The recent SSNIT Hotel Transaction has sparked a debate, raising concerns about the independence of a critical state institution. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the MP for North Tongu, has organized an open protest, adding further complexity to the situation.
The main issue revolves around SSNIT’s ability to independently divest its shares in certain hotels. Mr Richard Ahiagbah, the Director of Communications of the NPP, raised questions about the fairness of the process, particularly as Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, and his company, Rock City, were the winning bidders.
Mr Ahiagbah wrote on his X platform that the procurement process began in 2018, five years before Bryan Acheampong assumed his ministerial role. According to him, this negates any conflict of interest.
Critics argue that the core of the issue lies in whether Rock City’s bid was truly competitive.
Mr Ahiagbah dismissed this assertion and called for concrete evidence to support it. He expressed his willingness to join any demonstration that provides proof of bias in the bidding process or demonstrates that Rock City did not win the bid competitively.
The SSNIT hotel saga involves the sale of SSNIT’s stake in four hotels to Bryan Acheampong, who also serves as the Minister for Food and Agriculture and MP for Abetifi. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, a Member of Parliament for North Tongu, has been at the forefront of a demonstration against this sale.
