…Allegedly Incites Youth Against Job-Creating Project
Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Divine Agorhom, is under fire from within his own party for allegedly neglecting crucial campaign efforts in favor of a personal vendetta against prominent businessman Dr. Daniel McKorley, known as McDan, and his company, Electrochem Ghana Limited.
This controversy arises as the NPP gears up for the upcoming elections, with many party members concerned that Agorhom’s actions could jeopardize their chances of success.
Electrochem Ghana Limited was granted a lease to mine salt at the Songor Lagoon, a decision that has faced resistance from some local communities and interest groups worried about the potential impact on their livelihoods.
Despite these concerns, the project has been hailed for its economic potential, particularly for providing over 3,000 jobs, many of which have been filled by women from the surrounding communities.
It is worthy of note that the Parliamentary Select Committee report states that portions should be seeded to the indigenes to do salt in a very responsible manner. This, the company is already doing apart from the community pans already allocated to the indigenes
In a video that recently went viral, Divine Agorhom is seen at a town hall meeting, where he sharply criticized the government’s decision to grant the entire Songor concession to Electrochem.
He argued that the concession should have been divided to allow both the investor and local miners to benefit, using the metaphor, “Even in God’s creation, the elephant must eat, and the ant must also eat,” to emphasize his point.
However, his remarks have been widely interpreted as incitement, encouraging the youth to resist a development that has already provided significant employment opportunities in the region.
Critics within the NPP have expressed frustration, accusing Agorhom of stirring up unnecessary tensions and undermining a project that is creating thousands of jobs, particularly for women who rely on these positions for their livelihoods.
Party members argue that his actions could backfire, alienating voters and creating a negative perception of the NPP’s stance on development projects.
Adding to the criticism, Agorhom has been accused of failing to deliver any meaningful message when given the platform during the town hall meeting.
Instead of using the opportunity to rally support for the NPP and present a clear vision for the future, Agorhom focused on his grievances against McDan and the Electrochem project.
This has led many within the party to question his leadership and commitment to the party’s goals, especially in the critical run-up to the elections.
Party insiders have labeled Agorhom an opportunist, suggesting that his actions are motivated by personal disappointment after his own plans to bring in investors for salt mining in the area were unsuccessful.
As the controversy continues to unfold, the NPP faces a difficult situation, needing to address internal divisions while ensuring that their campaign efforts are not derailed by Agorhom’s actions.
With elections fast approaching, it remains to be seen whether Divine Agorhom will refocus his efforts on uniting the party and working towards electoral victory, or if his ongoing disputes will continue to create rifts within the NPP in the Greater Accra Region.
