Deputy Chairperson of the Campaign Team for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) flagbearer, Nana Akomea, has criticized the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over his recent comments on the sale of state-owned Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
Nana Akomea pointed out that while Mr Ablakwa has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate Bryan Acheampong regarding the transaction, he is making statements as if the minister has already committed a crime.
“Sammy Okudzeto has already pronounced on the matter. He is calling it sleazy and all kinds of accusations, which I don’t think is right.
“You must be careful with these matters. You’re calling people out for what you call engaging in sleazy acts, but you have called for an investigation by CHRAJ,” he chided the MP.
Mr. Ablakwa has petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and halt the minister from acquiring the following hotels: Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel.
He argued that the minister’s actions not only constitute an abuse of power but also indicate a lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, graft, and a violation of the Constitution of Ghana.
SSNIT has also clarified that it is selling 60% shares of the six hotels to Bryan Acheampong’s company because they presented the best offer. The shares of the hotels were advertised for all interested parties to bid on.
Nana Akomea also made some startling revelations, which are yet to be confirmed, in reaction to the concerns that have stemmed from the sale of state-owned Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
The Managing Director of Intercity STC Coaches Limited indicated that some properties of SSNIT have been sold to politicians including leading members of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), in the past.
The STC boss, who is a former MP and former Minister of Information, went on to list properties of SSNIT that were sold to leading members of the NDC without mentioning names, which were sent to him by a staff member of SSNIT.
“The minority owner of the SSNIT hotel in Cape Coast is a high-ranking NDC member. When this person bought it, the NDC was in power. The catering rest house in Tamale was also bought by somebody who is a high-ranking NDC member.
“The catering rest house in Sunyani was also bought by a high-ranking NDC member. The catering rest house in Kumasi was also bought by a high-ranking NDC member,” he stated.
Nana Akomea made these remarks during a panel discussion on Metro TV’s Good Morning Ghana programme on May 17, 2024.
He further mentioned that unlike the NDC bigwigs who purchased SSNIT properties while they were in power, Bryan Acheampong has demonstrated his ability to revitalize hotels that are not profitable.
“Now these people are not even known to be hoteliers, unlike Bryan Acheampong, who has put up what people call the biggest hotel in Africa on his own, and so he is eminently qualified to run hotels that are failing,” he emphasised.
He also suggested that the CHRAJ investigation should be broadened to encompass all SSNIT properties that were sold to politicians, including members of the NDC.