The Ada Community Chiefs Association in the Greater Accra region has urgently called on President-elect John Mahama to address the escalating tensions surrounding the Songor Lagoon in the Ada enclave.

This plea follows a violent clash on December 23, 2024, in Bonikofe within the Ada East District, over salt mining concessions, which left two men critically injured.

Korletey Kugblenu, 49, and his 54-year-old brother, Kuku Nagadzi, both residents of Bonikofe, are the victims.

The brothers are recovering from injuries allegedly inflicted by a pro-NDC mob. The attack occurred while they were working on community salt pans donated by Electrochem Ghana Limited.

“My brother and I were working at one of the community pans around 10:00 AM when we suddenly saw a crowd approaching us. My brother suggested we run, but I told him to stay calm. Suddenly, they began attacking us with objects. My head, neck, shoulder, waist, and thigh were all injured,” Kugblenu recounted.

The brothers claim the mob attacked them without provocation, vandalised salt evaporators, and seized their motorbike.

“They forcefully took my motorbike away. I later found it at Bonikofe Cemetery,” Kugblenu added.

The attackers allegedly accused the brothers of supporting the operations of Electrochem Ghana Limited, despite the broader community’s demand for the lease agreement to be revoked by the incoming Mahama administration.

“While attacking us, they verbally accused us of supporting Electrochem Ghana Limited against their wishes. They claimed their new government would revoke Electrochem’s licence and warned us to stop promoting the company in Bonikofe and its surrounding areas,” he said.

At the time of the interview, Kuku Nagadzi, 54, was observed coughing up blood, with his face swollen and fresh scars on his forehead.

During a press conference, the Ada Community Chiefs Association condemned the attack, labelling it politically motivated and targeting Electrochem Ghana Limited.

“Our investigations have revealed that the attack was a meticulously planned and calculated attempt to disrupt the peace in Ada, driven solely by selfish political interests,” said spokesperson Nene Dame Sewu III. He recalled comments made by the now Member of Parliament-elect for Sege, Daniel Kissi Bessey, who allegedly declared his intention to take over the Songor Lagoon by any means necessary during a campaign event in Bonikofe on December 1, 2024.

According to Nene Dame, the mob, which included NDC executives from the Sege Constituency, “targeted and attacked individuals suspected of supporting the ongoing development project.”

“This heinous attack is part of a series of planned actions orchestrated by individuals within the NDC. The group entered the Songor Lagoon to destroy evaporators restored by the company, intending to provoke security forces,” he added.

The chiefs accused the group of creating tension in order to blame security personnel and Electrochem Ghana Limited.

“We call upon the incoming administration led by President John Mahama to take decisive action against these perpetrators. Their actions are a direct threat to the peace and development of Ada and must not go unpunished,” Nene Dame concluded.

JoyNews has confirmed with the Sege District Police Command that the incident has been reported and is under investigation. Medical forms have been issued to the victims for treatment.

When contacted for a response, Sege MP-elect Daniel Kissi Bessey declined to comment.

At the time of filing this report, relative calm had returned to Bonikofe, as the victims await the swift prosecution of the criminal case.