Ghanaian journalist Kwabena Marfo has expressed concerns regarding the sale of 60% shares of certain state hotels by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to the Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
Marfo noted that he is disappointed in President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for not preventing his cabinet minister from acquiring a state asset.
The Peace FM journalist questioned Acheampong’s decision to purchase hotels that, according to SSNIT, are operating at a loss, despite the apparent risks.
Speaking on Neat FM, Marfo criticized President Akufo-Addo for permitting such actions during his administration.
“SSNIT justifies the sale by stating the hotels are unprofitable, but why would anyone buy a business that doesn’t yield profits? Would we have elected Akufo-Addo if he had pledged this?
“Why would the president remain passive and allow the project to be handed over to Bryan Acheampong? Is he unaware of the 60% shares sold to Bryan? Why did the president consent to this being sold to a cabinet minister?” Marfo questioned.
The broadcaster said this following allegations by Okudzeto Ablakwa that six hotels belonging to the state-owned SSNIT were being sold to Bryan Acheampong.
In a post shared on social media on Friday, May 17, 2024, the MP indicated that documents he had intercepted show that negotiations to sell 60% of the shares of the six SSNIT hotels to the minister’s Rock City Hotel Limited were far advanced.
The North Tongu legislator pointed out that the sale of state properties to government officials constitutes an abuse of power and should not be allowed to happen.
“Intercepted documents in my possession confirm that SSNIT is far advanced in selling a controlling 60% stake in six of its hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Hon. Bryan Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi and Minister for Food and Agriculture. Hon. Acheampong is a director and the sole beneficial owner of Rock City Hotel Limited.
“The six SSNIT hotels being sold are: Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel,” he wrote.
Ablakwa further disclosed that he had petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and stop the minister from acquiring the hotels.
However, a statement released by SSNIT stated that Rock City Hotel Limited presented the best offer for the procurement of the 4 hotels compared to the others.
Bryan Acheampong has vehemently refuted the claims and called on the MP to provide evidence to that effect.
Watch the video below:
Per what Kwabena Marfo is saying, I can confidently say president Akufo-Addo and Bawumia have endorsed Bryan Acheampong’s dubious SSNIT deal .
Criminals nkoaaa akai pic.twitter.com/wbe36r6hZM
— Mahama 2024 (@CitizenTechiman) June 21, 2024