By North Tongu’s Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has voiced profound apprehensions regarding the Social Security and National Insurance Trust’s (SSNIT) choice to divest 60 percent of its shares in six hotels to Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
During his appearance on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr. Ablakwa scrutinized the reasoning behind this action, emphasizing that the hotels in question are thriving and yielding substantial profits.
The legislator deems the decision dubious, asserting that it appears to disadvantage Ghanaian workers, prompting further scrutiny.
“That policy decision doesn’t make sense to me and I am sure many Ghanaians agree with me, and I am happy that yesterday [Monday], Organised Labour Unions came out to say that they oppose the decision,”he stated.
Mr. Ablakwa also underscored the absence of consultation with key stakeholders, such as organized labor unions and the legislative body.
“Shockingly, such a major decision which involves hotels that belong to Ghanaian workers was made without consulting organised labour and unions,” he said.
This omission, as per the outspoken politician, raises serious questions about the processes of policy formulation and implementation in the country.
He advocated for a more inclusive approach to such significant decisions, emphasizing that even Parliament was not consulted, highlighting the need for broader participation in decision-making processes.
“These are national assets, they don’t belong to you, and it is not your private property. So why don’t you engage in broad national consultation?”he questioned.
Recent Development:
Mr. Ablakwa has submitted a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), urging an investigation into the transaction between SSNIT and RockCity Hotel Limited.
His petition outlines various allegations, including conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.
The hotels subject to scrutiny in the petition are Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel.
However, SSNIT has clarified that only four of the hotels successfully underwent the bidding process.
Nevertheless, Organized Labour has voiced opposition to the move and has threatened industrial action.
