Pres. Akufo-Addo Commissions Electrochem Salt Mine And Processing Plant at Ada | JoyNews Today
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NewsTranscript
00:00:00 Thank you. Thank you, sir.
00:00:06 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
00:00:12 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
00:00:20 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
00:00:25 Thank you.
00:00:28 Your excellency, distinguished
00:00:33 ladies and gentlemen, at this
00:00:35 time, I'm glad to welcome up
00:00:37 here to the podium. A fine
00:00:39 gentleman who shares in the
00:00:41 vision of the leadership of his
00:00:43 excellency, the president. He
00:00:46 is the pioneering executive
00:00:48 secretary of the African
00:00:50 Continental Free Trade Area.
00:00:52 Since he took over the reins,
00:00:54 he has led the innovation and
00:00:57 development of the African
00:01:00 continent and honestly speaking,
00:01:02 the future does look bright.
00:01:04 With a big round of applause
00:01:05 and much love, please help me
00:01:07 to welcome mister Wamkele
00:01:11 Wamkele.
00:01:14 Thank you.
00:01:17 Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
00:01:20 Thank you.
00:01:23 Thank you.
00:01:26 Thank you. Your excellency,
00:01:32 president Nana Adudankwa
00:01:36 President of the Fourth Republic
00:01:39 of Ghana. Honorable ministers,
00:01:45 honorable state ministers,
00:01:48 traditional leaders, members of
00:01:53 the African continent,
00:01:57 distinguished ladies and
00:01:58 gentlemen, it is with great
00:02:00 pleasure that I represent here
00:02:03 the African Union, the African
00:02:07 Continental Free Trade Area on
00:02:10 the occasion of the
00:02:13 commissioning of this salt mine
00:02:16 and processing plant. I wish to
00:02:19 start, if I may, your
00:02:20 appreciation for the work of
00:02:23 the African Union and for the
00:02:26 work of the African Union
00:02:29 Commissioning. Dr. Daniel
00:02:32 McCauley, the executive chairman
00:02:35 of the McDan Group for the
00:02:38 vision, for the commitment and
00:02:41 for ensuring that today we mark
00:02:45 the day when Ghana can step up
00:02:49 to the plate. I commend the
00:02:52 commissioning of this salt and
00:02:55 processing plant and I commend
00:02:58 the Electro-Ghana Limited Group.
00:03:01 I commend the government of
00:03:04 Ghana for supporting this
00:03:07 project as well as the private
00:03:10 sector, commercial banks for
00:03:13 ensuring that indeed Ghana does
00:03:16 not become a target of
00:03:19 exploitation. When this plant
00:03:22 is fully operational, it shall
00:03:25 be in a position to export up
00:03:28 to 50 million metric tons of
00:03:31 salt to the rest of the
00:03:34 continent as well as the
00:03:37 ECOWAS region. In so doing,
00:03:40 this plant will be positioning
00:03:43 the country in a position to
00:03:46 support security,
00:03:49 industrialization and will
00:03:52 enable all of us as Africans to
00:03:55 say that and to say so with
00:03:58 credibility that indeed we are
00:04:01 seizing the moment that the
00:04:04 AFCFTA is presenting to all of
00:04:07 us. We shall work together with
00:04:10 the African government to
00:04:13 develop a sustainable
00:04:16 substitution strategy so that
00:04:19 we stop importing salt from
00:04:22 other parts of the world and we
00:04:25 export salt from Ghana to the
00:04:28 rest of the African continent
00:04:31 for the sustainability of our
00:04:34 continent. The AFCFTA offers a
00:04:37 significant opportunity for
00:04:40 innovation, job creation and as
00:04:43 we see today for industrial
00:04:46 development. We look forward to
00:04:49 working with the McDermid group
00:04:52 to see and to ensure that the
00:04:55 benefits are not only for the
00:04:58 greater region of ADA but the
00:05:01 greater ECOWAS region from a job
00:05:04 creation and exporting processed
00:05:07 commodities. The McDermid group
00:05:10 was the very first company that
00:05:13 we entered into a memorandum of
00:05:16 understanding with in October
00:05:19 last year. We have a shared
00:05:22 vision of a prosperous Africa.
00:05:25 We have a shared vision of an
00:05:28 industrializing Africa and we
00:05:31 have a shared vision of a
00:05:34 sustainable Africa. The McDermid
00:05:37 group also participated in the
00:05:40 very first trading that took
00:05:43 place under the AFCFTA, the
00:05:46 guided trade initiative that we
00:05:49 convened in Accra, Ghana last
00:05:52 year. As we speak today, trading
00:05:55 is happening under the AFCFTA.
00:05:58 We have a shared vision of
00:06:01 industrializing Africa and
00:06:04 various other instruments that
00:06:07 enable commercially meaningful
00:06:10 trade to take place. Once again
00:06:13 I'm very happy that the McDermid
00:06:16 group was the very first company
00:06:19 in Africa to establish an
00:06:22 African trading company that
00:06:25 being the very first AFCFTA
00:06:28 trading company to take place,
00:06:31 Ghana will continue to be the
00:06:34 leader in the implementation of
00:06:37 the AFCFTA. So your excellency
00:06:40 president, as I conclude, once
00:06:43 again I wish to congratulate your
00:06:46 government for the vision. I wish
00:06:49 to congratulate the McDermid group
00:06:52 for the vision. I wish to
00:06:55 congratulate the McDermid group
00:06:58 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:01 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:04 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:07 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:10 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:13 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:16 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:19 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:22 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:25 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:28 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:31 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:34 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:37 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:40 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:43 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:46 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:49 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:52 for the vision. I wish to
00:07:55 congratulate the McDermid group
00:07:58 for the vision. I wish to
00:08:01 congratulate the McDermid group
00:08:04 for the vision. I wish to
00:08:07 congratulate the McDermid group
00:08:10 for the vision. I wish to
00:08:13 congratulate the McDermid group
00:08:16 for the vision. I wish to
00:08:19 congratulate the McDermid group
00:08:22 for the vision. I wish to
00:08:25 congratulate the McDermid group
00:08:28 for the vision. I wish to
00:08:31 congratulate the McDermid group
00:08:34 for the vision. I wish to
00:08:37 congratulate the McDermid group
00:08:40 for the vision. I wish to
00:08:43 congratulate the president of
00:08:46 the Ghana National Chamber of
00:08:49 Commerce, Mr. Clement Osei.
00:08:52 We duly acknowledge the presence
00:08:55 of one of the key state agencies
00:08:58 who are collaborating with
00:09:01 Electrochem salt mine for its
00:09:04 operations. I'm talking about
00:09:07 Electrochem salt mine. Also,
00:09:10 your excellency, you're here
00:09:13 ably backed by a strong team
00:09:16 that you have brought with you
00:09:19 from the presidency to be here
00:09:22 with us. As we go along, we'll
00:09:25 be bringing some of them here
00:09:28 to also bring us their messages
00:09:31 of goodwill. At this time, I
00:09:34 would like to respectfully hand
00:09:37 over to the president of the
00:09:40 Ghana National Chamber of
00:09:43 Commerce, Mr. Daniel Saki.
00:09:46 Also, the incoming managing
00:09:49 director, thank you so much for
00:09:52 all the support you've given to
00:09:55 this project. We also duly
00:09:58 acknowledge the presence of the
00:10:01 president of the Ghana National
00:10:04 Chamber of Commerce, Mr.
00:10:07 Daniel Saki. Also, the incoming
00:10:10 managing director, thank you so
00:10:13 much for all the support you've
00:10:16 given to this project. We also
00:10:19 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:10:22 the incoming managing director,
00:10:25 thank you so much for all the
00:10:28 support you've given to this
00:10:31 project. We also duly acknowledge
00:10:34 the presence of the incoming
00:10:37 managing director, thank you so
00:10:40 much for all the support you've
00:10:43 given to this project. We also
00:10:46 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:10:49 the incoming managing director,
00:10:52 thank you so much for all the
00:10:55 support you've given to this
00:10:58 project. We also duly acknowledge
00:11:01 the presence of the incoming
00:11:04 managing director, thank you so
00:11:07 much for all the support you've
00:11:10 given to this project. We also
00:11:13 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:11:16 the incoming managing director,
00:11:19 thank you so much for all the
00:11:22 support you've given to this
00:11:25 project. We also duly acknowledge
00:11:28 the presence of the incoming
00:11:31 managing director, thank you so
00:11:34 much for all the support you've
00:11:37 given to this project. We also
00:11:40 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:11:43 the incoming managing director,
00:11:46 thank you so much for all the
00:11:49 support you've given to this
00:11:52 project. We also duly acknowledge
00:11:55 the presence of the incoming
00:11:58 managing director, thank you so
00:12:01 much for all the support you've
00:12:04 given to this project. We also
00:12:07 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:12:10 the incoming managing director,
00:12:13 thank you so much for all the
00:12:16 support you've given to this
00:12:19 project. We also duly acknowledge
00:12:22 the presence of the incoming
00:12:25 managing director, thank you so
00:12:28 much for all the support you've
00:12:31 given to this project. We also
00:12:34 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:12:37 the incoming managing director,
00:12:40 thank you so much for all the
00:12:43 support you've given to this
00:12:46 project. We also duly acknowledge
00:12:49 the presence of the incoming
00:12:52 managing director, thank you so
00:12:55 much for all the support you've
00:12:58 given to this project. We also
00:13:01 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:13:04 the incoming managing director,
00:13:07 thank you so much for all the
00:13:10 support you've given to this
00:13:13 project. We also duly acknowledge
00:13:16 the presence of the incoming
00:13:19 managing director, thank you so
00:13:22 much for all the support you've
00:13:25 given to this project. We also
00:13:28 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:13:31 the incoming managing director,
00:13:34 thank you so much for all the
00:13:37 support you've given to this
00:13:40 project. We also duly acknowledge
00:13:43 the presence of the incoming
00:13:46 managing director, thank you so
00:13:49 much for all the support you've
00:13:52 given to this project. We also
00:13:55 duly acknowledge the presence of
00:13:58 the incoming managing director,
00:14:01 thank you so much for all the
00:14:04 support you've given to this
00:14:07 project. Mr. President, I stand
00:14:10 before you today with a deep
00:14:13 sense of pride and commitment.
00:14:16 The project we are commissioning
00:14:19 today stands as a testament to
00:14:22 the power of collective efforts,
00:14:25 determination and a shared
00:14:28 vision for a brighter future.
00:14:31 As we celebrate this remarkable
00:14:34 achievement, I would like to
00:14:37 emphasize the importance of
00:14:40 continuity and sustained support.
00:14:43 The successful realization of
00:14:46 this project is not an end in
00:14:49 itself, but a means to us
00:14:52 achieving greater successes. It
00:14:55 is my unwavering commitment that
00:14:58 the positive impact of the
00:15:01 project is sustained. I call upon
00:15:04 all stakeholders, both in the
00:15:07 traditional area and beyond,
00:15:10 state and non-state actors, to
00:15:13 join hands with us in nurturing
00:15:16 this project to its full
00:15:19 capacity, expanding its benefits
00:15:22 and harnessing its potential to
00:15:25 reaffirm my dedication to
00:15:28 tracking the compliance of the
00:15:31 project's operators, to the
00:15:34 terms and conditions governing
00:15:37 implementation of the project
00:15:40 in order to bring societal
00:15:43 progress, socioeconomic
00:15:46 development and well-being to
00:15:49 all inhabitants in my
00:15:52 community.
00:15:55 Dr. Daniel McCauley,
00:15:58 traditionally known in Adnan
00:16:01 as Nene Kabu Krantin I, your
00:16:04 unwavering commitment and
00:16:07 tireless effort have brought us
00:16:10 to this moment. The journey you
00:16:13 have embarked upon has not been
00:16:16 without challenges, but your
00:16:19 dedication has served as an
00:16:22 inspiration to us all. Remember
00:16:25 that your hard work has not only
00:16:28 built infrastructure, but also
00:16:31 fostered hope and progress in
00:16:34 the communities in Adnan's
00:16:37 traditional area. Your dedication
00:16:40 serves as an inspiration to us
00:16:43 all. Let us continue moving
00:16:46 forward. To all state agencies
00:16:49 operating in the traditional
00:16:52 area, I commend your diligent
00:16:55 efforts in delivering your
00:16:58 responsibilities of oversight
00:17:01 and technical support, which
00:17:04 have contributed to safeguarding
00:17:07 the electrochem project. Your
00:17:10 role is pivotal in creating a
00:17:13 sustainable and sustainable
00:17:16 environment for the community
00:17:19 and for the people of Adnan.
00:17:22 Your efforts have been
00:17:25 successful, successfully and
00:17:28 without hindrance. Your
00:17:31 continued vigilance and
00:17:34 commitment are vital as we work
00:17:37 towards the success of this
00:17:40 project. I urge the Minister of
00:17:43 Lands and Natural Resources to
00:17:46 facilitate the release of royalties
00:17:49 to the traditional council to
00:17:52 ensure local participation and
00:17:55 development. These funds would
00:17:58 indeed empower our shape of
00:18:01 development according to our
00:18:04 tailored earmarked project. I
00:18:07 thank you, Your Excellency, for
00:18:10 leasing the highway port to our
00:18:13 investor, electrochem. This
00:18:16 initiative will lead to an
00:18:19 increased job opportunity and
00:18:22 would also decrease road traffic
00:18:25 from heavy trucks. As I end my
00:18:28 speech, I would like to express
00:18:31 our profound gratitude to you,
00:18:34 Your Excellency, for your
00:18:37 leadership and your leadership
00:18:40 in the development of this
00:18:43 project. I would like to thank
00:18:46 you for your leadership and
00:18:49 your leadership in the development
00:18:52 of this project. I would like to
00:18:55 thank you for your leadership
00:18:58 and your leadership in the
00:19:01 development of this project.
00:19:04 In fact, which traditional area
00:19:07 in Ghana will be blessed to have
00:19:10 the President visit twice in a
00:19:13 month? Your decision to personally
00:19:16 visit and witness the project
00:19:19 exemplifies your genuine
00:19:22 commitment to our community's
00:19:25 progress and well-being.
00:19:28 Your presence has not only filled
00:19:31 us with immense pride but also
00:19:34 reinforced the significance of
00:19:37 this endeavor. Your leadership,
00:19:40 dedication, and hands-on approach
00:19:43 serve as an inspiration to us
00:19:46 all. Your visit today will
00:19:49 forever be etched in our hearts
00:19:52 as a symbol of your unwavering
00:19:55 support and endorsement to the
00:19:58 Electrochem Project. Thank you
00:20:01 for sharing in this moment of
00:20:04 achievement and for your
00:20:07 continued dedication to our
00:20:10 nation's development. Special
00:20:13 thanks to the members of ADAN
00:20:16 Traditional Council for standing
00:20:19 with me in the journey so far. I
00:20:22 look forward to moving into the
00:20:25 next phase of the journey.
00:20:28 Special mention to the four
00:20:31 uncle clans, Adibiawe, Umubiawe,
00:20:34 Tekwebiawe, and Dangbiawe for
00:20:37 availing yourselves, putting all
00:20:40 differences aside for the
00:20:43 interest of the greater good of
00:20:46 ADAN and Ghana.
00:20:49 Just like any worthwhile endeavor,
00:20:52 challenges may come our way in
00:20:55 the journey. Be assured that I
00:20:58 will always avail myself to offer
00:21:01 support and to dialogue with all
00:21:04 to help us achieve the best
00:21:07 outcome from this project.
00:21:10 Congratulations, Electrochem
00:21:13 Ghana Limited. Thank you.
00:21:16 [ Applause ]
00:21:19 [ Applause ]
00:21:22 [ Applause ]
00:21:26 [ Applause ]
00:21:29 [ Speaking in foreign language ]
00:21:32 [ Speaking in foreign language ]
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00:21:38 [ Speaking in foreign language ]
00:21:41 Shall we put our hands together
00:21:44 one more time? I'd like to
00:21:47 introduce all of us to a son of
00:21:50 the soil who serves this nation
00:21:53 as a member of parliament and has
00:21:56 been ministering the greater
00:21:59 Accra region. He has made the
00:22:02 waves as one man who has brought
00:22:05 a special campaign which is to
00:22:08 make greater Accra work once
00:22:11 again. Distinguished ladies and
00:22:14 gentlemen, I present to you the
00:22:17 greater Accra regional minister,
00:22:20 honorable Henry Kwote.
00:22:23 [ Applause ]
00:22:26 [ Applause ]
00:22:29 [ Applause ]
00:22:32 His Excellency, the president of
00:22:35 the republic.
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01:08:25 >> Thank you very much, Dr. Daniel McCauley, for this very big surprise.
01:08:30 I wasn't expecting it.
01:08:31 I was only told to come here and witness this August celebration.
01:08:36 I'd like to thank the president and the ministers as well and everyone gathered here.
01:08:41 I want to say a big thank you to you.
01:08:44 It's an honor to be celebrated by the BBC as the first Ghanaian to win the BBC World News Komla-Dumu Award.
01:08:52 It's been eight years coming, and we definitely had to do it, and I did it.
01:08:55 Thank you, Ghana.
01:08:56 Thanks for the celebration, and I promise to make Ghana proud as I journey to the BBC.
01:09:02 I'd like to say a big thank you to my mother, who's been an inspiration all these years.
01:09:06 She's here with me, and if she could just stand for us to acknowledge my mother.
01:09:12 Thank you very much, Martin, for everything that you've done for me.
01:09:15 Thank you, Ghana.
01:09:16 I appreciate you all.
01:09:17 Thank you.
01:09:18 [Applause]
01:09:38 We're grateful to you, Dr. Daniel Makoli.
01:09:40 Shall we do a big round of applause for him?
01:09:42 [Applause]
01:10:01 [Music]
01:10:25 Thank you.
01:10:26 [Music]
01:10:33 Please put your hands together for the ever-present Ghana Police Band.
01:10:37 [Applause]
01:10:40 Honorable Ministers, Neneme, Naname, our good friends, good people of Ghana.
01:10:46 Back in 2018, when I was Master of Ceremonies for the special State Interest Governance Agency dinner
01:10:55 hosted by His Excellency the President, he said something very instructive.
01:11:00 He spoke about supporting wholly-owned Ghanaian businesses and making billionaires out of them.
01:11:08 Isn't it interesting that today he stands here to perform a very important function
01:11:14 that could lead us to achieving this goal?
01:11:18 Ladies and gentlemen, good people of Ghana, please help me with warm applause
01:11:22 to welcome the first gentleman of the land, His Excellency Nana Adudankwa Ekufuadu.
01:11:28 Your Excellency, the people of Ghana are listening.
01:11:32 Regional Minister and Member of Parliament for Ayahuasca Central,
01:11:38 Jeche Nene Abram Kabu, Akwaku III, President of the Adan Traditional Council.
01:11:50 Secretary General, African Continental Free Trade Area,
01:11:55 former Justice of the Supreme Court,
01:11:58 the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Member of Parliament for Damangu,
01:12:04 Minister for Trade and Industry and Member of Parliament for Adansea Sokwa,
01:12:09 the Minister for Chieftaincy Affairs,
01:12:12 Deputy Chiefs of Staff in the Office of the President,
01:12:16 the Legal Counsel to the President,
01:12:19 District Chief Executives for Adan West and East District Assemblies,
01:12:25 the CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority,
01:12:29 the CEO of the Environmental Protection Agency,
01:12:33 the Director General of SIGA,
01:12:36 the Chairman of the Magdan Group,
01:12:39 the CEO of Electrochem Salt Mine,
01:12:42 President of the Association of Ghana Industries,
01:12:46 Traditional Rulers Nene Mene,
01:12:48 Nkename, residents of SIGE, fellow Ghanaians, ladies and gentlemen.
01:12:55 I'm very happy to be here in SIGE in Adan West this afternoon.
01:13:01 The decision to accept the invitation to speak at this event was not a difficult one,
01:13:07 especially as it borders on one key sector of our economy, the private sector.
01:13:13 For us in the new patriotic party, the party from which my government was born,
01:13:20 the primacy of the private sector and the development of our national economy is fundamental.
01:13:27 It is the very basis of our economic philosophy and has been so for the last 70 odd years.
01:13:36 We have never wavered in our belief that given an enabling environment,
01:13:42 the ingenuity and sense of enterprise of the Ghanaian
01:13:46 will enable us to build a strong, powerful economy
01:13:50 which will deliver a good, dignified standard of living to our people.
01:13:56 The Electrochem Salt Mine is one such example of what governmental policy,
01:14:03 backed by strong private sector participation, can achieve.
01:14:08 Indeed, for some 54 years,
01:14:14 successive governments have tried without success to harness the full value of the Songo Lagoon.
01:14:21 I'm glad that under the government of Nanado Dankwa Kufuadu,
01:14:26 the Songo Lagoon is being brought into full production
01:14:30 for the benefit of the residents of Adda and the citizens of the entire region.
01:14:35 [applause]
01:14:38 The man who is to receive the plaudits for the brilliance of what we are witnessing today
01:14:44 is the courageous, excellent entrepreneur, Mr. Daniel Makoli, a.k.a. "McDon."
01:14:53 [applause]
01:14:56 This is the first time in recent history that an indigenous Ghanaian businessman
01:15:02 owns one of the biggest extractive industries in Ghana, in Africa.
01:15:07 He is a shining example of what determination and perseverance can produce.
01:15:14 "McDon," a.k.a. "McDon."
01:15:17 [applause]
01:15:20 Ladies and gentlemen, "Jeche,"
01:15:22 in the run-up to the 2008 elections,
01:15:26 I was startled by a news report which suggested that the Federal Republic of Nigeria
01:15:31 was in the process of importing $2 billion worth of salt from Brazil.
01:15:37 You can imagine the thoughts that were running through my mind.
01:15:41 Think with me for a moment about the prospects of Ghana selling $2 billion worth of salt to Nigeria annually
01:15:50 and the ripple effects the sale of such a simple commodity,
01:15:55 which Nigeria and indeed many other countries in West Africa import from other continents,
01:16:01 can have on our economy.
01:16:04 With its current ability to produce some 650,000 metric tons of salt per annum
01:16:11 and expanding its productive capacity to 1 million metric tons in 2024
01:16:17 into 2 million metric tons by 2027,
01:16:21 the Electrochem salt mine will be the biggest salt-producing facility in the entire continent of Africa.
01:16:31 [applause]
01:16:34 As an advocate for value-addition activities since I came into office in 2017,
01:16:40 evidence in the implementation of the one district, one factory policy,
01:16:45 I'm delighted that Electrochem is in the process of constructing a salt refinery
01:16:53 in addition to a port not too far away from here
01:16:56 for the purpose of exporting refined salt products to the wider African market.
01:17:02 With Accra serving as the headquarters of the Secretariat of the African Continental Free Trade Area,
01:17:09 and I'm delighted that its brilliant Secretary General, Wankena Mene, is here with us today,
01:17:17 I'm confident that the expected revenues of some $1 billion to the company will be considerably surpassed.
01:17:28 For a project of such magnitude to thrive, it will need the support and backing
01:17:35 not only of government, but also of the chiefs and people of the community.
01:17:41 To this end, I want to extend the appreciation of the government and people of Ghana
01:17:47 to my good friend, the paramount chief of the Adah traditional area,
01:17:52 Jeche Nene Abram Kabu Akwaku III, his chiefs,
01:17:58 and to the people of Adah for the support you have given one of your own sons.
01:18:04 It is a gesture that should be emulated by other traditional authorities across the country.
01:18:12 Nene, Jeche, you have seen for yourself the development that this project is already bringing to Adah,
01:18:21 the construction of the sports complex, interest-free loans to traders and businesswomen in Adah,
01:18:28 construction of roads, introduction of a scholarship scheme, and the provision of potable water for the communities,
01:18:37 clinics and schools in the catchment area.
01:18:41 In addition to this, 11 pans per community have been provided by electricity
01:18:48 for persons who are already in the salt business.
01:18:51 This implies that some 998,000 bags of salt will be produced per year in communities within the catchment area of the lagoon,
01:19:04 the revenue of which must be put to good use for the development of the communities.
01:19:10 I have also taken note of the request by Magdan in his speech,
01:19:15 requesting for the construction of some major road projects leading to the mine.
01:19:20 I will put these requests before the Minister for Roads and Highways and ensure that he does his best to construct the roads.
01:19:33 And I intend to take a personal interest in them.
01:19:38 In conclusion, ladies and gentlemen, I want to reiterate that not only is Ghana the best place for doing business in West Africa,
01:19:47 but it is also the preferred destination for a perfect blend of mineral resource potential,
01:19:54 stable regulatory environment, favorable fiscal regime, and socially responsive mining in Africa.
01:20:03 In spite of our present challenges, I maintain that it is an exciting time to be in Ghana and do business in the country.
01:20:12 The Akufo-Addo government is determined to make Ghana an example of rapid economic growth
01:20:19 within the context of a well-developed market economy where the private sector does not only survive but actually thrives.
01:20:29 Accordingly, ladies and gentlemen, I declare the Electric Kem Salt Mine duly commissioned.
01:20:39 [Applause]
01:20:48 God bless Electric Kem Salt Mine and us all, and may God bless the people of Adda in our homeland, Ghana, and make her great and strong.
01:20:58 I thank you for your attention.
01:21:00 [Applause]
01:21:04 We're very grateful to you, Your Excellency. Ladies and gentlemen, shall we appreciate him with a bigger round of applause?
01:21:15 Djeche, Naname, Naname, our friends and our visitors, and good people of Ghana,
01:21:21 what is left of the mid-morning and afternoon is the cutting of tape to signify the full opening of this mine.
01:21:33 At this time, we'd like to say a final set of thank yous to all of our friends from the collaborative agencies,
01:21:39 including our two DCEs. Shall we put our hands together for them?
01:21:44 We also thank the Hannah Brothers and the CEO, the hard-working CEO of the Food and Drugs Authority, Dr. Mimi D'Elise Darko.
01:21:52 Shall we put our hands together for them as well?
01:21:55 To our good friends from Zenith Bank as well, we're grateful to you and we're hoping that you'll emulate the example of Ecobank in putting together this project.
01:22:05 So, Your Excellency, Honorable Ministers, our highly revered traditional ruler, and his divisional chiefs, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen,
01:22:17 we're grateful to all of you for making it this afternoon, and His Excellency will lead the dignitaries to the other side for the cutting of tape to signify the official opening of this.
01:22:30 Once again, we're grateful to all of you, and we will stand for the national anthem.
01:22:36 Shall we?
01:22:37 (upbeat music)
01:22:40 you