Toflokpo shooting: Electrochem denies involvement

Electrochem Ghana, a salt mining company based in the Ada West District has denied its involvement in the clashes at Toflokpo that left one person dead and several others injured.

Violence broke out between officials of Electrochem and residents of Toflokpo when the officials went to repair broken dykes. The dykes are used for the harvesting and evaporation of salt in the area.

Since Electrochem got the licence to mine salt in the area, there have been tensions between locals and the company. The latest was a confrontation by the locals who complained that Electrochem took away their livelihood and also used land guards to harass them.

Chief of Toflokpo, Nene Mayilo Dadebom II, accused Electrochem of harassing residents while also confirming the outbreak of violence that led to the death of one person. He made that known while speaking to Citi News in an interview.

Meanwhile, Electrochem has denied having a hand in the feud. A statement released by the company did not only deny its involvement but also condemned it. According to the company, it has “confidence in the Ghana Police Service” and waiting for the outcome of the police investigation.

“The attention of the management of Electrochem Ghana Limited has been drawn to newspaper publications and comments in social media linking Electrochem to the unfortunate death of a resident in Ada.

“We will like to state emphatically devoid of any equivocation that the company has NO hand in the said incident and condemn in no uncertain terms the killings. We are very much aware that the police have taken the issue up and are investigating the case including coming up with the autopsy report. Due to the confidence we have in the Ghana Police Service, we have decided to wait and come out with a more detailed press release on the incident since we will not want to preempt the workings of the police.

“We wish to state our commitment to working with the people of Ada for our mutual benefit,” the statement concluded.

Police and Military men have been deployed to restore calm in the area following the feud that left one dead with at least five injured.