“Dissolve SSNIT Board, Ablakwa Urges”
- Ablakwa calls for SSNIT board dissolution over hotel sale to Acheampong.
- Acheampong accused of conflict of interest in SSNIT hotel acquisition.
- Ablakwa proposes labour representatives majority on SSNIT board.
- Ablakwa vows to fight state asset acquisition, including against own party.
North Tongu lawmaker Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa has called for the dissolution of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) board, citing their unresponsiveness to halt the sale of hotels to Agric Minister Bryan Acheampong.
Ablakwa accused the board of not being responsive to the calls to stop the sale, which he believes is a conflict of interest. He suggested that the majority of the SSNIT board members should be representatives from organized labour, to address political involvement and ensure the trust functions in the interest of workers.
Ablakwa also stated that he will oppose any government official, including those from his own party, who attempts to acquire state assets. He referenced his past efforts to combat state capture, including a 16-year-old court case against former NPP Chairman Jake Obetsebi Lamptey.
Ablakwa accused Agric Minister Bryan Acheampong of being in a conflict of interest situation, as he was a Minister of State when the hotel acquisition process began. He cited Articles 284 and 78 of the constitution, which he believes have been breached.
Ahiagbah, Director of Communications for the NPP, countered that conflict of interest does not apply in this case, as the process started in 2018, before Acheampong became Minister.
Ablakwa has petitioned CHRAJ and organized a demonstration against the hotel sale, which he believes is not in the best interest of SSNIT or the workers. The controversy surrounding the sale of SSNIT hotels continues, with Ablakwa vowing to continue his opposition and push for reforms in the trust’s governance structure.