National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Twifo Atti Morkwa, David Vondee, has come to the defense of embattled Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong.
The minister has faced widespread criticism for the planned acquisition of a major stake in several hotels owned by the state-run pensions organization, SSNIT.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, NDC MP for North Tongu, has led the charge, accusing Acheampong of a conflict of interest through his Rock City Hotel company, which is seeking to buy the SSNIT shares.
While Ablakwa and the Minority Caucus in parliament are calling for the deal to be canceled, the Twifo Atti Morkwa MP argues that their focus is misplaced. He believes the NDC and other critics should target SSNIT, the entity selling the state asset, and not businessman Bryan Acheampong.
“I am very differing on the Bryan issue. Bryan is my friend so I talk about it differently. If you are selling something and I seek to buy it legally, under normal circumstances, I will buy it.
“So why is SSNIT that is seeking to sell our property being excused? And I don’t know how the NDC will understand me. Why is SSNIT being left off the hook and Bryan is being attacked frontally?
“By all standards, Bryan is a businessman, I am a businessman, if you think you don’t want to sell the hotels, stop the deal. The fact is that it is not good for the young man’s business,” he submitted on Accra-based Asempa FM on June 19.