Let’s Build a People-Led Salt And Fishing Industry In Ketu South; Open Letter To Hon. Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah

Dear Hon. Minister,

The communities along the Keta Lagoon are Adina, Amutinu, Agbozume, and Salakope. From Blekusu to Sonuto, through Kpedzakope, Agbevekope to Tokon, these communities have for decades relied 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.

However, today, industrial salt operations at Adina have taken over the lagoon, restricting access to land and water and disrupting 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 that 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

Cc:

Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources-Ghana,

Environmental Protection Authority, Ghana

Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation

Parliament of Ghana