The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has clarified its choice to sell a 60% stake in four of its hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Bryan Acheampong, Ghana’s Minister for Food and Agriculture and New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament for Abetifi Constituency.
In a statement released on Sunday, May 19, SSNIT explained that Rock City Hotel Limited submitted the strongest technical and financial proposal among the bids received, meeting the criteria outlined in the Request for Proposals (RFP).
SSNIT affirmed that the selection process was transparent and strictly followed the Public Procurement Act, highlighting that no favoritism was involved in choosing Rock City Hotel Limited.
The Trust stated that the decision to seek an investor was aimed at raising capital for further hotel investments and improving their management. This initiative commenced in 2018 through International Competitive Tendering (ICT) procedures to ensure a fair and competitive selection process.
In its press release, SSNIT elaborated on the process, indicating that it began in November 2018 with the engagement of a Transaction Advisor. The Trust emphasized that the Advisor’s role was to facilitate the selection of a strategic investor to partner with SSNIT in the management and enhancement of the hotels.
“Based on the criteria set out in the RFP, Rock City Hotel submitted the best and strongest technical and financial proposal amongst those received. Consequently, it is in negotiation with SSNIT to buy a 60% stake in each of the four (4) hotels (Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel and Elmina Beach Resort).
“Bids for Busua Beach Resort and the Trust Lodge were considered to be unsuccessful so they are no longer part of the hotels covered in this process,” an excerpt of their statement said.
Following a formal petition submitted by North Tongu MP, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), an investigation has been initiated into the process surrounding the sale of six hotels.
The hotels listed in the petition include Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel.
SSNIT, however, clarified that successful bids were received for only four hotels, not the entire six as asserted by the MP.
Mr. Ablakwa’s petition calls for an investigation into various allegations, such as conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.
In his petition, Mr. Ablakwa highlights perceived violations of constitutional provisions, specifically referencing Articles 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution, arguing that these actions constitute significant breaches of legal and ethical standards.
Furthermore, in a Facebook post on Friday, May 17, Mr. Ablakwa contends that Bryan Acheampong’s alleged involvement in the hotel sale without the Speaker of Parliament’s permission breaches parliamentary protocol concerning holding offices of profit. According to Mr. Ablakwa, this is a serious transgression necessitating 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 said.