Management of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) are moving forward with plans to sell 60% of their stake in four hotels (previously six hotels) to Rock City Hotel owned by Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
This is despite agitations by Organised Labour and public outcry by the Ghanaian citizenry against the sale of the state assets to the Minister.
The decision by SSNIT to continue with the sale of its assets in the four hotels was disclosed by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablawaka during the NorvanReports and Economic Governance Platform (EGP) X Space Discussion on the topic “Fireside Tales of Public Deals: The SSNIT Story,” on Thursday, June 13, 2024.
According to Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa, SSNIT has told Rock City to go ahead and conduct its final due diligence on sale of the hotel assets.
“New information coming to me indicates that SSNIT wants to go ahead and sell its stake in the hotels to Rock City.
“They are adamant despite the pressure even from organised labour, and has told Rock City to go ahead and do its final due diligence on the transaction,” he quipped.
The MP for North Tongu Constituency has, however, noted that there will be a protest against the sale of SSNIT assets to the Minister for Agriculture on Tuesday, June 18, 2024.
“But on Tuesday, this coming Tuesday, we will protest against that decision and demonstrate to register our displeasure,” he added.
Speaking further on the X Space, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa noted that he is at the moment championing a private members bill that will ban politicians, public office holders, and politically exposed persons from buying state-owned assets.
Background
The reported sale of SSNIT’s stake in six hotels was raised by the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
He has since petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the various allegations, including conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism and graft.
In his petition, Mr Ablakwa highlights what he views as violations of constitutional provisions, specifically citing Articles 78 (3) and 98 (2) of the 1992 Constitution. He contends that these actions represent significant breaches of legal and ethical standards.
Additionally, in a Facebook post on Friday, May 17, 2024, Mr Ablakwa argued that Bryan Acheampong’s alleged involvement in the hotel sale without the permission of the Speaker of Parliament constitutes a breach of parliamentary protocol regarding holding offices of profit.
This, according to Mr Ablakwa, is a serious violation that requires thorough investigation and accountability.
“In my petition, I am inviting CHRAJ to investigate grave matters bordering on conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.”
“I have also drawn attention to blatant violations of Article 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution as diligent checks from Parliament’s Committee on Office of Profit reveal that Hon. Bryan Acheampong has not applied and does not have the permission of the Speaker of Parliament to hold an office of profit,” he wrote.
Source: Norvanreports