Ablakwa announces second ‘Hands off our Hotels’ demo in Cape Coast
The Member of Parliament for North Tongu and convener of the ‘Hands off our Hotels’ demo, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has announced that a second phase of the protest will take place in the Central Region.
This decision follows the first demonstration held on Tuesday, June 18, where Ablakwa led protesters in demanding that the government halt the sale of 60 percent shares in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel, a company owned by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.
During an interview with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Eyewitness News on Citi FM, Ablakwa revealed that there was significant support for a second demonstration, particularly from the Central Region, which houses two of the affected hotels—Elmina Beach Hotel and Ridge Royal Hotel.
He referenced a letter from the Omanhene of the Edina Traditional Council opposing the sale of one of the hotels in Elmina.
Ablakwa warned that if the president did not respond to the demands to halt the sale, a second protest would be inevitable.
In a Facebook post on Thursday, June 20, Ablakwa assured the chiefs and residents of the Central Region that he had heard their calls for action.
He committed to organizing another large-scale protest in the region if President Akufo-Addo did not intervene to stop the sales.
“May I respectfully assure the revered chiefs and good people of the Central Region who have called us for a patriotic partnership to stage the next #HandsOffOurHotels demonstration since they are vehemently opposed to the sale of Elmina Beach Hotel and Ridge Royal Hotel both in the Central Region that we have unanimously agreed and resolved to hold a similar massive protest in the Central Region if President Akufo-Addo fails to stop the sales within the next few days,” Ablakwa stated.
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The initial protest, which took place in Accra, saw a significant turnout of citizens who were concerned about the implications of the sale.
Demonstrators expressed fears that selling the shares to a private entity, especially one linked to a government official, could lead to conflicts of interest and the mismanagement of valuable national assets.
The sale has been criticized for lacking transparency and potentially undermining the financial security of SSNIT beneficiaries.
The upcoming demonstration in Cape Coast aims to build on the momentum of the first protest and amplify the voices of those in the Central Region.
Ablakwa and other organizers hope to pressure the government to reconsider its decision and preserve the hotels as public assets.
As the protest date approaches, the involvement of local leaders and communities in the Central Region is expected to play a crucial role in the demonstration’s impact.
Ablakwa’s resolve to continue the fight reflects a broader commitment to ensuring that national assets are managed in the best interest of the public.
In summary, the second ‘Hands off our Hotels’ demonstration aims to intensify the call for government accountability and the protection of public assets.
Ablakwa’s announcement highlights the growing opposition to the sale and underscores the importance of civic engagement in holding leaders accountable.
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