Elizabeth Ohene, the Board Chair of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), has publicly justified the organization’s decision to divest a 60 percent interest in several hotels.
In an opinion piece published in the state-owned Daily Graphic, she stressed that she would accept full accountability and face prosecution if any corruption is uncovered in the procedure.
In her article titled “Coming out of the hotels,” Elizabeth Ohene addressed the controversy surrounding the sale of shares to Rock City Limited, owned by Minister for Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong.
She expressed bewilderment over allegations of secrecy and government involvement in the divestiture process, underscoring that the decision to seek a strategic investor was made transparently and did not require governmental consent.
Ohene highlighted that the SSNIT Board’s actions have always been guided by the principle that pension funds are sacrosanct and that every decision should endure public scrutiny.
She assured that the selection of Rock City as the preferred bidder was conducted cleanly, adhering to all rules and regulations.
The Board Chair also addressed the political implications of the issue, noting that it is an election year and the owner of Rock City is a Minister of State.
She clarified that the discussion should center on whether SSNIT is permitted to seek private sector investment for its hotels, rather than on the political affiliations of the bidder.
Ohene’s stance comes amidst a campaign led by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, who has accused the SSNIT Board and management of various wrongdoings, including abuse of power and lack of transparency.
In response, Ohene has called for all of God’s Angels and Ghana’s investigative agencies to examine the process and confirm its integrity.
As Board Chair for SSNIT, Elizabeth Ohene emphasized her commitment to taking responsibility and facing prosecution if any investigation discovers evidence of corruption in the process.
“Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa claims to have God and Ghana on the side of his campaign, and I would hope all of God’s Angels and Ghana’s investigative agencies, temporal and spiritual, would examine the process and tell the world if they find any irregularity or trace of corrupt practice. Indeed, if they should find any evidence of corruption, I will assume and accept responsibility and expect to be prosecuted,” she wrote.