SSNIT Hotels: No conflict of interest in bidding process – Ahiagbah

The Director of Communications for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Richard Ahiagbah, has stated that concerns about a conflict of interest in the sale of a 60 percent stake in four hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to Rock City Hotel, owned by Food and Agriculture Minister Bryan Acheampong, are misplaced.

Ahiagbah argues that the process of divesting SSNIT’s interests in the hotels began in 2018, long before Bryan Acheampong became a cabinet minister.

He questioned the timing of the conflict of interest allegations, noting that no such concerns were raised when the process started five years ago.

“The question of conflict of interest for me does not arise because the process to offload SSNIT’s interests in these hotels started in 2018, five years before Hon. Bryan Acheampong became the Minister for Food and Agriculture,” Ahiagbah explained.

He further questioned, “Had SSNIT terminated the procurement process to divest its shares to Rock City between 2019 and 2023 before Bryan Acheampong became a minister, would there have been any concerns or issues of conflict of interest?”

Ahiagbah pointed out that if there were no conflict of interest concerns before Acheampong’s ministerial appointment, it should not suddenly be an issue now.

He emphasized that the procurement process was initiated and managed independently of Acheampong’s later political role, making current allegations of impropriety unfounded.

Ahiagbah also criticized the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, for organizing the ‘Hands off our Hotels’ demonstration aimed at compelling President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to halt the transaction.

On his X handle, Ahiagbah dismissed Ablakwa’s protest as lacking evidence to suggest that Rock City did not win the bid competitively or that other bidders offered superior proposals.

“He insists the demonstration lacks evidence to the effect that Rock City did not win the bid competitively or that other bidders submitted superior bids compared to Rock City,” Ahiagbah stated.

He challenged the demonstrators to provide concrete proof of any procedural bias or competitive disadvantage in the bidding process initiated in 2018.

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“I am open to joining any demonstration that provides concrete evidence that the bidding process, initiated in 2018 before Bryan Acheampong assumed his ministerial role, was biased in favour of Rock City. Or a demonstration that proves that Rock City did not win the bid competitively or that other bidders submitted superior bids compared to Rock City,” he declared.

The protest, organized by Ablakwa, sought to draw attention to what the organizers perceive as a potential conflict of interest and abuse of power in the sale of state-owned properties to a company linked to a government official.

The ‘Hands off our Hotels’ demonstration attracted significant public interest and participation from various segments of society, including civil society organizations, concerned citizens, and opposition political groups.

They argue that the sale represents a clear case of state capture and called for greater transparency and accountability in the process.

Despite these public concerns, Ahiagbah remains steadfast in his defense of the sale, urging critics to focus on evidence-based arguments rather than speculative allegations.

The ongoing debate underscores the importance of transparency in public asset management and the need for clear, impartial procedures in government transactions.

As the controversy unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to these allegations and what impact this will have on the sale process.

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