A legal practitioner and former Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of the Songor Salt Project, Lawyer Katernor Bosumprah, has issued a stern ultimatum to Ngmongmlo Wornor, John Abayateye, demanding a retraction and apology for what he describes as false allegations made against him that he deceitfully instigated the takeover of the Songor lagoon by Electrochem.
The allegations, which were broadcast in a social media video, emerged during a ceremony by fetish priests and priestesses in the Yomo enclave of the Songor Resource.
The video, which has garnered significant attention, centers on claims that Electrochem Ghana Ltd. unlawfully entered and began operations in the Yomo enclave, as well as accusations of brutality against the indigenous people of Ada by the company.
Bosumprah, however, focused on specific accusations made by Abayateye during the libation. Abayateye accused Bosumprah of deceiving the Paramount Chief and other chiefs of Ada into meeting with the President of Ghana, leading to an agreement to lease the Songor Resource to Electrochem. He also called for Bosumprah to be solely held accountable in the afterlife for his alleged role in the lease.
In his response to the allegations in a press conference, Lawyer Katernor Bosumprah noted that “The assertions can only proceed from a person who is ignorant of the operation of the Public Service of Ghana. The Songor Salt Project was a department under the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources. As the Chairman of the IMC, I reported to the Minister and did not have direct access to the President. Additionally, I was not aware of the arrangements to meet the President by the Chiefs of Ada and did not participate in that meeting.”
He highlighted the defamatory nature of these claims and demanded that Abayateye retract his statements and apologize within one week. Failure to comply, Bosumprah warned, would result in legal action to protect his reputation and hard earned reputation.
On the broader issues of Electrochem’s alleged brutalities and its operations in the Yomo enclave, Bosumprah exercised caution. He refrained from commenting on the brutality allegations, citing the ongoing parliamentary investigation. Regarding the company’s presence in the Yomo enclave, he noted that P N DC Law 287 specifically excludes this area from land vested in the President, and he called for a formal investigation to confirm the validity of the claims. Bosumprah offered his legal services pro bono to address any confirmed illegal operations in the enclave.
Lawyer Bosumprah stressed the collective responsibility of Ada’s people and chiefs to ensure Electrochem’s compliance with legal and ethical standards in its operations.