The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has hit back at the defence of the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and its decision to sell 60% of its stake in six hotels to the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Dr Bryan Acheampong.
According to the North Tongu MP, SSNIT’s reason for picking the Agric minister over other competitors is concerning. He added that the reasons provided by SNNIT are full of inconsistencies.
Mr Ablakwa’s apprehensions stem from allegations of conflict of interest, abuse of power, and other procurement irregularities.
He thus, petitioned the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate the matter, particularly focusing on the sale to the Abetifi MP.
SSNIT defended its actions, stating that the partnership with an investor to manage and invest in the hotels began in 2018, following International Competitive Tendering (ICT) processes in line with the Public Procurement Act. The Trust asserts that the minister for food and agriculture presented the most favourable proposal.
However, Mr. Ablakwa, in a post on X on May 20, 2024, pointed out discrepancies in the timeline of events.
He noted that the procurement process initiated by SSNIT on November 14, 2018, predates the opening of Rock City, which only began operations in November 2019.
The MP finds it concerning that Rock City was able to outcompete 14 other firms shortly after its establishment, questioning the financial and technical capabilities acquired in such a short span.
“It’s interesting to discover from the SSNIT statement that their controversial procurement processes for the sale of the 6 hotels started on November 14, 2018.
“In November 2018, Rock City had not opened for business. According to the management of Rock City in an interview with the Miami Herald, Phase 1 of Rock City commenced operations in November 2019 — a year after the SSNIT procurement processes were rolled out.
“... It is even more profound that soon after commencing operations in the middle of the SSNIT procurement, Rock City gathered the financial and technical might to knock out all the other 14 firms they competed against,” the post stated.
It’s interesting to discover from the SSNIT statement that their controversial procurement processes for the sale of the 6 hotels started on November 14, 2018.
In November 2018, Rock City had not opened for business. According to the management of Rock City in an interview with… pic.twitter.com/QAYlLBOu9d
— Sam Okudzeto Ablakwa (@S_OkudzetoAblak) May 20, 2024
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