The town, Sege, and its surrounding communities, is grimacing with rage as the community mobilises to stage a demonstration against Electrochem Ghana Limited over what it describes as unfair treatment from the salt mining company.

The people within the catchment area of Electrochem believe that they have been shortchanged by the mining firm.

It is not clear when the planned demonstration exercise would be staged.

However, persons familiar with the community mobilisation say plans are far advanced for the intended exercise. It is also not clear who is behind the planned demonstration against Electrochem Ghana Limited.

However, inside sources within the company suspect the Member of Parliament (MP) for Sege, Daniel Keshi Bessey, to be the one behind the said planned demonstration due to comments he recently made Okorli 96.1 FM.

The MP in a studio discussion told listeners of the radio station that he has heard that Electrochem was bringing in extra security personnel to protect the company. However, what they will not countenance is any abuse from the said security personnel.

“I will stand with my people. If they bring in any security to come and protect their investment, they should do it well. When it starts raining, we will start to mine salt. We will not go near where Electrochem has been mandated to mine. When we go there, it is against the law. However, if the security turns against us and decides to abuse us, we will protect ourselves,” he noted in his native language.

The planned demonstration exercise comes after months of painstaking stakeholder engagement and sustained Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives aimed at restoring calm and forging unity among the people of Sege, Ada and their surrounding communities.

Bessey when contacted denied any knowledge about the said planned demonstration.

However, Serwonu, Sege constituency chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), in a telephone interview, confirmed the planned demonstration exercise.

"Yes, the party at the constituency level is aware but I can't explain the rationale behind that, the MP is better placed to provide explanations," he stated.

This latest development comes at a time when Electrochem, under the leadership of Dr Daniel McKorley, has invested millions into revamping the once-dormant Ada Songhor Salt Project.

Through wide-ranging stakeholder consultations with traditional leaders, youth groups, opinion leaders, and fisherfolk, the company has managed to doused off community tensions and ensure inclusive participation in the project for the benefit of all.

Additionally, Electrochem has rolled out numerous CSR projects including job creation schemes, scholarships, community water projects, and support for local health facilities—all aimed at earning community trust and ensuring that the salt mine contributes to regional development.

The Ada salt mine, previously the subject of fierce disputes and conflicts spanning decades, had finally shown signs of stability, thanks to Electrochem’s inclusive governance model.

The decision by the community to demonstrate against the company has been described by observers as reckless and detrimental to national development.

Electrochem sources have indicated that any further unrest could stall Ghana’s ambitions of becoming West Africa’s salt production hub — a vision that is finally taking shape after years of legal and communal wrangling.

The unfolding situation has prompted calls for urgent government intervention. Stakeholders are particularly appealing to the Speaker of Parliament, including, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to stop the community from embarking on the demonstration exercise before matters spiral out of control.