In a bold move aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, has formally requested detailed information from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) concerning the sale of its hotel assets.
This request, according to the National Democratic Congress lawmaker is anchored on Article 21(f) of the Constitution of Ghana, 1992, and the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989), underscoring his commitment to parliamentary oversight and public accountability.
In his communication to the Director-General of SSNIT, Honorable Ablakwa articulated several pointed requests.
Among several demands, Honorable Ablakwa called for evidence demonstrating that Rock City Hotel Limited (registration number CS075262016) complied with the Income Tax Act, 2015 (Act 896) and SSNIT’s own pre-qualification criteria as outlined in Project Number: GR/SSNIT/CS/0001/2022.
He highlighted that all bidders were mandated to present a valid Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) Tax Clearance Certificate by the advertised deadline of 23rd March 2022, however, according to him Rock City Hotel’s records at the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) indicate non-compliance.
“Indeed. Rock City’s attempt to file their annual tax returns for the years in issue were carried out belatedly in 2023 and 2024 respectively, long after SSNIT’s advertised deadline of 23rd March 2022. The unimpeachable records also show that Rock City was fined an amount of GHS 4,390.00 by GRA as a penalty for filing the 2022 tax returns two years late, that is on May 23, 2024”.
Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, MP. North Tongu Constituency and Ranking Member, Foreign Affairs Committee of Parliament.
Tender Evaluation Report
Again, the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa requested a copy of the tender evaluation report concerning the sale of SSNIT’s 60% shares in various hotels, including Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Elmina Beach Resort, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel.
He also sought the minutes of the evaluation committee meetings to understand better the decision-making process behind the sale of these assets, including Labadi Beach Hotel, and La Palm Royal Beach Resort,among others.
The Imperative for Transparency
Honourable Ablakwa, the North Tongu Member of Parliament emphasized the urgency and importance of this information request, stating that it is crucial for fulfilling his constitutional mandate of parliamentary oversight.
He asserted that the request for transparency is not only a matter of legal right but also a critical aspect of public accountability.
In his letter, Honorable Ablakwa expressed hope that Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) would comply with the Right to Information Act, 2019 (Act 989) promptly.
He also cautioned that any failure to respond within the legally stipulated timeframe would compel him to pursue all available legal avenues to obtain the requested information.
This request by Honorable Ablakwa, according to him is part of a broader effort to ensure that public entities like SSNIT operate transparently, particularly in transactions involving significant public assets.
He underscored the need for rigorous compliance with legal and procedural requirements in public procurement and asset disposal processes.
In an earlier move, Honorable Ablakwa submitted a formal petition to President Akufo-Addo, calling for an immediate cessation of the sale of five hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel, a company owned by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong.
The National Democratic Congress legislator and lead organizer of the Hands-Off-our-Hotels demonstration, while submitting the petition to the representative of President Akufo-Addo, strongly asserted that the sale of state properties has historically been detrimental to Ghana’s best interests and should not proceed without the collective consent of the Ghanaian populace.
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