OKUDZETO RAISES ALARM OVER SSNIT ATTEMPTS TO SELL 60% SHARE OF ITS HOTELS TO ROCK CITY HOTEL LIMITED OWNED BY HON. BRYAN ACHEAMPONG,

Okudzeto Raises Alarm: SSNIT’s Proposed 60% Hotel Share Sale to Rock City Hotel, Owned by Hon. Bryan Acheampong, Sparks Concerns”

A fresh controversy has erupted following a petition filed with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and halt the sale of six Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to  Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture.

The petition was initiated by Samuel Okudjeto-Ablakwa, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region disclosed the development on Accra-based Metro TV’s “Good Morning Ghana” programme.

The petitioner alleges that documents intercepted in his possession confirm SSNIT is in the advanced stages of selling a controlling 60% stake in six of its hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, a company owned by Mr  Bryan Acheampong, the Member of Parliament for Abetifi and Minister for Food and Agriculture.

According to him, Mr Acheampong is reported to be the director and sole beneficial owner of Rock City Hotel Limited in the Eastern Region.

Hotels Involved in the Sale

The six SSNIT hotels reportedly being sold are:

Labadi Beach Hotel

La Palm Royal Beach Resort

Elmina Beach Resort

Ridge Royal Hotel

Busua Beach Resort

Trust Lodge Hotel

In the petition, the petitioner calls on CHRAJ to investigate serious concerns involving conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.

The petition also highlights potential violations of Article 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution.

It is noted that Mr. Bryan Acheampong has not sought nor received the permission of the Speaker of Parliament to hold an office of profit, as required by the Constitution.

The petitioner referenced a precedent from 2008 when he and Dr. Omane Boamah took legal action against the late Mr Jake Obetsebi Lamptey over attempts to purchase his official bungalow.

The petitioner emphasized that it is unethical and reprehensible for public officials, especially Ministers of State, to be involved in purchasing state assets.

Additionally, the petition questions the rationale behind selling these SSNIT hotels, which are reportedly very profitable.

There is also significant concern about potential job losses if the sale to Bryan Acheampong is finalized.

The petitioner has called on the public and relevant authorities to help prevent this transaction, which he describes as opaque and unethical, from proceeding.

He urged vigilance against state capture and emphasized the need to protect national interests.