Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has announced that he has formally notified the Ghana Police Service, in accordance with the Public Order Act of 1994, of his and other concerned citizens’ plan to hold a demonstration on June 18, 2024.
He stated that the demonstration aims to voice opposition to the highly contentious sale of SSNIT’s hotels to Hon. Bryan Acheampong, the Minister for Food and Agriculture, which they strongly believe is a grossly unfair and unjustifiable transaction.
“This demonstration becomes absolutely crucial because of the latest intercepted documents which reveal that SSNIT is proceeding with the transaction despite my CHRAJ complaint and despite the palpable public outrage”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Furthermore, Hon. Ablakwa declared that the campaign against this deeply problematic deal, which clearly goes against the nation’s well-being, starts now, emphasizing that Ghanaians will unite to safeguard their hotels, a valuable asset for all Ghanaian workers.
As such, the Member of Parliament announced that the protest march would begin at the Labadi Beach Hotel, proceed past the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, and culminate at the Jubilee House, where the demonstrators will submit a petition to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, urging him to take action.
Moreover, Hon. Ablakwa expressed frustration that, despite his prompt actions a week ago in exposing the scandalous sale of SSNIT’s hotels to Rock City and filing a complaint with CHRAJ on May 17, 2024, there has been no meaningful outcome or concrete action taken to address the issue.
He lamented that, disappointingly, the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government has turned a deaf ear to the widespread public outcry and unequivocal demands from Organized Labor and Civil Society Organizations to halt the sale, ignoring the overwhelming consensus among Ghanaians who have vehemently rejected this deal.
“Considering that the deal is about to be finalized and that the Agric Minister has been offering strange public justifications for his conduct, which reveals that the government intends to continue with this putrefying arrangement albeit with impunity; in these circumstances, we citizens, are compelled to enter the next phase of our national resistance”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Furthermore, Hon. Ablakwa emphasized that the June 18 public demonstration is just one of many proactive measures he and his fellow citizens will be taking to protect Ghana’s vital resources and strategic assets, as part of their unwavering commitment to safeguarding the nation’s interests.
As such, he expressed hope that the Ghana Police Service will collaborate with him and his group in this matter of great public significance, upholding their mandate under Act 491 to maintain law and order, and ensuring a peaceful and successful event.
PMB To Be Introduced Soon
Moreover, Hon. Ablakwa disclosed that Prof. Kweku Azar has accepted his invitation to spearhead a team of lawyers in preparing a Private Member Bill (PMB) that seeks to establish legislation governing politicians’ participation in the sale and purchase of state assets, a crucial step towards promoting transparency and accountability.
“I want us to end it once and for all because this has opened a can of worms. And it will appear that it started gradually in very small forms. Now it has taken a dimension that clearly is not in the national interest. Some politicians are taking advantage of gray areas [and] loopholes and engaging in naked cases of conflict of interest”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
As such, the North Tongu Lawmaker advocated for legislation that explicitly prohibits politicians holding executive offices from engaging in the sale and purchase of state assets, aiming to establish a clear legal framework that prevents conflicts of interest and ensures transparency in government dealings.
He further revealed that his legal team is in the final stages of preparing the bill, which will be made public in the coming days.
Accordingly, he expressed optimism that the Speaker of Parliament, whom he praised as a visionary leader, will champion the bill’s passage, paving the way for landmark legislation that promotes transparency and accountability in government.
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