Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has lamented that it is a national disgrace that Bryan Acheampong, the Minister of Food and Agriculture, is prioritizing a misguided attempt to acquire SSNIT hotels over addressing the pressing issue of soaring food prices, which demands immediate policy solutions.
Hon. Ablakwa accused Bryan Acheampong of stubbornly persisting with a highly controversial and widely criticized transaction, which has sparked outrage among the Ghanaian public and drawn condemnation from organized labor, despite mounting pressure to abandon the deal.
Furthermore, Hon. Ablakwa revealed that confidential documents obtained from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) show that the ‘NPP’s much-hyped Rock City Hotel’ reported significant losses in 2023, contradicting the party’s claims of success and raising more questions about the wisdom of the controversial hotel purchase.
He pointed out the stark contradiction that while the Labadi Beach Hotel, which the NPP had claimed was underperforming, actually generated an impressive profit of over GHS158 million in 2023.
Ablakwa emphasized that Rock City Hotel declaring significant losses in the same year raises eyebrows and fuels suspicions of mismanagement of the hotel and hypocrisy in the NPP.
“Don’t believe the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government when they tell you this sleazy deal is about Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City saving SSNIT’s struggling hotels. It’s all about capturing profitable and iconic national brands for themselves. It’s never been about the interest of Ghanaian workers and pensioners”.
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
As such, Hon. Ablakwa vowed that he, along with all concerned citizens, will vigorously oppose and block the “unpatriotic, senseless, and deleterious” sale, determined to protect the nation’s interests and prevent what they see as a reckless and catastrophic decision.
He also announced that the June 18th demonstration, a protest against the controversial SSNIT deal with Bryan Acheampong, is gaining momentum and promised to be a significant show of force against the transaction, which has sparked widespread outrage and opposition.
Veep’s Advisor Embroiled In Conflict Of Interest Scandal
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa pointed out that Prof. Kwaku Appiah-Adu, a close advisor to Vice President Alhaji Bawumia, also serves as the board chairman of La Palm Royal Hotel, creating a glaring conflict of interest that reeks of cronyism and further underscores the shady dealings in the SSNIT controversy.
“It would be interesting to know what his advice to the Vice President is as regards the infamous sale of SSNIT’s hotels to Minister of Agric, Bryan Acheampong. What is therefore the position of Vice President Alhaji Bawumia on this sale, considering his close proximity to the La Palm Royal board chair?”
Hon. Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa
Hon. Ablakwa called out Prof. Appiah-Adu to explain the contradiction between his role as board chair of La Palm Royal Hotel and the accusations made by NPP sympathizers, including Afenyo-Markin, that the hotel’s current leadership, which he oversees, is ineffective, incompetent, and bereft of innovative ideas.
Hon. Ablakwa emphasized that Prof. Appiah-Adu’s response is essential to clarify the contradictions, as the NPP is using the alleged incompetence of La Palm Royal Hotel’s leadership to rationalize the sale of the hotel to Bryan Acheampong, who they claim has exceptional competence and vision.
He highlighted that these glaring inconsistencies and contradictions raise serious suspicions and questions about the genuine intentions and motivations driving the sale, suggesting that there may be more to the deal than meets the eye.
Hon. Ablakwa pointed out that if the NPP sympathizers’ and Afenyo-Markin’s criticisms of La Palm Royal Hotel’s leadership are accurate, it not only reflects poorly on Prof. Appiah-Adu’s stewardship but also raises concerns about the caliber of counsel he is providing to the Vice President, ultimately at the expense of the hard-pressed taxpayers.
He forcefully asked who is compensating Prof. Appiah-Adu for such questionable advice, implying that the interests of the taxpayers are being compromised and that no individual or entity is benefiting from his counsel to the Vice President.
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