In a bold display of dissent, concerned citizens gathered in Accra yesterday to protest the controversial sale of a 60% stake in six hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). Organized under the banner of ‘Hands Off Our Hotels’, the demonstration saw a coalition of activists, workers, and political figures voicing their opposition to what they perceive as an abuse of power and a threat to state assets.
Among the prominent figures leading the charge was Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu and a vocal critic of the hotel sale. Ablakwa, who also serves as a convener of the protest, has been at the forefront of efforts to halt the transaction, citing concerns of impropriety and potential corruption.
The sale, which involves transferring majority ownership to Rock City Group, a company allegedly linked to Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong, has sparked outrage and raised questions about conflicts of interest within the government. Ablakwa, along with other demonstrators, sees this as a clear case of state assets being exploited for personal gain by public officials.
Addressing the media during the protest, Ablakwa emphasized the urgency of their demands, particularly calling on President Akufo-Addo to intervene and halt the sale. “We insist that President Akufo-Addo must immediately stop the sale of our SSNIT hotels,” he declared. “We are going to insist that they back out.”
Ablakwa further stressed the need for greater transparency and accountability in the management of state assets, arguing that profitable entities like the SSNIT hotels should not be sold off to private interests. The protest garnered support from various quarters, including the Trades Union Congress, whose Public Relations Officer, Naa Ayele Ardayfio Sekyere, voiced solidarity with the cause.
“This is a national call,” Sekyere affirmed. “We must all be interested because I don’t want to work for over 40 years and go on retirement as a pauper.”
The demonstration culminated in the submission of a formal petition to the Presidency, with Ablakwa leading the delegation. Deputy Chief of Staff Emmanuel Adumua-Bossman received the petition on behalf of the government, assuring the protesters that their concerns would be duly addressed.
Reflecting on the significance of the protest, Ablakwa expressed satisfaction with the turnout and vowed to maintain pressure on the government until concrete action is taken. “Our intervention was timely,” he remarked. “We caught them right on time.”
The ‘Hands Off Our Hotels’ movement has injected fresh energy into the ongoing debate surrounding the management of state assets and the accountability of public officials. As calls for transparency grow louder, the government faces mounting pressure to reconsider its approach to privatization and ensure that the interests of the public are safeguarded.
In the coming days, the nation will keenly await the response of President Akufo-Addo and his administration, as they grapple with the demands of a populace determined to protect its collective interests and uphold the principles of accountability and integrity in governance.
Overview
Hundreds of demonstrators, led by Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, gathered at the Labadi Beach Hotel for the “Hands Off Our Hotels” demonstration. The objective was to pressure the government to immediately halt the sale of a 60 percent stake in four prominent hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel owned by Minister for Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong.
Demands and Objective
Ablakwa submitted a formal petition to the government, demanding an immediate halt to the sale process. The petition called upon President Akufo-Addo to stop the sale of SSNIT hotels, emphasizing that state assets, especially profitable ones, should not be sold without the consent of all Ghanaians. The protest aimed to express disgust and pressure the government to cease the proposed sale, which was perceived as an abuse of power and potentially damaging transaction.
Confrontation and Petition Submission
The demonstration, which commenced at the Labadi Beach Hotel, concluded near the Jubilee House, the seat of government. However, the protesters’ attempt to cross the agreed finishing point resulted in a confrontation with the police, leading to the use of tear gas and pepper spray, resulting in injuries. Despite this, Ablakwa managed to present a copy of the petition to a representative from the Jubilee House amidst heavy security. The hotels in question included the Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, and Busua Beach Resort.
Widespread Support
The protest garnered widespread support from various segments of society, including civil society organizations, concerned citizens, and opposition political groups, all united in their stance against what they perceived as an unethical and potentially damaging transaction.
For more details, you can refer to the full news story provided earlier for a comprehensive understanding of the demonstration
