Spokesperson and communications director of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Nana Akomea has downplayed the essence of the #Handsoffourhotels demo which was held yesterday June 18, 2024 at the Labadi Beach Hotel.
Organized by North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the protest aimed to oppose the sale of Social Security and National Insurance Trust’s (SSNIT) 60% stake in four hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Member of Parliament for Abetifi Bryan Acheampong.
Ablakwa cited lack of due process and violation of procurement procedures in the sale.
However, member of Dr Bawumia’s campaign communications team member, believes the protest was unnecessary as the North Tongu MP had already presented the case to Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ).
It is an independent government agency in Ghana responsible for promoting and protecting human rights, investigating complaints of human rights violations, and addressing issues related to administrative justice.
Speaking on Peace FM’s Kokrokoo morning show on Tuesday June 18, 2024 Nana Akomea stated that “I mean the case is with CHRAJ hence I don’t see the need for a demonstration. You have gone ahead to organise a demonstration when the case is still in the hands CHRAJ”.
According to him, the discontent, strife, and anger surrounding the Rock City Hotel owner’s purchase of shares in the Labadi Beach Hotel are due to his political affiliations.
He cited an expectation of a different reaction if the purchaser had been someone politically neutral or of a different political persuasion.
“I accept that the person who won the bid for the shares in the hotel sis the problem now. Because whatever you do Bryan is a senior member of the party. Hence assets owned by SSNIT being sold to him would become a problem because he is politically exposed.
When he is taken out, we have to look at the objective figures”.
Derailing Ablakwa’s claims of lack of transparency and murky in SSNIT dealings with Bryan’s Rock City Hotel, Akomea believes that “good look at SSNIT approach and mechanism of dealing with this sale is so transparent”.