Electrochem Ghana
“This morning, at approximately 3:00am, our facility at Electrochem Ghana Limited was violently invaded and ransacked by arined assailants wielding cutlasses and firearms. The perpetrators, who explicitly stated that they were sent from the National Democratic Congress, headquarters, were led by a known NDC activist.
“This brazen attack is not an isolated incident but part of a disturbing trend that poses a grave threat to safety and security of our employees and the integrity of our operation. The assailants wreak havoc on our premises, stealing essential office supplies and a significant quantity of our salt product from the warehouse.”
“This criminal act has resulted in considerable financial losses and a profound disruption to our daily operations. More alarmingly , some of our staff members sustained injuries during the chaos, underscoring the urgent need for protective measures and accountability,” the statement said.
Source of livelihood
ElectroChem Ghana Limited, acquired the 41,000 acres Songor enclave concession which cuts across over thirty communities on a long-term basis for the Ada Songor salt project which has become the largest in acreage and production in sub-saharan Africa as compared to the Walvis Bay of Namibia which is about 16,700 acres and currently the largest.
The company currently employs 1,800 permanent workers and about 3,000 casual workers during the salt mining season.
Economic implications of attack
The company further warns the consistent attacks on the facility may not only affect future investments vital to the company’s growth but Ghana’s economy at large.
“The persistent nature of these attacks creates an environment of uncertainty that could deter future investments vital to the growth of our company and the broader Ghanaian economy.”
“The safety and security of our workforce remains our paramount concern, and we are alarmed by the escalating frequency and severity of the attacks,’ the statement added.
Arrest and Prosecution
Electrochem Ghana Limited has since called for the protection of legitimate businesses adding that the perpetrators of the act must be brought to book.
“We call upon the relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect legitimate businesses operating in the region.”
“We urgently implore the government to take a firm stance against this violence by directing the security agencies to swiftly apprehend and prosecute those responsible for these egregious act,” the statement added.
Reporting by Fred Dzakpata in Accra
