Sale of SSNIT stake in hotels: ‘We need to uphold principle’ – Appiah Danquah

A leading member of Movement for Change (M4C), Andrew Appiah Danquah, has stated that Ghanaians should uphold principle and rise against the sale of SSNIT’s 60 percent stake in four hotels to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

He said that the NPP, including himself, rose against former President John Mahama for attempting to give mining exploration concessions to Exton Cubic, a company owned by businessman Ibrahim Mahama.

Speaking on TV3 New Day on Tuesday, June 18, the former member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who has crossed the carpet to join Alan Kyerematen’s Movement for Change, expressed grave concerns about the sale of the SSNIT’s stake to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by the Abetifi MP, Mr Bryan Acheampong.

“So many of the issues we discussed in this country are about the people of Ghana because, really, if you understand how our constitution is supposed to work, sovereign power resides in us so it is our responsibility where those powers are being used for the adverse purpose for which we granted them, every single Ghanaian stands up and speaks.”

“I’ve commended Okudzeto [Ablakwa] a number of times and I’m going to do so again…there is a problem about lack of principle also in this country. I recall the uproar from the NPP, myself included when His Excellency [former president] John Mahama attempted to give some bauxite concessions to his brother Ibrahim.

“Why immediately, when the [party] colour of the people changes, then what is wrong becomes good? We need to uphold principle. Good is good and bad is bad, so the same uproar should be seen and heard in this very nauseous issue,” he stated.

Rock City Hotel offered the best price ?

Meanwhile, the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), in response to the allegations by North Tongu Member of Parliament Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, said, among other things, that  Rock City Hotel Limited presented the best offer for the purchase of SSNIT’s 60% stake in each of the four hotels.

“Based on the criteria set out in the RFP, Rock City Hotel submitted the best and strongest technical and financial proposal amongst those received. Consequently, it is in negotiation with SSNIT to buy a 60% stake in each of the four (4) hotels (Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel and Elmina Beach Resort),” SSNIT said in its May 19 press statement.

‘Hands off our Hotels’ demo underway

Meanwhile, the North Tongu lawmaker leads a demonstration dubbed ‘Hands Off Our Hotels’, calling on the President to halt the sale of the SSNIT hotels.

Mr Ablakwa said in May, “This demonstration becomes absolutely crucial because of the latest intercepted documents, which reveal that SSNIT is proceeding with the transaction despite my CHRAJ complaint and despite the palpable public outrage.”

Scores of Ghanaians, including the Minority in Parliament, have thrown their weight behind the MP to register their displeasure about the deal.

The demonstrators are expected to present a petition to President Nana Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.