John Dramani Mahama, the flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), has criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s recent remarks regarding the failed sale of hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). Mahama argues that Akufo-Addo’s comments indicate a disconnect between the President and the concerns of ordinary Ghanaians.
Speaking at the NDC manifesto launch in Winneba on Saturday, August 24, Mahama emphasized the widespread discontent among Ghanaians, stating that many believe the country is headed in the wrong direction. He expressed concern over declining faith in democratic governance, particularly among the youth, who feel disillusioned with the current political leadership.
“Corruption is at its highest, and Ghanaians are numb to the scandals that are exposed almost every week,” Mahama stated. He further criticized President Akufo-Addo for dismissing the public outcry over the SSNIT hotels’ sale, saying, “When you have a President who says he does not understand the hullaballoo about the sale of SSNIT hotels to a minister in his government, then clearly, he is on a completely different wavelength than the rest of the country.”
President Akufo-Addo had previously described the controversies surrounding the attempted sale of SSNIT hotels as unnecessary, citing the GHS230 million surplus generated by SSNIT’s operations as evidence of improved performance. Speaking at the Trades Union Congress (TUC) quadrennial conference in Kasoa on August 20, Akufo-Addo suggested that the surplus should reassure organized labor and reduce concerns over SSNIT’s efforts to divest non-performing assets.
However, Mahama’s criticism comes amid ongoing debates over the management and sale of SSNIT assets, which have drawn widespread attention. Former Chief Justice Sophia Akuffo recently accused SSNIT management of deliberately running down the hotels to facilitate their sale. SSNIT has denied these allegations, asserting that it had restructured hotel ownership and management in an effort to improve performance but ultimately decided to sell the shares due to persistent losses.
The attempted sale, which involved Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City Hotel as the sole investor, faced significant opposition from various stakeholders, leading to its eventual termination on July 12. The controversy has sparked protests and demands for greater transparency in the management of public assets, further fueling the ongoing discourse on corruption and governance in Ghana.
Mahama’s remarks reflect a broader concern within the NDC and among many Ghanaians about the direction of the country under President Akufo-Addo’s leadership, particularly regarding issues of accountability and the perceived disconnect between the government and the people.
