Top opposition politician and Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has revealed his intention to sponsor a Private Member’s bill in parliament. The bill will stop politicians from purchasing properties that belong to the state.
According to the MP, a loophole in the legal system allows politicians and politically exposed persons to acquire state properties. He believes his bill if passed will block the avenues politicians exploit to purchase properties belonging to the state.
“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,” Hon. Ablakwa wrote in a social media post sighted by Awakenewsroom.
He added that the yet-to-be-introduced bill would clearly state sanctions to be slapped on any politician who will be caught in the act.
“I believe it is time to have a strong piece of legislation with deterrent sanctions to end the canker,” Okudzeto Ablakwa stated.
Background
On Friday, May 17, Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to halt the sale of six Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels to the Minister for Agriculture and MP for Abetifi constituency, Bryan Acheampong.
In a social media post, Okudzeto Ablakwa disclosed that he possesses documents indicating SSNIT’s advanced plans to sell a controlling 60% stake in the hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by the minister.
The hotels mentioned in the transaction are Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort and Trust Lodge Hotel.
Bryan Acheampong is the Director and the owner of Rock City Hotel Limited.
In his petition to CHRAJ, Mr Okudzeto cited serious concerns including conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism and graft.
SSNIT confirmed it is in advanced negotiation to sell off a 60% stake in four of the above-mentioned hotels. It said due process has been followed and Rock City Hotel made the best bid among all the six bids that were received for the hotels.
