Okudzeto Ablakwa Petitions CHRAJ Over Proposed Sale of SSNIT Hotel Stakes to Bryan Acheampong

In a bold move aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability, Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has officially petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ). The petition addresses serious concerns regarding the alleged imminent sale of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)’s majority stake in six hotels, including the prominent Ridge Royale Hotel, to Rock City Hotel, owned by Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture.

Ablakwa’s petition highlights the potential conflict of interest and calls for a thorough investigation into the details of the proposed transaction. “This sale raises significant ethical and governance questions that warrant immediate scrutiny,” Ablakwa stated. “The public deserves full transparency regarding the sale of these valuable assets, especially when they are being acquired by a sitting minister.”

SSNIT, holding a 60% stake in the hotels, has been managing these assets on behalf of Ghanaian workers, whose pensions are partly funded by the investments made by the trust. The properties in question include high-value hotels that represent significant investments of public funds. The prospective sale to a private entity owned by a government official has sparked widespread debate and concern over potential conflicts of interest and the propriety of such a transaction.

Ablakwa’s petition to CHRAJ demands an exhaustive review of the circumstances surrounding the deal, including the valuation process, the selection of the buyer, and compliance with all legal and ethical standards. He asserts that the integrity of public office and the trust vested in SSNIT to manage public funds must be preserved.

“The transaction must be conducted with the highest level of transparency and accountability to ensure that the best interests of the public and SSNIT beneficiaries are safeguarded,” Ablakwa urged. He also called on civil society organizations and the general public to support the call for a transparent and fair investigation.

The petition to CHRAJ is seen as a crucial step in holding public officials accountable and ensuring that the management of public assets is conducted in a manner that upholds public trust. As the investigation proceeds, it is expected to shed light on the mechanisms of the deal and determine whether all protocols were duly followed.

This development has prompted discussions across various sectors about the need for stricter regulations and oversight in the management and sale of public assets, particularly when potential conflicts of interest are involved. The outcome of the CHRAJ investigation will be closely watched, as it could set a precedent for future transactions involving public assets in Ghana.