The Member of Parliament (MP) 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 the 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.

Mr 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.

Mr 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.

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.