A broadcast journalist, Francis Vorsah, has called on the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, to adopt a community-driven model proposed by Third World Network-Africa, which puts control of salt resources in locals and ensures women benefit directly in the Ketu South Municipality.
He noted that collectively they can build a public-led, community-partnered salt and fish farming industry that protects the environment, grows local businesses, and brings peace and prosperity to Ketu South.
The broadcast journalist stated that communities along the Keta Lagoon such as Adina, Amutinu, Agbozume, Salakope, Blekusu to Sonuto, through Kpedzakope, Agbevekope to Tokon have depended on salt mining, fishing, and coconut farming for decades and cannot be taken away from them.
The activities have over the years become the backbone of the local economy and a source of livelihood for women and youth but has since been taken over by the industrial salt operations at Adina rising tensions in the area, he stated.
“The industrial salt operations at Adina have taken over the lagoon, restricted access to land, water, and disrupted the very livelihoods that built these communities. Tensions never cease to rise,” he said.
In his open letter to the minister, and made available to GhanaWeb, Vorsah outlined possible ways that can help reduce the tensions within the communities to help address the issues for peace and stability.
He also called for a review in the current salt concession and place the lagoon under a people-first development framework, making recommendations on taking lessons from countries like Bolivia, where communities, not corporations, benefit from natural resources.
Also, he proposed that there should be the involvement of chiefs, the assembly, local producers, and experts to regulate and promote sustainable production.
The broadcast journalist further called for a blend of salt mining and fish farming to support livelihoods to enhance proper zoning and investment for increased employment and food supply.
“Hon Minister, I am not against salt mining. I am for a fair, inclusive model that leaves no one behind. Let’s protect the people. Let’s grow the local economy. Let’s turn Ketu South into a national model for peaceful, productive resource use” he concluded.
Read his full letter below:
OPEN LETTER TO HON. EMMANUEL ARMAH-KOFI BUAH, MINISTER FOR LANDS AND NATURAL RESOURCES: LET’S BUILD A PEOPLE-LED SALT AND FISHING INDUSTRY IN KETU SOUTH
Dear Hon. Minister,
The communities along the Keta Lagoon such as Adina, Amutinu, Agbozume, Salakope. From Blekusu to Sonuto through Kpedzakope, Agbevekope to Tokon have for decades depended on salt mining, fishing, and coconut farming.
These are not just activities; they are the backbone of our local economy and a source of livelihood for women and youth.
But today, industrial salt operations at Adina have taken over the lagoon, restricted access to land and water, and disrupted the very livelihoods that built these communities. Tensions never cease to rise.
Hon. Minister, there is a better way.
We can build a public-led, community-partnered salt and fish farming industry that protects the environment, grows local businesses, and brings peace and prosperity to Ketu South.
I propose the following:
1. Review the current salt concession and place the lagoon under a people-first development framework. Let’s take lessons from countries like Bolivia where communities, not corporations, benefit from natural resources.
2. Set up a Keta Lagoon Salt & Aquaculture Committee involving chiefs, the Assembly, local producers, and experts to regulate and promote sustainable production.
3. Adopt the community-driven model proposed by Third World Network-Africa, which puts control of salt resources in local hands and ensures women benefit directly.
4. Blend salt mining with fish farming. Let the lagoon support both livelihoods. It’s possible with proper zoning and investment, this can double our employment and food supply.
5. Support training, tools, and access to markets so our youth and women can thrive in salt and aquaculture, and the Assembly can earn the revenue it needs to develop our towns.
Hon. Minister, I am not against salt mining. I am for a fair, inclusive model that leaves no one behind. Let’s protect the people. Let’s grow the local economy. Let’s turn Ketu South into a national model for peaceful, productive resource use.
Akpe.
Francis Vorsah
Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources-Ghana,
Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana
Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation
Parliament of Ghana
VA/AE