Why would you sell national assets without broader consultation? – Ablakwa questions SSNIT

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has raised significant concerns regarding the Social Security and National Insurance Trust’s (SSNIT) decision to sell 60 percent of its shares in six hotels to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

Speaking on the matter on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Ablakwa questioned the rationale behind this move adding that, the said hotels are healthy and generating good profits.

The lawmaker therefore finds the decision questionable insisting that it is a move to “shortchange Ghanaian workers.”

“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 highlighted the lack of consultation with key stakeholders, including organised labour unions and the legislature.

“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, according to the outspoken politician, raises serious questions about the processes of policy formulation and implementation in the country.

He called for a more inclusive approach to such significant decisions, stressing that even Parliament was not consulted.

“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.

Mr Ablakwa has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to probe the transaction between SSNIT and RockCity Hotel Limited.

He is seeking investigation into various allegations, including conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.

The hotels under scrutiny 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.

But SSNIT has since clarified that only four of the hotels successfully went through the bid.

Nonetheless, Organised Labour has kicked against the move and threatened an industrial action.