Chief rejects sale of Songor Lagoon

By Fatima Adam

The Divisional Chief of the Tekperbiawe traditional clan, Nene Korle IV, has kicked against the sale of the Songor Lagoon, as was being proposed by a section of the Ada community.

According to him, the Songor Lagoon has been the major source of livelihood to the people of Ada, and that the inhabitants would be at a disadvantage if the lagoon should be sold out.

He explained that the lagoon, with a surface area of about 30,000 acres, was discovered by their first divisional chief, and has since then been recognised as the property of the Tekperbiawe division of Ada Clan.

Nene Korle IV noted that fishing and salt winning has been the occupation of the Adas since their lands were not good for farming.

He noted that the money generated from all the net salt tolls is divided into three equal parts; one third to the paramount stool, one third to the people of Ada, and the remaining one third for the LIBI WORNOR on behalf of the Tekperbiawe tribe. The fishing toll is collected by the ‘allodia owners’ (Tekperbiawe tribe), he added

He stated that the government would earn more if it should come into partnership with the people of Ada, especially, now that Ghana had discovered oil, since salt was one of the ingredients needed for oil production.

Nene Korle IV made the above statement when he was addressing a press conference held in Accra on Tuesday. “We no go sit down make they cheat us every day; salt is a renewable resource, all you need is sea water and sunshine; we are not going to sell the Songor Lagoon,” he emphasised.

Adding, “The government is now invited to sit down only with the true owners of the lagoon, the Takperbiawe clan, and not to deal with anybody calling himself ADANO.”

The chief noted that the owners of the Songor Lagoon, the Tekperbiawe Clan, was prepared to enter into discussions with the government as to how best to develop the salt project at the Songor Lagoon for the benefit of the people of Ada and Ghana as a whole, without causing animosity and conflict in the area.

The Divisional Chief of the Oluewem Clan of Ada, Nene Teteh Kupualor Bessei, on his part,   lamented over the fact that people were using the Songor lagoon to extract money from the government.

“Even if the Songor Lagoon should be on sale, we have to go and consult the people of Ada. No step has been taken by the Ada Traditional Council to sell the Songor Lagoon. We want to make this known to the government, especially, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources.  Songor case is a very delicate matter and can bring trouble if not dealt with properly. Ada people are still the owners of Songor Lagoon, so nobody should deceive the government,” he said.

Short URL: http://thechronicle.com.gh/?p=47260