<\/a><\/p>\nIn the case of Adina and its surrounding communities including Kpedzakope and Gbevekope, their major problem with the foreign company is their decision to drill water from the ground which they presume is causing drought in their area. They complain their wells are drying out; coconut trees withering and the residual water in the wells have turned salty. And this wasn\u2019t the case until Kensington started operations. <\/span><\/p>\nWorkers of Kensington also share the same water reservoir which hitherto was solely used by the locals. This has also affected the quantity and quality of water supply to the residents. The lagoon land space which was to serve as a ramzar site for endangered species like waterbirds and buffer zones for flooding, has also almost been eaten up and the remaining portions dried up.<\/span><\/p>\nOur visit to the community revealed how the residents struggled daily to have access to potable water. The local salt miners who we spoke to lamented that they face unfair market competition from the foreign company, which produces salt in large quantities and sell at cheaper prizes.<\/span><\/p>\nThe situation in Adina and the satellite communities, can best be compared to the Ancient Mariner who in the midst of water couldn\u2019t get a drop to quench his thirst.<\/span><\/p>\nKensington on the other hand would not take any of such claims. The fact that the Minerals Commission has given them the right to operate on the concession is one thing they would keenly protect.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Public Relations Officer of the Company, Adams Mensah told Citi News<\/strong>, the company has met all the requirements from the various regulatory bodies in the country, and have had a cordial relationship with the community over the years. He explained that the decision to drill water from the ground was the Company\u2019s short-term plan, thus they would soon start drawing water from the sea for salt production as part of their long-term goals.<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is scientifically evident is that, the degree of salinity in the underground water is higher than that of the sea water.\u00a0 Thus, it is economically prudent to produce salt using underground water than the use of the sea water. It is with this conviction that many believe the company is unwilling to undertake its long-term plan of tapping water from the sea.<\/span><\/p>\nThis has also been discounted by Adams Mensah, who argued that the cost of using electricity in drilling the borehole is more expensive than drawing from the sea.<\/span><\/p>\nA Geophysicist, Selorm Dogbevia Greenfield, in an interview told Citi News<\/strong> drilling water underground for mass production of salt, is likely to affect the quantity and quality of water from the water table. This was also confirmed by officials of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).<\/span><\/p>\nWhat is also revealing is that, the Water Resources Commission has denied ever giving license to Kensington to drill water.<\/span><\/p>\nFollowing our revelations, the Minister for Land and Natural Resources, Peter Amewu in the company of officials from the Minerals Commission, EPA and the Water Resources Commission, visited the area to meet with the management of the company. <\/span><\/p>\nAfter that\u00a0crunch meeting, he directed that the company with immediate effect desists from drilling water for their production, and gave them an ultimatum to start tapping water from the sea. He also pledged to further engage the company and other key stakeholders to solvw other outstanding issues in the agreement.<\/span><\/p>\nIt is indeed a great relief to hear this from the Minister, and it is our prayer that the directives would be carried out accordingly.<\/span><\/p>\nBeyond the impasse between the locals and the foreign company, we also found out some chieftaincy problems which were derailing efforts in the implementation of the terms in the agreement. Issues over ownership of the landscape, and the eligibility of some chiefs also brought their ugly heads. \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nAcross the country, there are similar situations happening mostly as a result of poor contractual agreements or partners failing to play their part of the bargain. This is saddening, especially when locals are made to suffer the consequences of such decisions.<\/span><\/p>\nThe recent revelations must open up discussions on our mining policies and local participation. Government, instead of \u201cbequeathing\u201d lands to multinational companies for extraction of natural resources for several decades, should put in place skills transfer and short term successive plans in order to empower our people economically. The fact that Ghana is rich in natural resources but the citizens remain poor should be a worry to all of us.<\/span><\/p>\nSalt production in Ghana contributes billions of Ghana cedis to the economy, and employs more than 2000 people in the country.<\/span><\/p>\nGhana is among the few nations in West Africa that has huge salt reserves to feed the world\u2019s demands.<\/span><\/p>\nBusinesses strive when there is peace, but that peace cannot be assured when indigenes feel left out of their natural livelihood.<\/span><\/p>\nThe current situation where foreigners are allowed to wholly own businesses in the country, has largely contributed to the needless agitations and litigation from the locals who feel their natural wealth are being taken away. Companies investing in Ghana should also take into consideration business partnerships with community members in order to generate enough affinity between the community and company.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Minerals Commission and other relevant stakeholders might consider improving on local participation component in our extractive laws.<\/span><\/p>\nThe locals in Adina might not be well-educated to explain scientific phenomena, but they are feeling the impact of the changes in their environment than any expert\u2019s conjecture.<\/span><\/p>\nThe cultural differences in the society shape the responses to conflicts in different societies. We can condemn the acts by the youth of the town, but we cannot be certain of how a different society may express their grievances if faced with a similar situation.<\/span><\/p>\nThere is obviously a need to go back to the negotiation table for all parties to reach a consensus. The traditional authorities must move to the negotiation table with a united front.<\/span><\/p>\nAnd the youth of Adina and the adjoining communities, must give peace a chance; draw back the rifles and inflammatory language. No Society today grows through the heroism of its troops on the field of battle; but grows when it turns to tolerance and arbitration.<\/span><\/p>\nThe salt at Adina would remain ‘tasteless’ for the people, and continue to make life unbearable until such differences are ironed out.<\/span><\/p>\n–<\/p>\n
By: King Nobert Akpablie\/ citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n
Email: kingnobert2@gmail.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
An alarming sound was heard. The women looked towards the sea, wondering the tide that might have exuded such a trembling sound. Their men on sea wondered what went amiss at home. Not sooner than they looked out for the noise, their children sprang out on the streets in tears; wailing and gnashing their teeth. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[374],"tags":[5194,3,6209,5196],"yoast_head":"\n
The 'tasteless' salt of Adina; the struggle over 'white gold' - Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n