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Queen of the Royal Adibiawe Clan of Ada, Naana Adiki Manyeyo Adi I is calling on government to immediately address the phenomenon of illegal/artisanal miners in the Ada area.

In an interview with host of Kokrokoo on Peace FM, Kwami Sefa Kayi, the Queen complained bitterly about how illegal mining, locally called 'Atsiakpo' is adversely affecting the lagoon and some of the communities.

The lagoon, which she noted, was supposed to be a store house of water for salt making had completely dried up due to the unregulated activities of the local miners.

She told Sefa Kayi that the ''lagoon had turned into dry land comparable to a dusty football park. Even motorist use it as thoroughfare to and from the communities”.

“It is taking Electrochem Ghana Limited to restore the lagoon to its natural state and as a store house of water for the production of high quality salt," she added.

Manyeyo Adi I further revealed that due to the negative impact of the artisinal miner's activities, the indigenes are compelled to rely on boreholes and rainwater as sources of water.

Touching on the issue of royalties, Naana Adiki Manyeyo Adi I disclosed that the Ada state hasn't received any form of payment from successive governments for the past 40 years over the 41,000 acre concession.

''What I know is that we haven’t benefited in terms of royalties ever since government took over the concession about 4 decades ago”, she said.

She was however optimistic that the Ada state and the people will reap the benefits of this government-Electrochem Ghana partnership should artisanal mining be streamlined and the new investor (Electrochem) offered the needed support or cooperation. She cautioned politicians behind the artisanal mining activities to desist from providing support for the illegality to thrive.

Naana Adiki Manyeyo Adi I asked the government to take her complaints seriously and provide lasting solutions to ensure that the lagoon is protected and Electrochem Ghana is given the freedom to operate.

She further appealed to the government to take steps to resolve any other challenges facing the residents.

She commended Electrochem for the well thoughtout CSRs initiatives which are being carried out to help improve the quality of life of the people.

"Nearly 600 women entreprenuers are in active businesss now thanks to the interest free loans given by the company. Electrochem also supplies portable water to communities arround the concession on daily basis, and is building community pans for artisanal miners in the communities to ensure that their source of livelihood is not taken away from them", she stated

In 2020, the Ada Traditional Council and residents backed government's initiative of providing jobs and this culminated in the leasing of the concession to Electrochem Ghana Limited, the new investor.

The company was subsequently given the license to mine and produce salt at the Songor Salt base in Sege, Ada.