TUC threatens strike over sale of SSNIT hotels to Bryan Acheampong

The Trades Union Congress (TUC) has threatened the ‘mother of all strikes’ if the government proceeds with the sale of the Labadi, La Palm, and two other hotels to Food and Agriculture Minister, Bryan Acheampong’s Rock City Hotel.

According to the TUC Secretary-General, Dr Yaw Baah, it is not right for the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) to sell its interests to a Minister of state.

Addressing the media on May 20, 2024, Dr Baah expressed surprise that the initial proposal to sell stakes in six hotels has been scaled down to four, arguing that this change undermines the validity of the entire sale process.

“We find it extremely difficult to understand why SSNIT’s interest in six hotels will be packaged and sold as if all the hotels are in the same financial position,” he said.

“We find it difficult to understand why the original proposal for the sale of SSNIT’s interest in six hotels has been reduced to four. We hold the view that this renders the whole process null and void. We have observed that the proposed payment terms have varied from the original MoU based on the recommendations,” he added.

Dr. Baah further objected to the sale of shares to a company owned by Bryan Acheampong, a Minister of State, deeming it inappropriate.

“We also find it difficult to understand why SSNIT’s interest in these hotels should be sold to a company owned by a Minister of State. We do not think this is right,” he added.

The TUC is demanding an immediate halt to the sale process and has threatened a massive industrial action.

“We are calling on the Minister responsible for pensions to direct the board of trustees of SSNIT to cancel the process immediately; otherwise, we organized labour will advise ourselves,” he warned.

This follows a petition by the Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa for the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) to investigate potential conflicts of interest, abuse of power, and other legal breaches, citing specific articles of the 1992 Constitution in the sale of the SSNIT interests in the hotels.

In response, SSNIT defended its decision, stating that Rock City Hotel Limited presented the best proposal through a transparent process compliant with the Public Procurement Act. SSNIT explained that its goal was to partner with an investor to raise capital and enhance hotel management.