The Minority in Parliament is warning the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to call off its intended sale of 60% shares in the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) hotels or face nationwide demonstrations.
Minority Leader, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, condemned the government’s plan to sell the iconic SSNIT hotels, calling it a “dubious arrangement” designed to benefit individuals within the government under suspicious circumstances.
In a statement released on Monday, the leader expressed satisfaction at the withdrawal of Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong’s company from the bid, following intense pressure from organized labor and civil society groups.
According to him, it is however not sufficient that Bryan Acheampong, whose company attempted a hostile takeover of the iconic SSNIT hotels in a sweetheart deal with the government, has withdrawn its state capture bid.
Dr. Forson stated, “The government must issue a public statement informing organized labor and the general Ghanaian public that it has stopped its dubious arrangement to offload shares in the SSNIT hotels to a person(s) in government under very suspicious circumstances.”
The NDC in Parliament, together with organized labor, civil society, and the general public, have strongly opposed the transaction.
The Minority Caucus has emphasized the importance of protecting the interests of Ghanaian workers and maintaining transparency in the management of national assets.
“The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Minority in Parliament, organized labor, civil society, and the people of Ghana have spoken loud and clear that we are opposed to the questionable arrangement by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to sell the SSNIT hotels to Minister of Agriculture Bryan Acheampong or anyone in a suspicious deal.”
“The government must listen to the voice of organized labor, other interest groups, and those who stiffly opposed to this shady transaction to protect the interest of the Ghanaian worker,” he said.
The Minority leader warned that if the government fails to announce the cancellation of the sale by the close of Tuesday, July 18, 2024, they will escalate their non-cooperation to include nationwide demonstrations.
“The Minority announces for the information of the general public that until the government makes it clear that it has stopped the sale of the SSNIT hotels, the NDC Caucus will no longer cooperate with the government in the handling of government business in Parliament. ”
“If by the close of Tuesday, July 18, 2024, the government fails or neglects or refuses to declare that the sale of the SSNIT hotels has been abolished, we shall escalate our non-cooperation to include measures such as demonstrations across the country,” Dr. Ato Forson warned.
The Minority, in addition to demand of the cancellation, has also called for the resignation of the members of the SSNIT board, the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), and the Minister of Employment, accusing them of failing to protect the interests of Ghanaian workers and being complicit in the alleged state capture.
“They must all resign for serving as accomplices in the state capture and for failing to protect the interest of Ghanaian workers,” he said.