Parliament has approved the Atta Akyea Committee Report, which focuses on the contentious issues surrounding Electrochem Ghana Limited’s operations in the Songhor salt mining area, following intense debate on the floor of the House.
During an emergency sitting convened to address various critical issues, including a Financing Agreement between the Government of Ghana and the International Development Association, tax exemption requests under the One District, One Factory Programme, and the Ghana Financial Stability Fund, Parliament agreed to adopt the Committee’s findings.
Defending the report, Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh, MP for Nsawam/Adoagyiri, highlighted the significance of Electrochem’s investment in the area, describing it as the largest of its kind in West Africa. He emphasized that the company is led by a Ghanaian investor with strong ties to the local community, which has historically struggled to attract and retain significant investment.
According to Annoh Dompreh, over 90% of traditional leaders in the Songhor area support the investment, despite concerns raised by a minority of citizens.”More than 90% of the traditional leadership in Songhor are in support of this investment,” Annoh Dompreh stated.
“We cannot dismiss the concerns of some citizens, but it is essential to recognize that the investor has made considerable efforts to engage with the community and has even made some of the land available to locals for their own investment opportunities.
“He urged his colleagues to thoroughly review the report, noting that many of its recommendations are already being implemented. Annoh Dompreh also stressed the importance of the investment, highlighting Electrochem’s role in reviving the long-neglected salt industry in the area, which had been abandoned by previous investors.
Asawase MP Muntaka Mubarak also spoke in favor of the report, emphasizing that the salt resources in the area, like other mineral resources in Ghana, are not personal property but belong to the state. He acknowledged the concerns of local residents but urged them to understand that the exploitation of natural resources, including salt, is regulated by national laws and is intended to benefit the entire country.
Muntaka further explained that the committee had engaged extensively with local stakeholders and the company, addressing various concerns raised by the community, including the protection of cemeteries and the development of certain areas.
He expressed disappointment that some MPs had not fully read the report and urged them to do so to appreciate the efforts made to balance the interests of all parties involved.
Despite opposition from some MPs, who argued that the concerns of local residents were not adequately addressed, the report was ultimately passed, paving the way for continued operations by Electrochem Ghana Limited in the Songhor area.
The approval marks a significant step in the ongoing debate over the company’s role in the local economy and its impact on the community.
