Private Legal Practitioner, Martin Kpebu, has said that the Minister of Food and Agriculture who is also lawmaker for Abetifi, Bryan Acheampong must seek permission from the Speaker of Parliament in relation to the move to acquire the stakes in the hotels belonging to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).
He says as the rules of parliament require, the lawmaker must inform the speaker for certificates to be given to him.
“Bryan Acheampong needs to obtain permission from the Speaker of Parliament so he’s given a certificate,” Kpebu said on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 on Tuesday, May 21.
He added “Bryan Acheampong should give us some respect. What is the name of the other director and his clout? Everything revolves around Bryan.”
His comments came after Bryan Acheampong distanced himself from the day-to-day operations of Rock City Hotel.
Mr Acheampong said although he owns the company, he does not involve himself in the decisions that they take.
“I wish to state that there is a difference between Bryan Acheampong and Rock City. I own the company. I am the vision bearer and that is what I have tasked them with. Occasionally, I check on the progress being made with the vision. Rock city pays contributions of about 1,000 staff to SSNIT. You can check whether my name is on that list. I am not a director. I don’t take daily decisions for the company. I am a non-executive director” he said on Accra-based Joy FM on May 21.
It will be recalled that on May 17, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, alleged that six hotels belonging to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) are being sold to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong, owner of Rock City Hotel.
He added, “The six SSNIT hotels being sold are: Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, Ridge Royal Hotel, Busua Beach Resort, and Trust Lodge Hotel.”
According to the North Tongu lawmaker, selling state properties to government officials is an abuse of power and should be prohibited.
In a petition to the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ), and posted on his social media platforms, the MP wants the anti-graft body to stop the sale of the said hotels.
Furthermore, Mr Ablakwa alleged in his petition that documents he has intercepted show that negotiations to sell 60% of the shares of the six SSNIT hotels to the minister’s Rock City Hotel Limited “are far advanced.”
“Intercepted documents in my possession confirm that SSNIT is far advanced in selling a controlling 60% stake in six of its hotels to Rock City Hotel Limited, owned by Hon. Bryan Acheampong, the MP for Abetifi and Minister for Food and Agriculture.
“Hon. Acheampong is a director and the sole beneficial owner of Rock City Hotel Limited,” the MP wrote.
“In my petition, I am inviting CHRAJ to investigate grave matters bothering on conflict of interest, abuse of power, lack of due process, procurement breaches, cronyism, and graft.
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However, in the interview on Accra-Based Joy FM, which was a face-off with Mr Ablakwa, Mr Acheampong insisted that he is only a non-executive director hence no regulation on conflict of interest has been breached.
For his part, Mr Ablakwa noted that the explanations offered by Mr Acheampong, are not enough grounds for him to withdraw his petition.
“It does not lie in the mouth of Bryan Acheampong to determine conflict of interest,” he insisted.
He stressed, that he has no personal bone to pick with the Minister but is pursuing a principle.
“I am against public officers using their positions to acquire state property, and I still stand by it,” Ablakwa stated.
The post Sale of SSNIT Hotel stakes: Bryan Acheampong should give us some respect – Kpebu first appeared on 3News.
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