Today, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, will lead a protest against the sale of a 60% stake in four SSNIT-owned hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Food and Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong. Ablakwa, Organised Labour, and other stakeholders are contesting the selection process that led to Rock City’s acquisition of the hotels, citing lack of transparency, potential conflicts of interest, and violations of the Public Procurement Act.
The four hotels in question are the Labadi Beach Hotel, the Alisa Hotel, the Accra City Hotel, and the Kumasi City Hotel, which are strategic national assets and significant contributors to the country’s tourism industry. The sale, worth GHc 120 million, has sparked widespread outrage and accusations of state capture, cronyism, and corruption.
In an interview with Kofi Tutu News, Ablakwa argued that the protest aims to pressure the government to terminate the sale, citing concerns about state capture, conflict of interest, and the potential loss of revenue for the state. He questioned why Acheampong, as a cabinet member, did not use his expertise to benefit the hotels while serving in government instead of acquiring them personally.
“This is a clear case of state capture, where government appointees are using their positions to enrich themselves,” Ablakwa said. “We will not stand idly by while the nation’s assets are looted by those in power. The people of Ghana demand transparency, accountability, and good governance.”
Ablakwa emphasized that the transaction reeks of state capture, urging a massive turnout at the protest to send a strong message to the president. The protest seeks to halt the sale, ensure that SSNIT’s assets benefit the nation, and push for a comprehensive investigation into the deal.
The protest is scheduled to begin at 9:00 AM at the Independence Square in Accra, and will feature speakers from various political and civil society organizations, including the Trades Union Congress, the Ghana Journalists Association, and the Ghana Bar Association.
Source:kofitutunews.com
