Electrochem Ghana CEO urges government to ban salt imports
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Electrochem Ghana Limited, Africa's largest salt concession, Abdul Razak Adam, has called on the government to ban salt imports to protect the local salt industry.
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He argues that Ghanaian salt mining companies have the capacity to produce more than enough salt to meet national demand.
Speaking after a media tour of the company’s facilities, Mr Adam noted that Ghana’s annual salt consumption is approximately 750,000 metric tons, while Electrochem alone can produce up to two million metric tons per year.
He expressed concern that continuing to allow salt imports undermines the efforts of local producers who are capable of meeting national demand.
Mr Adam emphasised the need for the government to support local industries, drawing parallels to Nigeria, where the government has implemented protective measures for local businesses, including a ban on rice and furniture imports.
"We should not be importing salt when we have it in abundance here," he said, revealing that Electrochem currently has over 30,000 metric tons of salt stockpiled while imports continue.
He urged the government to follow Nigeria’s example and completely ban salt imports, arguing that such a move would not only stabilise the economy but also boost local employment and income generation.
Mr Adam highlighted the quality of Electrochem's salt, which has a purity level of 99.9 per cent, surpassing that of imported salt due to the company’s meticulous production process.
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He explained that their brine travels over 32 kilometers before reaching the crystalliser pans, allowing for the elimination of unwanted chemicals such as bromine and magnesium.
Background
Electrochem Ghana Limited, a fully Ghanaian-owned company established in 2017, holds a 41,000-acre concession at Ada Songor.
The company is positioned to produce one million metric tons of salt annually for both local and export markets, with a strong commitment to maximising returns from Ghana’s salt and chemical industries.