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The largest salt production plant in Africa, the Electrochem Salt Mine in Sege, in the Ada West area in Eastern Region, has been officially opened by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Currently, the McDan Group-run mine is capable of producing about 650,000 metric tons of salt annually.
By 2024 and 2027, the mine is anticipated to boost its production capacity to one million and two million metric tons, respectively.
On August 30, President Akufo-Addo addressed the crowd at the event and remarked that throughout the course of almost 54 years, various governments have attempted but failed to fully utilize the Songhor Lagoon.
President Akufo-Addo stated “I am glad that under the government of Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, the Songhor Lagoon is being brought into full production for the benefit of residents of Ada and citizens of the entire nation”.
“The man who is to receive the plaudits for the brilliance of what we are witnessing today is the courageous, excellent entrepreneur, Daniel McKorley, aka McDan. This is the first time in recent history that an indigenous Ghanaian businessman owns one of the biggest extractive industries in Africa. He is a shining example of what determination and perseverance can produce. Ayekoo!!” President said.
Recounting a news item he came across in the run-up to the 2008 elections, the President stated that he was startled by a news report which suggested that the Federal Republic of Nigeria was in the process of importing two billion dollars’ worth of salt from Brazil.
“You can imagine the thoughts that were running through my mind. Think with me for a moment about the prospects of Ghana selling two billion dollars ($2 billion) worth of salt to Nigeria and the ripple effects the sale of such a simple commodity, which Nigeria and, indeed, many other countries in West Africa import from other continents, can have on our economy,” he added.
President Akufo-Addo is happy that Electrochem is building a salt refinery and a port nearby for the purpose of exporting refined salt products to the larger African market. He has been a proponent of value-adding activities since taking office in January 2017 as demonstrated by the implementation of the 1-District-1-Factory policy. The President was certain that the anticipated profits of about one billion dollars ($1 billion) to the corporation will be surpassed with Accra serving as the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area’s headquarters.
He expressed gratitude on behalf of the Ghanaian government and people to Nene Abram Kabu Akuaku III, the Paramount Chief of the Ada Traditional Area, his chiefs, and the Ada people for their contributions to the project’s success.
In his speech, President Akufo-Addo also took note of McDan’s proposal for the development of certain significant road projects leading to the mine.
He promised, “I would bring these requests before the Minister of Roads and Highways and make sure he does his utmost to build the roads. I want to care about them personally.
The President reaffirmed his conviction that Ghana is not only the best area in West Africa for conducting business, but also the preferable location in Africa for a perfect balance of mineral resource potential, a stable regulatory environment, a favorable fiscal regime, and mining that is socially responsible.
“Despite the difficulties we are now facing, I still believe that this is an exciting time to be in Ghana and conduct business here. The Akufo-Addo administration is committed to making Ghana a model for rapid economic development within the framework of a well-established market economy, where the private sector not only survives but also thrives, according to Akufo-Addo.
Source: Ghanatodayonline.com
