By Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has announced his intention to lead a public protest against the sale of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Ghana’s Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
The former Deputy Education Minister has already petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the transaction. However, Ablakwa feels compelled to take further action as information available to him indicates that, despite widespread opposition, the processes to finalize the deal are still ongoing.
Citing CHRAJ’s typically thorough but time-consuming investigative process, Ablakwa is concerned that the transaction could be completed before the Commission concludes its investigation. Therefore, he believes it is necessary to increase public pressure on SSNIT to halt the deal.
“We are ready to hit the streets, and we have notified the Ghana Police,” he stated on the Joy Super Morning Show on Monday.
Mr. Ablakwa also hinted that he is collaborating with some lawyers to draft a private member’s bill aimed at prohibiting the sale of state assets to politicians.
“In the coming days, I shall be sponsoring a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to expressly prevent politicians and politically exposed persons from participating directly or indirectly in the purchase of state assets. The objective will be to legally block all loopholes in the current legal regime which some politicians appear to be exploiting.
“After 16 years of crusading against politicians purchasing state assets under conflict of interest, opaque, abuse of power and unethical circumstances; I believe it is time to have a strong piece of legislation with deterrent sanctions to end the canker.
Regarding his notification to the police about the protest, Mr. Ablakwa disclosed that he had received a call from the Accra Regional Police Commander acknowledging the notice.
“I have served the Ghana Police Service with a notice of demonstration because the latest documents I have intercepted reveal that the parties involved are proceeding with the sale and purchase of state assets. The petition at CHRAJ has not halted their actions, as they are exploiting a loophole in the CHRAJ law, which does not grant injunction powers.”
“I want to scale up the public agitation and the pressure and get all of these public officials who are not acting in our interest to listen to the public anger and stop all they are doing.
“So in compliance with the public order, Act 419. I have notified the police that on June 18, 2024, at 9am, we shall be leading a public demonstration against this sale. We intend to start in front of Labadi Beach and proceed through La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, through the Ministries and then end at the jubilee house where we intend to present a petition to His Excellency Akufo-Addo.
Mr. Ablakwa expressed his expectation that the president would intervene to prevent his appointees from proceeding with the transaction.
“All of those who are acting, the people selling our SSNIT, his cabinet Minister who is keen on buying, they are all his appointees, and he told us that if people want to come into his government to make money they should know that, his government is no place for them, they should go to the private sector and make money, so I’m wondering what’s going on, “he said.
Ablakwa noted that it has been more than a week since the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and the Coalition of Civil Society Organisations Against Corruption held a press conference urging the president to intervene directly, yet he has remained silent.
