February 11, 2025

Elmina Residents Protest Against Salt Mining Lease

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elmina protest

A group of residents from Elmina in the Central Region has staged a protest against a salt mining lease that was granted to a private developer by their traditional leaders. The demonstration, which took place on the town’s main streets, saw locals expressing their strong disapproval of the lease agreement. Many of the protestors, dressed in red attire and holding placards, marched through the streets demanding transparency and accountability from their traditional authorities.

The placards carried by the demonstrators bore messages such as “We want our salt” and “Give us what is due us, don’t sell Elmina,” signaling the community’s frustration with the decision. The protestors claim that the traditional council, which represents the leadership of the area, failed to involve the residents in discussions about the salt mining lease. This has caused feelings of alienation among the locals, who believe that the agreement was made without proper consultation with them. They argue that the salt resources are a communal asset, and any decisions made regarding their use should involve the entire community, rather than benefiting only a select few.

John Quayeson, one of the leaders of the protest, addressed the crowd, expressing the sentiments of the demonstrators. “We want our leaders to know that the salt is not for them alone,” Quayeson stated, underlining the belief among the protestors that the benefits of the salt mining should be shared equitably with the people of Elmina. According to Quayeson, the traditional leaders must recognize that the community has a legitimate stake in the resources that are being mined and that the residents deserve a voice in any decisions regarding the use of their land and natural resources.

The protestors’ call for a fair distribution of the benefits from the salt mining venture is not merely about economic gain, but also about preserving the integrity of their community. They worry that the lease, granted to a private developer, might exploit local resources without sufficiently benefiting the people of Elmina. The residents believe they have been sidelined in a deal that could significantly impact their livelihoods and the future of the area.

However, the traditional leadership of Elmina has rejected the protest and dismissed the claims made by the demonstrators. Nana Nkuando IV, the Adontihini (chief) of the Edna Traditional Council, which represents the local chiefs, responded to the protest by calling it a “calculated effort to tarnish the image” of the council. He described the protest as “an action in nullity,” suggesting that the concerns raised by the protestors were without merit and aimed at undermining the authority of the traditional leadership.

The disagreement between the residents and the traditional council points to a deeper issue regarding governance and the management of local resources in Elmina. The protest highlights the tension between the community’s desire for participation in decision-making processes and the authority of the traditional leaders, who are responsible for land management and resource allocation. The residents feel that their concerns have not been adequately addressed and that the benefits of the salt mining project could be better shared if they were involved in the discussions from the outset.

As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the traditional council will respond to the demands of the protestors. The conflict in Elmina raises important questions about the balance of power between traditional leaders and local communities, especially when it comes to the use of natural resources that have the potential to affect the economic and social fabric of the area. The outcome of this protest may have broader implications for how such decisions are made in other parts of the country, particularly in regions where traditional leadership plays a significant role in local governance.

In the meantime, the residents of Elmina are determined to continue their efforts to ensure that their voices are heard, and that their community is not left out of decisions that will shape its future.

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