The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised doubts about the capability of Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, to revamp the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels he intends to purchase through his company, Rock City Hotel Limited.
Speaking to the media during a protest against the transaction at Labadi Beach Hotel, Mr. Ablakwa criticized the deal as part of what he called the Akufo-Addo-led government’s looting of state assets. He pointed out that while Labadi Beach Hotel and Ridge Royal are profitable, Rock City Hotel Limited has been consistently reporting losses.
Mr. Ablakwa questioned the argument that Mr. Acheampong has expertise in hotel management, highlighting that Rock City Hotel Limited had incurred losses and failed to pay taxes last year, according to GRA filings.
The MP had earlier raised concerns about SSNIT selling 60% of its stake in the hotels to a minister, and he challenged the notion that Mr. Acheampong could improve the performance of the state-owned hotels.
Furthermore, Mr. Ablakwa criticized Mr. Acheampong for not utilizing his expertise for national benefit while serving as a cabinet minister, accusing him of reserving his skills for his private ventures.
The controversy surrounding the sale of the SSNIT hotels has sparked debate about the government’s handling of state assets and the criteria for selecting investors for such transactions. The outcome of this dispute remains uncertain, with potential legal and political implications for all parties involved.