Protesters vandalise McDan’s Electrochem Company at Ada Songor

On Thursday, a group of protesters stormed the premises of Electrochem Ghana Limited’s salt mining facility at the Songor Lagoon in Ada, attempting to take control of the site.

The incident marked a major escalation in the ongoing dispute over the mining concession.

Electrochem’s CEO, Razak Adam, alleged that protesters vandalised office buildings, destroyed security installations, including CCTV cameras, and took over the factory.

He further claimed that protesters bolted with valuable equipment, motorcycles, televisions, and large quantities of salt.

“This turn of events is deeply unfortunate,” Mr. Adam remarked, expressing his dismay at the destruction.

He was concerned that residents would attack the company, despite employment opportunities given to thousands of locals.

The protesters, however, claim their actions were prompted by accusations that Electrochem’s security forces assaulted the Chief of Sege-Nakomkope.

Mr. Adam strongly denied this allegation, stating, “That is untrue. I met with the chief yesterday, and he refuted this claim.”

The conflict stems from a long-running dispute between Electrochem and residents, who argue that the Songor Lagoon is their ancestral heritage and a vital resource for their livelihoods.

The dispute dates back to Parliament’s 2020 decision to grant Electrochem a 15-year lease for 42,000 acres of the lagoon.

Residents contend that this lease violates PNDC Law 287, which designated the lagoon for communal use, and they argue that the concession excludes artisanal miners, jeopardising their economic survival.

The incident has also sparked wider discussions about the political factors influencing the unrest.

Mr. Adam alleged that certain groups had planned to seize control of the concession if there was a change in government.

This isn’t the first instance of unrest following political transitions; on January 8, 2025, irate youth in Tema stormed public institutions, demanding the removal of New Patriotic Party (NPP) appointees, and similar incidents have been reported across the country.

Community leaders and political figures have called for a balanced approach to managing the Songor Lagoon’s resources.

During a community engagement last month, Divine Agorho, the Greater Accra NPP Chairman, said, “The elephant must eat, and the ant must also eat. Investors are welcome, but the arrangement must ensure that locals benefit too.”

Parliamentary candidates from both major political parties have also called for a review of the lease agreement.

NPP parliamentary candidate for Sege Constituency Dodzie Numekevor questioned the fairness of granting the entire lagoon to a single entity, saying, “You cannot classify salt as a mineral in the same way as gold. The lease should be reviewed so that some can be given to the people.”

However, a joint parliamentary committee previously stated that there is no legal or factual basis for the government to interfere with the leases granted to Electrochem.