The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has strongly criticized the work of a joint committee from the Energy and Lands ministries, which investigated the contentious Songhor salt mining agreement between the State and Electrochem Ghana Limited.
Bagbin has called for a new probe, citing significant gaps and omissions in the committee’s report.
The investigation was initially prompted by a petition from some residents of Ada, who accused Electrochem Ghana Limited of abuses and breaches related to the lease agreement.
The committee’s report recommended educating the local population on how mineral leases operate, while emphasizing that the current lease should be upheld. However, Speaker Bagbin has questioned the thoroughness of the committee’s work.
Bagbin pointed out several key issues in the report, including the committee’s failure to visit the site as required, inadequate consultation with stakeholders, and the exclusion of critical documents and perspectives.
He also highlighted unresolved concerns about the size of the land granted to Electrochem Ghana Limited, particularly given that a significant portion of the concession is already occupied.
Further, the Speaker noted that the report failed to address local concerns about unemployment and called for a re-examination of the validity of the additional lease agreement, which covers 140 acres in the Ada West and East districts.
He also questioned the application and relevance of PNDC Law 287, which governs mineral leases, in relation to Electrochem Ghana Limited’s operations in the Songhor Lagoon.
Bagbin has directed that compensation for affected parties be reconsidered through additional stakeholder engagements and has ordered the formation of new committees to reinvestigate the matter.
Before the Speaker’s directive, MPs Alhassan Suhuyini (Tamale North) and Nii Lante Vanderpuye (Odododiodoo) had expressed their dissatisfaction with the committee’s report.
However, Asawase MP Muntaka Mubarak and Majority Chief Whip Frank Annoh Dompreh defended the committee’s findings, urging Parliament to proceed cautiously in its dealings with Electrochem Ghana Limited.
