Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, has categorically denied rumors that his hotel, Rock City, is struggling financially, refuting claims of any losses.
The response is a counterattack to the allegations made by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, who had claimed that the hotel was operating at a loss and boasted that he possessed documents to substantiate his assertion.
Dr. Acheampong vehemently dismissed the North Tongu MP’s claims as baseless, misleading, and malicious, decrying the unfounded and dishonest allegations.
Dr. Acheampong threw down the gauntlet, questioning the credibility of Hon. Ablakwa’s sources and boldly demanding that he produce concrete evidence and reveal the documents behind his claims.
“Rock City is not making losses. There is no one anywhere who can say that Rock City is making losses. I saw Okudzeto and Sammy Gyamfi in the studio exaggerating. Okudzeto was in smock exaggerating that Rock City is making losses and that he has intercepted documents from GRA.”
“He has not intercepted any documents. All he is saying are lies. There is nothing truthful about what Okudzeto said concerning that matter. In the first place, Rock City has informed me, and I have checked with the GRA that they have not filed their 2023 taxes”.
Bryan Acheampong
He pointed out that Rock City Hotel has not yet submitted its tax returns, and since the deadline is not until the end of the month (June), it has not even been required to file with the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) yet, contrary to Ablakwa’s insinuations.
He challenged the authenticity of Ablakwa’s claims, demanding to know the source of his information, and categorically denounced Ablakwa’s statements as complete fabrications and absolute lies.
Ahiagbah Challenges Ablakwa To Provide Evidence
Meanwhile, the New Patriotic Party’s (NPP) Director of Communications, Richard Ahiagbah, challenged Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa to provide evidence of any procurement irregularities or breaches in the sale of SSNIT’s hotels to Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Agriculture.
He warned Hon. Ablakwa to cease making unfounded accusations that damage Ghana’s reputation, and instead, produce concrete evidence of procurement violations or refrain from making harmful claims.
“The Ablakwa-led NDC’s interference in a properly conducted international competitive tender sends a negative message to the world that corporate governance and the rule of law processes in Ghana are unreliable.
“Hon. Okudzeto Ablakwa and the NDC must either demonstrate if the procurement processes were manipulated for Rock City or refrain from tarnishing Ghana’s hard-earned reputation as a rule of law investment destination”.
Richard Ahiagbah
Ahiagbah claimed that no conflict of interest was present in the sale of the hotels involving Bryan Acheampong, a transaction that Ablakwa has petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate.
Ahiagbah emphasized that the key issue at hand is whether SSNIT or any state institution can operate independently and fulfill its mandate without undue influence or interference.
“Hon. Ablakwa’s concern with the hotel transaction is that SSNIT, as an independent institution, should not be allowed to pursue the outcome of the procurement process to offload its shares in the stated hotels because Rock City, which belongs to Bryan Acheampong, won the bid”.
Richard Ahiagbah
He pointed out that, according to the records released by SSNIT, the processes leading to the settlement of Rock City have been transparent and in compliance with regulations.
However, he argued that the bid awarded to Rock City, a company owned by Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, Hon. Ablakwa is of the view that it should be revoked, regardless of the consequences.
“So, what if another company had won the bid, would Hon. Ablakwa have accepted that outcome?” – Richard Ahiagbah
READ ALSO: Violence In West Bank Overshadowed By Onslaught In Gaza
