'Be accountable accurately' - Akufo-Addo’s lawyer slams Ablakwa over hotel sale saga

Kow Essuman, lawyer to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, has taken on the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, over his comments regarding the sale of some hotels to Bryan Acheampong’s company, Rock City Hotel Limited.

He noted that the Social Security and Insurance Trust (SSNIT) statement that was released recently shows that Rock City began negotiations for procurement in 2022 and not 2018 as Ablakwa made known to the public.

Essuman stated that Ablakwa should be circumspect when coming out with information to hold political leaders accountable because any peddling of falsehood could mar their reputations.

"Bro, sometimes you should take your time and read your own statements/posts. What started in November 2018 was the procurement process for the transaction adviser - see paragraph 4 of the SSNIT statement. The procurement process for the strategic partner commenced in February 2022 - see paragraph 7 of the SSNIT statement.

"In other words, Rock City came into the picture after February 2022 and not November 2018 as you sought to imply in your post. Accountability is good but let’s be accountable accurately," Essuman wrote on his X page.

The president’s lawyer said this following allegations by Ablakwa that six hotels belonging to the state-owned SSNIT were being sold to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, 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 as compared to the others.

View the tweet below:

Bro, sometimes you should take your time and read your own statements/posts. What started in November 2018 was the procurement process for the transaction adviser - see paragraph 4 of the SSNIT statement. The procurement process for the strategic partner commenced on in February… https://t.co/3KXm1JsS3u

— Kow Essuman (@kaessuman) May 20, 2024