Fiifi Asante Mpare, Deputy Communications Officer for the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Chapter in the United Kingdom and Ireland, has expressed outrage at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT)’s decision to sell 60% shares of four hotels to Rock City Hotel, which is owned by Minister for Food and Agriculture Bryan Acheampong.
He posited that this is an obvious case of conflict of interest, abuse of power, and a violation of the law.
He argued that the man in question is a minister of state and could have used his position to influence the SSNIT board to give him an advantage and possibly lead to him winning the bid over the other firms that submitted their bids.
Speaking on Rainbow Radio 92.4FM with host Daniel Dadson, he said this would never have happened under a National Democratic Congress (NDC) administration.
“There is a clear case of conflict of interest because this is a politically exposed person. He is a cabinet minister and in a position to influence decisions. His government is in power, and so they can influence the process in his favour. This would not have occurred under an NDC administration,” he said.
He made reference to what has become the popular ‘Agyapadie’ document, which the NPP has described as fake, but its contents and activities in the political space have got people questioning this administration and the activities in the book.
He further asserted that Rock City was a single hotel, and its ability to purchase the number of hotels in question raises serious questions.
He said the public was also unaware of the price at which the stake is being sold and why the other firms that submitted proposals have not been published by SSNIT.
He stated that since the Agriculture Minister is in a position of power and his party is managing the affairs of the state, including SSNIT, there is the possibility that the price could be reduced in his favour.
He added that because the majority of the board members are politically exposed, they may also be influenced to give the bid to Bryan Acheampong.
The hotels include Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and the Trust Lodge Hotel.
SSNIT, in a press statement, indicated that the selection process for the sale was transparent and in strict compliance with the Public Procurement Act.
It revealed that Rock City Hotel submitted the best and strongest technical and financial proposal among the bids received, meeting the criteria set out in the Request for Proposals (RFP).
But Fiifi Asante Mpare maintained that the process may have been rigged to favour Bryan Acheampong.
He commended North Tongu MP Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for submitting a petition to CHRAJ to investigate the matter.
He stated that the problem needed to be investigated and, if possible, another entity that satisfies the criteria should be awarded the shares.
He concluded by admonishing Ghanaians to vote out the NPP in the upcoming December 7, 2024, general elections.
The level of corruption under the NPP, he said, was unprecedented, and keeping them in power will worsen our plight.
By: Rashid Obodai Provencal/Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
