'I have never purchased a state asset' - Ablakwa knocks NPP's Owusu-Bempah over CHRAJ petition

North Tongu Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has responded to a petition filed against him by Ernest Owusu-Bempah of the New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The petition is for the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to probe the MP over his supposed violation of a provision in the 1992 Constitution by engaging in a profitable venture without seeking approval from parliament.

Owusu-Bempah said the act contradicts the very constitution the MP swore an oath to uphold.

According to details of the petition made available to GhanaWeb, and dated Friday, June 7, 2024, Ernest Owusu-Bempah alleged that the North Tongu MP is the “director, sole shareholder, and beneficial owner of Volta Klenam Farms and Industries LTD, incorporated on 2nd September 2021.”

Ablakwa's response was via an X post dated, June 12, 2024.

The MP disclosed that the said project he is accused of profiting from was a yet-to-be-commenced constituency project.

"Media reports suggest that a certain doltish mercenary has dragged me to CHRAJ over a constituency farm project that is yet to commence operations," his post read in part.

"For the record, I have never purchased a state asset. Nothing will stop us from preventing the sale of our SSNIT hotels to Bryan Acheampong!

"And our resolve to initiate a Private Member’s Bill to ban the sale of state assets to politicians and politically exposed persons remains unwavering," the post added.

This is not the first time such an accusation has been levelled against the North Tongu MP. Last year, he dismissed a similar allegation of occupying an office for profit contrary to law.

"Discerning Ghanaians know crime & corruption are fighting back. Treat that phoney group with utter contempt. I do not owe taxes neither am I operating any business or farm.

"The GRA has not issued any demand or tax default notice directed at me. We cannot be intimidated!" his post of February 2023 read.

Media reports suggest that a certain doltish mercenary has dragged me to CHRAJ over a constituency farm project that is yet to commence operations.

For the record, I have never purchased a state asset.

Nothing will stop us from preventing the sale of our SSNIT hotels to Bryan…

— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) June 12, 2024