All is set for the “Hands off our hotels demonstration” on Tuesday June 18, 2024, led by National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, against the sale of four Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited.
Mr. Ablakwa stated that the protest aims to compel President Akufo-Addo to prevent the sale of these hotels. Addressing a news conference at the press centre on Monday, June 17, the MP confirmed that all arrangements for the demonstration are complete.
“We are very peaceful protestors and law-abiding as well. So, we can give the Ghanaian people the full assurances that this agreement with the Ghana Police Service will be adhered to,” he said, emphasizing his expectation for a peaceful protest and assuring that individuals attempting to incite chaos would be dealt with by the Ghana Police Service.
The MP noted that the group has reached an agreement with the Police to terminate the protest at the Christ the King Catholic Church close to the Jubilee House, contingent upon officials from the presidency meeting the demonstrators to receive their petition for submission to the President.
“We have agreed with the Police on the condition that the representatives of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will walk from the Jubilee House and meet us at the Christ the King Catholic Church to receive our petition,” he explained.
The protest will begin at 8:00am in front of the Labadi Beach Hotel, proceed to the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, and continue through Giffard Road leading to the Lands Commission.
Mr. Ablakwa has described the sale of the hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Ghana’s Minister of Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, as state capture. Consequently, he has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the transaction.
Since 2018, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has been on a mission to divest a 60% stake in six hotels within its portfolio – Labadi Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel.
Among the bidders, Bryan Acheampong, the current Minister for Food and Agriculture and owner of Rock City Hotel, reportedly submitted the strongest technical and financial proposal.
By Noble Crosby Annan
