a statement issued by its Chief Executive, Abdul Razak Adam, said the attack around 3 a.m. on January 9, 2025, was carried out by persons wielding machetes and firearms.

The incident was the latest protracted conflict between the company and its local community since Electrochem Ghana started operations on the multi-million-dollar concession ratified by Parliament.

Residents argue that the Songhor Lagoon, the source of the salt resource, is their birthright. They have since protested against the 15-year lease granted to Electrochem in 2020, claiming the transaction excludes artisanal miners and violates laws meant to protect communal access.

Fortunately, the attack did not cause fatalities but the threat of a more serious outcome in the future looms large in the sky like a time bomb.

At this point, we are minded to urge that no further time should be spared to deal with the matter in a lasting manner to set minds at peace.

It is time to end the feud over an investment that absorbs and engages local youth in employment, improves the livelihoods of community members, fetches the nation's foreign exchange and shores up the trade balance.

The Electrochem Ghana investment is the biggest in West Africa, arguably in Africa, with the capacity to feed the oil industry in the sub-region and beyond.

The Daily Graphic, therefore, calls on state authorities to engage the salt mining firm, community elders, traditional authorities and community members to find a lasting solution to the issues.

The January 9 attack on the facilities of Electrochem is akin to the marauding onslaught of some youth on some state infrastructure, including corporate facilities, seeking to assume managerial authority or appropriate a share of the spoils in the wake of the change of political power.

The incident at the mine of AngloGold Ashanti at Obuasi in the Ashanti Region last Sunday which resulted in the deaths of civilians supposed to have attempted to take over a portion of the mine provides an unpleasant example.

Those deaths are currently the subject of police investigation as directed by President John Dramani Mahama. However, initial reports suggested that the deceased suffered the fate as security forces confronted them with firearms.

We commiserate with the families of the deceased over the heart-breaking event and hope that the investigation and subsequent recommendations and actions will give surviving families a measure of restitution.

It is not progressive enough that there has been no investigation or an attempt to find the characters behind the attack on Electrochem to bring them to book.

We cannot wait to sit around another table to discuss recommendations and possibly compensation on another matter at Ada Songhor.

The signs are clear enough to alert relevant state authorities to take action so we are not overtaken by events.

We, therefore, urge the state to take steps to protect the investment and the workers against any potential attacks in the future.

Ultimately, however, a long-term sustainable solution is required to give everyone around the subject the peace of mind to go about their businesses without fear of an approaching shadow.

Indeed, the situation is not a positive advertisement of the conducive business environment the country requires to resolve the current economic difficulties.

At best, we must advertise a business-friendly environment that welcomes investors and yields to the rule of law.

It must also be evident that the country can deal with miscreants who violate the rights of others.