Sale of SSNIT Hotels: We will stage the biggest demo, embark on series of strikes – Ablakwa dares

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa says the government should expect nationwide demonstration if it continues with the sale of a 60% stake in four Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to Rock City.

The NPRA on June 28 issued a directive to the SSNIT board demanding it suspend all processes seeking to engage Rock City Hotel Limited as a strategic investor.

But answering a question on the floor of parliament on July 11, Minister for Employment, Labour Relations and Pensions, Ignatius Baffour Awuah disclosed, that NPRA has given SSNIT the green light to proceed with the sale.

“Yes, it is true that NPRA came up with a directive, but I would appreciate it if my brother, my colleague, really read the directive from NPRA. It said it needed to be furnished with all information relating to the sale of the hotels, which SSNIT has since done that.”

“So, as a minister, I can tell you on authority that NPRA has since indicated that they have seen the processes, and they think that SSNIT can go ahead”, the minister disclosed.

But reacting to the development in an interview with Starr News, Mr. Ablakwa demanded that NPRA must publish the outcome of the review if they are proud of it.

“We challenge the NPRA to publish the outcome of the review if they are proud of what they have done. If the review is superior to what the transaction advisor has done if they know they have engaged in legitimate transparent work, they should publish the review that they have done, subjected to public scrutiny, and let us see that indeed this transaction is above board”, he demanded.

The lawmaker who led the crusade against the sale including leading the “Hands Off Our Hotels Demonstration” has hinted at a nationwide demonstration if the government dares to complete the transaction.

“We are going to stage the biggest demonstration on this matter across the country. The resistance will continue. We will work with organized labor. There will be strikes. There is absolutely no way we are going to allow this obnoxious transaction to continue”, he assured.