Bryan Acheampong takes on Ablakwa; says ‘I am not a director of Rock City Hotel’

The Minister of Agric, Bryan Acheampong, has distanced himself from the day-to-day operations of Rock City Hotel.

He said although he owns the company, he does not involve himself in the decisions that they take.

“I wish to state that there is a difference between Bryan Acheampong and Rock City. I own the company. I am the vision bearer and that is what I have tasked them with. Occasionally, I check on the progress being made with the vision. Rock city pays contributions of about 1,000 staff to SSNIT. You can check whether my name is on that list. I am not a director. I don’t take daily decisions for the company. I am a non-executive director” he said on Accra-based Joy FM on May 21.

He therefore denied any wrongdoing. “There is no breach” Mr Acheampong said.

It will be recalled that on May 17, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, alleged that six hotels belonging to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) are being sold to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, owner of Rock City Hotel.

He added, “The six SSNIT hotels being sold are: Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel.”

According to the North Tongu lawmaker, selling state properties to government officials is an abuse of power and should be prohibited.

In a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and posted on his social media platforms, the MP wants the anti-graft body to stop the sale of the said hotels.

Furthermore, Mr Ablakwa alleged in his petition 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.”

“Intercepted documents in my possession confirm that SSNIT is far advanced in selling a controlling 60% stake in six of its hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Hon. Bryan Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi and Minister for Food and Agriculture.

“Hon. Acheampong is a director and the sole beneficial owner of Rock City Hotel Limited,” the MP wrote.

“In my petition, I am inviting CHRAJ to investigate grave matters bothering on conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.

“I have also drawn attention to blatant violations of Article 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution as diligent checks from Parliament’s Committee on Office of Profit reveal that Hon. Bryan Acheampong has not applied and does not have the permission of the Speaker of Parliament to hold an office of profit,” Mr Ablakwa wrote on X.

However, in the interview on Accra-Based Joy FM, which was a face-off with Mr Ablakwa, Mr Acheampong insisted that he is only a non-executive director hence no regulation on conflict of interest has been breached.

For his part, Mr Ablakwa noted that the explanations offered by Mr Acheampong, are not enough grounds for him to withdraw his petition.

“It does not lie in the mouth of Bryan Acheampong to determine conflict of interest,” he insisted.

He stressed, that he has no personal bone to pick with the Minister but is pursuing a principle.

“I am against public officers using their positions to acquire state property, and I still stand by it,” Ablakwa stated.