The Office of the President has assured that President Akufo-Addo will review and respond to the petition submitted by the “Hands Off Our Hotels” protesters, who are opposing the sale of 60 percent shares in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel, a company owned by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

The protest, led by North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, culminated in the submission of the petition at the Jubilee House on Tuesday, June 18. Deputy Chief of Staff Emmanuel Adumuah Bossman, who received the petition on behalf of the President, expressed the administration's commitment to considering the protesters' concerns.

“We are delighted to receive the petition because it is part of the exercise of our democratic rights guaranteed under Chapter 5 of our constitution. We are also grateful that this procession and demonstration have taken place without any negative outcomes,” Bossman stated.

“I will submit the petition to the President, and I can assure you that it will be looked into, and appropriate measures will be taken as and when deemed fit.”

During the protest, Mr Ablakwa called on President Akufo-Addo to halt the sale of the SSNIT hotels, arguing that the transaction was not in the country's best interest.

He urged the President to ensure that profitable state assets are not sold and that workers' properties are not disposed of without their consent.

Mr Ablakwa also demanded that ministers and politically exposed persons be prevented from purchasing state assets, highlighting the need to stop the Blay family's alleged illegal encroachment on Labadi Hotel's beachfront.

Mr Ablakwa passionately addressed the crowd, emphasizing the protesters' determination to protect state assets from being sold to politicians.

“It has become the whole of Ghana versus the few lootocrats who are determined to continue with their state capture, and I am clear in my mind that they will have no choice but to listen,” he declared.

“Even if you don’t listen and you try to sell this hotel, how are they going to have access to the hotel? How? Because we will block that access. These are our assets, and we are saying you haven’t consulted us. Rest assured, we are confident these hotels will not be sold.”

The protest saw tensions escalate when police used pepper spray and tear gas to disperse the demonstrators, resulting in several injuries.

Mr Ablakwa confirmed to the media that some injured protesters had been transported to health facilities for treatment. He noted that some individuals collapsed after being pepper-sprayed without provocation and assured that he would visit the victims at the hospitals they had been admitted to.

As the nation awaits President Akufo-Addo's response, the “Hands Off Our Hotels” movement remains steadfast in its commitment to preventing the sale of SSNIT assets, asserting that the public must be consulted before any such transactions occur.