In a decisive move aimed at curbing the exploitation of state resources by politicians, Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency in the Volta Region, has announced his intention to sponsor a Private Member’s Bill in Parliament.

The bill according to the National Democratic Congress lawmaker will seek to expressly prevent politicians and politically exposed persons from participating, either directly or indirectly, in the acquisition of state assets.

Honourable Ablakwa, a staunch advocate for transparency and ethical governance, emphasized that the bill is designed to close existing legal loopholes that some politicians have been exploiting to their advantage.

“After 16 years of crusading against politicians purchasing state assets under circumstances rife with conflict of interest, opacity, abuse of power, and unethical practices, I believe it is time to have a strong piece of legislation with deterrent sanctions to end this canker”.
Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament North Tongu Constituency

Organized Labour Unions Applauded

Furthermore, the Ranking Member of the Parliamentary Committee on Foreign Affairs praised the leaders of organized labour for their swift and courageous action against the SSNIT sale of its 60% share of its four hotels to Honorable Bryan Acheampong.

He particularly singled out Dr Yaw Baah and Dr Isaac Bampoe Addo for organizing a prompt press conference condemning the atrocious efforts by SSNIT to sell Ghana’s hotels to President Akufo-Addo’s Minister for Food and Agriculture, Honorable Bryan Acheampong.

He commended the labour union leaders’ demand for the immediate termination of the sale of the four hotels belonging to SSNIT, warning of severe repercussions if their demands are not address by the government.

Honourable Ablakwa further emphasized that it is in the government’s interest to heed the unambiguous demands of the organized labour and immediately abort the sale of the four hotels or risk the mother of all strikes as intimated by the labour unions.

While commending organized labour for it move, Honourable Ablakwa emphasized that his proposed bill aims to bring an end to what he describes as “naked state capture,” ensuring that state assets are protected from unscrupulous transactions that undermine public trust and the principles of good governance.

“Enough of the naked state capture. Thank you, organized labour, for courageously standing up for all Ghanaian workers; Ghana is grateful”.
Honorable Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, Member of Parliament North Tongu Constituency

Honourable Ablakwa’s comment comes following concerns raised by Ghana’s organized labour about the proposed sale of state-owned hotels by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Honorable Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture and Member of Parliament for Abetifi.

The Organized labour leaders, including Dr Yaw Baah, Secretary-General of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), and Dr Isaac Bampoe Addo, Head of the Civil and Local Government Staff Association of Ghana (CLOGSAG), held a press conference to denounce the deal.

They condemned the planned sale as an egregious example of state capture and called for the deal to be immediately aborted.

The labour union leaders also warned the government that failure to heed their demands could result in widespread industrial action, including what they described as “the mother of all strikes.