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Politics of Sunday, 14 July 2024

Source: www.ghanaweb.com

How easily Okudzeto Ablakwa is becoming the 'one-man-thousand' of exposing corruption in Ghana

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Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa

GhanaWeb feature by Ernestina Serwaa Asante

Most often than not, Members of Parliament perform their legislative functions of passing bills, scrutinizing statutory instruments, and deciding whether or not to annul them or allow them to take effect through the effluxion of time.

But this Member of Parliament, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, goes the extra mile to bring to bear some rots in government, demand accountability, and ensure that contracts signed without due diligence are abrogated.

This has warmed him into the hearts of many Ghanaians as they believe his exposés, including the National Cathedral Scandal, Bank of Ghana Head Office saga, All African Games Expenditure, and the sale of SSNIT hotels - were steps in the right direction to protect the public purse.

When people in Mepe, Adidome, Sogakope, and its environs were affected by the spillage from Akosombo Dam in 2023, Okudzeto, who is the MP for North Tongu, one of the most affected, stood tall to demand justice for these affected people.

And most recently, he was in the news demanding a halt in the sale of some four hotels owned by SSNIT.

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

Still on this matter, in June, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa led a demonstration dubbed “Hands Off Our Hotels” to exert pressure on the government to immediately halt the sale of the 60 percent stakes of SSNIT in the four prominent hotels, to Rock City Hotel, owned by Bryan Acheampong, Minister for Food and Agriculture.

Ablakwa further raised concerns about the sale process, citing conflicts of interest, procurement breaches, and lack of due process.

He subsequently filed a petition with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) for an investigation, aiming to halt the sale and bring attention to what he describes as “state capture.”

On Friday, July 12, 2024, Organized Labour declared an indefinite strike after the National Pensions Regulatory Authority also announced that it had given approval for SSNIT to proceed with the sale of the 60% shares in those four hotels to Rock City Hotel, owned by Bryan Acheampong.

Following the brouhaha, Rock City Hotel, in a communique also distributed on July 12, announced its withdrawal in the purchase of the hotels owned by the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

The Board and Management of SSNIT would also later announce the termination of the process to divest 60% of their stake in the hotels.

The statement, also released by SSNIT on July 12, 2024, announced the termination and reaffirmation of its dedication to managing the Trust’s affairs prudently and ensuring the sustainability of the pension scheme for all pensioners and contributors.

Following the announcement, several Ghanaians have taken to social media to heap praises on Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for his fight against the sale of the four SSNIT hotels.

Some have described him as a true statesman and said his character is worth emulating.

"Thank you for being a true representative of the people. You have demonstrated what it means to be an MP and the reason why the Constitution grants you privileges as an MP. If only your colleagues could emulate your example, Ghana would have truly been a better place," one of the tweeps wrote.

Another one said, "275 MPs in Ghana's Parliament...! If only we had at least 100 of them having the posture of @S_OkudzetoAblak. Just look at his posture during the Dam Spillage and his constant anti-corruption persistence on accountability. National Cathedral, SSNIT Hotels etc! Amazing!"

One other online user also wrote that, "@S_OkudzetoAblak we love you. You are a true statesman worth emulating. God bless you and curse @NAkufoAddo."

Meanwhile, the Member of Parliament for North Tongu Constituency, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, has described the termination of the deal as an awesome victory for all Ghanaians.

He assured Ghanaians of continuing with the battle against state capture.

Ablakwa, however, called on the government to terminate the appointments of persons involved in the botched sale of some SSNIT hotels, for failing to protect the interests of Ghanaian workers.

SA/AE

Read some of the posts related to the recent 'win' in the SSNIT hotels case, on X, below;