Electrochem Ghana Limited, the largest salt mining company in West Africa, has unveiled an ambitious out-growers’ salt mining scheme for the residents of Ada East and West Districts in the Greater Accra Region.

This innovative initiative spans 1,000 acres and is designed to transform the economic prospects of the locals, who will receive concessions to sustainably mine salt with guaranteed purchase by the company.

Seven community groups have already been enrolled on this initiative, which aims to address the high youth unemployment in the area.

These groups include the Songornya Salt Producers Association, Kakepeme Salt Producers Association, Tekpebiawe Youth Association, and Ada Youth Forum, among others.

Speaking at the launch held at the company’s Sege site office, the Chief Executive Officer of Electrochem Ghana Limited, Alhaji Razak Adams highlighted the importance of the out-growers’ initiative in promoting technology transfer, sustainable salt production, and job creation for the locals.

He revealed that, in addition to the out-growers’ scheme, the company has initiated the construction of community pans for salt mining. “As of today, we have 70 community pans that are either completed or at various stages of completion across seven different project-affected communities. These pans are constructed at Electrochem's full expense and handed over free of charge to the communities,” said Mr Adams.

While acknowledging the success of the community pans initiative, Mr Adams stressed that further empowerment of the indigenous people is necessary, based on consultations with stakeholders, including Parliament.

This need for further support underpins the launch of the outgrowers’ scheme. “So far, 499 acres have been designated for development. The medium- to long-term vision is to extend this to 1,000 acres,” he explained.

The CEO elaborated on the scheme's objectives, stating, “One of the core values of this initiative is the enhancement of socio-economic development.

“Through this scheme, community members will have the opportunity, as identifiable groups, to pool resources and knowledge to establish themselves as thriving businesses.”

Mr Adams added that Electrochem will provide further training to registered groups to ensure their success. “We will train them on responsible mining with our resources, business management, entrepreneurship, and bookkeeping, ensuring they become successful businesses,” he emphasized.

The launch event was attended by the District Chief Executives of Ada East and West, officials from the Minerals Commission in Ho, and other government representatives. Ada West District Chief Executive, Sampson Tetteh Kpankpah, commended Electrochem for its continued investment in the socio-economic development of the people, citing various developmental interventions undertaken by the company.

In a speech delivered by Nene Agudey, Mankralo of the Ada Traditional Council, on behalf of the Paramount Chief of Ada, Nene Akuaku, the chief urged the local population to take full advantage of the scheme, calling on the company to expand quickly to other parts of the lagoon to enhance local employment. “We are witnessing the allocation of additional land for salt mining under what we call the out-grower model. I urge all who have expressed doubts or apprehensions about Electrochem’s involvement in local communities to seize this opportunity to apply for concessions to participate in salt mining,” said Nene Akuaku.

He further stressed, “We have a sacred duty to ensure the swift expansion of Electrochem’s operations across the entire lease area to maximize employment opportunities for our people.”

The beneficiary groups expressed optimism that the project would transform the economic landscape of the area. Nene Dame Sewu II, Secretary to the Ada Community Chiefs, described the initiative as a divine intervention. “Our people will benefit from capacity building and technology transfer, making them highly resourceful in the future. Electrochem’s presence in Ada is God-given,” he remarked.

In total, Electrochem Ghana Limited has allocated 2,000 acres of land for both the community pans and the outgrowers’ scheme, all to improve the economic well-being of the local population.