The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), John Dramani Mahama, has pledged to investigate and reclaim state lands allegedly misappropriated under the current NPP government.
The former president accused the President Akufo-Addo and Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia government of “disposing off state lands and properties at an unprecedented rate”.
In a post on X on Thursday, June 20, Mr Mahama emphasised that such actions cannot continue unchecked, and he is determined to ensure that these lands are reclaimed for the state when elected to lead the country.
“The Akufo-Addo and Bawumia government is disposing off state lands and properties at an unprecedented rate. When elected, my administration will prioritise the investigation and re-possession of these lands,” he posted .
Mr Mahama’s concerns come at a time most families and land owners in Accra and Kumasi have raised issues about their properties being encroached upon by persons related to high officials in government with armed security officials.
Background
Similarly, there have been concerns against the sale of a 60 percent stake in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to powerful persons closer to government.
The hotels, including the popular La palm Beach Hotel in Accra, Royal Ridge Hotel, and Busua Beach Hotel, are being sold to Rock City Hotel, which is owned by the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
The development triggered a street protest by SSNIT contributors and some labour groups led by the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
Dubbed ‘Hands off our hotels’, the protest on Tuesday, June 18, aimed at compelling the president to prevent the sale of these hotels to the detriment of Ghanaian workers who contribute monthly to SSNIT.
Despite the agitations by some labour unions and civil society organisations, spokepersons of the ruling NPP have jumped to the defence of the minister whom anti-corruption crusaders have accused of dabbling in conflict of interest.
The rapid sale of state properties, Mahama states, undermine public trust and deprives future generations of valuable national assets.
Meanwhile Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture who has come under fire for his role in the controversy, has affirmed his hotel’s strong financial standing and ability to purchase the 60 percent shares of SSNIT in the four hotels.
He said in an interview with Citi FM’s Umaru Sanda Amadu that Rock City Hotel “grows on the back of the investors”, stressing that he is well positioned to take over the state properties in question.
“It grows on the back of the stakeholders and whatever we can leverage to grow…Look at the document that was presented to SSNIT. They have more than the capacity to enter into the transaction and more than the capacity to do so. Much more than the capacity.”
“I mean this is the company that currently has 1000 rooms here in Kwahu. 1000 rooms. And in two or three years, they will add another 2000 rooms. This is the biggest hotel in Africa,” he elaborated,” he added.
