'If I were sloppy, I wouldn't have succeeded in exposing your government's lootocratic schemes' – Ablakwa to Akufo-Addo’s lawyer

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has responded to criticism from President Akufo-Addo's counsel regarding his recent exposé on the sale of six state-owned hotels by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

Akufo-Addo’s lawyer, Kow Essuman, pointed out that the SSNIT statement released showed that Bryan Acheampong's Rock City began negotiations for the purchase of the six hotels in 2022, not 2018 as Ablakwa had claimed.

Essuman advised Ablakwa to be cautious when presenting information to hold political leaders accountable, as spreading falsehoods could damage 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 accurate," Essuman wrote in a post shared on his X page on Monday, May 20, 2024.

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In response, Ablakwa reiterated that he had shared accurate information about the transaction between SSNIT and Bryan Acheampong's company. He also urged Essuman to carefully read his posts to avoid misinterpretation.

Ablakwa emphasized that his meticulousness in exposing corruption within the Akufo-Addo government had been crucial in uncovering many fraudulent activities.

“I stated accurately that the procurement processes commenced a year before Rock City started its operations. I also accurately submitted that Rock City, midway through the procurement process, had apparently gathered superior financial and technical capacity than all those it competed with, as SSNIT wants us to believe.

“The procurement processes for the sale of SSNIT's 60% stake in the six hotels under consideration did not commence in 2022. If I were sloppy, I wouldn't have succeeded in exposing many of your government's lootocratic schemes,” the MP wrote via X on May 20 in response to Kow Essuman.

He concluded by stating, “You either help us protect the public purse and state assets as your boss promised, or you better stop standing in our way!.”

Background:

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa recently alleged that six hotels belonging to SSNIT are being sold to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

In a post shared on social media on Friday, 17 May 2024, the MP indicated that documents he has intercepted show that negotiations to sell 60% of the shares of the six SSNIT hotels to the minister’s Rock City Hotel Limited are 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.

He added, “The six SSNIT hotels being sold are: Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel.”

Ablakwa disclosed that he had petitioned the Commission for Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and stop the minister from acquiring the hotels.

He said the minister’s actions not only constitute an abuse of power but also point to a lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, graft, and a violation of the Constitution of Ghana.

SSNIT has also stated it is selling 60% shares of the six hotels to Bryan Acheampong’s company because they presented the best offer.

It also stated the shares of the hotels were advertised for every interested person to make a bid.

BAI/AE

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