'Hands off our hotels' demonstration

Minority Chief Whip, Governs Kwame Agbodza has disclosed that the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels up for sale are more profitable than the entity trying to buy them.

Addressing the demonstrators at the ongoing ‘Hands off our hotels’ the Adaklu lawmaker stated that there is no logic in selling off a strategic state asset that is making a profit for the nation.

“These hotels that we are talking about are strategic national assets, this hotel is more profitable than the organization that is trying to buy it. Where is the principle under this, it has nothing to do with any individual, if the name of the person behind is even Kwame, Kwadwo, Ama, or Okudzeto the principle under which we are protesting would have been the same.

“Not too long ago, the government under President Akufo-Addo came to Parliament and said we should give tax waivers to many hotels. In fact, since we gave these tax wavers some of them haven’t laid one block after taking the tax waivers,” Mr. Agbodza stated.  

Meanwhile, traditional authorities of La who are custodians of the land on which the Labadi Beach Hotel and the La Palm Royal Beach Resort sit have also joined the demonstration to protest the sale of the two hotels.

The lead convener of the demonstration, Okudzeto Ablakwa has raised issues of conflict of interest in the sale of selling its 60% shares in Labadi Beach Hotel, LA Palm Royal Beach Resort, Ride Royal Hotel, and Elmina Beach Resort to Mr. Bryan Acheampong’s Rocky City Hotel.

However, Mr. Bryan Acheampong has said he has done no wrong as he has distanced himself from the day-to-day operations of Rock City Hotel.

He said although he owns the company, he does not involve himself in the decisions that they take.

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) has also denied any foul play in its decision to sell a 60% stake in its hotels to Rock City Hotel.

Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM