Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin
The Majority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to release relevant documents and provide clarification regarding its decision to sell 60% of its shares in various hotels.
These include the Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Labadi Beach Hotel, and Rock City Hotel, owned by Dr. Bryan Acheampong.
Speaking in an interview on Joy News, Afenyo-Markin stated, "Let me make this appeal to SSNIT; SSNIT must come out, make the documents available, and speak to it. I mean, they cannot be evasive. This is not a political matter. I cannot come and speak to it politically, condemn it, or commend it."
Concerns about a possible conflict of interest have been raised by stakeholders, including the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, who has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the transaction.
Ablakwa's petition alleges conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft, citing violations of Articles 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution.
In response, SSNIT has denied any wrongdoing, explaining in a press release that the process began in November 2018 with the employment of a Transaction Advisor to guide the selection of a strategic investor.
SSNIT mentioned that advertisements for an Expression of Interest (EOI) were published in the Daily Graphic, Ghanaian Times, and The Economist Magazine in early 2022.
Six out of nine companies that responded were shortlisted and issued Request for Proposal documents.
Despite SSNIT's denial of foul play, Afenyo-Markin insists on a detailed public explanation of the deal and other investments.
He believes that transparency will help stakeholders, such as the Trades Union Congress (TUC) and other labour unions, understand the situation better, focusing on the substance rather than the personalities involved.
"SSNIT must come out and not only explain this decision but also look at all their investments that are failing and explain them to the public. I am sure that TUC and other labour unions will understand if these things are explained, and they will look beyond Bryan Acheampong as a person and focus on the substance," Afenyo-Markin added.
NAY/OGB
