Popular Ghanaian YouTuber, Wode Maya has faced severe backlash from Ghanaians, especially the residents of Ada, due to his recent video praising Ghanaian billionaire Daniel McKorley aka McDan and wrongly attributing the controversial salt mining to him.
Probably unaware of the tensions surrounding the salt mining issue and the ongoing struggle between the people of Ada and the billionaire, Wode Maya mistakenly claimed in his video that McDan established the largest salt mining company in Africa.
Upon sharing the video on YouTube and posting the link on Facebook, he was met with a wave of disapproval and criticism from viewers, which he likely did not anticipate.
Tru News Report observed that nearly 98% of the comments were negative, with some individuals advising him to remove the video due to potential repercussions, while others accused him of accepting bribes from McDan to promote his interests.
McDan’s feud with Ada people
Electrochem Ghana Limited, the salt mining company owned by McDan has been embroiled in an ongoing dispute with the people of Ada for nearly three years.
The conflict arose in 2020 when Electrochem obtained a lease from traditional leaders and government approval to mine salt in the Ada-Songor lagoon. The company argued that the lease would bring about development opportunities in the region, including job prospects for local youth.
However, the residents of Ada had mixed opinions on the project; some viewed it as beneficial, while others saw the privatization of the lagoon as a threat to their livelihood, as they also relied on salt mining for sustenance.
Despite protests from Ada’s youth, Electrochem proceeded with the project, which was inaugurated by President Akufo-Addo on August 30, 2023, and continued salt mining operations in the lagoon.
The Chief of the Terkpebiawe Clan in Ada and a prominent member of the Ada Songor Lagoon Association (ASLA) expressed in a press conference in January that the community would not permit the company to mine salt across a large portion of the lagoon.
“McDan has been given a place to work in the Lagoon and we entreat him to focus on his territory because we will not vacate our vast portion for him to operate.
He alone cannot feed us and our subjects; this is the source of livelihood of the people. You McDan have no right to be here, your presence in Ada is illegitimate and you cannot give us any ultimatum,” he asserted.
In a recent escalation of the conflict, one individual has been reported dead, and several others have been wounded following a shooting incident involving residents of Ada and Electrochem Ghana Limited.
“Today, these alleged land guards went to Toflokpo. The chief of the town informed me that when the landguards arrived, they began attacking anyone in sight.
The people of Toflokpo retaliated as well. Some residents of Ada stated that this is their source of livelihood, so if Electrochem takes over all the land, where will they find their source of income and livelihood?” he asked.
Meanwhile, check out some of the comments Tru News Report sighted in relation to the foregoing:
Tha Bishop Son: McDan has implemented a propaganda campaign by establishing a radio station in Ada and utilizing various platforms, like yours Wodemaya , to disseminate misinformation and conceal the true motives behind the political maneuvers he’s orchestrating in the region. Patience is the ability to outwait your adversary.
Anagbila Nehemiah Jackson: Hmmmmm is sad that, this Wodemaya guy has ceased from Objective pursuit of his career. The person who is using the security service to cease people’s daily bread from them. You are praising him
Chi Di Dear: Wodemaya, you are undeniably a great guy with many followers. Your responses to the contrasting views of your followers on this post smell like that of Akuffo Addo and NAPO(full of pride and arrogance). Don’t forget you are a nobody without your fans. Even if they disagree with you, being polite to them won’t cause you a thing. ICYST
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