The Member of Parliament for Oforikrom, Dr. Emmanuel Marfo, has defended the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) board's decision to sell shares in four state-owned hotels, following public outcry and demonstrations.

According to him, the 'Hands Off Our Hotels' demonstration organised by Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa lacks merit and should be ignored.

Speaking in an interview with Ghanweb's Nimatu Yakubu, he said “I don’t think it has any merit because if the board of SSNIT had taken a decision for some reason that the hotels are not performing to the standard they want, or even that they want to diversify, there must have been a good reason the board of SSNIT decided what they have done.

"And you jump to the conclusion that the bid was won unfairly, then that is a serious thing. The board was competent enough to do a good job by giving it to Bryan Acheampong. If there is an issue, it can be investigated. Still, when we jump into organizing demonstrations because a Ghanaian has gained something publicly advertised for people to bid, you are killing the spirit of investment. If it was a foreigner, they would not have done that. Take politics out of it."

Protesters converged at the Labadi Beach Hotel on Tuesday, June 18, for the "Hands Off Our Hotels Demonstration," aiming to pressure the government to halt the sale of 60 percent shares in four hotels owned by SSNIT to Rock City Hotel, a company owned by the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Bryan Acheampong.

The hotels involved in the controversial sale are the Labadi Beach Hotel, La Palm Royal Beach Resort, Elmina Beach Resort, and Busua Beach Resort.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu and the convenor of the protest, argued that selling state properties to government officials constitutes an abuse of power and should be stopped.

The protest commenced at the Labadi Beach Hotel and concluded at the Christ the King School where a petition was presented to the Jubilee house.

NAY/AE

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