President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has directed the Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Baffour Awuah, to meet with organised Labour on the proposed sale of SSNIT’s stake in some four hotels to Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture.
The directive from the President follows a meeting with Organised Labour on the matter.
The labour union and civil society organisations have vehemently opposed the arrangement between the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Mr Bryan Acheampong.
This follows the revelation by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP for North Tongu. He accused the Abetifi lawmaker of conflict of interest, misuse of authority, violation of due process, procurement violations, cronyism, and graft.
He cited Articles 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution, highlighting what he believes are violations of these constitutional provisions.
Mr Ablakwa subsequently filed a petition at the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to probe the arrangement and stop the sale.
Additionally, Mr Ablakwa has served notice to the Ghana Police Service for a demonstration against SSNIT’s action. He maintained that the latest documents he’d intercepted after his petition to CHRAJ on May 17 show that the trust is going ahead with the transaction.
However, the Management of SSNIT, in a statement issued on May 19 in response to the allegations by Mr Ablakwa stated, amongst other things, that SSNIT followed due processes to diversify its stake in the hotels.
Furthermore, SSNIT said Rock City Hotel presented one of the best offers amongst the companies that bid for the deal.
“Accordingly, SSNIT went through International Competitive Tendering (ICT) processes as prescribed by the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (ACT 663), as amended by ACT 914, for the selection of a strategic investor.
“The primary objective of finding a strategic investor is to increase efficiency, profitability, shareholder value, and the long-term sustainability of the SSNIT Pension Scheme.”
“Based on the criteria set out in the RFP, Rock City Hotel submitted the best and strongest technical and financial proposal amongst those received. Consequently, it is in negotiation with SSNIT to buy a 60% stake in each of the four (4) hotels ( Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel and Elmina Beach Resort),” SSNIT said in its May 19 press statement.