President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has characterized the public outcry and controversy surrounding the government’s decision to transfer partial ownership of SSNIT-owned hotels to Rock City Hotels, a company linked to Agric Minister, Bryan Acheampong as unnecessary and baseless.
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa joined forces with organized labor to organize a protest and nationwide strike in response to the perceived undervalued sale of SSNIT-owned hotels, including a profitable one, to a government official. Following the protest, organized labor announced plans to revamp its representation on the SSNIT board.
Addressing the 12th Quadrennial Delegates Congress of the Trades Union Congress, President Akufo-Addo weighed in on the issue, stating that the uproar surrounding the sale of SSNIT-owned hotels was unwarranted and unnecessary.
He countered criticisms of SSNIT’s management by highlighting the agency’s impressive financial performance, which included a profit of over GHȼ230 million. He argued that this success, as evident in SSNIT’s 2023 financial report, demonstrates the trust’s effective management and should alleviate concerns about its decision to divest non-performing assets.
President Akufo-Addo urged restraint in public commentary, cautioning that inflammatory remarks could harm SSNIT’s long-term interests. He also appealed to organized labor to engage in constructive dialogue with the government to address their concerns, rather than resorting to industrial action.