SSNIT hotels: Ablakwa to petition Bagbin over Bryan Acheampong’s bid

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, says he will petition the Speaker of Parliament regarding the failure of the Abetifi Member of Parliament, Dr Bryan Acheampong, to seek permission from the Speaker’s office in his attempt to purchase SSNIT’s shares in four hotels.

Mr Ablakwa has already petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate and halt the sale of the hotels, which include Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, and Ridge Royal Hotel, to the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong.

In an interview with Citi News, the North Tongu MP expressed confidence that the Speaker will take the appropriate actions to halt the sale.

“I intend to bring this development to the attention of the Speaker, that a Member of Parliament and a Minister of State has violated Article 78 and Article 98 of the Constitution. Its authority has been undermined. And it is because of developments like this, where there will be a conflict of interest, the constitutional provision is very clear, because in that process you must prove that the business transaction you are going to engage in will not lead to a conflict of interest.

That is the same as what the Constitution provides. And yes, SSNIT did not check if Bryan Acheampong had the Speaker’s permission to engage in that transaction.

“Bryan Acheampong also violently violated those constitutional provisions. So I am going to bring this to the attention of the Speaker, and I hope that the Speaker will crack the whip in this matter.”