The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced his intention to organize a mammoth demonstration against the sale of hotels of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), to Rock City Hotel Limited owned by the Minister of Agric, Bryan Acheampong.
Speaking on the Joy FM’s Super Morning Show on Monday, May 27, the lawmaker said “We are ready to hit the streets, and we have notified the Ghana Police.”
Despite petitioning the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the matter, Ablakwa said the processes to sell the properties are still ongoing, hence the need for public pressure to halt the process. He said CHRAJ does not grant injunctions so it is still legal for SSNIT to proceed with the processes pending the outcome of the Commission’s investigation.
“I have served the Ghana Police Service with a notice of demonstration because the latest documents I have intercepted reveal that the parties involved are proceeding with the sale and purchase of state assets. The petition at CHRAJ has not halted their actions, as they are exploiting a loophole in the CHRAJ law, which does not grant injunction powers.”
Okudzeto Ablakwa said the government appointees must sit up and listen to Ghanaians, thus his efforts to organize the protest.
“I want to scale up the public agitation and the pressure and get all of these public officials who are not acting in our interest to listen to the public anger and stop all they are doing”.
According to the North Tongu MP, he has already received a response from the Police indicating that hey have received his notification of intent to organize the protest. He mentioned that the demonstration will commence at Labadi Beach Hotel and end at Jubilee House where a petition would be presented to the President.
“So in compliance with the public order, Act 419. I have notified the police that on June 18, 2024, at 9am, we shall be leading a public demonstration against this sale. We intend to start in front of Labadi Beach and proceed through La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, through the Ministries and then end at the Jubilee House where we intend to present a petition to His Excellency Akufo-Addo.”
Okudzeto Ablakwa said he is exploring options to end politicians exploiting the nation and is currently working on a Private Member’s Bill to that effect. He said the bill will block the loopholes in the existing law to ensure politicians cannot directly or indirectly participate in the acquisition of state property.
“In the coming days, I shall be sponsoring a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament to expressly prevent politicians and politically exposed persons from participating directly or indirectly in the purchase of state assets. The objective will be to legally block all loopholes in the current legal regime which some politicians appear to be exploiting. After 16 years of crusading against politicians purchasing state assets under conflict of interest, opaque abuse of power and unethical circumstances; I believe it is time to have a strong piece of legislation with deterrent sanctions to end the canker,” Ablakwa stated.
