Sale of SSNIT Hotels: Bryan Acheampong reacts to Ablakwa’s allegations

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, has for the first time commented on the controversy surrounding his company, Rock City Hotel Limited, buying shares of hotels belonging to the state-owned Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), after details of the deal were shared by the MP for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.

Speaking in an interview on Joy FM on Tuesday, May 21, 2024, Bryan Acheampong, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Abetifi, refuted the claim by the North Tongu legislator that there was something untoward with his company's move to buy the shares in the SSNIT hotels.

He clarified that "there is no breach" as asserted by Ablakwa because he is not involved in the management of Rock City.

He stated that even though he owns Rock City, he is not a director of the company as claimed, according to 3news.com reports.

“I wish to state that there is a difference between Bryan Acheampong and Rock City. I own the company; I am the vision bearer, and that is what I have tasked them with. Occasionally, I check on the progress being made with the vision.

“Rock City pays contributions for about 1,000 staff to SSNIT. You can check whether my name is on that list. I am not a director. I don’t make daily decisions for the company. I am a non-executive director,” the minister is quoted as saying.

Ablakwa 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 emphasised that the sale of state properties to government officials constitutes an abuse of power and should not be allowed to occur.

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

He said the minister’s actions not only constitute an abuse of power but also indicate 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% of the shares of the six hotels to Bryan Acheampong’s company because they presented the best offer.

It also indicated that shares of 4, not 6, of its hotels are being sold to Rock City, adding that the shares of the hotels were advertised for every interested person to make a bid.

BAI/AE

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