Accra: Mr Divine Otoo Agorhom, a businessman and Greater Accra Regional Chairman of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has urged the people of Ada to protect investors operating within the traditional area to enhance employment opportunities and stimulate the local economy. Mr Otoo, who hails from Ada, praised the Ada Traditional Council for its decisive action in permitting investors to engage in salt extraction activities at the Songor Lagoon. He emphasized the importance of safeguarding and working collaboratively with these investors to ensure the area's sustainable development.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Otoo highlighted the critical role that investor presence plays in driving economic growth and stressed the need for a consensus that benefits all stakeholders. He acknowledged the traditional council's significant achievement in collaborating with the government to bring an investor to develop the Songor Lagoon, marking it as a historic advancement for the Ada Traditional Area. Nonetheless, he expressed concerns over the council's limited engagement and communication with community members, especially those residing near the lagoon.
Mr Otoo pointed out that salt, unlike other natural resources, is inexhaustible, and the expansive land could accommodate both local producers and large-scale investors. He suggested that while investors could target international markets, locals should focus on the local market, facilitating coexistence among all stakeholders. He encouraged the community to maintain dialogue with investors, warning that losing such development partners would be detrimental to the area.
Mr Otoo also highlighted the broader potential of Ada, noting that the area could benefit from tourism and recreational investments. He mentioned the presence of the sea, river, fertile land, beautiful mangrove areas, and other natural assets that could be developed to transform Ada into one of Ghana's wealthiest regions.