Story: News Desk
Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has lodged a formal petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate allegations surrounding the sale of six hotels by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to the Food and Agriculture Minister, Dr. Bryan Acheampong.
In his petition, Mr Ablakwa asserted that there were ongoing plans to sell a controlling 60% stake in six hotels owned by SSNIT to Rock City Hotel Limited, a company reportedly owned by Dr. Bryan Acheampong, who serves as the MP for Abetifi.
The hotels under scrutiny in the petition include Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel.
Mr Ablakwa’s petition to CHRAJ seeks an investigation into various allegations, including conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.
The MP highlighted what he viewed as a violation of constitutional provisions, citing Articles 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution. In a subsequent Facebook post on Friday, May 17, he contended that Dr. Bryan Acheampong’s alleged involvement in the hotel sale without the Speaker of Parliament’s permission constitutes a breach of parliamentary protocol regarding holding offices of profit.
“In my petition, I am inviting CHRAJ to investigate grave matters bothering on conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.”
“I have also drawn attention to blatant violations of Article 78(3) and 98(2) of the 1992 Constitution as diligent checks from Parliament’s Committee on Office of Profit reveal that Hon. Bryan Acheampong has not applied and does not have the permission of the Speaker of Parliament to hold an office of profit,” he said.